Emma Mullins Photography

This year, I was lucky enough to ring in 2025 with Mitch and Maura’s New Year’s Eve wedding at Walden Chicago! Like many, I had been looking forward to this day for a long time. Not only are New Year’s weddings always a blast, but Walden is one of our favorite Chicago venues. And of course, Maura and Mitch are a treat in front of the camera! We even shot a couple rolls of black and white film 🙂

Walden Chicago Wedding

The day began with these two getting ready separately at Walden, surrounded by their favorite people. The wedding party seriously brought so much energy… making this time extra memorable! One of my favorite details was Maura’s vintage veil from the 1980’s, which belonged to her late mother. As you can see, Maura looked absolutely stunning – the veil was a perfect addition to her wedding day look! Mitch looked dapper in all black, and their sweet first look inside the venue was bursting with joy.

We spent the afternoon hanging out inside Walden with the wedding party, making sure to capture some awesome moments throughout the space. Maura and Mitch could not stop smiling – making our job easy! That evening they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony officiated by a friend. Once the knot was tied, the celebration – and countdown to 2025 – was ON! Guests enjoyed custom cocktails, a delicious meal, and a party on the dance floor! I’m lucky the newlyweds agreed to brave the weather with me for a few night photos on the rooftop with that magical skyline view!!

New Year’s Champagne Tower

As the clock approached midnight, guests gathered on the dance floor for a countdown celebration. In true New Year’s Eve fashion, Mitch and Maura poured a dazzling champagne tower, marking the start of 2025 as a married couple. The cheers, excitement, and love in the air made for the perfect way to ring in the new year!

Maura and Mitch: Thank you again for having us in December!! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together and all the best in Married Life!

Kasia and Jonathan’s wedding day was an absolute honor to capture. From their gorgeous Bond Chapel ceremony at the University of Chicago campus to the evening reception at Lacuna Lofts, loved ones were eager to congratulate and celebrate with these two! We even had a chance to stop at some of Chicago’s most iconic photo locations in between.

Bond Chapel Wedding Ceremony

Kasia and Jonathan got ready separately that morning before their emotional first look outside the chapel. We were super lucky to see some spring blooms on campus, even in late March! Because Jonathan is a staff member at the University, the location had special meaning to both of them. Father Andrew officiated the ceremony, and once the knot was tied, these two were ALL smiles!! Their church exit says it all… I can still smell the spring air and feel the joy!

Lacuna Lofts Reception

That evening, friends and family gathered at Lacuna Lofts to celebrate Kasia and Jonathan. The space was a perfect fit for Kasia, a talented artist herself! The spring air turned moody just in time for some epic rooftop photos with the skyline – one of the best views in the city! Guests enjoyed delicious food and drink before dancing the night away. And to top it all off, we were able to step outside for a sparkler exit on the rooftop! My absolute favorite way to end a wedding day 🙂

Kasia and Jonathan: Thank you again for having us this year!! Your wedding day was a pleasure to be part of, wishing you all the happiness in the world!

Throwing it back to last SUMMER with Haley and Anthony’s wedding reception at Morgan’s on Fulton! As you may recall, these two eloped in Milwaukee last May with their immediate families and sweet pup, Fletcher 🙂 Since then we’d been counting down the days until they’d get to celebrate with family and friends at home in Chicago!

West Loop Wedding Photos

Haley and Anthony got ready separately at The Emily in the West Loop, surrounded by their favorite people. After their joyful first look outside the hotel entrance, we took a quick stroll around the neighborhood! Shout out to the manager at Time Out Market who invited us to take photos with the epic Rahmaan Statik mural honoring Virgil Abloh. I’m pretty sure this impromptu invitation was inspired by Anthony’s wedding shoes!

Morgan’s on Fulton Wedding Reception

That evening, we made our way to the venue in time for finishing touches before guests arrived. And when they arrived, they were ready to celebrate! Just like their marquee says: it was Party TIME. I don’t think the newlyweds stopped smiling or hugging people the entire night!

Delicious food and drinks flowed, and lots of kind words were said about the happy couple. Some highlights include their elopement photos on display for guests to see, and custom cookies to honor sweet Fletcher! We were even greeted with a little Chicago weather as dancing began, and the newlyweds were great sports about taking a night photo in the rain. It IS good luck you guys… I promise!!

Haley and Anthony: THANK YOU again for trusting me to capture both your elopement day in Milwaukee, and Chicago celebration last year! You two are an absolute delight in front of the camera, wishing you nothing but the best in your future together.

Want to see more Haley & Anthony? Check out their joyful Milwaukee elopement on the Blog!!

Anybody else dreaming about summer? Look no further: Madeleine and Justin’s Ovation wedding was full of happy faces summer vibes! As you may recall from their fall neighborhood engagement session, these two are a breeze in front of the camera and super fun to hang out with. I already knew their wedding day was going to be awesome (and SPOILER ALERT… it was!).

