Emma Mullins Photography

One year ago today, I had the pleasure of capturing Caitlyn and Ray’s wedding at one of my favorite Chicagoland venues, Warehouse 109! This long-anticipated day could not have been more full of love for these two. When I first heard from Caitlyn, she told me the story of how they met, lost touch, and then reconnected a couple years later. They instantly became inseparable, and Ray proposed in their backyard on the 4th of July!

Wedding day began with Caitlyn getting ready in the bridal suite. Their emotional first look in the venue’s courtyard included their three kids, one of my favorite moments from the entire day! Ray and Caitlyn chose to exchange vows privately during this time, and before we knew it, it was time to walk down the aisle!

Warehouse 109 Wedding

That afternoon, Caitlyn and Ray were married in the outdoor garden at Warehouse 109 surrounded by family and friends. We got lucky with gorgeous fall weather… a perfect pairing for their newlywed smiles! After the knot was tied, guests moved to the warehouse for appetizers, yard games, and delicious barbeque. The night was complete with more games, speeches, and lots of DANCING!! I’m so happy I got to steal the Newlyweds away for a few night photos outside the venue 🙂

Caitlyn and Ray: Thank you again for having us last fall!! Wishing you a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, and many more years to come!

Want to see another fall wedding at Warehouse 109? Check out the post below!

Brittany & Dan Wedding

This summer was indeed a whirlwind, but one of my favorite moments to capture was Tristan’s Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool proposal! With Chicago weather on our side, an unsuspecting fiancée-to-be, and one of the most romantic proposal locations in the city, I knew it was going to be the best day. I am always so thrilled and honored to be part of these moments. This was no exception!

I arrived at the Lily Pool before Tristan and Jess to guard our chosen spot, which happened to be popular on a Saturday! Luckily, by the time they took a stroll around the pond it was clear… just like we’d planned it! He asked, she said yes – and you know the rest! I was lucky enough to take these two around the park for some engagement photos before they headed to their next destination. The Lincoln Park Conservatory gardens were in full bloom, and a gorgeous backdrop for these two! Smiles like this make me so grateful to do what I do 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS, Jess and Tristan!! I absolutely loved being part of your engagement and wish you nothing but happiness in your future. Thank you again for having me this summer!

Looking for more Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool proposal inspiration? Check out the post below!

Aviva & Ben Surprise Proposal

It’s starting to feel more like fall, and I can’t help but reminisce over Ellie and Dylan’s wedding at Saddle & Cycle Club last October! These two traveled from Portland, Oregon to get married in our city, and the team was delighted to capture their day.

When I first heard from Ellie and Dylan, they wrote:

“We met growing up (lived only a few blocks away from each other) and first started dating when we were 13! We went our separate ways for college but reconnected at our 5-year high school reunion and fell back in love. Now, at age 27, we are so excited to officially tie the knot after all these years!”

We absolutely love documenting stories like this, and I just knew it was going to be the happiest day. Ellie and Dylan got ready separately that morning in Lincoln Park, before their sweet first look on Lakeshore Drive. Chicago weather was perfect for a quick stop at North Avenue Beach with the wedding party before heading to the venue!

Saddle & Cycle Club Wedding

That evening, Dylan and Ellie were married on the terrace of the club surrounded by loved ones. Honestly, I don’t think either of them stopped smiling the entire day! Once the knot was officially tied, celebration was in order… and this crew knows how to PARTY!! Guests enjoyed custom cocktails, dinner and dancing with the newlyweds into the evening. Shout out to our friends at TVK Orchestra for keeping the party going all night!

Ellie and Dylan: Thank you again for having us last year!! We couldn’t be happier for you both and wish you many more years of Married Life 🙂

Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to travel to my hometown for Miranda and Fernando’s spring wedding at The Gage. As you may remember from their dreamy Milwaukee engagement session, these two are always a treat to hang out with and have in front of my camera! From our very first conversation, I was eager to see their wedding day vision come to life.

Wedding day began with Miranda and Fernando getting ready separately at the West Allis venue. Not surprisingly, every detail was perfectly in place when I arrived – and there were plenty of custom items for me to photograph! The morning was complete with a joyful first look on the staircase and champagne toast among loved ones. After some bubbly, it was time to head for photos at the Mitchell Park Domes! Miranda and Fernando were all smiles, and these are some of my favorite wedding party photos from this year 🙂

The Gage Milwaukee Wedding

That evening, Fernando and Miranda tied the knot surrounded by loved ones underneath the venue’s gorgeous skylight and chandeliers. Their bilingual ceremony included several Mexican traditions, mixed with unique personal touches designed by the couple. Once the knot was tied, the newlyweds were radiating with joy and ready to celebrate! Some of my favorite moments from this day include an epic sparkler exit with the wedding party and my first Víbora de la Mar!

Miranda and Fernando: Thank you again for trusting us to capture these memories for you!! We had so much fun at your wedding and wish you two the Happiest Ever After.

Want to see more from this gorgeous wedding day? Check out Miranda & Fernando’s Highlight Film by Amy Lynn!

I had so much fun at Miya and Dylan’s Roscoe Village neighborhood engagement session this summer! I met these two at Volo Wine Bar for some bubbly… a nod to their engagement in Champagne, France (and also just because!). After some romantic cheersing and impromptu wine-tasting lesson by Miya, we headed out for a neighborhood stroll. One of my favorite locations in the area is the Lakeview Low-Line at Paulina with the colorful murals. These two were up for anything, and all about each other!

After a quick outfit change, it was time to head to the lakefront. We got lucky with clear skies and a perfect skyline view… not to mention the most colorful sunset! I had such a blast with these two along the pier at North Avenue Beach – they are truly a joy in front of the camera. Even though we were surrounded by hundreds of other beachgoers, it seemed like we were the only ones there at the time!

