Emma Mullins Photography

Where do I begin with Ben and Laura? Their Milwaukee wedding day last summer holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. First, I’ve known Ben since we were kids… and when I heard from him in 2019 he was engaged to be married! Once I got to meet Laura, it was clear these two were a perfect match and I could not wait to capture their wedding day. Remember their romantic spring engagement session?!

The day began with Laura getting ready at their Bay View home, and Ben at a friend’s place nearby. Their first look in front of their house was one of my favorites ever – and I don’t think their smiles faded the entire day! We spent the afternoon taking photos at some of my favorite Milwaukee locations along the lakefront, and before long it was time to get these two MARRIED 🙂

I should mention that Laura and Ben’s original wedding date was set for 2020. What’s more: they just so happened to be my last original 2020 couple to finally tie the knot! Ben and Laura said I Do across the street from their home in Humboldt Park, in an intimate ceremony officiated by Ben’s dad. Once it was official, celebration was in order! Guests headed to Hubbard Park Lodge to enjoy delicious food, drink and dancing throughout the night.

Sidenote: If you’re ever looking for an authentic Wisconsin dining experience, definitely check out Hubbard Park!! Their beer garden is one of the best in Milwaukee.

Laura and Ben: THANK YOU again for trusting us to capture these moments for you!! I’m so happy to have been part of your wedding day and wish you both all the happiness in the world.

Want to see more from Ben & Laura’s Day? Check out their gorgeous Highlight Film by Vlad!

Claire and Andrew’s winter wedding at Fairlie Chicago was one for the books! Besides being my first wedding at this gorgeous venue, I was so excited for these two to tie the knot. From our very first meeting, I knew their wedding day was going to be awesome! In Claire’s words:

“We both wanted a winter wedding, and I love the colors. I would say as far as a theme goes it will be pretty simple and modern with a lot of greenery!! Our main priorities are good music, good drinks, and a great photographer to help us capture it all!!! We just want our guests to have a lot of fun.”

I think it’s safe to say their wedding day vision was executed perfectly! After their first look at Fairlie, we traveled to Union Station for some iconic photos with the wedding party. Andrew and Claire could not keep their eyes off each other… thanks for making my job easy, guys!

Fairlie Chicago Wedding

As the afternoon turned into evening, guests began to gather at Fairlie for a candlelit ceremony underneath the skylight. Claire and Andrew were married surrounded by loved ones, and once the knot was tied it was time to PARTY!! Some of my favorite details from their reception include the craft bourbon bar and nighttime sparkler exit 🙂

Andrew and Claire: Thank you again for having us in February!! You two have been a joy to work with, I wish you nothing but happiness in your future together.

Want to see more Claire & Andrew? Check out their rainy day engagement session with beers at Dovetail Brewery!

I had so much fun with Madeleine and Justin during their Roscoe Village engagement session last fall! When I first heard from these two, they had recently moved to the neighborhood with their pup Oly and had just started planning their 2023 wedding… which just happens to be one month from TODAY!! Needless to say, I cannot wait to capture their wedding day!

Our session began with a lovely walk around the neighborhood with Oly. We passed by the iconic Welcome to Roscoe Village sign on our way to one of their favorite local spots, Four Moon Tavern! After a couple brews, we headed home for some photos in their Oakland A’s apparel on the steps (Oly too!). I have to admit: these are some of my favorite photos from our entire session! I mean, just look at that sweet puppy face!

As the sun began to set, we headed east to the lakefront for photos with the skyline. Madeleine and Justin had gotten engaged at the lakefront earlier that year, which made it extra special! The way these two laugh together made my job super easy – I truly felt like a third wheel (in a good way)! We even rented an impromptu Divvy bike to make date night complete 🙂

Madeleine and Justin: Your Roscoe Village engagement session was such a blast… I can’t wait for your wedding day next month!

Today I’m excited to share Rose and Jack’s Morton Arboretum engagement session from October! These two had been dreaming off fall colors for their engagement photos, and we got so lucky with gorgeous weather and fall foliage. I always enjoy when couples choose different seasons for their wedding and engagement photos… and with a June wedding (in less than 10 days!!), it couldn’t have worked out more perfectly!

