Emma Mullins Photography

Happy NEW YEAR’S EVE, friends!!! Wow, what a year it’s been. Don’t worry, I won’t go on about the challenges of 2020 and how that completely transformed the wedding world. I will, however, share my favorite moments and images from the past 12 months… as is tradition! And just like every other year, it was NOT EASY to pick my faves.

Spoiler alert: if we photographed your wedding or engagement session this year, you are IN HERE!!

Highlights from 2020 include:

• Working with new venues as well as some favorites, including: Renaissance Chicago Downtown, Firehouse Chicago, Indian Hill Club, Loft Lucia, Starved Rock Lodge, Sunset Ridge Country Club, Boulder Ridge Country Club, Joliet Birdhaven Greenhouse, and Kenilworth Union Church
• My first Chicago City Hall wedding during COVID-19
• My first ever Michigan wedding at a dream house in Union Pier
• An adorable Valentine’s Day engagement session
• A Halloween elopement
• My first round of Mini Sessions for Positive Change! Participants helped raise over $2,000 for organizations Black Lives Matter, Equal Justice Initiative, Brave Space Alliance, and Color of Change. I’ve included a few photos from these sessions below 🙂
• Our first Behind-the-Scenes video!!! If you haven’t already, check it out!
• Expanding the team to include more talented Associate photographers and videographers
• Photographing the 2nd-ever wedding officiated by my guy, Jeremy
• My first visit to Soldier Field (don’t worry guys, I’m still a Packers fan…)
• My first WEDMKE show! (Pre-pandemic, of course)
• An insanely gorgeous styled shoot down the street from my studio
• Meeting some awesome new couples, and getting to work with familiar faces, too!

It’s been a challenging year for us all, that’s for certain. But even with the countless changes of plans and difficult decisions, couples are still getting married and having the time of their lives. I am so, so grateful for the opportunity to capture every moment and every memory. Cue my favorite phrase of this year, say it with me: LOVE ISN’T CANCELLED.

Hope you enjoy!! Cheers to 2021!!!

Last month, I was thrilled to be part of a styled shoot at one of Chicago’s newest event spaces, Wildman BT! This venue happens to be down the street from my studio, and after touring it back in September, I could not wait to shoot inside. It won’t take much scrolling to figure out why! The historic building has been completely restored, featuring exposed brick, skylights, and a larger-than-life projector screen. Additionally, the 12,000 square foot space can be divided as needed with custom drapery. How cool is that?! If you’re searching for a unique Chicago loft wedding venue, you need to check this place out!

Don’t get me wrong, every vendor involved in this shoot did an incredible job. Shout out to Kristina and Sam of Wedicity for putting this together so flawlessly (and Sam for stepping in as officiant!). I have always been a fan of bold and colorful decor, and am in love with the jewel tones they chose to incorporate! Other highlights include delicious snacks from Feast & Imbibe. Ever heard of a pizza cigar appetizer? Me neither… until this shoot! They did smell delicious, and according to our grooms, tasted even better!

Which brings me to: Esteban and Evan. These two could not have been more perfect as our Groom & Groom! It’s always a treat to meet new couples, and they were an absolute joy to work with. Not to mention how they totally rocked their Fake Wedding Day looking dapper as ever! Thanks again for being a part of this, guys!!

If you hadn’t guessed, this shoot was an awesome way to end my 2020 season. I’m a big fan of the Chicago loft wedding vibe, and this place has it ALL 🙂 Get to scrolling and see for yourself!

Vendor Team

Venue: Wildman Boiler & Tank Co./Planning: Wedicity/Apparel: The Groomsman Suit/Florals: Hedonia Flowers/Hair & Makeup: Rare Bird Beauties/Invitation: XO Art & Design/Wedding bands: Hitched/Caterer: Feast & Imbibe/Cake: ECBG Studio/Rentals: Tablescapes/Champagne Wall: Bubbly Events/Linens: BBJ Linen

I will never forget Claire and Mark’s destination Michigan wedding. These two changed plans over the summer due to unforeseen circumstances (sound familiar?). Instead of the chic downtown Chicago soirée they had planned, they secured a private residence in their home state for their immediate families. If I say so myself: this was an absolute dream wedding! In fact, Claire designed much of the decor herself! With the help of an A+ Vendor Team, the dream became reality.

Union Pier, Michigan Wedding

The gorgeous property was located on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, including a private beach. Claire’s eldest sister officiated the private ceremony, and I know there wasn’t a dry eye among us! After the knot was tied, the newlyweds chose to celebrate with champagne on the beach (and photos, of course!). Claire and Mark joined their guests for a cocktails and romantic first dance as the sun set over the lake 🙂

Something I loved about this wedding was that every single detail was personalized. Travel is a mutual love of Mark and Claire’s, which they tied into their wedding day as much as possible. The dessert spread included French macarons and also mochi, a nod to their engagement in Japan. Fun fact: Mochi is also the name of their adorable pup, who celebrated her first birthday on Claire & Mark’s wedding day! If you don’t remember this smiley girl from their Engagement Session, her happy birthday photos are just as sweet!!

