Emma Mullins Photography

This spring, I was lucky enough to capture Cierra and Steve’s fun and fashionable wedding at Salvage One! It’s no secret this is one of my favorite Chicago wedding venues… and it was absolutely perfect for Cierra and Steve. When I first heard from these two, I learned that they were both yoga instructors… AND they got engaged at Zen Yoga Garage after one of Cierra’s classes! Steve surprised her by inviting family and friends and their sweet pup, Zion, who you may remember from their awesome engagement session last September.

On wedding day, Cierra got ready with her party at home while Steve and his side were in the West Loop. When it was time for their first look, we felt a few raindrops! Not to worry – they still got to exchange personal notes outside their home, and we made it to the venue with plenty of time for photos. After exploring the many unique levels of Salvage One (seriously – I could spend all day in here!), it was time to get these two MARRIED!

Salvage One Wedding

Cierra and Steve were married in an intimate ceremony officiated by a dear friend. Some highlights include dancing down the aisle, flower pup Zion, and one of the most unique ceremony spaces in the city. I especially love that this day really felt like them – from the wedding party fashion (Steve’s favorite color is purple, and can we talk about Cierra’s dress?!) to their memorable first dance under the disco ball. These two were also intentional about the vendors they chose to work with on this day – and I must admit, I think they made excellent choices 🙂

Cierra and Steve: Thank you again for choosing us to capture your wedding this year! I’ve had so much fun with you two and wish you nothing but the best in Married Life!!

Last summer I had a blast hanging out with Alex and Alex – aka Alex squared! We kept things local to their neighborhood of Lincoln Square, starting at home with sassy calico Rory 🙂 One of my favorite things about visiting their home (besides Rory) was getting to see all the space-themed decor! These two are getting married at Chicago’s own Adler Planetarium in ONE MONTH (!!), and it was clear before our session that this was the perfect location for them to tie the knot.

When I first heard from Alex², they told me:

“If ‘space but classy’ is a theme, then that would be ours. We’re huge science/space nerds and have had too many dates to count at the Adler Planetarium… If you’ve ever attended an ‘Adler After Dark’ event, that’s the vibe we’re trying to achieve.”

As you can imagine, I am counting the days before we get to see their vision come to life!

After photos at home, we headed out into the neighborhood. The Ainslie Arts Plaza had recently opened, and it was the perfect place for a colorful afternoon stroll. We even got to stop at Sulzer Library for some romantic reading… and Alex to show off his perfectly on-theme new shirt!

Finally, we made our way toward the lakefront for photos with the skyline at Montrose Harbor. I think we even felt a few raindrops – but Alex and Alex weren’t fazed! This was such a fun session and I absolutely loved hanging with the Alexes. I’m so excited to do it again very SOON 🙂

Planning your own Lincoln Square engagement session? Check out these other sessions on the Blog!

Caitlin & Brett | Terrence & Shawn | Jackie & Mike | Andrew & Claire

Kevin and Brandon’s Chicago summer engagement session was just what I needed before kicking off the busy fall season. You may remember these two from Brandon’s surprise proposal in March of 2021… well, now we’re only weeks away from their wedding date! I’ve been looking forward to getting these two in front of my lens again ever since.

We met in the West Loop to take advantage of some fresh new murals (!!) and summer sunshine. They even stopped traffic with a few signature dance moves in the street! After a quick stroll and an outfit change, we headed to their local Jeni’s for an ice cream treat and the rainbow crosswalks of Boystown. Hanging with these two reminded me how easily they make each other smile – thanks for making my job easy, guys!

As the sun began to set, we made our way toward the lakefront. Fun fact: A week before Brandon popped the question last year, Kevin surprised Brandon by proposing at Diversey Harbor! We couldn’t end our session before stopping there together. Although I’m sure there were fewer ducks in February (and probably more snow), I’m so happy we included this meaningful location as part of their engagement story 🙂

Kevin and Brandon: Your wedding day next month is going to be awesome! Can’t wait to do it again SOON!!

Mindy and Daniel’s Artifact Events wedding in May was a pleasure to be part of. These two are so clearly smitten with each other, it made the entire day seem like a breeze! Add in an A-List vendor team, gorgeous Chicago weather, and one of the most unique venues in the city… I knew their wedding was going to be GOOD.

