Emma Mullins Photography

It’s starting to feel like springtime in Chicago, which means more and more couples are planning engagement photos! Sara and Brian’s Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool engagement session last year was one of my favorite sessions ever – and it’s not hard to see why. Besides being totally over the moon with each other, their location ideas did not disappoint! Put that together with perfect Chicago weather, and we have the stuff engagement session dreams are made of 🙂

We arrived at Lincoln Park during golden hour, my favorite time to visit the Lily Pool. It was the perfect evening for a stroll around the pond! Sara and Brian were a delight to hang with – I don’t think either of them stopped smiling the entire session. I loved hearing their sweet engagement story and learning about their plans to wed in New Jersey this fall!

As the sun began to set, we made our way to the lakefront for iconic photos with the Chicago skyline. Seriously – we could not have asked for better weather, and these two were a dream in front of the camera! Thanks again for having me, Sara and Brian!! All my best to you both!

Thinking about your own Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool engagement session?

That’s awesome! This hidden gem location is one of Chicago’s finest. Some things you should know:

• A photography permit is required for this location. You can find more information and secure your permit here!
• If you can, schedule your session a couple hours before sunset to take advantage of golden hour light! Photographers love this time of day because light is warm, romantic, and the most flattering.
• Because it’s so unique and beautiful, the lily pool is also popular. It’s possible you may have to wait your turn for some of the most picturesque areas. Nothing to be discouraged by! This place is full of photo-worthy locations.

Last June, I had the honor of capturing Liz and Christian’s Lincoln Park wedding at Cafe Brauer! These two traveled from Michigan to celebrate in our city, and many of their guests traveled from even farther. Though they were planning a second ceremony in Christian’s home country Brazil, many friends and family from South America were able to join us in Chicago. With the addition of guests from Europe and the United States, there was no shortage of love and support for these two!

Wedding day began at Hotel Lincoln with Christian and Liz getting ready separately with their families. After their first look at North Avenue Beach, these two were all smiles! We headed to Lincoln Park for photos at the Nature Boardwalk, and then met up with family and friends. Their joyful ceremony under the Lincoln Park Honeycomb was full of laughs and happy tears 🙂

Cafe Brauer Wedding Reception

Once the knot was tied, it was time to celebrate! An iconic Chicago wedding venue, Cafe Brauer looked stunning as always as the day turned into night. I loved the variety of DIY details included in their reception, including Liz’s 3D-printed escort card holders in honor of their cats! Guests enjoyed delicious dinner, custom Caipirinhas, Brazilian Brigadeiro, and dancing into the night. I’m so happy we got to steal the newlyweds away for a few night photos during the reception!

Liz and Christian: Thank you again for having us in June!! Your Chicago wedding day was truly one to remember, wishing you the very best in your future together.

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

Last fall, I had the honor of capturing Nikki and Danny’s gorgeous Morton Arboretum wedding at Meadow Lake! The weather could not have been more beautiful, and the fall colors were just beginning to show. It was everything you could possibly want for a late September wedding!

These two have a particularly unique love story that was shared throughout the day. In their own words:

“We met in November of 2020 during the crazy COVID-19 year… and really got to know each other because there was nothing open, and no activities to do! We love this part of our story because it’s a testament to how we took a potentially rough time period and turned it into something positive and amazing.”

On wedding day, Nikki and Danny got ready separately before their sweet first look at the Arboretum. After that, these two were all smiles! We had a blast exploring the property with their stylish wedding party before heading to the lake for the ceremony.

Morton Arboretum Wedding

As the sun began to set, Nikki and Danny were married in an outdoor ceremony underneath the iconic Oak tree. One of my favorite details was the sand ceremony with Nikki’s daughters, symbolizing their unity as a family. Once the knot was tied, guests were ready to celebrate with the newlyweds! Food, drinks, and dancing in the Ginkgo Room did not disappoint 🙂

Nikki and Danny: Thank you again for having me in September!! I’m so happy to have been a part of your wedding day, all my best to you both!

This past October, I was thrilled to capture Kevin and Brandon’s wedding day at Ovation Chicago. Some of you know these two have had lots of practice in front of my camera: including Brandon’s surprise proposal in March 2021 and their Chicago engagement session last summer! It’s always a pleasure hanging out with these two, and I have been counting the days until their wedding ever since we first met.

