Emma Mullins Photography

This spring, I was lucky enough to capture Cierra and Steve’s fun and fashionable wedding at Salvage One! It’s no secret this is one of my favorite Chicago wedding venues… and it was absolutely perfect for Cierra and Steve. When I first heard from these two, I learned that they were both yoga instructors… AND they got engaged at Zen Yoga Garage after one of Cierra’s classes! Steve surprised her by inviting family and friends and their sweet pup, Zion, who you may remember from their awesome engagement session last September.

On wedding day, Cierra got ready with her party at home while Steve and his side were in the West Loop. When it was time for their first look, we felt a few raindrops! Not to worry – they still got to exchange personal notes outside their home, and we made it to the venue with plenty of time for photos. After exploring the many unique levels of Salvage One (seriously – I could spend all day in here!), it was time to get these two MARRIED!

Salvage One Wedding

Cierra and Steve were married in an intimate ceremony officiated by a dear friend. Some highlights include dancing down the aisle, flower pup Zion, and one of the most unique ceremony spaces in the city. I especially love that this day really felt like them – from the wedding party fashion (Steve’s favorite color is purple, and can we talk about Cierra’s dress?!) to their memorable first dance under the disco ball. These two were also intentional about the vendors they chose to work with on this day – and I must admit, I think they made excellent choices 🙂

Cierra and Steve: Thank you again for choosing us to capture your wedding this year! I’ve had so much fun with you two and wish you nothing but the best in Married Life!!

Mindy and Daniel’s Artifact Events wedding in May was a pleasure to be part of. These two are so clearly smitten with each other, it made the entire day seem like a breeze! Add in an A-List vendor team, gorgeous Chicago weather, and one of the most unique venues in the city… I knew their wedding was going to be GOOD.

Daniel got ready with his party at home, while Mindy spent the morning at her parents’ place nearby. We conquered holiday weekend traffic and made it to the Art Institute gardens for an emotional first look! This is one of my favorite Chicago portrait locations, and definitely worth a stop for any downtown wedding day. After a few more iconic photo-ops, we headed north. It was time to get these two MARRIED!!

Artifact Events Wedding

Artifact Events is part of the industrial corridor on historic Ravenswood Avenue. The venue itself is massive – offering multiple options for weddings and other events. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity for photos in the North Atrium before their courtyard ceremony!

That evening, Mindy and Daniel made it official in an intimate ceremony officiated by Daniel’s sister. One of my favorite details was Daniel’s father playing the Oud during the processional! Once the knot was tied, I don’t think they stopped smiling for a second. It was an absolute joy to capture the love and support surrounding these two on this day 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS, Mindy and Daniel!!! Thank you again for having us this year! Wishing you the very best in your future together.

Hannah and Keith’s spring Bottom Lounge wedding was one for the books! After kicking off last year’s engagement session at Lincoln Park dive Burwood Tap, I knew wedding day was going to be AWESOME. And guess what? It was!

I met these two at a stylish AirBnb in West Town, where they got ready with their parties on separate floors. Both Keith and Hannah rocked their wedding day style… can we talk about Hannah’s cape for a second?! And, don’t get me started on those colorful spring florals! After their sweet first look in the backyard, we took a stroll around the neighborhood with the wedding party. This crew was a blast to hang with – we even had time for beers before the ceremony!

Bottom Lounge Wedding

Hannah and Keith were married on the rooftop at Bottom Lounge, in a ceremony officiated by Hannah’s brother. The location was meaningful to them – and Hannah personally crafted many of the details! Hannah’s words:

“We’re super excited to get married at the Bottom Lounge, since we love live music and have great memories of going to shows there. The most important things to us about the day are that we have a great party with plenty of beer options and spend time with all our loved ones.“

I absolutely loved seeing their vision come to life. The day couldn’t have been more full of love (and yes, the beers were flowing!). We ended the evening with a night photo on Lake Street, making me a very happy photographer 🙂

Hannah and Keith: Thank you again for having us in May!! We had a blast at your wedding and wish you all the best in your future together.

It’s hard to believe, but Erica and Sam’s intimate Loft Lucia wedding last year was not how they’d originally envisioned their wedding day. When I first heard from these two, they told me of their summer engagement at home, their “pride and joy” Bernese Mountain Dog Olaf, and destination wedding plans in Italy. At that point, they had recently decided to keep the festivities local instead!

Erica’s words:

“We were hopeful last July that September 2021 would be enough time to travel to Italy, but as
the date gets nearer, we’re not as confident. So, we’ve decided to pivot and have a small microwedding here in Chicago! We are hoping to have nods to Italy throughout the celebration.”