Daniel got ready with his party at home, while Mindy spent the morning at her parents’ place nearby. We conquered holiday weekend traffic and made it to the Art Institute gardens for an emotional first look! This is one of my favorite Chicago portrait locations, and definitely worth a stop for any downtown wedding day. After a few more iconic photo-ops, we headed north. It was time to get these two MARRIED!!

Artifact Events Wedding

Artifact Events is part of the industrial corridor on historic Ravenswood Avenue. The venue itself is massive – offering multiple options for weddings and other events. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity for photos in the North Atrium before their courtyard ceremony!

That evening, Mindy and Daniel made it official in an intimate ceremony officiated by Daniel’s sister. One of my favorite details was Daniel’s father playing the Oud during the processional! Once the knot was tied, I don’t think they stopped smiling for a second. It was an absolute joy to capture the love and support surrounding these two on this day 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS, Mindy and Daniel!!! Thank you again for having us this year! Wishing you the very best in your future together.

Miranda and Fernando’s Milwaukee engagement session in June was a highlight of my summer! From their very first email (which happened to mention the Packers AND cats) and our lovely first video chat, I was more than eager to start working with these two. And guess what – they’re even more delightful in person!

We met at their home for photos with Tabb, their “only-child feline fur baby.” This lucky guy got to soak up allll the pets before accompanying us outside for a quick stroll! Miranda and Fernando told me more about their Valentine’s Day engagement at Disney World and we talked wedding planning, too. But mostly, these two were just gushing over each other 🙂

After Tabb’s turn in the spotlight was complete, we headed to nearby Boerner Botanical Gardens for some stunning golden hour photos. Seriously, we could not have asked for better weather! We wandered through the peonies, rose garden, past the koi pond, and ended up at the rock garden (my fave!). Finally, it was time to head downtown for photos with the lakefront at sunset.

As a Milwaukee native, I cannot pass up the opportunity to visit the Art Museum campus and Calatrava bridge when I’m in town. Coincidentally, these happen to be some of my favorite photo locations in the city! Fernando and Miranda were a treat to have in front of my camera, and before we knew it, the colorful sky turned to dusk. I couldn’t be happier with how this session turned out and am SO excited for their wedding day next year!

Miranda and Fernando: Your Milwaukee engagement session was a dream!! I had a blast with you two and am already counting the days until May…

Last September, I had the opportunity to travel to Champaign for Rachel and Joe’s University of Illinois engagement session! These two have been together for over a decade, AND they’ve known each other since pre-school!! Joe proposed on campus at U of I while they were living in Champaign, so naturally we decided to go back for engagement photos 🙂

Champaign, Illinois Photo Locations

We met at Triptych, one of their favorite local breweries. Shout out to the staff for letting us take photos inside! Of course, the beer was also delicious… definitely worth a stop at their tap room if you’re ever in the area. After beers, we headed to the university’s Arboretum for some gorgeous golden hour photos. Joe and Rachel had traveled for our session as well (they’re currently on the east coast) – which definitely helped with the destination vibe. I just love the mix of fun and romance in these photos!

University of Illinois Engagement

As the sun began to set, we headed to campus for some real nostalgia. We toured the entire Quad area, stopping at the spot where they got engaged, of course! I loved learning more about their days in Champaign and breathing that fresh college campus air. Finally, we headed to The Blind Pig Brewery for a night cap (and more delicious beer!).

Rachel and Joe: Thank you again for having me in Champaign last year! I really enjoyed exploring the town with you two… can’t wait for your wedding day next month!!!

Hannah and Keith’s spring Bottom Lounge wedding was one for the books! After kicking off last year’s engagement session at Lincoln Park dive Burwood Tap, I knew wedding day was going to be AWESOME. And guess what? It was!

I met these two at a stylish AirBnb in West Town, where they got ready with their parties on separate floors. Both Keith and Hannah rocked their wedding day style… can we talk about Hannah’s cape for a second?! And, don’t get me started on those colorful spring florals! After their sweet first look in the backyard, we took a stroll around the neighborhood with the wedding party. This crew was a blast to hang with – we even had time for beers before the ceremony!

