Emma Mullins Photography

Alex and Ilya’s summer rooftop wedding at Lacuna Lofts was one of the highlights of my year. When I first heard from these two, they told me of their plans to have an intimate ceremony on the venue’s rooftop, immediately followed by a BIG party with all of their family and friends. Well, I happen to have a soft spot for intimate ceremonies, and Lacuna is one of my favorite venues in Chicago! Oh – and did I mention it’s within walking distance of their Pilsen home? I was so excited to meet these two!

I met Alex at their home while she was getting ready, and Ilya joined us shortly after for a first look outside their home. Before heading to the venue, we made sure to take photos with their cats Luna and Toby! These fur babies were dressed for the occasion – Luna in pearls and Toby in a white collar and bow tie. Ilya and Alex wanted to showcase their neighborhood in their wedding photos, so we stopped at a few favorite spots along the way. It was perfect weather for a summer wedding walk!

Lacuna Lofts Wedding

We arrived at Lacuna Lofts shortly before the intimate ceremony, officiated by Kari of Wedding Day Chicago. Once the knot was tied, it was time to celebrate! Guests began pouring in to greet these two and enjoy one of the best skyline views in Chicago. Dinner and dancing took place in La Galleria – my first time inside this space! It’s everything you’d hope for in a loft venue: exposed brick, romantic cafe lighting, and the iconic rooftop only steps away. Needless to say, the party lasted into the night!

Alex and Ilya: Thank you again for having me!! I’ve had so much fun with you two (and the kitties!) this year… all my best to you both in your future together 🙂

This year I got to kick off Memorial Day weekend with Megan and Jack’s wedding at ROOF on theWit! These two were an absolute delight to spend the day with, and – in their words – so obviously “obsessed” with one another 🙂 They traveled from Wisconsin to tie the knot in the middle of downtown Chicago, and the day was just bursting with joy from beginning to end.

Megan and Jack got ready separately with their parties at theWit hotel. After their private first look on the hotel terrace, these two did not stop smiling! We had a blast walking around the Loop for photos with the wedding party, and even got to snag a few at ROOF before the ceremony. This was the first wedding I’ve captured in the space, which is gorgeous both in daytime and at night!

theWit Hotel Wedding

In true Megan and Jack fashion, their ceremony was complete with personal vows, happy tears, and lots of laughter. They even got to sample their custom margarita cocktail (freshly shaken by the bartender/officiant) before their guests! Once it was official, the party was ON. Guests enjoyed food, drinks, dancing, and live music during the cocktail-style reception… the Gold Coast All Stars kept the party going all night long!!

Megan and Jack: THANK YOU again for having us in May!! We had so much fun on your wedding day and wish you both nothing but the best!

Want to see more Megan & Jack? Check out their gorgeous Highlight Film by Amy Lynn!

As this incredible year comes to an end, I’m beginning to feel nostalgic for Liz and Eric’s January wedding at The Drake Oak Brook hotel! Being based in the Midwest, I don’t get to photograph a lot of winter weddings. But when I first heard from these two, they were thrilled to kick off 2022 with their marriage! January has always been special for Liz and Eric – it’s the month they started dating, the month they got engaged, and now it’s the month of their wedding anniversary. Of course, we crossed our fingers for snow… and – spoiler alert – we got our wish!

Eric and Liz had their first look outside the hotel, surrounded by festive lights and the winter landscape. Their stylish wedding party joined us for a few quick photos, and then it was time to head inside and warm up at the bar! The Drake Oak Brook is an ideal location for indoor wedding photos, I’m so happy we got to explore before guests started to arrive.

Intimate Candlelight Ceremony

That evening, Liz and Eric were married in an intimate candlelit ceremony surrounded by loved ones. Liz’s brother officiated the event, with no shortage of laughs or happy tears! Once the knot was tied, the newlyweds were ALL smiles and ready to celebrate. Food and drinks were flowing, and DJ Bash Beats kept the party going! One of my favorite things about The Drake Oak Brook is their iconic light-up dance floor… you better believe it was a night to remember 🙂

Liz and Eric: Thank you again for having me this year!! I absolutely loved starting my 2022 season with you guys, wishing you nothing but happiness in your future together!

