Emma Mullins Photography

Rose and Layne’s Chicago rooftop wedding this spring was one of the most joyful and memorable days we’ve ever captured. From the unseasonable Chicago weather to the iconic photo locations and their neverending smiles… every moment was a pleasure to be part of. Remember their South Loop engagement session from last year?! Ever since then, I knew wedding day was going to be a blast!

When I first heard from these two, they described their wedding vision as “a playful spring garden – think wild flowers, fun colored vases that we thrift, cocktails named after our cats, and hopefully some other quirky/eclectic things mixed in along the way. We are so excited to get married, celebrate the wonderful relationship we have built and do it along side our most important friends and family.”

Because most guests traveled into Chicago for the festivities, Rose and Layne were determined to showcase they city they now call home.

Downtown Chicago Wedding Photos

The day began with the brides getting ready separately at Kimpton Gray. After their stunning first look at The Rookery Building, we spent the afternoon soaking up the weather and touring downtown! This day truly felt like summer – it was one of those 80-degree April days that happens once every few years. Layne and Rose had the best time, and I’m pretty sure an entire cruise boat cheered us on!

Chicago Rooftop Wedding Ceremony

That afternoon, guests gathered at Lacuna Lofts in Pilsen to witness these two become married. The emotional rooftop ceremony seemed to perfectly match their vision! Layne and Rose made it official surrounded by loved ones, spring wildflowers, and the best skyline view in the city. Seriously – if you are looking to showcase our city to your guests, definitely schedule a tour at this venue!

Once the knot was tied, the party was ON! DJ Rachel kept the dance floor packed with awesome tunes, and yes, there was a disco ball! I’m thrilled the newlyweds let me steal them away for a few night photos with that view 🙂

Layne and Rose: Thank you again for having us this year! Your wedding day was truly one for the books, I couldn’t be happier for you both!!

September is here, and today I’m throwing it back to one of our favorite September weddings ever. Elaine and Jeremy tied the knot at South Branch Tavern & Grille one year ago this week! We’re thrilled to have been there to capture this happy day… starting with getting ready at the J.W. Marriott and ending with a PARTY on the dance floor 🙂

When I first heard from Elaine, she described their wedding vision this way:

“The ‘theme’ is sort of fall vibes, but no pumpkin spice lattes. Earthy colors, lots of foliage, burnt sienna, deep greens, neutrals and pops of gold (I think). We are definitely not having a traditional wedding. It’s at a bar so I guess you could say we want it to feel sort of like a party.”

Spoiler alert: it felt EXACTLY like a party!! Guests were excited to celebrate these two even before the ceremony started.

South Branch Tavern & Grille Wedding

That evening, Jeremy and Elaine were married outside South Branch Tavern surrounded by their loved ones. It was one of those perfect Chicago-weather days: the kind you can never plan for, but also will never forget. Once they said I Do, the celebration was in full swing! Family and friends enjoyed delicious food, great company, and custom cocktails named after the newlyweds’ cats. But the party didn’t stop there… DJ Alli kept the dance floor alive, and if you ask me, Elaine’s reception dress stole the show. Nohemi and Trevor did an awesome job capturing the joy of this day and night!

Elaine and Jeremy: Thank you again for having us last year!! We couldn’t be happier for you two – wishing you the very best in Married Life!

Summer 2024 has been one of our busiest seasons to date, and somehow it’s already the end of August! During these last days of summer I can’t help but look back on the year we’ve had so far, and all the happy memories we’ve had the privilege to capture. Today I’m excited to feature Miya and Dylan’s June wedding at The Library at 190 S. LaSalle! Seriously, I had been looking forward to this day even before their awesome summer engagement session from last year… This was also the first wedding we captured in black and white film (aka my first love). See if you can spot the film photos in the post!

