Emma Mullins Photography

I’m so excited to share Jolene & Will’s summer Revolution Brewing wedding! I met these two early last year, shortly after their New Year’s Day rooftop engagement. Their plan was to have a fun, intimate wedding in their neighborhood surrounded by their favorite people. What’s not to love about that?!

Jolene’s words:

“We love beer almost as much as we love books; pretty much all our travels are Beercations… Revolution Brewpub is the perfect place for us to have our wedding. It feels like our backyard!”

Of course, it’s always a treat to hear from fellow Beer Nerds… and I love that they wanted to tie the knot so close to home! After their downtown spring engagement session, I was counting the days until their wedding.

Wedding day was an ADVENTURE. We started the day downtown at TheWit, with the happiest first look on their outdoor terrace. After stopping at a few iconic photo locations, we found ourselves in the middle of Chicago weather! These two and their party were total champs, even with the last minute detour and change of plans. And – lucky us – we were still able to get some awesome photos in Logan Square… in all kinds of weather!

Revolution Brewing Wedding

That evening, Jolene and Will were married in an intimate ceremony at Revolution, officiated by a friend. Once the knot was tied, the summer brews began to flow! One of my favorite things about their wedding day was all the personalized details. From the book-themed decor (they are both English teachers) to their homemade wedding cake by Will’s sister, no detail was left out! We ended the evening with a night photo on Jolene and Will’s rooftop (the very same place where they got engaged!).

Jolene and Will: Thank you again for having me in July!! Wishing you the happiest marriage filled with books, travel, and delicious beer 🙂

Happy 2022, friends!!! Before this year’s season begins (…tomorrow), I wanted to officially share my faves from 2021. Most of you know that last year was hands-down the BUSIEST ever for all wedding professionals… and (spoiler alert!) 2022 is headed in the same direction! Though it was a bit of a whirlwind, I truly enjoyed looking back on all the memories we captured over the past 12 months. Believe me, it was NOT easy to narrow these down for the post!

Similar to years’ past, I’ve selected a mix of my favorite portfolio pieces, but also my favorite moments. Some of these couples waited for years to get married, and many have had multiple wedding dates. I couldn’t be happier to see them finally get to celebrate 🙂

2021 in a Nutshell:

• Number of weddings captured: 46 (including 3 elopements)
• Engagement sessions: 27
• Surprise proposals: 5
• Anniversary sessions: 1
• Weekday weddings: 8
• Worked with some favorite “friendors” – and made some new ones!
• Got to work at some gorgeous new venues and old favorites (list below!)

Oh – we also MOVED in 2021!! More on our new(ish) studio space in West Town coming SOON…

I am beyond grateful to each and every couple who has invited us into your lives, trusting my team to capture your memories last year. It absolutely means the world, and we couldn’t have done it without YOU! For the first time ever, we are starting a new year almost fully booked through December. Which means: If you’re getting married in 2022, get in touch ASAP!

Wishing you all a safe and happy 2022!!!

Featured Venues:

Rockwell on the River | Artifact Events | Michigan Shores Club | Cafe Brauer | Cindy’s Rooftop | Mid-America Club | Royal Sonesta Chicago | Joe’s Live | The Dalcy | Little Goat | Milwaukee War Memorial Center | Greenhouse Loft | Revolution Brewing | The Four Seasons Chicago | Columbus Park Refectory | City Hall Events | Alice Millar Chapel | Glessner House | Grant Park Rose Garden | Mercantile Hall | Renaissance Chicago Downtown | Halim Time & Glass Museum | Gallery 1028 | Ignite Glass Studios | Loft Lucia | Galleria Marchetti | Chicago Athletic Association Hotel | Viceroy Chicago | Salvage One | Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro

Catherine and AJ’s summer Greenhouse Loft wedding was an absolute delight! It doesn’t take long to see that these two are clearly a perfect match for each other. Friends and family traveled from near and far to celebrate with these two… and it was the most joyful Chicago wedding!

One thing I loved about Catherine and AJ’s wedding day was how personalized it was. From walking down the aisle together to serving cake from their favorite neighborhood bakery (shout out to Jennivee’s!), every detail was intentional. These two tied the knot in a fleeting ceremony as summer fell down outside the venue’s floor-to-ceiling windows (it was awesome!). We later learned about the family rivalry on AJ’s side – a competition for the shortest wedding ceremony! AJ and Catherine were married in a quick nine minutes… but his parents still hold the record with seven. Even though there were no trophies to award, it was still a winning day all around!

Delicious food and drink flowed throughout the night, and the rain let up in time for some gorgeous outdoor portraits (thanks, Nature!). This day was truly a joy to capture, I’m so happy to have been a part of it 🙂

Congrats again, Catherine and AJ! Wishing you the very best Married Life!!!

In June, I had the pleasure of capturing Katie and Brad’s intimate Little Goat Diner wedding ceremony. These two had originally hoped for a destination wedding in the Italian countryside, but the world had other plans. Nevertheless, they were committed to tying the knot… and I’m so happy they decided to do so right here in Chicago!