Erica and Sam got ready separately at The Hoxton in the West Loop. We set up their first look just steps outside of the hotel, and it was one of my favorite parts of the entire day! They even got their share of car horns and congratulations from passersby. Once the happy tears had dried, it was time to head to Loft Lucia!

Loft Lucia Wedding

Sam and Erica wanted their wedding day to be simple, laid-back, and intimate. Oh – the perfect Chicago weather didn’t hurt, either! I absolutely love that we were able to walk to their venue for the ceremony (stopping for photos along the way, of course!). In the evening, Erica and Sam were married in an emotional rooftop ceremony officiated by a dear friend. Olaf was the BEST ring bearer, and almost stole the show! Just kidding… he sure was cute though!! Guests celebrated with the newlyweds over delicious food, cocktails, and dancing. It was truly one of the happiest days I’ve had the pleasure to capture 🙂

Erica and Sam: Thank you again for having me in September! Your wedding day was such a joy to be part of, wishing you both a happy and healthy future together. Give Olaf a big hug from me!!

Lindsey & Griffin’s joyful Rockwell on the River wedding was romantic, dreamy, and bursting with love! Associate María and Jeremy got to spend the day with these two, starting at The Hotel at Midtown with a quick stop at Lincoln Park for the skyline view. I was lucky enough to photograph Lindsey and Griffin here for their fall engagement session in 2020… and had been looking forward to their wedding photos ever since!

Their cozy, candlelit ceremony took place underneath the venue’s gorgeous skylight on a lovely September evening. After many years together, Lindsey and Griffin finally made it official surrounded by family and friends! Once they were married, it was time to CELEBRATE!! Guests enjoyed delicious food and drink on the outdoor patio along the Chicago River, and then danced the night away (our Photo Booth added even more reception fun!). María even got to sneak these two away for a night photo in the cobblestone walkway… some of my favorite photos from the entire day 🙂

Lindsey and Griffin: Thank you so much for trusting our team to capture these moments for you! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness in your marriage!!

Last September, I had the pleasure of photographing Brigette and Michael’s Cafe Brauer wedding in Chicago. You may remember these two from their downtown summer engagement session in 2020! Fun fact: When they originally booked their venue, Brigette and Michael lived within walking distance. But, then there was a pandemic, and – things changed a little bit. One day Michael shared news that they’d moved to Denver, and their Cafe Brauer wedding would now be a destination wedding! I was pumped!!

The day began at Hotel Lincoln with Brigette and her wedding party. There was no shortage of music or dancing… or champagne! When it was time, we hopped on a trolley to Northwestern Law School to meet up with Michael’s side. This is where Brigette and Michael first met, and I absolutely love that they decided to have their first look here! They even exchanged private vows in the courtyard, one of my favorite ways to break tradition 🙂

Lincoln Park Honeycomb Wedding Ceremony

After a quick stop for photos with the skyline (and more dancing, of course!), we made our way back to Lincoln Park. Originally having planned a Cafe Brauer wedding, Brigette and Michael opted to move their ceremony to the Lincoln Park Honeycomb! Okay – it’s not technically called the Honeycomb… but if you live in Chicago you most likely know what I mean by this! In a COVID-19 world, this was the perfect alternative to an indoor ceremony. Brigette and Michael made it official surrounded by loved ones, and even had a former professor officiate. Believe me, the celebration continued throughout the night! I’m so happy I got to capture this unforgettable day!!

Brigette and Michael: Thank you again for trusting us to capture these memories for you. It’s been a pleasure working with you two! Wishing you all the happiness in the world.

Spring is in the air these days, and I thought it would be a perfect time to share Libby and Avi’s Gallery 1028 wedding from last May! I first met these two in early 2020, only months after they’d gotten engaged. Though the world was full of uncertainty at the time, one thing was for sure: Libby and Avi were getting married in 2021! Since then, it’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know these two and watching their wedding day vision come to life.

Libby and Avi got ready separately at Viceroy Chicago, one of my favorite hotels in the city! After their first look on the rooftop terrace, it was time to hit the town. The wedding party was in for a tour – we stopped at Museum Campus for those epic skyline views, then made our way to the Loop for more Chicago vibes! And – if you’ll recall from their neighborhood engagement session, Libby and Avi LOVE the CTA. Naturally, we made a stop there on wedding day, too!

Gallery 1028 Wedding

When we arrived at the venue, the space was aglow with candles, string lights, and colorful spring florals everywhere you’d look. Libby and Avi tied the knot surrounded by family and friends, both virtually and in person. After the glass was broken, it was time to celebrate! Dinner led to dancing and these two couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. It was truly a night to remember, and I’m so happy to have been a part of it 🙂

Libby and Avi: Thanks again for having us last May!!! All my best and a lifetime of happiness to you both!

