Emma Mullins Photography

Juliette and Matt’s romantic Chicago engagement session last summer was one for the books! When I first heard from these two, they were recently engaged and wanted to celebrate with photos in our great city at night. Of course, I was on board! Matt and Juliette had been together for over a decade, and were taking their time with wedding plans due to the state of the world. Spoiler alert: They DID elope this past March (in Hawaii!!), and get to celebrate with family and friends in Chicago this weekend! I can’t wait to see these two again and capture it all.

Our session began with cocktails at Frasca, the same place Juliette and Matt had their first date! We then headed to Lincoln Park for nature and skyline views. Truly, these are some of my all-time favorites from this location. Maybe it was the timing, or the fact that we basically had the park to ourselves… but I’m pretty sure it was the romance between Juliette and Matt 🙂

Sidenote: If you’re looking for a photo location with a mix of city and nature, Lincoln Park is a win!! Not only does this park have a variety of backgrounds, it always looks picturesque no matter what time of year, and whatever the weather. Highly recommend!

As the sun began to set, we headed downtown for some epic night photos in the city. Juliette and Matt were naturals in front of the camera, and I’m so happy they were into the nighttime vibe! After a stroll along the riverwalk, we headed to Grant Park for our final destination. A night photo at Buckingham Fountain was the perfect way to end our evening! Fun fact: As of last weekend, the fountain is officially on for the season!

Juliette and Matt: Thanks again for having me last summer! Can’t wait to finally celebrate your marriage this weekend!!!

Last fall, I was honored to capture Nick and Michael’s joyful wedding day at The Dalcy! This was my first wedding at the gorgeous West Loop venue, and believe me, it did not disappoint. In fact, Michael is on staff at The Dalcy and Aba – which made this day extra special!! Of course, the ambiance and decor was on point, but the most memorable detail was the abundance of love and support for these two grooms. It was an unforgettable day from beginning to end!

I met Michael and Nick at The Westin where they got ready together in their suite. While rain was in the forecast, we were somehow able to dodge the showers just in time for photos downtown! (Thanks Nature!!) These two and their wedding party were all smiles as we stopped at some of my favorite iconic Chicago locations. Oh – and did I mention it was a Friday? We basically had Olive Park to ourselves… a rare occurrence during wedding season! The skyline view was a perfect last stop on our way to the venue.

Sidenote: I always love when couples choose to get ready together on their wedding day! It’s such a unique way to break tradition while personalizing your day.

The Dalcy Wedding Ceremony

Nick and Michael were married in a romantic candlelit ceremony at The Dalcy surrounded by loved ones. A dear friend officiated their ceremony, which was filled with laughter and happy tears. By the time they were pronounced married, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place! Guests were ready to celebrate with the newlyweds, and The Bluewater Kings kept the party going all night!! I’m lucky I got to pull the grooms away from the dance floor for a night photo on Fulton Street!

Michael and Nick: Thank you again for having us in October!! Your wedding day was an absolute joy to be part of. Wishing you the happiest marriage and future together 🙂

Marie & Jay’s Milwaukee War Memorial Center wedding last summer was one I’ll never forget! For starters, they were already married (surprise!)… which made finally getting to celebrate even more special. This happened to be my first hometown wedding since 2019, so I was extra pumped!

I met Marie and Jay (aka John) at their venue on a beautiful July afternoon. These two got ready separately with friends and family before seeing each other for the first time. When Marie and Jay told me they wanted to have their first look on the staircase of Milwaukee War Memorial Center, I was even more excited… you’ll see why! Not only has this venue been a fixture along Milwaukee’s lakefront for decades, its architecture is a photographer’s dream. After their sweet first look, we got to explore the lakefront area and Milwaukee Art Museum campus with their wedding party, dressed in red, white, and blue! We could even spot Harbor House from where we were, the place where Jay asked Marie to marry him.

Milwaukee War Memorial Center Wedding

Guests began to take their seats outside the venue, overlooking Milwaukee’s Lakefront. Marie and Jay renewed their vows in a beautiful ceremony officiated by a family friend. After they said “I Do” (again) – it was time to party!! The newlyweds enjoyed cocktails and conversation with their guests on the outdoor terrace, and the celebration continued with dinner and dancing throughout the night! I’m lucky I got to steal them away from their reception for a few photos on Calatrava bridge, my absolute favorite Milwaukee photo location 🙂

Marie and Jay: Thank you again for having us last summer! It was an honor to capture these memories for you and be part of this day. Wishing you a long and happy Married Life!!!