Claire and Mark: Thank you again for having us capture your Michigan wedding in October!! Wishing you all the happiness in your married life!

Vendor Team

Venue: Yellow Bird Vacations/Bride’s dress: Provonias/Bride’s veil: Untamed Petals/Bride’s shoes: Sole Society/Groom’s suit: The Black Tux/Florals: Field & Florist/Hair & Makeup: Jen and Colette from Hannah Elisabeth Beauty/Invitation: Bride’s sister/Engagement ring: Windy City Diamonds/Wedding bands: Dana Rebecca Designs/Caterer: Spire Catering & Event Planning/Cake: Black Currant Bakehouse/Mochi: Patisserie Tomoko/Macarons: Ladurée/2nd shooter: Jeremy

Thinking of downsizing your wedding to immediate family only? Check out what these other couples have done!

Megan & Taylor’s Elopement | Erin & Evan’s Microwedding | Melanie & Spencer’s Elopement

In October, I had the pleasure of joining Stephanie and Jimmy at their Birdhaven Greenhouse wedding in Joliet! Not only was this day planned in a matter of weeks, it was also somewhat of a surprise. It’s true! After postponing their group celebration to next fall, these two still wanted to marry this year. I was thrilled when they decided to elope on their original wedding date, and asked me to tag along!

I met these two at the greenhouse on a beautiful fall day, where they shared an emotional first look outside the ceremony space. Honestly, I think their smiles only grew from there! Stephanie and Jimmy tied the knot in an intimate ceremony, surrounded by family and a few friends. In fact, Stephanie’s little brother even played an important role in the ceremony (isn’t he sweet?!). I loved how they made their day so personalized and family-oriented. As you can imagine, elopements like this are always a joy to capture.

Once it was official, I got to have the newlyweds all to myself! We had a chance to explore all the rooms of the Birdhaven Greenhouse, and even the fall foliage of nearby Pilcher Park. Like I said, these two were ALL smiles (thanks for making my job easy, guys!!). Several days later they announced their elopement, and I couldn’t be happier for these two 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS, Stephanie and Jimmy!! Thanks again for asking me to photograph your elopement day – really looking forward to celebrating more next year!

Vendor Team

Venue: Birdhaven Greenhouse & Conservatory/Bride’s dress: David’s Bridal/Bride’s shoes: Bleecker & Bond/Groom’s suit: Tommy Hilfiger/Groom’s shoes: Leonardo Shoes/Florist: Mitchell’s Flowers/Hair Stylist: Hair by Izzy/Makeup: Mario Tricoci/Jeweler: The Classic Gem

Want to see more Stephanie & Jimmy? Check out their dreamy sunset Engagement Session on the Blog!

It’s no secret that 2020 has been full of the unexpected. That said, I was so excited to hear from Victoria and Sam! Just when I thought my wedding season was over, these two asked me to capture their Halloween elopement ceremony. As I’m sure you can imagine, the answer was a resounding YES 🙂

Like so many couples, Sam and Victoria had postponed their group celebration to next year. They wanted a simple, memorable wedding day, and chose to tie the knot in their neighborhood at Gompers Park! A handful of local guests were invited to witness the ceremony (in costume, of course!). Victoria wore a vintage wedding gown from the 1930’s, and completed the ensemble with a stunning bouquet by Pollen Floral Design. Her halo-esque headpiece perfectly complemented Sam’s golden devil horns. The spirit of Halloween was among us!

After exchanging vows and jumping the broom, I had the newlyweds all to myself! We were lucky enough to visit nearby Montrose Cemetery before the ceremony, and got to explore the park together afterwards. These two were ALL smiles and up for anything! I’m so happy to have been a part of this day!!

Victoria and Sam: THANK YOU for having me capture your awesome Halloween elopement! Can’t wait to celebrate again next year!!

Last month, a very happy Megan and Taylor tied the knot at Kenilworth Union Church on Chicago’s north side. After postponing their group celebration to next year, I was so excited that they decided to honor the original date! Taylor and Megan wed in an intimate afternoon ceremony surrounded by immediate family. The joy on their faces is exactly what the day was about!

Some of my favorite details were part of their original plan… and some were brand new (note their clever Save the Dates!). Megan and Taylor had always envisioned a ceremony at Kenilworth Union – Taylor’s family church since childhood. His father has a stone in the beautiful Memorial Garden, where we spent some time before the ceremony.

After the knot was tied, we traveled to nearby Indian Hill Club for some stunning newlywed photos! Believe it or not, this venue was not part of their original plan! It was a perfect fall evening, the leaves were beginning to change, and the newlyweds were all smiles. What more could a photographer ask for?! Eventually, the sun went down, and it was time for me to say goodbye. I sent these two off to dine with their guests… and bask in Newlywed Bliss 🙂

Megan and Taylor: Thanks again for having me this October! I couldn’t be happier for you two… can’t wait to celebrate again next year!!