Wedding day began with Kevin and Brandon getting ready separately with their parties before meeting up at Ovation. Here, the grooms put on their custom suits together in private, allowing for a big reveal with the wedding party! From there, it was off to Olive Park for some iconic photos with the skyline. We returned just in time for these two to walk down the aisle 🙂

Ovation Chicago Wedding

Kevin and Brandon were married that evening in a romantic, candlelit ceremony surrounded by family and friends. Their mutual friend Allie (who also helped plan Brandon’s proposal!) officiated the ceremony, which included Filipino traditions as well. Once the knot was tied, guests were ready to CELEBRATE the newlyweds into the night! Some favorite details from their reception include the Filipino folk dancers, their choreographed first dance, and Salsa dance lessons during the band break! (Yep, lots of dancing!!)

Kevin and Brandon: Thank you again for trusting me to capture these moments for you!! I absolutely loved being part of the wedding planning story and couldn’t be happier for you two. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!

In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, I’m delighted to share Allison and Joe’s lucky Irish love story! Not only have I known Allison since we were kids (it’s true!), meeting Joe and seeing them together has been an absolute delight. Needless to say, their summer Cantigny wedding day holds a special place in my heart.

In their own words:

“Allison and Joe met by chance at a restaurant in Dublin, Ireland. Joe had just finished a work trip in Germany and Italy, Allison had just finished a work trip in Denmark, and both had decided to spend a week of vacation in Ireland before heading back to the States. Joe picked the restaurant because it had a cool red door. Allison picked the restaurant because it was featured in her guide book.

Joe arrived first and after being told that they did not serve food at the bar, sat down to have a drink and re-evaluate his options. Allison walked in and also asked if she could eat at the bar, and when Joe chimed in that he had also asked to eat there, she immediately recognized his accent as American. Turns out he was from Chicago, where Allison was planning to move later that year from San Francisco!

Two dinners for one turned into one dinner for two…”

And I think we all know where the story goes from there! They even met a woman that night who claimed to predict the future, and guess what she said to them?? Yep – their marriage was in the cards from the very first day they met 🙂

Cantigny Wedding Day

Allison and Joe finally made it official in the South Grove at Cantigny Park. Their summer ceremony was officiated by a family member, and I don’t think there was a dry eye among us! Once the knot was tied, guests enjoyed cocktail hour at the First Division Museum, in honor of Joe’s service. The evening was filled with delicious food, drinks, dancing… and the occasional reference to fortune tellers and Ireland, of course!

Allison and Joe: Thank you again for having us in August! Your wedding was such a pleasure to capture and I’m honored to have been a part of it. Super happy for you two, wishing you all the best!!

Last September, the team had an absolute blast with Shana and Matt at their Bridgeport Art Center wedding! Their wedding just so happened to fall on the 6-year anniversary of the day they met – how cool is that?! These two have the most contagious love and joy… if you don’t believe me, check out their Highlight Film below 🙂

Matt and Shana got ready separately with their parties at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown. After their emotional first look on the Chicago Riverwalk, they took a stroll to some favorite iconic downtown locations! Finally, it was time to head to Bridgeport and make their marriage official.

Bridgeport Art Center Wedding

One of my personal favorite venues in Chicago, the Sculpture Garden at Bridgeport Art Center is romantic, unique, and perfect for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Shana and Matt were married surrounded by loved ones, in a ceremony officiated by a friend. Once the knot was tied, it was time to celebrate!!

Guests enjoyed delicious food and drink, live music, and lots of DANCING throughout the night! Two of my favorite details include their Newlywed Ice-Cream Scoop in lieu of cake cutting, and Soul Train-inspired dance party exit to end the evening. This was such an awesome day to be part of!

Shana and Matt: Thank you again for having us in September!! Wishing you all the best in Married Life!

Want to see more from Shana & Matt’s Day? Check out their Highlight Film by Amy Lynn!

Last September I had the pleasure of capturing Stephanie and Patrick’s Chicago wedding day, starting at the historic Madonna della Strada Chapel at Loyola University. Both their ceremony and reception locations held much significance to them, having met as students at Loyola years ago!

Stephanie’s words:

“We are so thrilled to be having our wedding ceremony at the campus at Madonna della Strada Chapel. It means a lot to us since we did meet there, and Patrick also popped the question at Loyola as well! There is a lot of sentimental value that Loyola holds for us!”

Stephanie and Patrick arrived at Madonna della Strada just in time for a first look before the ceremony began. This stunning church had no shortage of photogenic angles… and SO much light! I think it’s safe to say it’s a wedding photographer’s dream church. After they said I Do, we got to explore campus with the wedding party and then headed downtown!

