Emma Mullins Photography

Having a winter wedding in Chicago takes some courage. Weather is especially unpredictable, daylight is limited, and outdoor ceremony locations are off-limits. But for Elissa and Tommy, the decision was an easy one! Tommy proposed on Christmas morning, and they chose to relive that magic by tying the knot the following holiday season.

Christmas Theme

When I first heard from these two, they described their Chicago loft wedding as “Old English pub during Christmastime.” If that’s not warm and cozy, I don’t know what is! Elissa and Tommy incorporated the holiday theme into various details. For instance, they exchanged Christmas gifts before their first look, and the groomsmen wore theme socks! Not to mention their pinecone cake topper (a gift from Tommy’s sister).

Chicago Loft Wedding

That evening, Tommy and Elissa exchanged vows in an intimate candlelit ceremony on the longest night of the year. Elissa stunned in her Sarah Seven gown, and Tommy’s welcome speech could not have been more perfect. From the inevitable Santa hats to the surprise guest singer (Tommy’s dad), it was a Very Married Christmas indeed 🙂 Shout out to the talented vendor team who helped make this day what it was!

Elissa and Tommy: Thank you again for having me in December!! I absolutely loved being part of your wedding day and wish you all the happiness in the world.

Vendor Team

Venue: Gallery 1028/Hotel: The Viceroy/Wedding Planner: JPB Designs/Bride’s dress: Sarah Seven/Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka/Bride’s earrings: Melinda Rose/Groom’s suit: Jos. A. Bank/Christmas socks: Amazon.com/Florals: Studio AG Design/Hair: Hair and Lashes by Kaedi/ Makeup: Gilliann Charnstrom/Invitation: Minted/Engagement ring: Mon Ami Jewelry/Wedding Bands: Blue Nile, Zales/Bridesmaids dresses: Dessy Collection/Live Band: Bluewater Kings Band/Caterer: Calihan Catering/2nd Photographer: Jeremy

Want to see more Tommy & Elissa? Check out their summer Bucktown Engagement Session!

Spring is in full swing! I had the pleasure of ringing in the season with Hannah and Chris during their urban Chicago engagement session last month. It was a gorgeous afternoon (we lucked out – the next day it snowed!), and these two are just adorable together! They even coordinated outfits in black and white. If there’s one thing I learned from this session it’s that Chris and Hannah are truly, unabashedly, in LOVE 🙂

We began our session downtown for some industrial vibes, and even got to visit my favorite Chicago mural! I especially loved the photos outside Fulton Market Kitchen… with their outfits and the black + white wall I couldn’t help myself : )

It’s clear that Hannah and Chris love their city, so photos with the skyline were a must. We took a romantic stroll by the River before heading back to their neighborhood for sunset! Our session concluded in Humboldt Park with the most beautiful light and some of my favorite candid moments from the day.

These two are so excited to be married, and I cannot wait to capture their Chicago wedding day next May!! Thanks for an awesome session, Hannah and Chris!

Kathia and Todd. Where do I begin with these two?! Not only did I have the honor of photographing their intimate Metropolitan Brewery wedding – they’re also dear friends. In fact, some of you may recognize the handsome salt-and-pepper bearded officiant… Jeremy (MY other half) often tags along to weddings as my second photographer, but thanks to the Universal Life Church, on this day he got to officiate! He and Todd have known each other for – 18 years! – and we were thrilled to play such important roles on this wedding day.

With close friends and family present, Kathia and Todd wed one Sunday morning in October along the Chicago River. Their ceremony was intimate, joyful, and so them. Kathia’s family traveled from Mexico to witness them tie the knot! Todd’s daughter presented the rings, they said their I-Do’s, and celebration continued at Metropolitan Brewing with fresh beer and pizza. Sounds pretty awesome, right?! Well – it was!!

Shout out to the staff at Metropolitan for helping make this day what it was. We had a blast and will definitely be back soon 🙂

Kathia and Todd: Thank you again for asking me to document your wedding day. This was such a fun afternoon!! All the best to you both in your future together… P.S. Board games soon?!

Vendor Team

Venue: Metropolitan Brewing/Bride’s dress: Adriana Papell/Bride’s shoes: Steve Madden/Groom’s suit: Kenneth Cole//Florals: Village Flower Shop/Decor: Mother of the Groom/Hair & Makeup: DIY/Pizza: Piece Pizzeria/Cake + Cupcakes: The Pastry Palace Chicago

Sam and Eric’s Chicago wedding at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro took place down the street from their home. Friends and family traveled from all over to celebrate with them – and what a celebration it was! After their colorful spring engagement session I KNEW this was going to be a fun party 🙂

When I first heard from Sam, she was so excited to marry Eric. He had surprised her with an engagement ring the day before a Paris vacation, and she was absolutely thrilled! One of the first decisions they made was to include their pups, Penny and Scout, in the festivities. Although they weren’t able to attend the ceremony, a First Look appearance was the perfect alternative (aren’t they adorable?!). Check out the pups on their stationery, too!

