Emma Mullins Photography

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!!

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!

This spring, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Rosie and Scott for their Salvage One engagement session! I’ve said it before, but this is easily one of my favorite places in Chicago (not just for photos!). Coincidentally, it happens to be where these two will tie the knot next September. And if you didn’t know: couples who book their wedding day at Salvage One get complimentary access to the space for engagement photos!

We had a blast exploring the venue, including some familiar spots and new ones, too! The third floor storage room will forever have my heart – the lighting is a photographer’s dream and pieces are always rotating. I even convinced Rosie and Scott to curl up in a bathtub together… these are some of my favorite images from the entire session!

Pilsen Engagement Photos

For our second location, Scott and Rosie wanted nothing more than to spend time in their neighborhood. Specifically, we visited El Paseo Community Garden where they both volunteer – and also got engaged! They reenacted Scott’s proposal for me and everything (it was super sweet!). After photos in the garden, we strolled through Pilsen to an abandoned church… which made for the perfect finale to such a fun session. I’m so happy we were able to spend time together in the neighborhood.

Rosie and Scott: Thank you again for having me in May! I’m already counting the days until your wedding next year 🙂

Claire and Andrew’s winter wedding at Fairlie Chicago was one for the books! Besides being my first wedding at this gorgeous venue, I was so excited for these two to tie the knot. From our very first meeting, I knew their wedding day was going to be awesome! In Claire’s words:

“We both wanted a winter wedding, and I love the colors. I would say as far as a theme goes it will be pretty simple and modern with a lot of greenery!! Our main priorities are good music, good drinks, and a great photographer to help us capture it all!!! We just want our guests to have a lot of fun.”

I think it’s safe to say their wedding day vision was executed perfectly! After their first look at Fairlie, we traveled to Union Station for some iconic photos with the wedding party. Andrew and Claire could not keep their eyes off each other… thanks for making my job easy, guys!

Fairlie Chicago Wedding

As the afternoon turned into evening, guests began to gather at Fairlie for a candlelit ceremony underneath the skylight. Claire and Andrew were married surrounded by loved ones, and once the knot was tied it was time to PARTY!! Some of my favorite details from their reception include the craft bourbon bar and nighttime sparkler exit 🙂

Andrew and Claire: Thank you again for having us in February!! You two have been a joy to work with, I wish you nothing but happiness in your future together.

Want to see more Claire & Andrew? Check out their rainy day engagement session with beers at Dovetail Brewery!

Last September, the team had an absolute blast with Shana and Matt at their Bridgeport Art Center wedding! Their wedding just so happened to fall on the 6-year anniversary of the day they met – how cool is that?! These two have the most contagious love and joy… if you don’t believe me, check out their Highlight Film below 🙂

Matt and Shana got ready separately with their parties at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown. After their emotional first look on the Chicago Riverwalk, they took a stroll to some favorite iconic downtown locations! Finally, it was time to head to Bridgeport and make their marriage official.

Bridgeport Art Center Wedding

One of my personal favorite venues in Chicago, the Sculpture Garden at Bridgeport Art Center is romantic, unique, and perfect for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Shana and Matt were married surrounded by loved ones, in a ceremony officiated by a friend. Once the knot was tied, it was time to celebrate!!

Guests enjoyed delicious food and drink, live music, and lots of DANCING throughout the night! Two of my favorite details include their Newlywed Ice-Cream Scoop in lieu of cake cutting, and Soul Train-inspired dance party exit to end the evening. This was such an awesome day to be part of!

Shana and Matt: Thank you again for having us in September!! Wishing you all the best in Married Life!

Want to see more from Shana & Matt’s Day? Check out their Highlight Film by Amy Lynn!

Alex and Alex’s Adler Planetarium wedding last fall was one of my favorites from 2022. If ever there were two people destined to get married in this location, it would be the Alexes! For starters, they are both totally into all things space-related (remember their summer engagement session?!). Much of their wedding decor was inspired by the James Webb Telescope, and they’re regulars at Adler After Dark! Clearly, getting married at the planetarium was an easy decision.

On wedding day, Alex and Alex got ready separately with their parties at the 21c Museum Hotel. As you may have guessed, their details were perfectly on-theme… including a number of DIY items! For example: see those planets on Bride Alex’s shoes? She did that. Think their wedding bands look cool? Designed and 3D printed by Groom Alex. Needless to say, I was pretty much in awe of these two and their talents the entire day! After their first look in the museum, we headed downtown for some iconic photos with the wedding party. Finally, it was time to get married!

Adler Planetarium Wedding

That evening, the Alexes tied the knot in the Solarium underneath the night sky and surrounded by loved ones. After the glass was broken, they were ready to celebrate! Guests enjoyed cocktails in the Sky Theatre, which was basically like socializing in another galaxy. Dinner and dancing followed along with space-themed desserts, of course! Some of my favorite details from their day include a custom cocktail named after their cat (Aurora Borealis), astronaut cake toppers, and every time they referred to themselves as Alex² 🙂

Alex and Alex: Thank you again for having us in October!! I will never forget your awesome wedding day, wishing you all the best in Married Life!

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!!