Miya and Dylan got ready separately that morning along with their wedding parties. Both of them already in smiles before their first look, I knew it was going to be the best day! After their private vow exchange on LaSalle Street, it was time to get the party started 🙂

Millennium Park Wedding Photos

We made our way to Millennium Park with the wedding party, accidentally attending the Chicago Blues Festival during our stroll! I’m so happy the Lurie Garden was available when we arrived – this is one of my favorite Chicago photo locations, especially lush in the summertime. Miya and Dylan’s crew was a blast to spend the afternoon with! We were lucky enough to stop at a couple other iconic downtown locations before heading back to the venue.

Please note: If you’re looking to take your own wedding photos in Millennium Park, you will need to obtain a photography permit ahead of time! More information can be found here. The park hosts all kinds of events during the summer – I definitely recommend checking the Millennium Park Calendar to make sure the locations you’re hoping for will be accessible and available on your date. 

The Library at 190 S. LaSalle Wedding

That evening, Miya and Dylan were married at The Library at 190 S. LaSalle surrounded by family, friends, and stacks of books! This unique venue has quickly become one of our favorites, with a variety of picturesque photo locations (and that VIEW!). Once the knot was tied, guests were ready to celebrate with the newlyweds. In addition to a jam-packed dance floor, Miya and Dylan made sure to stock the library with plenty of board games for their guests to enjoy! A few notable games include Operation, Jenga, Connect Four, Yahtzee, and Mancala. Of course, we couldn’t say goodbye without a night photo on LaSalle and a bottle of bubbly!

Miya and Dylan: Thank you again for having us this year!! We had so much fun at your wedding and couldn’t be happier for you two. Cheers to the best in Married Life!!!

Earlier this year, Alexis met up with Elizabeth and Leah for their Chicago Cultural Center engagement session! These two wanted “something that feels vibrant and eclectic” for engagement photos, with a hint of Wes Anderson style. When we started planning their Chicago session for February, we knew we’d need at least one indoor location with lots of variety. Naturally, we decided on the Cultural Center! The result was a success… Elizabeth and Leah brought so much joy, and we are getting so excited for them to tie the knot this fall!

Chicago Cultural Center Engagement Photos

If you’re looking for an indoor location in the city to take engagement photos in the winter, look no further. The Cultural Center is filled with gorgeous light, picturesque locations, and rotating art installations. And the best part: It’s FREE to take photos here, provided there are no other events taking place in the building! The Cultural Center is also in the middle of downtown Chicago, so if you can brave the weather for a few minutes, you’ll be able to capture the cityscape, too. Spoiler alert: That’s exactly what Leah and Elizabeth did for their February session 🙂

Elizabeth and Leah: We loved helping your Cultural Center engagement photos come to life! Can’t wait for all the magic your wedding day will bring!!

Today’s engagement session throwback goes out to Dana and Matt! These two are getting married in exactly ONE MONTH, and I’m super excited to capture their day!! We got to hang out together last fall on one of the most picturesque Chicago evenings, starting with some of their favorite neighborhood spots and ending at the lakefront, of course.

Wrigleyville Engagement Photos

I met up with Matt and Dana at Crosby’s Kitchen for afternoon beers, perfectly timed before the evening dinner rush. They told me all about how they first met, which led to reminiscing on the early days of their relationship (awww!). These two are clearly smitten with each other… not to mention, they’re both totally up for having a good time! I knew right away our session was going to be awesome.

Naturally, we made our way to Wrigley Field for photos with the iconic stadium. Even though their baseball allegiances do not align, we had a blast in Cubs territory (they even let me get a little artsy with that silhouette!). There’s no denying that the Wrigleyville neighborhood has its own personality and charm… even if you’re not a Cubs fan.

Chicago Skyline Engagement

Later that evening, we made our way to the lakefront for some classic photos with the Chicago skyline. And I just want to say that truly, this view is majestic any day of the week, any time of year. However, on this day, there was just something extra special about it. Maybe it was the uncharacteristically calm water, or the gorgeous fall temperature, or that Dana and Matt’s outfits just happened to perfectly coordinate with the colors of the sky (totally unplanned, I swear!). Regardless, we totally took advantage of the scene and created some of my favorite engagement photos to date!