Handmade details included the flower girl baskets and dog collars (both by Eric’s mom), place card easels (made by Eric) and reception signs crafted by a friend. Sam’s good friend Justin officiated the ceremony, and the party started right after “I Do!”

Sam & Eric: Thanks again for having me last September! I had such a blast on your wedding day. Wishing you all the happiness in your future together.

Vendor Team

Venue: Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro/Hotel: Hotel Lincoln/Bride’s dress: independent designer, purchased from Gilt/Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka/Groom’s suit: Indochino/Florals: The Flower Girl Company/Hair & Makeup: Blush & Burgundy/Save the Dates: easyprintPD/Invitation: JALprints/Bride’s rings: Zales/Groom’s ring: his father’s/DJ: Zach from Green Line Talent/Caterer: Mrs. Murphy & Sons/Desserts: Sweet Mandy B’s

Crossing my fingers as I say this, but spring is in full swing, Chicago! Which means, if you’re into embracing the outdoors, boating season has BEGUN 🙂 To celebrate, I’m excited to share Jenn & TJ’s Chicago riverboat engagement session from last fall.

Jenn and TJ live in my neighborhood with their adorable rescue pup, Sunny. I was lucky enough to meet Sunny briefly during their engagement session – and hope to see her again on wedding day this year! Photos with Sunny were a must, as was a private boat cruise on the Chicago River. The couple is part of a Boat Share club in the city, and TJ popped the question while on a cruise last May!

This was one of the most unique sessions I’ve been on – and we had a blast! Shout out to Captain Mike for taking us around the river so these two could enjoy their champagne and each other’s company. Can’t wait for their wedding this September!!

Want more info on the Chicago Boat Share community? Check out these popular clubs below:

Pinnacle Yachts
Freedom Boat Club
River North Boat Club

When Katelyn and Corbin told me they were planning a Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony, I was so excited! Elopements and smaller wedding ceremonies are always my favorite to capture, and theirs was no exception. If you’re not familiar, the Chicago Cultural Center dedicates one Saturday every month to civil ceremonies for ten lucky couples. Ceremonies last about 3-5 minutes and cost a mere TEN DOLLARS. It’s true! Just takes some planning ahead (not too much!) and a little luck 🙂

Katelyn and Corbin met in Pittsburgh and moved to Chicago together three years ago. Their families traveled from all over the country to spend the day with them! The couple got ready with friends at their Humboldt Park home before heading downtown. After their ceremony, the three of us got to spend the afternoon visiting some favorite Chicago locations! Corbin and Katelyn are members at The Art Institute of Chicago, so photos in the gardens were a must.

Finally, it was time to regroup with family and head to Bridgeport. If you live in Chicago and haven’t been to The Duck Inn, trust me – you are missing out! The food and cocktails here are beyond fabulous, and the staff were awesome. This was exactly what Katelyn and Corbin wanted: an intimate, relaxed wedding reception with delicious food and great company. Way to go, you two! Thanks again for having me document your Nuptial Fest!!

Want to be like Katelyn & Corbin?

Are you engaged? Is a big, elaborate wedding day not for you? Civil ceremonies like Katelyn and Corbin’s are by appointment only and must be made in person. Find more info on how to have your own Chicago Cultural Center civil ceremony HERE!

Vendor Team

Ceremony Venue: Chicago Cultural Center/Reception Venue: The Duck Inn/Bride’s dress: Silver Moon Vintage/Groom’s suit: Richard’s Fabulous Finds/Florals: A New Leaf/Rings: G.V. Jewelry/Caterer: The Duck Inn/Cake: Moody Tongue

Jen and Pete’s West Loop restaurant wedding was one big, happy celebration. If you didn’t know, getting married at a Chicago restaurant has its perks! Most can accommodate both ceremony and reception, the spaces are always unique, and – bonus! – the food is guaranteed to be delicious! Jen and Pete decided on Nellcôte for many of these reasons… not to mention their first date happened next door at Green Street Smoked Meats! Sneaking over for a few wedding photos was pretty much a given.

Guests traveled from near and far to witness Jen and Pete tie the knot. They wanted the day to be simple, romantic, and encompass all the things they love about their city and each other. For example, they had no formal wedding party or traditions – they just wanted to celebrate! After their lively summer engagement session I couldn’t wait to capture their wedding day!!