Last month I had a blast with Mackensey and Anna for their fall neighborhood engagement session! I met these two at their home in Uptown for photos with Tubbs and June Bug, the most adorable pugs you will ever see. We hung out inside their home and then went for a quick walk around the block… with no shortage of puppy treats, of course! The pups seem just as inseparable and Mackensey and Anna, who are clearly as smitten with June Bug and Tubbs 🙂

After family photo time, we headed to local bar Fat Cat for a beer. This has become one of their favorite neighborhood spots over the years, and I’m so happy we were able to stop here! I always encourage couples to pick locations that are personal to them for engagement photos, and this couldn’t have worked out more perfectly.

When the sun began to set, we headed south to Lincoln Park. This is another location personal to Anna and Mackensey… and just so happens to be one of the most picturesque locations in the city! They told me about Mackensey’s proposal in Michigan, their first memories in Chicago together, and their wedding plans for next September. I couldn’t be happier for these two, and am thrilled that they asked me to help commemorate this season of their love.

Mackensey and Anna: Thank you again for having me!! Your wedding day is going to be so beautiful, I wish you nothing but happiness in your future together.

This summer, I had the honor of photographing Jen and Steve’s Downtown Chicago wedding at The Library at 190 S. LaSalle. This was my first time inside the venue, and it did not disappoint! The entire day was bursting with love for these two, and I’m so happy to have been a part of it.

Steve and Jen got ready separately before the ceremony at Immaculate Conception, which happens to be where they went to grade school together! One of many personal touches throughout their day, which made it so much more meaningful. After the stunning ceremony, it was time to celebrate! We got to stop at some of my favorite downtown locations with the wedding party before heading to the venue for their reception.

The Library 190 Wedding

We arrived at The Library with just enough time for the newlyweds to join their guests for cocktails. Jen and Steve were together for 13 years before tying the knot, much of their relationship being long-distance. I love how they tied in the travel-theme to their reception decor, including a custom globe guestbook, luggage tag escort cards, and tables named after countries they have visited together. But I think my favorite part of the evening was when they ICED their wedding party when they entered the reception! This had me laughing for a while 🙂

Steve and Jen were so excited to finally celebrate with their guests and dance the night away. Lucky for me, they let us steal them away for a few night photos on LaSalle! These are some of my favorite photos from the entire evening, showcasing the unique downtown venue and their happy newlywed faces.

Jen and Steve: Thank you again for having us in July! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together!

Want to see more Jen & Steve? Check out their awesome Highlight Film by Amy Lynn!

Last month I had the pleasure of traveling to my home state for Alex and John’s fall Wisconsin engagement session! Besides getting to meet these two in person, I was extra excited to check out Bridle Barn & Gardens. The Bridle Barn has been in Alex’s family for decades, and just so happens to be a stunning Wisconsin wedding venue! John and Alex were in town from Washington D.C. for the weekend, and I’m so happy we were able to meet up for this session 🙂

I met these two on the property just after sunrise on a Monday. They offered me coffee and a quick tour of the space: venue, gardens, cornfields, and all! We played in the morning light and got to see the fall colors just starting to change. Alex and John even cracked open our favorite New Glarus beer to celebrate!

Alex and John: Thank you again for having me, and for showing me around the Bridle Barn! Already getting excited for your Chicago wedding day next year!!

At this time last year, Stephanie and Jimmy were getting ready for their fall wedding celebration with family and friends after eloping in October 2020! I first heard from these two in the summer of 2019, when they were planning their dream wedding for the following fall. We met up for their downtown Chicago engagement session that September, and only a few months later started talking about a Plan B for wedding day. After much thought, they decided to get married on their original date… and I’m SO happy they invited me to capture their intimate Joliet Birdhaven Greenhouse wedding! Finally, in November 2021, they were able to experience their wedding day as originally planned.

Stephanie and Jimmy got ready separately before heading to church in Lemont. After the stunning ceremony, it was time to party at the club! The newlyweds were ALL smiles, and their love and happiness was definitely contagious. We even got lucky with the most perfect fall weather… our golden hour photos are some of my faves from the entire day!

Their reception was filled with dinner, dancing, champagne, dancing, Polish traditions, and more dancing. In fact, Stephanie was personally responsible for the dance party playlist – and the dance floor was packed all night! The newlyweds let me steal them away for a few night photos at the end of the evening, and they couldn’t have been happier. I’m so thrilled they finally got to see their dream wedding day come to life!