Morton Arboretum Engagement Session

We started our session near Meadow Lake, taking in all the colorful scenery. If you haven’t visited the arboretum this time of year, you are missing out! As golden hour neared, we explored more of the East Side and all it had to offer. Rose and Jack were up for anything, and I absolutely love how this session turned out!

Rose and Jack: Thank you again for having me capture these moments for you! Can’t wait to do it again very SOON 🙂

When I first met Marissa and Noah, they were planning a Chicago History Museum wedding while living in sunny Los Angeles. They were excited as any engaged couple, but also really looking forward to celebrating with family and friends! I learned about their serendipitous meeting, four-hour first date, and wedding day vision (which may or may not have included a larger-than-life sized Chicago hot dog!). Spoiler alert: the Chicago dog did not make the cut!

Marissa and Noah got ready together with their parties at iconic Hotel Lincoln down the street. Their sweet first look on the staircase was one for the books! I love that these two had a vision for photos here… particularly with the quirky stairwell. The wedding party joined shortly after, and then it was time to walk to the venue! Noah and Marissa made sure to bring California weather with them, which made for a perfect day to walk in the park 🙂

Chicago History Museum Wedding

The venue choice was an easy one: having grown up in the Chicago area, Marissa had always wanted to get married at the History Museum. In addition, most of their friends and family had never been there before! Marissa and Noah were married in an emotional ceremony surrounded by loved ones in the Morse Genius Chicago Room. After the knot was tied, the party was ON!! Guests enjoyed delicious food and drink and lots of dancing throughout the night. We even got to capture Marissa’s reception outfit before saying goodbye!

Marissa and Noah: Thank you again for having us in October!! It has been such a pleasure collaborating with you two, wishing you all the best in your future together!

Mary and Wyatt’s Chicago engagement session last year was one for the books! I met these two in late October at one of my favorite locations in the city, the Garfield Park Conservatory. Turns out it was only a few days before their Engagement-iversary: Wyatt proposed to Mary the previous Halloween! And in exactly ONE MONTH, they will officially be married. Let the countdown begin!

Lucky for us, Chicago weather allowed for photos both inside and outside the conservatory that day. We got to browse lush ferns and desert plants, and Mary and Wyatt were smitten as can be! When the sun began to set, we headed to North Avenue Beach for some iconic Chicago engagement photos with the skyline. I love that this location was personal to them as well… it’s where they first met years before! The colorful sunset was icing on the cake 🙂

Mary and Wyatt: I had so much fun at your Chicago engagement session last year!! Your wedding day is going to be absolutely beautiful, I can’t wait!

Last September, I had the pleasure of kicking off Labor Day weekend with Lily and Nick’s Bottom Lounge wedding! These two have been such a joy to hang with, and really wanted their wedding day to feel intimate, relaxed, and FUN 🙂 Not only did it totally match this vibe… their day was also filled with unique, stylish details!

Wedding day began at The Emily in Chicago’s West Loop, with Nick and Lily getting ready separately. After their emotional first look in front of Fora, it was time to tour the city with the wedding party! We stopped at two of my favorite iconic Chicago locations: Olive Park and the Kinzie bridge. This crew was a blast to hang with… and Lily and Nick were ALL smiles!

Bottom Lounge Wedding

Bottom Lounge is one of my favorite wedding venues in Chicago. It has that fun, live music atmosphere, as well as exposed brick and gorgeous natural light. Lily and Nick tied the knot surrounded by loved ones, and then it was time to celebrate!! Some highlights include a Polaroid guest book, custom neon sign, and moody, romantic details. Of course, we ended the evening by popping a bottle of bubbly on the rooftop… because why not?!

Lily and Nick: Thank you again for having us in September!! Your wedding was so much fun to be part of, wishing you the happiest marriage and future together!