Brad and Katie got ready separately at Nobu Hotel, steps away from the rooftop where they’d marry that afternoon. (I LOVE that we could see Little Goat’s rooftop from their hotel suite!) Lucky for us, the afternoon rain let up just in time for portraits around the neighborhood. We walked to some of my favorite spots in the West Loop, and Katie and Brad were all smiles! Before long, it was time to get these two married 🙂

The intimate rooftop ceremony was officiated by a mutual friend, and couldn’t have been more lovely. One of the things Katie and Brad were excited for in Italy was the delicious food and drink (who wouldn’t be?!), so it only made sense to choose Little Goat as an alternative. If you’re not familiar, Little Goat Diner is among the dozens of recommended restaurants in Chicago’s Restaurant Row. Naturally, the refreshments were a highlight of the evening! Brad gave a heartfelt toast to their guests before dinner, and we even had a chance for sunset photos between courses. All in all, it was the most wonderful Chicago wedding day anyone could ask for!

Katie and Brad: Thank you again for having me in June! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together.

It may not surprise you that this year, Chicago neighborhood engagement sessions have been more popular than ever. Lots of couples are choosing to stay close to home, which, in my opinion, is never a bad idea! I always encourage couples to personalize this session – whether we visit the place of your first date, hang around the neighborhood, or chow down on classic Chicago hot dogs. At Jackie and Mike’s engagement session, we did all three!

I met these two at Commonwealth Tavern in Roscoe Village, where they each grabbed a pint of Great Lakes Christmas Ale. Oh – have I mentioned they’ll be tying the knot at my favorite Chicago brewery next fall?! I can’t wait!! We sat at the same table where they first met years ago, and after beers it was time to adventure. These two were total champs with the brisk fall weather – and we got to visit some of their favorite neighborhood spots! Special thanks to the staff at both Commonwealth and Byron’s Hot Dogs for letting us take photos inside!

After sunset, we decided to swing by Music Box Theatre (another mutual favorite of ours) for some iconic night photos. Mother Nature even gave us a light snowfall to play with! These are some of my favorite photos from our entire session, I’m so happy we stopped here!

Jackie and Mike: I had a blast hanging out with you two at our session! Your wedding day is going to be SO much fun, I’m already getting excited for it all 🙂

Looking for more Chicago neighborhood engagement inspo? Check out these other favorite sessions on the Blog!

Megan & Taylor: Rogers Park | James & Maya: Logan Square | Caitlin & Brett: Lincoln Square |
Libby & Avi: Lakeview | Kaitlyn & John: Wicker Park | Alex & Jack: West Loop

And just like that, it’s the end of November. I’m positive many would agree that this year has absolutely FLOWN by!! There are countless wedding days and happy couples I am eager to share… and I will soon enough (promise!). As we head into the holiday weekend, I could not think of a better couple to feature than Hannah and Chris.

Like so many newlyweds who tied the knot this year, Chris and Hannah’s wedding day was a long time coming. Their gorgeous Chicago rooftop wedding ceremony was originally scheduled for May 2020. Shortly before the day arrived, they made the difficult decision to postpone the festivities. Exactly one year later, they finally made it official at one of my favorite Chicago wedding venues, Ignite Glass Studios!

Hannah and Chris got ready separately before their stunning first look along the Chicago River. The weather was perfect for photos downtown, and we received our fair share of cheers from passersby! If you couldn’t tell, these two are a dream to photograph together. Seriously – it was as if no time had passed since their Engagement Session in 2019!

After their intimate rooftop ceremony, the newlyweds finally got to celebrate with friends and family. My favorite was their romantic first dance in the Urban Garden! Of course, no Ignite Glass Studios wedding is complete without a glass-blowing demonstration – or a night photo on the rooftop! In all, it was the happiest day… and if you ask me: well worth the wait 🙂

Hannah and Chris: Thank you again for having me in May!! Your wedding day was an absolute pleasure to capture, I couldn’t be happier for you two.

Vendor Team

Venue: Ignite Glass Studios/Wedding Planner: Wedicity/Bride’s dress: The Crystal Bride/Bridesmaid dresses: Bridesmaids Social/Groom’s suit: The Groomsman Suit/Florals: Hedonia Flowers/Hair & Makeup: Pin Me Up Chicago/Invitation: Minted/Jeweler: Alexis Russell/DJ: Kate from Toast & Jam/Caterer: Amazing Edibles/Cake: Alliance Bakery/2nd photographer: Emma C

I had so much fun during Cierra and Steve’s Salvage One engagement session in September! This is one of my absolute favorite wedding venues in Chicago, and I always jump at the opportunity to shoot here. In fact, Cierra and Steve will tie the knot there next spring! What better opportunity to explore the space than their engagement session?!