Sarah and Luke’s Mid-America Club wedding in October was one for the books! These two were engaged at the Grand Canyon in 2018, and I got to visit for their NYC engagement session the following year. Since then, these two moved from New York to Chicago, re-planned their original 2020 wedding (twice!), and officially tied the knot in their new hometown.

Luke and Sarah got ready separately at The Fairmont, steps from their wedding venue. The weather could not have been more perfect… I mean, who doesn’t love downtown Chicago in the fall?! The wedding party received their fair share of congratulations from passersby in Millennium Park, and before long, it was finally time to get these two MARRIED.

If you’re not familiar with the Mid-America Club, you should know that it’s located 80 stories above ground level, and the views are spectacular. Sarah and Luke were married in a room overlooking the entire city, surrounded by family and friends. One of my favorite moments was Luke playing the piano as Sarah walked toward him down the aisle! Though many from Luke’s side were unable to travel from England for the festivities, I’m so happy they could join the ceremony virtually. Once the knot was tied, the Newlyweds were ALL smiles 🙂

The reception consisted of food, drink, dancing… and Luke giving his own Best Man’s speech (it’s true!). This was truly a night to remember, and I’m so happy the team could be there to capture it all.

Sarah and Luke: CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!! Thank you again for having us capture these memories for you, we wish you nothing but the best in Married Life!

Maureen and Peter’s summer Columbus Park Refectory wedding was a celebration MANY were looking forward to! These two traveled from San Francisco to tie the knot in our fine city, with family and friends joining from all over. It was of utmost importance that Peter and Mo were surrounded by their favorite people on this day. I’m so lucky to have been there to capture it all!

The day began with Maureen and Peter getting ready separately with their families… and checking the weather a lot, too! In fact, we felt a few raindrops as we arrived at the church (yes, it IS good luck!!). The ceremony at St. Clement could not have been more picturesque – seriously, this is one of my favorite churches in Chicago! Once the knot was tied, their smiles grew wide, and it was time to PARTY.

Columbus Park Refectory Wedding Reception

Next stop: Columbus Park. Shout out to Mother Nature for clearing up the skies just in time for outdoor photos on the property! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The Chicago Park District is an awesome option if you’re looking for unique outdoor space to host an event. Columbus Park in particular is home to two natural waterfalls, a large lagoon, and historic building with Spanish-style architecture. What’s not to love?! The wedding party’s colorful florals were a perfect compliment to the lush green landscape, and of course we had to take advantage of the summer scenery.

Finally, after plenty of delicious food and drink, it was time for Maureen and Peter to let loose with their guests on the dance floor. It’s no secret that this was the moment they’d been waiting for… and The Chicago Players kept the party going all night long! Truly a night to remember, that’s for sure 🙂

Peter and Mo: Thanks again for having us in July!! We had so much fun on your wedding day and wish you all the best in the world!

Want to see more Peter & Mo? Check out their awesome Highlight Film by Amy Lynn!

Do you believe in fate? Like, REALLY believe in it? If the answer is no, I have a feeling that might change after reading this post. Kristal and Brian’s story is one that could be the premise of a film – a Real Life definition of serendipity. A perfect series of events led up to their wedding day.

In their words:

“Our story is a lifetime of missed connections, perfect timing, and fate… Stories like this are said to be called twin flames or mirrored souls, when one soul splits into two bodies that find each other. We have actually been somewhat connected our whole lives.”

Long story short, Kristal and Brian’s families had been acquaintances since they were children. As teenagers, they went to the same high school AND worked at the same movie theatre, and somehow never crossed paths. When they eventually met through a dating app in 2019, they started to make these connections. And get this: Thanks to social media, they even found photos of themselves dancing together at a club from ten years earlier… and neither of them remembers the encounter!! You’d better BELIEVE those photos resurfaced on wedding day… printed large for guests to view during the ceremony 🙂

Galleria Marchetti Wedding

As you can imagine, their June wedding at La Pergola was a much-anticipated event! Brian and Kristal got ready on separate floors of a sweet AirBnb in the West Loop. Their emotional first look took place on the rooftop of their home… including their pup Astro! The summer rain began to fall as soon as Brian turned to see Kristal, and to be honest, this was one of my favorite parts of the entire day.

When we arrived at the venue, romance was in the air. I absolutely LOVED the Roaring 20’s vibe of their decor… perfectly executed by Him & Her Vintage! Kristal and Brian made sure to work with local vendors, some who they even knew personally (shout out to Gurnee Donuts!). From beginning to end, this day was bursting with so much joy, romance, and LOTS of dancing.

Kristal and Brian: It was an absolute honor to be part of your wedding day. Thank you again for trusting my team to capture these memories for you!! Wishing you all the best in your future together.

Want to see more Kristal & Brian? Check out Amy Lynn’s Highlight Film!