Catalyst Wedding Co. Blog
Aide-mémoire’s New Engagement Rings Will Bring a Little Wabi Sabi to Your Life
We are huge fans of Aide-mémoire Jewelry, and owner Aran Galligan is the designer behind this all-inclusive, queer woman-owned studio in Seattle, Washington, and her pieces never cease to amaze us. Continuing to “wow” us is her new Sculpted collection, which offers a softer and more subtle departure from her more geometric designs.
Fuck Yeah Weddings Uses Photography to Rethink Gender and Weddings
Kendall has always loved photography and from a young age knew they wanted to be a photographer when they grew up. Recognizing and validating each person's identity is critical to their core beliefs of feminism and equality. And the super gendered, binary nature of weddings? It really pisses Kendall off.
Handcrafted Wedding Rings by Lolide Are Anything But Ordinary
Artisan jeweler Lori Linkous Devine makes wedding jewelry with a modern aesthetic that is perfectly suited for texture-lovers with an avant-garde streak. Here are six ways her designs set her apart from other wedding rings on the market.
Stop Asking Engaged People About Their Weddings
What a horrible situation this puts engaged couples in, especially women. What should be a joyous occasion becomes so much work that you can't even enjoy it. It becomes yet another thing you have to do.
Meera Graham Photography Is Ready to Love the Sh*t Out of Your Wedding
We love getting to introduce our vendors to our readers, and Meera Graham has been a long-time supporter whose passion for the couples she works with is undeniable. While she's based in Missoula, Montana, she's available to travel and is regularly serving couples throughout the Northwest U.S. Read on to find out why you NEED to consider Meera when picking your wedding photographer.
Why Do We Keep Having Traditional Weddings? The Answer Might Shock You
Weddings have not fundamentally changed for hundreds of years. Truth is, you can do whatever you want! Here are some ideas to remove that monotone sexism from your own wedding and still keep with an upbeat tone celebrating your relationship and partner.
Real Couples // A Multicultural Indian Wedding in Washington State: Patrick + Trupti
Trupti and Patrick met a few years ago at work. They got to chatting over Star Wars, and the rest (as they say) is history. Their friendship grew into romance, and eventually they adopted a cat and a fluffy white puppy. Getting married was in the stars. We had the honor of photographing their wedding. It was extra special to us, as the bride and groom are friends of mine. The rain came and went during the day, and a few thunder rumbles added a bit of extra drama to the tented outdoor ceremony. But nothing could ruin this day (not even a terrible mishap with a safety pin in the bride’s sari). Just look at their faces, and it is plain as day: these two are madly in love. Their wedding was beautiful, the food was amazing, and it really was difficult to pick a favorite between Trupti’s traditional Indian attire and the stunning white wedding dress she changed into for the reception.
Wedding Inspiration // Retro Garden Party at Generations in Seattle
This is a spring inspired wedding shoot celebrating diversity and individuality. I wanted to keep the aesthetic pretty minimal with bright colors and a modern take on a bohemian vibe. Because the space was formerly a DIY venue and vintage shop that has recently shifted gears into a more traditional venue space, we thought it would be appropriate to use some of the vintage pieces from Rent Wander to set the tone.
Real Couples // Seattle is for Lovers: Allie + Angie
Recently I have been getting more involved with my engagement sessions and spending the whole day with my couples. When we are hanging out we really get to know each other and create photos together that reflect real aspects of their lives. So I spent all day with these two, and we had a blast. We started the day chillin' at their home and then eventually adventured out to Rattlesnake Ridge. They met at a bar, so it felt only natural to end the night at a few bars.
Real Couples // Rooftop Cree Wedding: Onowa + Paul
Their wedding was not just centered on Onowa and Paul's love for each other, but on their love of each other's family, friends, and community. Their wedding started with a Cree smudging ceremony and a beautiful musical performance, followed by promises made to each other, and an exchanging of rings. Onowa, Paul, and Onowa's youngest daughters then shared what they were each bringing to the marriage, which brought looks of tenderness as well as lots of laughter. Both Onowa and Paul wore items that reflected their cultures; Onowa wore a beaded hair piece with her veil, and Paul wore a traditional Maori necklace and tie with Maori designs.
Real Couples // Island Elopement With Loved Ones: Anya + Arlo
And then they got married. I will never forget Anya standing on the beach with her Dad, while Arlo was so overcome with emotion that he stood there and spoke loudly and with so much conviction, telling Anya how much he loved her. He was proclaiming his love for her through tears, to her and to their families and to the sea that surrounded them...and this was before the wedding had even begun, so you can only imagine how emotional the actual ceremony was.
Real Couples // Summer Evening Engagement: Aisha + Rachel
We met at a bar. Rachel's friend bailed but she decided to go out anyways so she was standing by the wall. I walked past her at first but stopped and turned around to talk to her for some reason. Neither of us were expecting to meet anyone that night; neither of us were looking for a relationship at that point actually, but we started hanging out constantly after that night and we've basically been together ever since.
Legit Eco-Friendly Rings: Aide-mémoire Jewelry
Aide-mémoire Jewelry is the company of your dreams. It's truly eco-conscious. down-to-earth, and woman-run. Looking for wedding bands? Say no more. If you're in Seattle, head over to their space for a consultation. If you're not local, schedule a Skype date.
Find Inclusive Wedding Vendors - Photo by Leise Jones Photography