As I sit here writing this post, I just keep thinking about how truly incredible this year has been. No doubt that 2022 has gone by especially fast… I still can’t believe that tomorrow it will be over! I couldn’t be more grateful for all of the couples we had the opportunity to serve, whether that meant capturing their wedding day, their wedding celebration, or commemorating another milestone in life. This year has kept my team and I on our toes more than ever – but I wouldn’t change it for the world!

Let’s recap, shall we?!

2022 Recap:

• I got to photograph my final few weddings rescheduled from 2020! WOOHOO!!!
• Number of weddings captured: 42 (including three receptions and one Hindu/Jewish double wedding)
• Engagement sessions: 31
• Wedding films created: 37 (including two Live Stream recordings)
• Sessions in my home state: 4 (including one wedding)
• Fur babies I got to meet: countless!
• Turtles I got to meet: 1
• My first Baraat
• My first couple with exactly the same name (Hi Alexes!)
• First bride with the same name as me (Hi Emma!)
• First engagement session crashed by the Tamale Guy
• First Divvy bike engagement session
• Got to work at some gorgeous new venues with wonderful vendors, as well as some old favorites (list below!)

Below you’ll find a collection of favorite candid moments and portfolio pieces from this year. As always, it was not easy to choose! My sincerest gratitude to each and every couple who has trusted my team to document these once-in-a-lifetime events. We absolutely love what we do, and can’t wait to do it again in 2023 🙂

Wishing a safe and Happy New Year to YOU!!!

Featured Venues:

Adler Planetarium | Walden | Chicago History Museum | Artifact Events | Independence Grove | Lacuna Lofts | ROOF on theWit | Bottom Lounge | LondonHouse | Blumen Gardens | Half Acre Brewery | Wilder Mansion | International Museum of Surgical Science | Salvage One | Firehouse Chicago | Garfield Park Conservatory | Bridgeport Art Center | Morton Arboretum | The Drake Oak Brook | Art Institute of Chicago | Saddle & Cycle Club | Ovation | Greenhouse Loft | Starved Rock Lodge | Cafe Brauer | Rockwell on the River | Madonna della Strada Chapel | Bridle Barn & Gardens | Cantigny Park | Halim Museum | City Winery | Hubbard Park Lodge

Alex and Ilya’s summer rooftop wedding at Lacuna Lofts was one of the highlights of my year. When I first heard from these two, they told me of their plans to have an intimate ceremony on the venue’s rooftop, immediately followed by a BIG party with all of their family and friends. Well, I happen to have a soft spot for intimate ceremonies, and Lacuna is one of my favorite venues in Chicago! Oh – and did I mention it’s within walking distance of their Pilsen home? I was so excited to meet these two!

I met Alex at their home while she was getting ready, and Ilya joined us shortly after for a first look outside their home. Before heading to the venue, we made sure to take photos with their cats Luna and Toby! These fur babies were dressed for the occasion – Luna in pearls and Toby in a white collar and bow tie. Ilya and Alex wanted to showcase their neighborhood in their wedding photos, so we stopped at a few favorite spots along the way. It was perfect weather for a summer wedding walk!

Lacuna Lofts Wedding

We arrived at Lacuna Lofts shortly before the intimate ceremony, officiated by Kari of Wedding Day Chicago. Once the knot was tied, it was time to celebrate! Guests began pouring in to greet these two and enjoy one of the best skyline views in Chicago. Dinner and dancing took place in La Galleria – my first time inside this space! It’s everything you’d hope for in a loft venue: exposed brick, romantic cafe lighting, and the iconic rooftop only steps away. Needless to say, the party lasted into the night!

Alex and Ilya: Thank you again for having me!! I’ve had so much fun with you two (and the kitties!) this year… all my best to you both in your future together 🙂

One of the highlights of my year was getting to see Mahala and Marla walk down the aisle together. I first heard from these two in 2019, when they were each focusing on grad school and their long-distance relationship. Three years, two PhDs, and one pandemic later, they finally got to have the wedding they’d been planning for years! I’m so happy to have been there to capture the beauty and joy of this day.

The festivities began at First United Church of Oak Park, Mahala’s childhood church! Marla and Mahala got ready separately there, sharing a first look in the outdoor garden before the ceremony. Some of my favorite moments were Mahala’s brother performing a song during the ceremony, and their fun bubble exit on the way to the reception!

Garfield Park Conservatory Wedding Reception

If you’re familiar with the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, it should come as no surprise that photographers absolutely LOVE this space. Mahala and Marla’s wedding was actually the first time I’d taken photos there since January of 2020! We visited all the rooms together (The Fern Room is my fave!) including the in-bloom Monet Garden outside of Horticulture Hall. The space alone is a photographer’s dream, but… when newlyweds look at each other like this?? I could have taken photos of them together all day!

The evening was filled with delicious food and drink, heartfelt words from friends and family, and LOTS of dancing. I was lucky enough to steal them away for a few night photos in the Desert House! This day went by so, so fast and I’m lucky to have been a part of it 🙂

Mahala and Marla: Thank you again for having me capture this day for you! I’m so happy you finally got to have the wedding of your dreams. All my best to you both!!

Want to see more Mahala & Marla? Check out their sweet Valentine’s Day engagement session on the Blog!