Publishing House Bed and Breakfast

Madeleine and Justin got ready separately at The Publishing House B&B, one of Chicago’s most unique locations for photos and private events. Each of their parties had a full floor to themselves, allowing separation when necessary (but also making this part of the day super convenient!). Justin and Mads exchanged letters and gifts before their first look on the staircase, one of many picturesque locations in the building. Before we knew it, we were headed downtown for some iconic Chicago photos with the wedding party!

Pro tip: If you LOVE the look of this place for your wedding day, contact them ASAP! They book up well in advance.

Ovation Wedding

We arrived at Ovation with just enough time to take a spin with the venue’s Rolls Royce! This part of the day is always a highlight for any Ovation wedding, whether you opt for photos before the ceremony or after. Madeleine and Justin couldn’t keep their eyes off each other, looking stylish as ever. Shout out to Spencer for being the perfect chauffeur and designated driver!

Later that evening, Madeleine and Justin were married under the venue’s stunning skylight in a heartfelt ceremony officiated by a dear friend. Their sweet pup Oly even made a cameo appearance… he almost stole the show! Once the knot was tied, guests enjoyed delicious food, cocktails, and lots of dancing, of course! The celebration continued into the night, and the Newlyweds were ALL smiles 🙂

Madeleine and Justin: Thank you again for having us in July!! We had the best time at your wedding, wishing you all the best in Married Life!

Want to see more from Mads and Justin’s Ovation wedding? Check out their gorgeous Highlight Film by George!

Aviva and Ben. Where do I begin with these two?! Their summer Skyline Loft wedding at Bridgeport Art Center was truly a dream, complete with a double rainbow (it’s true!). You may remember them from Ben’s surprise proposal in the summer of 2021… and I was fortunate enough to be there on wedding day, too!

One of my favorite things about Aviva and Ben is the pure joy that radiates whenever they’re together. Of course, this makes it easy on the photographer (thanks, guys!) – not to mention a treat to capture! The day began at Hotel Lincoln, across the street from the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool where Aviva said YES two summers earlier. After their private first look and rooftop photos at The J. Parker, we were off!

Chicago Wedding Party Photos

On our way to the venue, we made a quick stop with the wedding party was Kinzie Bridge. Besides being an iconic Chicago photo location (especially in the summer), it’s a meaningful one for Aviva and Ben. This wedding party was up for a good time, and I’m so happy we had a chance to stop here! And – lucky us, when we arrived at Bridgeport Art Center, the Sculpture Garden happened to be available for photos. Did we take advantage? You bet we did!

Skyline Loft Wedding Ceremony

Finally, it was time for the ceremony to begin. Ben and Aviva were married underneath the Chuppah in the venue’s gorgeous loft space, surrounded by the love and support of their guests. Once the glass was broken, it was time to celebrate!! I don’t think their smiles faded the rest of the day. We were even greeted with a summer shower immediately after stepping outside for newlywed photos, and these two were great sports. In case you didn’t know, rain on your wedding day IS good luck 🙂

That evening, family and friends enjoyed delicious food, drink and dancing with the newlyweds. Ben and Aviva were on Cloud Nine and the party didn’t stop there! I’m thankful they agreed to take a night photo with me after dark to show off their dance moves. No rain this time!

Aviva and Ben: THANK YOU again for having us capture your memories in June!! It’s been an absolute joy to be there from the beginning of your engagement through wedding day. Wishing you nothing but the best in Married Life!

In the spirit of summer weddings, I am thrilled to finally share Emma and Brendan’s August wedding at Greenhouse Loft! Everything about this day makes me smile, from the color palette to the lakefront and their epic champagne pop at the end of the night. One of my favorite details was including their sweet tortoiseshell cat Midge in photos at home!

I met Emma and Brendan at their Lincoln Park apartment on a beautiful Chicago summer afternoon. They had just finished hosting their families for lunch and were starting to get ready (with Midge, of course!). After their first look on the staircase, we headed to the lakefront for photos with family. One of Brendan and Emma’s favorite pastimes is running together… and Diversey Harbor just happens to be on their running route! These are some of my favorite photos from the entire day – I’m pretty sure Emma’s purple dress was made for twirling in the sunshine 🙂

Greenhouse Loft Wedding

That evening, guests gathered in the garden at Greenhouse Loft to witness Emma and Brendan tie the knot. The lovely outdoor ceremony was officiated by Emma’s brother, and once they said I Do, it was time to PARTY!! The newlyweds were all smiles as they greeted loved ones, and the celebration continued into the night. Guests dined on barbecue and summer hand pies from Bang Bang, and the newlyweds danced the night away! I’m so lucky to have been part of this happy day!

Emma and Brendan: Thank you again for having me last year!! I had so much fun with you two on your wedding day. Wishing you all the happiness in the world.