Dana and Matt: Thank you again for having me last fall! Your wedding day is going to be a dream, can’t wait to do it again very SOON 🙂

Meagan and Luke are getting married in less than two weeks!! Today I’m throwing it back to their gorgeous Chicago summer engagement session. There’s truly something special about our city in the summertime – ask anyone who’s lived here during all four seasons! In fact, they say that if you visit Chicago during the summer, you’ll never leave… totally makes sense that Meagan and Luke chose to celebrate this time of year with their engagement photos, and then again when they’ll tie the knot later this month!

Chicago Summer Engagement Photos

I met these two and their pup Louie last August for a stroll around their neighborhood, stopping at some of their favorite spots along the way. This sweet pup loves to snuggle, and I caught him smiling at the camera a couple times, too! After our time with Louie we headed downtown to Olive Park for photos with the lakefront and our iconic skyline. If you’re planning a Chicago summer engagement session, definitely consider this location! The view is incredible and there’s lots of variety, including lush trees, nearby Navy Pier, and Ohio Street Beach. They even brought a bottle of bubbly to celebrate!

As the sun began to set, we walked toward the Riverwalk to end our session with romantic city lights and summer vibes! These two are definitely up for having a good time, and I know their wedding day is going to be a blast 🙂

Meagan and Luke: Thanks again for having me capture these moments for you last summer! Can’t wait to do it again SOON!!

Today’s post is something of a gran finale: our final session in Italy with Stuart and Lily in Parco Sempione! These two were a treat to photograph… and happen to be wedding photographers themselves (it’s true!). If you’re located in the United Kingdom and in need of a photographer, definitely check out their work!

Arco della Pace

Our session began in front of Arco della Pace, the historic monument at the park’s northwest entrance. My favorite thing about Stuart and Lily is that they were up for anything! One minute they’d turn up the romance like they were the only two people in the park, and the next they were laughing and running barefoot across the piazza. This is exactly the type of energy a wedding photographer thrives on during portrait time!

Fun fact: the “peace arch” was originally intended to commemorate Napoleon’s victory over Italy. However, construction was completed after the fall of the French empire and the arch was dedicated to peace in Vienna.

Parco Sempione Wedding Photos

Someone told me that Parco Sempione is basically Milan’s Central Park. This makes complete sense: it’s about 47 hectares in size (≈ 116 acres), contains a world-class aquarium, centuries-old castle, historic amphitheatre, and so much more! Food and beverage vendors are easy to find, and there’s often some kind of free performance happening on the lawn. I spent a great deal of time in this park during my trip, and it did not disappoint!

After some time with the arco, Stuart and Lily were up for a stroll in the park. We found a lovely spot with white florals and greenery – a perfect contrast with Lily’s spring bouquet! I could have photographed these two for hours in this park… but eventually the sun began to set and it was time to say goodbye.

Ti Amo, Milano

Milan, you have my heart! I truly felt at home in Northern Italy by the end of my trip, and am so grateful to have been a part of this retreat. Without Bella Vita, I don’t know if I’d ever have a reason to visit this city! Now, I’m eager to get back and explore even more… maybe sooner than expected 🙂

Are you planning a wedding in Italy? Looking for more destination wedding inspiration?? Check out these other posts on the Blog!

Lake Como Elopement | Villa Pizzo Wedding | Milan Cathedral Sunrise Session | Museo 900 Wedding

If you’ve been following the Blog for the past week, you’ve already seen a sessions from downtown Milan and Lake Como during the spring Bella Vita Retreat! Today I’m excited to continue with Matthew and Jane’s lovely afternoon session at Museo del 900. If you’re not familiar, this modern art museum in the center of Milan houses works by 20th-century artists such as Boccioni, De Chirico, Matisse, Picasso, and Klee. It is said to be one of the most important collections of Futurism, Spatialism, and Arte Povera in the world.