We met at The Violet Hour cocktail bar in Wicker Park one weekday afternoon – the spot of their first date! Thanks to the staff for allowing us to hang here for a bit. After a couple of mocktails, we met their adorable pup Zion for a stroll around the neighborhood! This sweet girl is a bundle of energy, and just LOVES attention (I mean, who doesn’t?)! I’m so happy I had a chance to meet her before wedding day.

After our share of puppy kisses, we said goodbye to Zion and headed over to Salvage One. I think my favorite thing about this venue is that it’s constantly changing – there’s always something new here. Oh – and the natural light is a photographer’s dream! We made our way from the lush courtyard all the way upstairs, and I discovered that Cierra and Steve have some serious dance moves! If you can’t tell from the photos, they happen to both be yoga instructors… which made for some awesome photos. Their one photo request was the dancer pose with the venue’s iconic elephant statues. They nailed it, of course 🙂

Cierra and Steve: You two are a dream to have in front of the camera! Can’t wait to do this again on your wedding day next year!!!

Kathleen and Jeremy’s spring wedding at the Emil Bach House was an absolute joy to capture! These two traveled from New Orleans to tie the knot in this iconic Frank Lloyd Wright house on Chicago’s North Side. Family and friends came from near and far to join these two for the occasion, and it could not have been more memorable 🙂

Frank Lloyd Wright House Wedding

We had access to both the Bach House and Lang House, where Kathleen and Jeremy got ready separately. As you can imagine, there is no shortage of iconic architecture on the entire property! Not to mention, the natural light in both houses is a photographer’s dream. We definitely took advantage of that for their stunning first look on the staircase! These two were ALL smiles, and a breeze to have in front of the camera. I could have photographed them inside this house all day!

Jeremy and Kathleen tied the knot in a lovely backyard ceremony officiated by one of Jeremy’s brothers. A friend played violin as they walked down the aisle, and you could just feel the love surrounding them. We even heard a generations-old story involving a silver dollar… but I couldn’t possibly repeat it! The afternoon and evening were all about celebrating these two with delicious food, drink, and great company. And I’m SO happy we got to sneak away for a few Newlywed sunset photos at the lakefront!

Kathleen and Jeremy: Thank you again for having us in May!! Your wedding day was a pleasure to be part of, and I couldn’t be happier for you two. Wishing you all the best in Married Life!!!

Vendor Team

Venue: Emil Bach House/Bride’s dress: Claire Pettibone/Bride’s shoes: Chelsea Crew/Groom’s suit: Brooks Brothers/Groom’s shoes: Allen Edmonds/Florals: Hedonia Flowers/Hair & Makeup: Deco Adamo/Bride’s rings: Melanie Casey/Groom’s ring: Ramseys/Ceremony musician: friend of the couple/DJ: DJ De La T/Videographer: Amy Lynn for EMP/Caterer: Feast & Imbibe/Donuts: Firecakes/2nd photographer: Emma C

Want to see more from their wedding day? Check out Kathleen & Jeremy’s Highlight Film by Amy Lynn!

Happy FALL, friends! Even though summer is officially over, I can’t help but reminisce over Kenia & Bobby’s stunning Chicago summer engagement session. Emma C had a blast with these two in August, and we are so excited for them to tie the knot in THREE DAYS!!!

Emma met these two at one of our all-time favorite photo spots, Lincoln Park. You can’t go wrong with this location! Bobby and Kenia are naturals in front of the camera… aren’t they adorable together?! I absolutely love their outfits, too – Kenia looked stunning in her summer hat and dress! After a lovely stroll in the park, they ended up at the lakefront for sunset with the Chicago skyline. I can’t think of a better way to end a perfect summer evening!

Kenia and Bobby: Your Chicago summer engagement session was a dream! Can’t wait to see what Emma creates for you on wedding day 🙂

Many of you know that surprise proposals are one of my favorite things to photograph. I don’t know why, exactly… probably something about the real emotions, the unexpectedness, oh – and being a part of the surprise! I was thrilled when Ben asked me to tag along when he asked Aviva to marry him at Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool!! In my opinion, this is hands-down one of the most peaceful and romantic locations in the city. A perfect place to get engaged!

I arrived at the Lily Pool while these two were enjoying an afternoon picnic in Lincoln Park. Aviva thought they were just enjoying a post-picnic stroll by the pond, when all of a sudden Ben was on one knee! A small crowd of onlookers cheered when she said yes, and two joggers also stopped to take photos of the happy couple. There were smiles, applause, and lots of happy tears 🙂

After the surprise, it was time for some “just engaged” photos around the park! We got lucky with the most lovely summer afternoon (thanks, Chicago!). Aviva couldn’t keep her eyes off her diamond (I mean, would you?!)… not to mention her new fiancé, of course! Ben was all smiles, which made our time together a total breeze. But the surprise was not over! After our session I chauffeured these two home, where friends and family were waiting to congratulate them. There were more cheers, more happy tears, and a night of celebration ahead!

CONGRATULATIONS, Ben and Aviva!!! Your engagement day was such a joy to capture. Wishing you two a lifetime of happiness together!