Valerie Madison Jewelry is Next Level Beautiful
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Looking for the perfect engagement ring or wedding band? Here are our 8 favorite rings by Valerie Madison Jewelry.
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CATALYST WEDDING CO. BLOG
A Foggy Just Because Session in Cameron Lake, BC, Canada: Camilla + Ked
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We’ve known each other since high school without ever officially meeting. Life took us in different directions, although we both knew about each other from mutual friends. In university, we both took a Psychology of Sexuality course and truly met there.
Read MoreHow to Write Wedding Vows Like You Give a Damn
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Most couples wait until the last minute to write their vows. And it’s no wonder. It seems so freaking daunting! Where to start?!
I’m here to tell you that it’s actually simpler than you think.
Read MoreMark Maya Photography Is Ready to Capture Your Wedding with Honesty, Vision, and Love
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Along my journey, I've shared each and every detail about what I've learned with my clients, other photographers, friends, and family. The result has been the forming of an honest community of creative people that have used my stories and experiences to grow and create their own.
Read MoreLovers in Havana: Felix + Ishak
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To meet Felix (floral jacket) and Ishak (black jacket) is to meet vibrant electricity in a colorful place. You can't help but to feel happiness and excitement when you're in their presence. We shot in the streets of Havana at 7am and it was nothing short of early morning magic. And even better for them: they got on a plane to Paris later that evening for what would be Felix's first time out of his home country! During the entire shoot all we did was laugh and it was easy to see their genuine love for one another. Their energy was contagious!
Read MoreShould Weddings Be Renewable? 4 Reasons to Rethink ‘Til Death Do Us Part
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Given that marriage is now defined more by personal desire rather than economic necessity, do we need to keep marriage a forever thing? Wouldn’t it make more sense to have renewable marriages of varyng lengths based on your needs — say two to five years if you want to experience married life before deciding to have children or not (because living together is not the same as marriage in the eyes of the law and even your friends and family), or 18 years if you’ve made that leap and wish to raise them to adulthood?
Read MoreAngie's Confidence-Building and Cat-Friendly Boudoir Session
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So, I did this for myself. To help me love my body as I am today, I got undressed and recorded it. But, I also did this for other women, so they can feel confident about themselves and know that boudoir is for every body.
Read MoreClassic Southern Style in Savannah: Ben + Peter
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Our inspiration for the day was classic and clean, with a white and navy blue color scheme. We wanted to incorporate a lot of natural candle lights, florals and rustic greenery. We didn’t incorporate any cultural or religious traditions. Our best friend was the officiant who added a personal element to our ceremony. We couldn’t have dreamt of another person marrying us. She was truly perfect.
Read MoreReal Couples // A Wine Bar Engagement Session in Norfolk, VA | Carmen + Natalie
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I will tell you the best thing about being married—it literally is like having a sleepover with your best friend every night. Before I met Natalie, there was nothing I hated more than this sleepover saying. I thought it was stupid and inaccurate. I was so wrong. Natalie and I make it a point to always let the other person know that they are appreciated, either through word or deed, and both of us work consciously to make sure the other person’s “love tank” is full (Read the book 5 Love Languages—it’s amazing). Knowing that you have a partner and best friend who is always trying to make you feel loved and secure makes it so easy to give that back to them in return.
Read MoreWant Modern Stackable Wedding Rings That Are Ethically Made? Rebecca Mir Grady Has You Covered
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We love modern takes on the traditional engagement ring, and we love ring stacks even more, so we couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Rebecca Mir Grady Jewelry to our Catalyst vendor community. Not only are Rebecca's rings stunning, but they are all handmade from reclaimed precious metals and ethically sourced stones in her Santa Fe studio so there's no diamond guilt here. Plus, you can feel awesome rocking your engagement or wedding ring for the rest of your life knowing you supported a LGBTQ+-owned business. It doesn't get better than that!
Read MoreReal Wedding // A Tropical-Inspired Wedding San Diego: Janelle + William
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Janelle:
William and I met through my aunt at an Olive Garden. We re-connected six days later in San Diego, and in true “US” fashion we met at a favorite taco shop of mine. From there we headed to the Cabrillo monument to soak in the panoramic view overlooking La Jolla/Pacific Beach just as the sun set in the distance. The day flew by as we joined in transparent and authentic conversation about our past, present, and future desires for our lives.
Read MoreWedding Planning is Hard, But Picking Custom Wedding Invitations Just Got Easier // Emily Frock Graphic Design
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Emily Frock is a New Orleans-based graphic designer whose Etsy shop is full of custom invitation suite designs at incredibly affordable prices. Emily offers couples the option to pick a design that fits their personal style and choose which parts of the invitation suite they want to include, like RSVP cards, Thank You’s, and Save the Dates. You can also choose to either print your invitations at home or have them professionally printed by Emily and shipped straight to your door. With LGBTQ-friendly designs and prices starting at just $35 for a custom digital design, how can you say no?!