Museo del Novecento Wedding

We met these two back at Piazza del Duomo for photos inside the museum, looking dapper as ever. Their ensemble perfectly fit the art museum vibe (I was obsessed with Jane’s elbow-length gloves!). Matthew and Jane were all about the romance – which made for an excited group of wedding photographers! Once we made our way to the top floor, the creativity really began to flow. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer spectacular views of Milan Cathedral and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II… an iconic backdrop for newlywed photos 🙂

Downtown Milan Wedding Photos

After the museum, we were lucky enough to explore downtown Milan with these two! We had a blast roaming around nearby streets and capturing these moments. The newlyweds even got to play with a pair of parasols, soaking up the Italian scenery. Before long, we made our way back to the museum steps for some of my favorite photos from the entire session. Thanks to Jane and Matthew for being such incredible models and fun to work with!!

If you enjoyed this post, there is more to come! Keep an eye out for our final session in Italy on the Blog tomorrow…

Today I’m wrapping up this week’s Italy feature with Felicia and Dillon’s newlywed sunrise session at Milan Cathedral. Locally known as Duomo di Milano, this iconic location contains over six centuries of history! Tourists are welcome to visit the cathedral during open hours, and guided tours are also available. If you think the photos are majestic, imagine viewing this beauty in person! I digress…

Milan Cathedral Wedding Photos

We woke up before sunrise the morning after our Lake Como adventure, and hopped on a metro toward Piazza del Duomo. Luckily, there weren’t many other pedestrians outside the cathedral when we arrived (it gets SUPER crowded later in the day!). Seriously, if you’re looking to take your own Milan Cathedral wedding photos, I highly recommend starting before sunrise. Felicia and Dillon stunned in the early morning light – and that veil! I mean, come ON!! To say we were all obsessed would be an understatement.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

As the morning rush began, we made our way to the nearby shopping center Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for more photos with the Italian architecture. Somehow we were lucky enough to capture a few photos of these two without crowds of Italian businesspeople in the background of every shot! Finally, it was time to say goodbye to our models – but not without popping some Prosecco and playing with the birds 🙂

Not pictured: the Turin Bull, a mosaic design located on the floor of the shopping mall outside Prada. Legend has it, if you place your right heel on the bull’s testicles (these days, just a hole in the ground) and spin around three times, you’ll have good luck!

This shoot was such a blast, but the day didn’t end here. Keep an eye out for our afternoon and evening sessions on the Blog next week!!

Surprise!! Today I’m excited to feature another Italy wedding from the Bella Vita Retreat this spring. If you like what you see and missed yesterday’s post, definitely check go back and check it out!

Also worth mentioning: I’m pretty sure this was one of the windiest days on record at the lake (ain’t no thang for this Chicago girl!). Truly, I’m grateful we were able to move forward with this gorgeous shoot as planned.

Villa Pizzo Wedding

After our lovely morning elopement at Lake Como, we made our way across the lake to historic Villa Pizzo. When we arrived mid-afternoon, I couldn’t help but explore this incredible property and all the potential photo locations! To be honest, being inside this place is a bit overwhelming… everywhere you turn there’s a centuries-old artpiece, furniture or painting. In fact, according to Villa Pizzo’s web site, the villa was once home to John the Baptist.

Our shoot began inside the villa with a custom invitation suite and bridal details. We were soon joined by Yana and Giuseppe, looking stylish as ever! Aside from our impressive surroundings, the villa gets gorgeous light for pre-ceremony photos. I could have photographed them here for hours! Before we knew it, these two were fully dressed and ready for their intimate ceremony on the terrace overlooking the lake.

After their romantic ceremony (shout out to Sydney of The Ivory Standard for stepping in to officiate!), it was time for newlywed photos around the property. With endless options, we made the most of our time with these two before their sunset boat ride!

Lake Como Boat Ride

This part of the shoot was much anticipated by many, though admittedly I didn’t think much of it leading up to the day. Of course, it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the entire retreat! What’s not to love about riding around in a boat on Lake Como during sunset? Add in a couple of happy newlyweds after their Villa Pizzo wedding ceremony, and you’ve got your dream job! Okay, maybe it’s not your dream job… but for me, it couldn’t get much closer 🙂