Osteria Via Stato Wedding Reception

Celebrating their marriage at Osteria Via Stato was so intentional for Stephanie and Patrick. As avid travelers and self-proclaimed “big foodies,” their mutual favorite place in the world is… you guessed it, Italy! Having their family and friends gather at this Chicago restaurant was the next best thing to traveling overseas together. Of course, the food did not disappoint – if you live in Chicago and have never had a meal here, you are missing out! Guests enjoyed delicious dinner, dancing, and a late-night gelato bar 🙂

Stephanie and Patrick: Thank you again for having us last year!! I absolutely loved seeing your vision come to life and wish you all the happiness in your future together.

Jake and Jen’s fall Blumen Gardens wedding was one of the most memorable days I’ve ever captured. From our very first meeting, I was so excited to meet these two in person and see their vision come together! As a fellow cat person, theatre person, and former October bride, I knew we’d be a perfect match from the start 🙂

Wedding day began with Jake and Jen’s parties getting ready together at the venue. If you’re not familiar, Blumen Gardens is a unique garden center, design studio, and shop located in Sycamore, Illinois. Lucky for us, they also happen to host weddings! My favorite thing about this venue is the variety of locations… and the fact that it is absolutely gorgeous in the fall. After their emotional first look in the conveyor room, it was time to explore! There is no doubt that Jen and Jake’s happiness is contagious… I could have spent hours taking photos of these two in that space.

Blumen Gardens Wedding

That evening, guests gathered for the outdoor ceremony in the garden center. Jake and Jen were married surrounded by their favorite people, in a ceremony officiated by a close friend. I love how interactive their ceremony was – from mid-ceremony hugs to the ring warming! It’s clear how important each and every person’s presence was to them in that moment.

Once the knot was tied, the party was ON!! Guests enjoyed vegetarian tacos and custom cocktails inside the event space, and then danced the night away with the newlyweds. Every moment of this day was an absolute pleasure to capture, I’m so happy to have been a part of it!

Jake and Jen: THANK YOU again for having us in October! Wishing you and your fur-babies all the happiness in the world.

Alex and Alex’s Adler Planetarium wedding last fall was one of my favorites from 2022. If ever there were two people destined to get married in this location, it would be the Alexes! For starters, they are both totally into all things space-related (remember their summer engagement session?!). Much of their wedding decor was inspired by the James Webb Telescope, and they’re regulars at Adler After Dark! Clearly, getting married at the planetarium was an easy decision.

On wedding day, Alex and Alex got ready separately with their parties at the 21c Museum Hotel. As you may have guessed, their details were perfectly on-theme… including a number of DIY items! For example: see those planets on Bride Alex’s shoes? She did that. Think their wedding bands look cool? Designed and 3D printed by Groom Alex. Needless to say, I was pretty much in awe of these two and their talents the entire day! After their first look in the museum, we headed downtown for some iconic photos with the wedding party. Finally, it was time to get married!

Adler Planetarium Wedding

That evening, the Alexes tied the knot in the Solarium underneath the night sky and surrounded by loved ones. After the glass was broken, they were ready to celebrate! Guests enjoyed cocktails in the Sky Theatre, which was basically like socializing in another galaxy. Dinner and dancing followed along with space-themed desserts, of course! Some of my favorite details from their day include a custom cocktail named after their cat (Aurora Borealis), astronaut cake toppers, and every time they referred to themselves as Alex² 🙂

Alex and Alex: Thank you again for having us in October!! I will never forget your awesome wedding day, wishing you all the best in Married Life!

One of the happiest days from 2022 was Katherine and Robb’s wedding at Walden Chicago. Even before their awesome fall engagement session, I had been looking forward to this gorgeous day! Walden is one of Chicago’s newer venues, and just so happens to be down the street from my studio. I was so excited to finally capture a wedding day here!!

Katherine and Robb’s love story is one that can warm anyone’s heart. And – it doesn’t take long after seeing these two together to see why! One of my favorite moments from the entire day was their first look on Walden’s rooftop overlooking the Chicago skyline. Robb and Katherine chose to exchange personal vows at this time, and I swear – my eyes were tearing up and I couldn’t even hear what they were saying! Once our eyes were dry, we headed to nearby Humboldt Park (my fave!) for photos with the wedding party.

Walden Chicago Wedding

That evening, family and friends gathered at Walden to witness Katherine and Robb marry. The ceremony was officiated by their pastor, and included personal touches unique to the both of them. Once the knot was tied, they were nothing but SMILES and it was time to celebrate! Guests were eager to congratulate these two with hugs, kind words, and lots of dancing 🙂 Shout out to the Chicago Catz for keeping the party alive all night long!!

Katherine and Robb: Thank you again for having me in July! Your wedding day was an honor to be part of, wishing you all the best in your future together!!