Last November, Carly and Matt tied the knot at Chevy Chase Country Club – and it was one of our most memorable weddings of 2021. From our very first conversation, I knew their wedding was going to be a blast! Their love story began with Tinder swipes, waiting outside a train station in frigid weather, and a mutual love for Jeff Goldblum (it’s true!). Oh! And they casually mentioned that it would have “sort of a retro theme … think 70’s funk and soul.” I must say, they pulled this theme wedding off flawlessly!

Wedding day began at The Westin North Shore in Wheeling, where both Carly and Matt got ready separately. Lucky me, I got to meet their sweet pups Foxy and Mugsy at the hotel! Carly and her crew headed to the venue just as light snow began to fall, and Matt followed shortly for their fairy tale first look. Seriously – if you’re on the fence about having a first look on your wedding day, seeing Matt and Carly’s may have you convinced! The wedding party were total champs about taking a few photos outdoors with the fall foliage, then it was time to head inside and get these two MARRIED 🙂

Chevy Chase Country Club

That evening, Matt and Carly were married by a friend in a cozy, candlelit ceremony surrounded by loved ones. Not surprisingly, there was no shortage of humor in their ceremony: After dancing down the aisle, Carly took the opportunity to Rickroll Matt during her vows! They stepped on glass to shouts of Mazel Tov and then danced down the aisle together. In fact, I don’t think they stopped dancing all night… to some of the best Funk, Soul, and Motown music that exists, of course!

Carly and Matt: Thanks for making my first wedding at Chevy Chase Country Club so much FUN!! You two were a joy to photograph and I couldn’t be happier for you. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness (and killer dance moves) together!

Lindsey & Griffin’s joyful Rockwell on the River wedding was romantic, dreamy, and bursting with love! Associate María and Jeremy got to spend the day with these two, starting at The Hotel at Midtown with a quick stop at Lincoln Park for the skyline view. I was lucky enough to photograph Lindsey and Griffin here for their fall engagement session in 2020… and had been looking forward to their wedding photos ever since!

Their cozy, candlelit ceremony took place underneath the venue’s gorgeous skylight on a lovely September evening. After many years together, Lindsey and Griffin finally made it official surrounded by family and friends! Once they were married, it was time to CELEBRATE!! Guests enjoyed delicious food and drink on the outdoor patio along the Chicago River, and then danced the night away (our Photo Booth added even more reception fun!). María even got to sneak these two away for a night photo in the cobblestone walkway… some of my favorite photos from the entire day 🙂

Lindsey and Griffin: Thank you so much for trusting our team to capture these moments for you! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness in your marriage!!

Last September, I had the pleasure of photographing Brigette and Michael’s Cafe Brauer wedding in Chicago. You may remember these two from their downtown summer engagement session in 2020! Fun fact: When they originally booked their venue, Brigette and Michael lived within walking distance. But, then there was a pandemic, and – things changed a little bit. One day Michael shared news that they’d moved to Denver, and their Cafe Brauer wedding would now be a destination wedding! I was pumped!!

The day began at Hotel Lincoln with Brigette and her wedding party. There was no shortage of music or dancing… or champagne! When it was time, we hopped on a trolley to Northwestern Law School to meet up with Michael’s side. This is where Brigette and Michael first met, and I absolutely love that they decided to have their first look here! They even exchanged private vows in the courtyard, one of my favorite ways to break tradition 🙂

Lincoln Park Honeycomb Wedding Ceremony

After a quick stop for photos with the skyline (and more dancing, of course!), we made our way back to Lincoln Park. Originally having planned a Cafe Brauer wedding, Brigette and Michael opted to move their ceremony to the Lincoln Park Honeycomb! Okay – it’s not technically called the Honeycomb… but if you live in Chicago you most likely know what I mean by this! In a COVID-19 world, this was the perfect alternative to an indoor ceremony. Brigette and Michael made it official surrounded by loved ones, and even had a former professor officiate. Believe me, the celebration continued throughout the night! I’m so happy I got to capture this unforgettable day!!

Brigette and Michael: Thank you again for trusting us to capture these memories for you. It’s been a pleasure working with you two! Wishing you all the happiness in the world.

Spring is in the air these days, and I thought it would be a perfect time to share Libby and Avi’s Gallery 1028 wedding from last May! I first met these two in early 2020, only months after they’d gotten engaged. Though the world was full of uncertainty at the time, one thing was for sure: Libby and Avi were getting married in 2021! Since then, it’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know these two and watching their wedding day vision come to life.