Bottom Lounge Wedding

Hannah and Keith were married on the rooftop at Bottom Lounge, in a ceremony officiated by Hannah’s brother. The location was meaningful to them – and Hannah personally crafted many of the details! Hannah’s words:

“We’re super excited to get married at the Bottom Lounge, since we love live music and have great memories of going to shows there. The most important things to us about the day are that we have a great party with plenty of beer options and spend time with all our loved ones.“

I absolutely loved seeing their vision come to life. The day couldn’t have been more full of love (and yes, the beers were flowing!). We ended the evening with a night photo on Lake Street, making me a very happy photographer 🙂

Hannah and Keith: Thank you again for having us in May!! We had a blast at your wedding and wish you all the best in your future together.

Get ready for true romance, nostalgia, and the sweetest pups you ever did see! Annie and Luke’s forest preserve engagement session this spring began at their home, a short drive from Ryerson Woods. I met these two and the newest members of their fam, Kain and Ava, on a lovely May evening. We had a blast outside in the yard – and even got to play inside, too! What do I mean by this? Um – Luke and Annie’s Game Room, of course!! These two have the most impressive collection of memorabilia from the 80’s and 90’s… including a WALL of VHS tapes, old school Nintendo/board games (Mall Madness, anyone?!), and TV merch galore. I could have spent hours in this room… so it’s probably best we left after a few photos! I was even lucky enough to meet their turtle Snooty before we headed out to the woods!

When we arrived at the forest preserve, we had the entire space to ourselves. The golden light was perfect, and Annie and Luke were all smiles! They told me their engagement story (Luke proposed at Ryerson Woods!), and that the only witnesses were sheep grazing nearby. I’m pretty sure those same sheep were there during our session, cheering them on 🙂

Annie and Luke: Thank you for inviting me into your home and introducing me to your animals! I had a blast with you all, can’t wait for your wedding day this fall!!

Today we’re throwing it back to Katherine and Robb’s epic Chicago fall engagement session! These two are getting married in ONE WEEK (!!!), so I thought this would be the perfect way to start the countdown 🙂

I met Katherine and Robb downtown on a beautiful November afternoon. We started near the Wrigley Building and Chicago Riverwalk, which is where they got engaged only weeks before! These are some of the most iconic city photo locations, and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. We talked about their favorite desserts, Robb’s surprise proposal, and all the times Katherine has been a bridesmaid (15!!). I had such a blast hanging out with these two!

After our downtown adventure, it was time for ice cream! We stopped by Jeni’s in Lincoln Park for a quick treat and stroll around the neighborhood. When the sun began to set, we headed to the park for some of my favorite golden hour photos of all time. Seriously – take that golden glow, prime foliage, skyline view, and then add Katherine and Robb… this was a dream Chicago fall engagement session! I cannot wait for their wedding next Friday!!

Looking to schedule your own Chicago fall engagement session?

I don’t blame you! As you can imagine, fall is an extremely popular time of year for engagement photos. If you have your heart set on prime colors, I recommend scheduling with your photographer ASAP!

Rachel and Jesse’s Starved Rock Lodge wedding this spring was one I’ll never forget! For starters, my photographer brain goes wild every time I visit Starved Rock State Park. But more than that, it was the absolute perfect location for Jesse and Rachel to tie the knot! When I first heard from these two, they described the Illinois state park as “gorgeous and woodsy and chill and that’s very much our vibe”… adding that they were going for a “70’s cabin” type of theme. And I promise you, they nailed it! I was so excited to finally see their vision come to life.

Jesse and Rachel got ready separately on a seasonably sunny April day. We took a short hike through St. Louis Canyon for their first look in front of a waterfall, and it did not disappoint! The wedding party’s 1970’s-inspired attire perfectly complimented the natural backdrop – not to mention Jesse’s custom suit and Rachel’s vintage veil (it was her mom’s!). Rachel’s gift to Jesse was a tie with a cat-print pattern, in honor of their cat Landslide who could not be with us that day. Just one of many personalized details from their day!

Starved Rock Lodge Wedding

Family and friends gathered to witness Rachel and Jesse say I Do in a stunning outdoor ceremony officiated by a friend. From their flower pals to musician friends and the confetti cannon, every detail of the ceremony was intentional. Once the knot was tied, it was time to celebrate!! Jesse and Rachel danced the night away underneath a gold disco ball surrounded by loved ones, and I don’t think they could have been happier 🙂

Rachel and Jesse: Thank you again for having us in April! Your wedding day was an absolute honor to be part of. Cheers to the best in Married Life!!