The weather was perfect for a fall wedding. We stopped at some favorite Chicago locations before heading to the ceremony – and they couldn’t help but smile the whole time! Seriously, I can’t think of a moment either of them weren’t beaming ear-to-ear. After their ceremony, guests enjoyed an intimate cocktail hour at RM Champagne Salon. But once the party started back at Nellcôte, it lasted all night long! One of the first things Jen mentioned while planning their wedding was: “All I want to do is dance!!” And the bride wasn’t the only one dancing… see for yourself!

Jen and Pete: Thanks again for having me in November!! It was so great getting to know you last year and finally getting to capture these memories 🙂 All the best to you both in your adventures together!

Vendor Team

Venue: Nellcôte Restaurant/Hotel: Crowne Plaza West Loop/Bride’s dress: Aisle Chic/Bride’s shoes: Caparros/Groom’s suit: Suit Supply/Groom’s shoes: Allen Edmonds/Florals: Flowers for Dreams/Hair & Makeup: Pin Me Up Chicago/Invitation: Shutterfly/Save The Date: Vistaprint/Rings: Windy City Diamonds/DJ: Ryan from Style Matters/Caterer: Nellcôte/Photo Booth: Emma Mullins Photography/2nd shooter: Jeremy

One Friday afternoon last month, I met a very excited John in the Winter Garden at Harold Washington Library. Spring was officially making an appearance, and as a result: it was time to propose! John put so much thought into the way he was going to ask Alex to marry him – and the anticipation was REAL. He wanted it to be intimate, unique, and most importantly, personal to their relationship. He chose the Winter Garden due to their mutual awe for its beauty and architecture – not to mention, their love of books! I truly enjoyed being a part of this process and witnessing it all come together 🙂

Alex arrived to the Winter Garden as planned with a particular book John had placed on hold for her. Little did she know that when she picked it up, there would be instructions to follow and a puzzle to solve! John was certain that she’d know exactly what was going on when she saw the book – Collected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges. John’s words:

“The Borges collection is part of the freshman studies curriculum at Lawrence University, which was where we met and fell in love. Borges was an Argentinian author who had a really unique literary style sometimes known as magical realism. Very early on in our relationship we would read stories from the collection to each other.”

John’s instructions led Alex straight to the Winter Garden, where it all became real. He got down on one knee, pulled out the ring, and popped the question! She said YES!! So excited for these two!

After their engagement we took a few portraits around the library and outside with the city. Their night continued with dinner, more surprises, and sharing the news with friends and family. Surprise proposals are one of my favorite things to photograph, and this was no exception! CONGRATS again, Alex and John!!

Emy & Kamalu’s October Kualoa Ranch wedding was an experience I’ll never forget. More of a traditional Hawaiian wedding than the previous day in Waikiki, their celebration included luau dancers, traditional island cuisine, and ceremonial fire dancing (it was awesome!!). The entire event took place at stunning Moli’i Gardens – an otherworldly location equal to paradise. In fact, it’s so picturesque that several Hollywood movies (ever heard of Jurassic Park?) were filmed on premises.

Family and friends were a huge help in preparation for the day. All florals at the ceremony site were DIY – and they looked incredible! Nieces and nephews rocked it as flower girls and ring bearers. Kamalu is originally from the islands, so aunts, uncles and cousins performed many of the traditional dances. Malu even surprised guests during the reception and joined in the fire dance himself!

At sunset, we headed down to the pier for photos with the newlyweds. Emy and Malu enjoyed quiet moments together before heading to the festivities – which lasted all night long! Believe me, this group knows how to PARTY 🙂

This was such a fun celebration to capture – thanks again for having me, Kay! It’s no secret that Hawaii is one of my favorite places on earth. Happy to return any time!!

This past October, I had the opportunity to photograph my first Hawaii destination wedding! Local photographer Kay Salera booked me as her 2nd shooter for TWO weddings, and I was more than thrilled. Despite some hiccups in my travel plans, I finally landed in Oahu and headed straight to Hyatt Regency Waikiki. The weather was perfect for a wedding in paradise 🙂

Guests traveled from all over for Amy and Venh’s Hawaii destination wedding. In fact, their sunset rooftop ceremony incorporated a traditional Hawaiian lei exchange! This ancient tradition symbolizes the giving and receiving of love and respect for one another in marriage. Their ceremony concluded with the blowing of a conch shell, or pu, to symbolize their new beginning together.

After the ceremony, we walked down to Waikiki Beach for sunset photos with the newlyweds. Venh and Amy could not have been happier! Celebration continued with dinner, drinks (note the Blue Hawaiians) and dancing into the night.

I had a blast hanging out with these two and their crew on my first day back in Hawaii. Lucky for me, I got to do it all over again the next day!

Want to see another Hawaii destination wedding? Check out the following day at Kualoa Ranch!