Vendor Team

Church: Kenilworth Union Church/Reception Venue: Indian Hill Club/Bride’s dress: Essense of Australia/Boutique: Diana’s Bridal/Bride’s shoes: Amazon.com/Groom’s suit: J. Crew/Florals: Mille Fiori/Hair & Makeup: Pin Me Up Chicago/Invitation: Yellowbird Store/Save the Dates: Bride’s mother/Change-the-Dates: Zola.com/Bride’s ring: ArtCarved/Groom’s ring: Rogers & Hollands

Want to see how other couples have adapted their wedding plans in 2020? Check out some recent favorites on the Blog!

Erin & Evan’s Microwedding | Minal & Drew’s Microwedding | Melanie & Spencer’s Elopement | Jenny & Michael’s Elopement | Taylor & Luke’s Wedding

Erin and Evan’s September Microwedding at Firehouse Chicago was an intimate family affair. After beginning to plan a much larger celebration for 2021, these two decided to tie the knot this year instead! I’m so happy they did!!

Downtown Chicago Wedding Photos

Their day started at Thompson Chicago in the Gold Coast, one of my favorite hotels in the city. Thanks to Evan’s mother, Miriam, there was no shortage of gorgeous florals! Lucky Evan got to pick from several groom boutonnières that she had created, it was so sweet! After their first look in the Penthouse Suite, I got these two all to myself for some classic downtown portraits. I was especially excited to stop at the Art Institute of Chicago for a few!

Firehouse Chicago Microwedding

Of course, no wedding day goes exactly as expected, and this was no exception. As soon as we were ready to head to the north side, rain began to fall. But wait – it gets better! Instead of the outdoor garden ceremony they had planned, Erin and Evan exchanged vows inside the firehouse surrounded by candlelight and their closest family. Their senior pup Huey even made a mid-ceremony cameo appearance! The evening was cozy, intimate, and absolutely perfect 🙂

Erin and Evan: Thanks again for having me in September!! Wishing you the very best in your future together.

Vendor Team

Venue: Firehouse Chicago/Hotel: Thompson Chicago/Bride’s dress: Jenny Yoo/Bride’s shoes: Sam Edelman/Groom’s suit: ISAIA/Groom’s tie: Brackish/Florals: Ooh Ahh Floral/Hair & Makeup: Beauty by Ann Krause/Jeweler: MS Imagines/Caterer: Salt and Sprinkle

Associate Sandy had a blast with Michelle and Kevin at their fall Chicago engagement session last month! These two wanted to incorporate Chicago’s gorgeous fall foliage into their session, and the photos do not disappoint. There is always a prime week for fall colors in the city, and I think we just happened to pick the perfect day 🙂

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Lincoln Park is a choice location for fall Chicago engagement photos. Can you guess why?! You get both nature AND a killer skyline view… not to mention it’s so close to the lake! Looks like Kevin and Michelle had no problem keeping each other warm with that cool lakefront breeze. What a perfect way to spend a fall evening in the city!

Michelle and Kevin: You two are absolutely adorable together! We can’t wait for your July wedding next year!!

One gorgeous October evening, I met up with Brittany and Adrian for their Chicago Museum Campus engagement session. From our very first conversation, these two already had ideas for engagement photos! I wanted nothing more than to make their photography dreams come true 🙂

Brittany’s words:

“We met at a University of Illinois football game at Soldier Field through mutual friends and have spent a vast majority of our relationship going to sporting events and hanging out at bars like we did the first day we met. We want to find a photographer that can capture our love of sports (during an engagement session) as well as bring this love into our wedding day!“

How sweet is that?! Naturally, we started our session at Soldier Field (at the exact spot where they first met!). I especially loved their orange and blue jerseys and matching sneakers… note Brittany’s matching sapphire engagement ring!

After visiting the stadium, it was time for an outfit change and more exploring around Museum Campus. We made the trek to Northerly Island for some perfect fall colors, and then watched the sun set over the skyline outside the Adler Planetarium. Sunsets like this one are always my FAVORITE. Any time the clouds look like cotton candy, you know it’s going to be good!

Brittany and Adrian: You two were an absolute treat in front of my camera! So excited for you to tie the knot next fall!!

I had so much fun with Lindsey and Griffin at their Lincoln Park engagement session this month! We met on one of the last warm days of the season and got to enjoy the most beautiful fall colors. These two are adorable as can be… thanks for making my job easy, guys!

We took a stroll around South Pond and the Nature Boardwalk – a loop that Lindsey and Griffin walk together frequently. Honestly, I have been to Lincoln Park so many times, and each time I find something new that I love! Whether we get lucky with perfect weather (ahem, Lindsey and Griffin), or your session is in rain, sleet, or snow, Lincoln Park will not disappoint. Want to see what I mean? Links below! It’s no wonder this is one of the most popular photo locations in the city 🙂

After our stroll, the three of us headed to the lakefront for a few sunset photos with the Chicago skyline. These are some of my absolute faves from their session! We couldn’t have asked for a better day – so excited for them to tie the knot next year!!

Want to see more sessions in Lincoln Park?! Check out some recent favorites on the Blog:

Claire & Mark | Erica & Eric | Sausha & Jose | Amit & Maya | Stephanie & Jimmy