Libby and Avi got ready separately at Viceroy Chicago, one of my favorite hotels in the city! After their first look on the rooftop terrace, it was time to hit the town. The wedding party was in for a tour – we stopped at Museum Campus for those epic skyline views, then made our way to the Loop for more Chicago vibes! And – if you’ll recall from their neighborhood engagement session, Libby and Avi LOVE the CTA. Naturally, we made a stop there on wedding day, too!

Gallery 1028 Wedding

When we arrived at the venue, the space was aglow with candles, string lights, and colorful spring florals everywhere you’d look. Libby and Avi tied the knot surrounded by family and friends, both virtually and in person. After the glass was broken, it was time to celebrate! Dinner led to dancing and these two couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. It was truly a night to remember, and I’m so happy to have been a part of it 🙂

Libby and Avi: Thanks again for having us last May!!! All my best and a lifetime of happiness to you both!

Brittany and Adrian’s September wedding at Royal Sonesta Chicago River North was much-anticipated, to say the least! Guests traveled to Chicago from near and far to celebrate with these two as they tied the knot in our dear city. You may recall from their fall engagement session that Adrian and Brittany met at a University of Illinois football game! I was not at all surprised at the frequent pops of orange and blue in their wedding details.

We arrived at the downtown hotel to capture Brittany and Adrian getting ready separately. These two were dressed to the nines, of course – and their wedding party was no exception! Their happy first look on the Chicago Riverwalk was one of my favorite moments from the entire day, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to stop at some other iconic locations nearby. After an emotional ceremony, these two were ready to PARTY! Our night concluded with popping champagne outside of Rock Bottom Brewery, another place they visited on the day they met 🙂

Highlights

Some highlights from the day include Brittany’s surprise choreographed dance with her dad, and honoring their mothers with a rose during the ceremony. They also had many unique DIY details, such as naming table numbers after places they’ve traveled together! Oh – and I will never forget their epic first dance to Robyn’s Show Me Love!!! This made my night… you’d better believe I was singing along to EVERY word.

Pro tip: Want to know what it felt like to be at this wedding? Play the song while scrolling through the images in this post!

Brittany and Adrian: Thank you again for having us in September! I will never forget your awesome wedding day… wishing you both the very best in Married Life!!!

On a lovely August day last year I had the pleasure of capturing Ada & Brendan’s downtown Chicago wedding. Without a doubt, this day was bursting with joy from beginning to end! These two got ready separately before their emotional first look in the lobby of TheWit, where Brendan was waiting for Ada with a bouquet of red roses (I know!). After an exchange of letters and gifts, it was time for some downtown Chicago wedding day photos with yours, truly 🙂

If you can’t tell from the photos, Ada and Brendan were a blast to explore the city with! We stopped at the most iconic photo locations, not to mention they received PLENTY of congrats from passersby! When it was time to head to the North Side, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity for some CTA photos at their local stop. Ada loves the area surrounding the Paulina station, and I’m so glad we stopped here for a few!

Finally, we arrived at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro just in time to dodge the summer rain. Ada and Brendan were married in an intimate ceremony officiated by a mutual friend. One of my favorite things about this day was how intentional everything was – including DIY details by Ada! Every guest seemed to be bursting with happiness for these two, not to mention the newlyweds themselves. Truly, this was the most wonderful day… I’m so happy to have been a part of it!

Ada and Brendan: Thank you again for having us in August!!! All my best to you both and your future together!

What can I say about Jessika and Matthew? I first heard from these two around this time last year, when they were planning a wedding ceremony and celebration in 2022. After a few conversations, and with the state of the world, they decided to completely switch gears and get married last September instead! Of course, I’m SO happy they did 🙂

Jess and Matt tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Grant Park with their immediate families present. Jessika got ready at their South Loop home, while Matthew was at The Ritz-Carlton. Lucky for me, I got to see my girl Nala again (remember this sweetie from their spring engagement session?!) – then it was time to head out for their first look!

Looking stylish as ever, Matt and Jess met up at the Art Institute of Chicago for their first look and a private vow exchange. This was one of my favorite moments of the entire day! In fact, we basically had the entire gardens to ourselves… which never happens!! After stopping at a few iconic downtown locations, it was finally time to make it official. We arrived at the Rose Garden in Grant Park with perfect timing, and they were married in golden light surrounded by loved ones. The evening concluded with a stroll to Italian Village for a delicious wedding dinner!

Jessika and Matthew: Thank you again for having us in September!! Your intimate wedding day was truly a joy to capture, I wish you all the best in Married Life!