Miya and Dylan: This was such a fun summer session, thank you again for having me! Can’t wait for your Chicago wedding day next June 🙂

Want to see another Roscoe Village neighborhood engagement session on the Blog? Check out the post below!

Madeleine & Justin Engagement

Sara Beth and Matt’s Loft Lucia wedding this spring was easily one of this year’s highlights so far. These two traveled from San Francisco to get married in our city, and the day was filled with joy from beginning to end! Highlights include a magnificent dessert spread by Viola’s Kitchen, and handwritten notes to each one of their guests. We even lucked out with Chicago weather on our side, and an impromptu trip to the Art Institute of Chicago!

When I first heard from these two, Sara Beth wrote:

“Matt and I had our first date sophomore year of college and our second (unintentional) date almost a decade later in San Francisco. Meeting up for hot chocolate turned into a three day date, three years of long distance, then three years of making a home together in San Francisco… We want [our wedding] to be inclusive, welcoming, and celebratory.”

Loft Lucia Wedding

It was so much fun to see their wedding day vision come to life! After downtown photos at Pendry Chicago and the Art Institute, we headed to Loft Lucia to meet family and friends. Matt and Sara Beth were married in a gorgeous outdoor ceremony surrounded by loved ones – their Rabbi even traveled from St. Louis to officiate! Guests enjoyed delicious food and beverages in style, and the dance floor did NOT disappoint 🙂

Sara Beth and Matt: Thank you again for having us in May! Your wedding day was a joy to capture and I couldn’t be happier for you two. Congratulations to you both!!

We kicked off our summer this year with Morgan and Jarett’s Wicker Park engagement session! Alexis met up with these two on a Friday at Small Cheval, which happens to be where they had their first date! After a quick bite (and feeding each other fries, of course) it was time to explore the neighborhood. These two couldn’t keep their eyes off each other walking through the neighborhood, and caught some of our favorite views of the neighborhood from The 606!

As the sun began to set, they transitioned to formalwear for a romantic, summery vibe at the lakefront. As you know, North Avenue Beach is one of our favorite Chicago locations for engagement photos – especially this time of day! Morgan and Jarett enjoyed a romantic stroll along the beach, taking in all the colors of the sunset and our majestic skyline. We are so excited for these two to tie the knot next year!!

Morgan and Jarett: No couple has ever looked better while feeding each other burgers! Alexis had a blast with you two in May, we can’t wait for you to make it official 🙂

Looking for more Wicker Park Engagement inspiration? Check out some other favorite sessions on the Blog!

Kaitlyn & John | Mahala & Marla | Cierra & Steve | Tommy & Elissa

Associate Kate had a blast with Daniel and Dylan during their lovely Edgewater neighborhood engagement session last month. This session was a true slice of Chicago summer, and I can’t stop smiling looking through them!

Kate met these two on a Friday evening for a stroll around the neighborhood. They stopped at some of our favorite spots, including local murals, Edgewater Beach Community Garden and Hollywood Beach! Daniel and Dylan were all eyes on each other, enjoying the summer evening. We are SO excited for these two to tie the knot later this year!

Daniel and Dylan: This session was a dream, thank you again for having us! Can’t wait to see photos from your wedding day!!

Looking for more Edgewater neighborhood photo inspiration? Check out these other posts on the Blog:

Megan & Taylor Engagement | Firehouse Chicago Wedding

Last September, I had the honor of photographing Chris and Emily’s wedding at one of my favorite Chicago venues, the Bridgeport Art Center! The day started out with these two getting ready separately at Pendry Chicago, inside the iconic Carbide and Carbon Building. We made our way to Bridgeport in time for photos with their gorgeous floral ceremony decor before guests started to arrive.

Bridgeport Art Center Wedding

Emily and Chris tied the knot in the Sculpture Garden that evening surrounded by loved ones. A dear friend officiated the ceremony, which was filled with laughs and happy tears! One of my favorite moments was their sweet pup Zuko walking down the aisle 🙂

Once it was official, these two were ALL smiles and ready to celebrate! Guests enjoyed cocktails and a delicious dinner, dancing the night away with the newlyweds. I’m lucky I got to steal them off the dance floor for a few epic night photos outside!

Emily and Chris: Thank you again for having me last year!! It was an honor to capture your wedding day, wishing you two a lifetime of happiness together.

Looking for more weddings at the Bridgeport Art Center Sculpture Garden? Check out Matt & Shana’s September wedding on the Blog!

At the end of June, I was lucky enough to capture Taylor and Haley’s Chicago boat proposal on Lake Michigan. This was one of the most unique surprise proposals I’ve ever been asked to document, and it ended in a way I never expected! Taylor asked me to capture the moment she asked Haley to marry her, but what neither of us knew is that Haley was prepared with a ring for Taylor, too!

That morning I met Haley and Taylor’s families at Monroe Harbor, who had just arrived in town for the occasion. We boarded the Guppy together and enjoyed the morning sunshine with Captain Charles of Sailing Chi! Once we received word that Taylor and Haley were on their way, family assumed their hiding positions below deck. We arrived at a picturesque spot on the water, and the next thing we knew these two were ENGAGED 🙂

Shortly after they said YES, family revealed themselves with hugs and congratulations. We spent the rest of the morning celebrating on the boat with champagne, music, and good times! Haley and Taylor were all smiles, and we even got to have a mini photoshoot before getting back to the harbor. This was my first ever Chicago boat proposal, but I don’t think it gets any better than this!

Taylor and Haley: Thank you again for having me capture these moments for you! I had a blast on your engagement day and wish you nothing but the best. CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!