Read MoreStyled Shoot // A Multi-Cultural Same-Sex Joshua Tree Elopement
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Stylized shoot with real multi-cultural female couple. These two have been married for a year, and we provided them with a stylized shoot in Joshua Tree during a Creatively Inspired Workshop + Stylized Shoot. Many vendors included in this shoot (included below photos).
Read MoreFaux Calligraphy That Will Leave Your Guests in Awe of Your Skills
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If hiring a calligrapher for lettering place cards, addressing envelopes, decorating paper goods, etc. is not in the budget, let me impart a little knowledge for free. I’ll show you how to fake some really lovely calligraphy and turn something most couples dread — addressing all those invitations for instance — into a simple task you can take pride in.
Read MoreReal Couples // A Coffee Shop Engagement Session in Baltimore: Ali + Liz
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We met online; our first date was at the Frothy Monkey, a coffee shop, three years ago when we were both living in Nashville, TN. I got there early and found a table outside. I will never forget seeing Liz walking up the front path. She was smiling, and I immediately felt her warmth and a hint of nerves.
Over coffee we exchanged the typical first date information (what do you do? Where are you from? How many siblings? Do you have pets?). We hit it off immediately and ended up spending the rest of the evening wandering around the cute 12 South neighborhood.
Liz has this remarkable way of caring and nurturing. She kept me sane during the long hours and late nights of my medical internship. From the nights at home playing our ongoing Uno game (which I am currently winning 1,789 to 1,567) to our weekend excursions, every moment is the best adventure. Our relationship has always been full of laughter, flirting, encouragement, and support. We have moved states, homes, and jobs over the past three years, and I couldn't have imagined making any of these life shifts without Liz. She is not only my partner but my best friend. I cannot wait to see what life as in store for us!
Read MoreReal Couples // Art-Inspired Wedding at The Levine Museum of the New South: Shavonne + Travis
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I (Shavonne) planned a cabin trip in Gatlinburg for Travis' 28th birthday party. We were surrounded by long-time friends and a beautiful mountain scenery. According to Travis, it was the one time I wouldn’t suspect a proposal!
Travis was praying for what I thought was dinner that night. The prayer quickly changed from the “gathering of family and friends” to words of endearment that shook my entire being, and then he proposed. It was beautiful, it was perfect, it was for us. I remember waking up that next morning feeling like I was in the best dream ever.
Originally we were thinking of a rustic style, but that changed when we picked a more modern venue. I had my gown made Mikaella from J Majors bridal. It wasn’t too fancy or heavy and I fell in love with it at first sight. Travis wore a midnight and navy tux. He was so handsome in it!
As for my favorite memories of the wedding day, I have so many! Turning the corner to see my husband standing at the altar, seeing the emotional bond between Travis and his sister as they danced, seeing our friends and family in fellowship, and my first look with my father.
Read MoreReal Bodies // Kaity's Boudoir Session and Her Journey to Self Love
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I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face — if you make one investment in yourself in your lifetime, make it boudoir. Don’t wait until you lose that last 20lbs, or until you get rid of the cellulite on your ass. Don’t do it for your partner. Don’t do it for valentines. Do it for you.
Read MoreThis Upstate New York Photographer Believes Love is Love and Can't Wait to Capture Your Wedding
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Believe us when we say that having vendors you can trust is the most important decision you can make about your wedding, second only to choosing the right person to spend your life with. Jacqueline Connor Photography is the wedding photographer you can trust to capture the candid moments of your big day, as well as whatever fun adventurous turns that might happen!
Read MoreReal Couples // Two Grooms Commit to Forever at the Rialto Theatre: Michael + Nicholas
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Nicholas and I met the way most twenty-somethings meet these days: social media! We went to separate high schools but were both in theatre programs. Through state festivals we met a mutual friend from yet another school and then became friends on Facebook through him. I was living near Daytona Beach, and Nicholas was living in Tampa. After years of being friends online, I decided to drive down and meet him in person. We had a super casual first date at a Red Robin in the mall and we immediately connected so well. I quickly found myself commuting to and from Tampa sometimes two or three times a week to be together. After three short months, we moved in together, and have been together since.
Read MoreReal Couples // A Classic Vintage Savannah Wedding: Danielle + Kolby
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Ideas of professional collaboration quickly fell away, and they went on their first "date" — she didn't consider it one at the time — on June 29th, wandering through art galleries, grabbing a bite and a beer at Kayak Kafé, spinning records in Hang Fire, and sitting and talking in Ellis Square. At the end of the night, a stranger selling palm roses approached, entreating Kolby to recite a poem and confess his undying love for Danielle, which was surprisingly not awkward at all.
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