Stephanie and Jimmy: THANK YOU for trusting us to capture your memories over the past few years! It has been an absolute pleasure working with you two, wishing you all the best in years to come 🙂

Want to see more Stephanie & Jimmy? Check out their Highlight Film!

One of the highlights of my year was getting to see Mahala and Marla walk down the aisle together. I first heard from these two in 2019, when they were each focusing on grad school and their long-distance relationship. Three years, two PhDs, and one pandemic later, they finally got to have the wedding they’d been planning for years! I’m so happy to have been there to capture the beauty and joy of this day.

The festivities began at First United Church of Oak Park, Mahala’s childhood church! Marla and Mahala got ready separately there, sharing a first look in the outdoor garden before the ceremony. Some of my favorite moments were Mahala’s brother performing a song during the ceremony, and their fun bubble exit on the way to the reception!

Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding Reception

If you’re familiar with the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, it should come as no surprise that photographers absolutely LOVE this space. Mahala and Marla’s wedding was actually the first time I’d taken photos there since January of 2020! We visited all the rooms together (The Fern Room is my fave!) including the in-bloom Monet Garden outside of Horticulture Hall. The space alone is a photographer’s dream, but… when newlyweds look at each other like this?? I could have taken photos of them together all day!

The evening was filled with delicious food and drink, heartfelt words from friends and family, and LOTS of dancing. I was lucky enough to steal them away for a few night photos in the Desert House! This day went by so, so fast and I’m lucky to have been a part of it 🙂

Mahala and Marla: Thank you again for having me capture this day for you! I’m so happy you finally got to have the wedding of your dreams. All my best to you both!!

Want to see more Mahala & Marla? Check out their sweet Valentine’s Day engagement session on the Blog!

Today’s post goes out to Megan and Taylor. It just so happens that today is their TWO YEAR wedding anniversary (it’s true!)… Happy Anniversary, guys!! I first heard from these two in May of 2019, when Taylor told me all about their first messages on Tinder in reference to Alanis Morissette’s Ironic. In case you were wondering: No, it did NOT rain on their wedding day 🙂

Shortly after their unseasonably snowy engagement session that November, things changed in the world. Like so many couples, they made the difficult decision to postpone their fall 2020 wedding to the following year. Shortly afterwards, they decided to officially tie the knot on their original date in an intimate ceremony surrounded by immediate family. I was lucky enough to be there for both their 2020 elopement AND the celebration last year!

Taylor and Megan got ready separately with their wedding parties before their first look along the lakefront at Kenilworth Beach. From there, we walked to the church for an emotional vow renewal (and more photos, of course!). After the ceremony, the newlyweds and I took a lovely horse-drawn carriage ride to Michigan Shores Club where their guests were waiting to greet them.

Michigan Shores Club Wedding Reception

I was so excited to finally see this historical space in person, and it did not disappoint! Some highlights from the reception include the seasonal decor, Megan’s sister’s speech featuring their original Tinder photos (!!), and the dance PARTY that lasted all night! These two waited an extra year to celebrate with their people, and I had the absolute best time capturing it all.

Megan and Taylor: Happy Anniversary! Thank you again for having me, it’s been such a pleasure getting to know you two over the years. Cheers to many more!!

More summer nostalgia this month with Meg and Pat! Emma C had a blast at their Pilsen engagement session in June… and it just so happens they’ll be married in THREE DAYS!!! We first met Meg and Pat last year at Alex and Jack’s wedding, and time has been flying ever since.

I love that Meg and Pat wanted to take engagement photos in a location that’s meaningful to them. This is something we always encourage couples to think about when planning a session! Pilsen is where Meg and Pat shared their first home together, and we were lucky enough to take photos at some of their favorite places. Shout out to the staff at Thalia Hall for allowing us to use the space at Dusek’s and Punch House 🙂

After some delicious cocktails, it was time to hit the town! These three got to take advantage of the neighborhood’s colorful murals, and an evening stroll through El Paseo Community Garden. Everything you could possibly want in a summer Pilsen engagement session! For their final stop, they decided on golden hour photos with the skyline view at Ping Tom Memorial Park.

Thanks again for having us, Meg and Pat! I can’t wait to see all the photo magic from this weekend!!