February is not the most popular month to get married in Chicago, but for some couples, it makes sense! Emily and Justin are one of those couples, and I’m so glad I got to kick off my 2023 season with their winter wedding at The Arbory 🙂

Wicker Park Wedding Photos

Our day began at one of my favorite Chicago hotels, The Robey in Wicker Park. Emily and Justin got ready with their wedding party before heading to Up Room for their first look! We got so lucky with a sunshine-filled winter day, which made the view from the rooftop extra awesome. After a few photos with the skyline, it was time to hit the town!

We made our way to the venue with a few key photo stops. Ever since their June engagement session, I knew that Emily and Justin were big music fans (their pup is named after Huey Lewis!). Naturally, we decided to stop at the Milwaukee/Honore intersection where the 2000 movie High Fidelity was filmed… and even had time to browse records at Reckless! This was one of the most fun wedding afternoons I’ve had in a while – and these two were ALL smiles!!

The Arbory Chicago

That evening, Emily and Justin were married at The Arbory surrounded by so much love. Their ceremony was officiated by a dear friend, and guests were eager to celebrate once the knot was tied! Some of my favorite details include various nods to Huey, their Parks and Recreation-themed cake, and Nike reception sneakers!! I had such a blast capturing these two and their crew… it was truly an unforgettable day from beginning to end.

Emily and Justin: Thank you again for having us in February!!! Wishing you all the happiness in your marriage and future together!

Annie and Luke’s fall wedding at Independence Grove has a special place in my heart. Not only was it my final wedding of 2022, I was so excited for these two to tie the knot! This day had been a long time coming (they’ve known each other since high school!), and I knew it was going to be good 🙂

Wedding day began at the Hilton in Lake Forest, with Annie and Luke getting ready separately with their parties. As a former October bride, I always love seeing fall wedding details and decor come together! The wedding party fashion was on point, not to mention the gorgeous bride and handsome groom. One of my favorite parts of their day was their emotional first look at home, surrounded by fall foliage. Of course, we made sure to take some family photos with pups Kain and Ava – who you may remember from their spring engagement session!

Independence Grove Wedding

Truly, Independence Grove couldn’t have been a more perfect location for Annie and Luke to tie the knot. When I first heard from these two, Annie described it like this:

“We are so excited to get married at a beautiful county forest preserve that is super close to us and our parents’ homes. We love going for walks there and it’s absolutely gorgeous in the fall… There are ponds all over and tons of trails and you can ride boats on the water. We love the outdoors, and wanted this wedding to be as easy as possible for our families, so we are thrilled about this location!”

Highlights from the day include perfect fall foliage, an arcade-themed wedding cake, and specialty cocktails in honor of their pets! This entire day was truly one to remember, and I’m so happy to have been a part of it.

Annie and Luke: Thank you again for having us in October!! It has been such a joy getting to know you both, wishing you all the best in your future together.

I absolutely loved being part of Rachel and Joe’s September wedding at City Winery Chicago. You may recall from their University of Illinois engagement session that they’ve known each other since pre-school… Needless to say, the day had been much anticipated! Originally from Illinois, these two traveled from New Jersey to tie the knot in our awesome city.

The day began with Rachel and Joe getting ready separately at Hyatt House in the West Loop. After their romantic first look on the hotel terrace, we headed out for a downtown adventure! I’m so happy these two wanted photos in some of my favorite Chicago locations – in particular LaSalle Street bridge and the gardens at Art Institute of Chicago.

City Winery Chicago Wedding

That evening, family and friends gathered in the stunning outdoor garden area at City Winery Chicago. Rachel and Joe said I Do in warm, golden light, in a ceremony officiated by a friend. Guests enjoyed cocktails and local wine in the garden followed by dinner and (lots of) dancing in the Barrel Room! One thing I love about City Winery is the variety of swoon-worthy photo locations. We made sure to take advantage of our surroundings for plenty of Newlywed photos, including champagne to end the evening!

Rachel and Joe: Thank you again for having us in September!! It’s been a delight getting to know you two these past years. Wishing you nothing but the best in Married Life 🙂