One of the happiest days from 2022 was Katherine and Robb’s wedding at Walden Chicago. Even before their awesome fall engagement session, I had been looking forward to this gorgeous day! Walden is one of Chicago’s newer venues, and just so happens to be down the street from my studio. I was so excited to finally capture a wedding day here!!

Katherine and Robb’s love story is one that can warm anyone’s heart. And – it doesn’t take long after seeing these two together to see why! One of my favorite moments from the entire day was their first look on Walden’s rooftop overlooking the Chicago skyline. Robb and Katherine chose to exchange personal vows at this time, and I swear – my eyes were tearing up and I couldn’t even hear what they were saying! Once our eyes were dry, we headed to nearby Humboldt Park (my fave!) for photos with the wedding party.

Walden Chicago Wedding

That evening, family and friends gathered at Walden to witness Katherine and Robb marry. The ceremony was officiated by their pastor, and included personal touches unique to the both of them. Once the knot was tied, they were nothing but SMILES and it was time to celebrate! Guests were eager to congratulate these two with hugs, kind words, and lots of dancing 🙂 Shout out to the Chicago Catz for keeping the party alive all night long!!

Katherine and Robb: Thank you again for having me in July! Your wedding day was an honor to be part of, wishing you all the best in your future together!!

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

On a Thursday in August, I was lucky enough to witness Minal and Drew tie the knot at stunning Loft Lucia, steps away from their home. Like many 2020 couples, these two ended up changing their original wedding plans completely. Friends and family were to travel to Chicago from three different continents for the multi-day festivities, and unfortunately, this was no longer a possibility. But don’t worry, there’s a happy ending! After cancelling original plans, Minal and Drew decided to add a new member to their family. Meet puppy Winston! They unanimously agree that the adorable golden retriever has made it all worth it 🙂

After months of waiting patiently, these two were finally able to solidify Plan B at Loft Lucia. And honestly, their intimate Microwedding day could not have been more perfect! A handful of close friends were able to join them, making the celebration extra special. After their first look on the rooftop of their West Loop home, we said goodbye to Winston and headed down the street for their ceremony.

Minal and Drew put much effort into coordinating a ceremony live-stream for guests who could not attend. Their families were able to join from different parts of the world, and even their Rabbi connected virtually! The ceremony was complete with personal vows, and both Indian and Jewish traditions. Once the knot was tied it was time to CELEBRATE. And believe me, that’s exactly what they did!

Minal and Drew: Thank you again for having me in August!! I could not be happier for the two of you, and can’t wait to celebrate again when the time comes. Mazel Tov!

Vendor Team

Venue: Loft Lucia/Bride’s dress: BHLDN/Bride’s shoes: BHLDN/Groom’s suit: Suit Supply/Florals: XO Design Co./Wedding bands: Huffords Jewelry/Caterer: Paramount Events

Want to see more Minal & Drew? Check out their formal Indian Engagement Session!

Ariel and Aaron’s summer Ignite Glass Studio wedding took place on a beautiful Thursday in August. Their prayers for nice weather paid off – there was not a cloud in the sky! It happened to be the first day of the Chicago Air and Water Show, but these two didn’t need the additional entertainment. This eventful wedding day was filled emotion, tradition, and loved ones from near and far.

Guests traveled from all over the world to join Ariel and Aaron as they entered into marriage. Neither of them native Chicagoans, these two met in our city by chance. Now they call Chicago home, and getting married here was so intentional! After about a week of separation before their wedding, Ariel and Aaron were reunited during their rooftop Bedeken. The courtyard wedding ceremony was immediately to follow.

Some of my favorite details from this day include their DIY ceremony program The Newlywed Times, their lively dance floor (I don’t think one guest remained seated), and of course the epic Donut Wall (Ariel’s favorite!). Guests even got a live glass-blowing demonstration by the artists at Ignite during the reception! How cool is that?! Their only portrait request was to replicate a black-and-white wartime photo

Getting to know Ariel and Aaron was an absolute pleasure. As some of the most friendly, generous people you will ever meet, their wedding day had no shortage of smiles! Seriously – when these two are together, you can just feel the love 🙂 I think each and every vendor who helped make this wedding day come together would agree!

Ariel and Aaron: Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for having us in August!! Your wedding was a joy to capture, I wish you nothing but the best in your future together. Mazel Tov!!

Vendor Team

Venue: Ignite Glass Studio/Hotel: St. Jane/Wedding Planner: Wedicity/Bride’s dress: purchased at Something New Bridal, tailored by Ette/Bride’s shoes: Converse/Groom’s suit: Ted Baker/Florals: YJ Decorating/Hair Stylist: Pin Me Up Chicago/Makeup: Family member/Invitation: Zola.com/Rings: New York Jewelers/Violinist: Ruby Harris/DJ: DJ Chicago/Caterer: Zelda’s Catering/2nd photographer: Jeremy