Emma Mullins Photography

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!

Jackie and Mike’s Half Acre Brewery wedding was easily one of our highlights from 2022. Half Acre has been my favorite Chicago brewery for years, and I was thrilled when they started hosting weddings! Mike and Jackie live in the neighborhood, and really wanted their wedding to feel unique and personal to them. I was eagerly looking forward to this day even before their awesome fall engagement session!

On wedding day, Jackie and Mike got ready separately with their respective parties. After their sweet first look overlooking the Chicago skyline, we stopped by Montrose Harbor. I absolutely loved the perfectly coordinated jewel tones and florals… especially with the sunshine! Before we knew it, it was time to head to the brewery!

Half Acre Brewery Wedding

Guests were welcomed to the ceremony with a fresh beer (of course), and option to sign a card from the game Settlers of Catan. (Remember how I mentioned that Mike and Jackie wanted their wedding to feel like them? This was one of my favorite personal touches from their day!) They were married beneath the brewery’s gorgeous skylights surrounded by loved ones… and I’m pretty sure there were a couple movie quotes included in their vows 🙂

Once the knot was tied, it was time to PARTY. Luckily we got to take a few newlywed photos inside the brewery itself (shout out to Adia for making this happen!!) – then it was time to eat, drink, and be MARRIED! Believe me, the dance floor did not disappoint! This day was such a pleasure to capture from beginning to end, I’m so happy to have been a part of it!

Jackie and Mike: Thank you again for having us!! Wishing you a lifetime of love, happiness… and delicious beer!

At this time last year, Stephanie and Jimmy were getting ready for their fall wedding celebration with family and friends after eloping in October 2020! I first heard from these two in the summer of 2019, when they were planning their dream wedding for the following fall. We met up for their downtown Chicago engagement session that September, and only a few months later started talking about a Plan B for wedding day. After much thought, they decided to get married on their original date… and I’m SO happy they invited me to capture their intimate Joliet Birdhaven Greenhouse wedding! Finally, in November 2021, they were able to experience their wedding day as originally planned.

Stephanie and Jimmy got ready separately before heading to church in Lemont. After the stunning ceremony, it was time to party at the club! The newlyweds were ALL smiles, and their love and happiness was definitely contagious. We even got lucky with the most perfect fall weather… our golden hour photos are some of my faves from the entire day!

Their reception was filled with dinner, dancing, champagne, dancing, Polish traditions, and more dancing. In fact, Stephanie was personally responsible for the dance party playlist – and the dance floor was packed all night! The newlyweds let me steal them away for a few night photos at the end of the evening, and they couldn’t have been happier. I’m so thrilled they finally got to see their dream wedding day come to life!

Stephanie and Jimmy: THANK YOU for trusting us to capture your memories over the past few years! It has been an absolute pleasure working with you two, wishing you all the best in years to come 🙂

Want to see more Stephanie & Jimmy? Check out their Highlight Film!

Today’s post goes out to Megan and Taylor. It just so happens that today is their TWO YEAR wedding anniversary (it’s true!)… Happy Anniversary, guys!! I first heard from these two in May of 2019, when Taylor told me all about their first messages on Tinder in reference to Alanis Morissette’s Ironic. In case you were wondering: No, it did NOT rain on their wedding day 🙂

Shortly after their unseasonably snowy engagement session that November, things changed in the world. Like so many couples, they made the difficult decision to postpone their fall 2020 wedding to the following year. Shortly afterwards, they decided to officially tie the knot on their original date in an intimate ceremony surrounded by immediate family. I was lucky enough to be there for both their 2020 elopement AND the celebration last year!

Taylor and Megan got ready separately with their wedding parties before their first look along the lakefront at Kenilworth Beach. From there, we walked to the church for an emotional vow renewal (and more photos, of course!). After the ceremony, the newlyweds and I took a lovely horse-drawn carriage ride to Michigan Shores Club where their guests were waiting to greet them.

Michigan Shores Club Wedding Reception

I was so excited to finally see this historical space in person, and it did not disappoint! Some highlights from the reception include the seasonal decor, Megan’s sister’s speech featuring their original Tinder photos (!!), and the dance PARTY that lasted all night! These two waited an extra year to celebrate with their people, and I had the absolute best time capturing it all.

Megan and Taylor: Happy Anniversary! Thank you again for having me, it’s been such a pleasure getting to know you two over the years. Cheers to many more!!

Last fall, I was honored to capture Nick and Michael’s joyful wedding day at The Dalcy! This was my first wedding at the gorgeous West Loop venue, and believe me, it did not disappoint. In fact, Michael is on staff at The Dalcy and Aba – which made this day extra special!! Of course, the ambiance and decor was on point, but the most memorable detail was the abundance of love and support for these two grooms. It was an unforgettable day from beginning to end!

I met Michael and Nick at The Westin where they got ready together in their suite. While rain was in the forecast, we were somehow able to dodge the showers just in time for photos downtown! (Thanks Nature!!) These two and their wedding party were all smiles as we stopped at some of my favorite iconic Chicago locations. Oh – and did I mention it was a Friday? We basically had Olive Park to ourselves… a rare occurrence during wedding season! The skyline view was a perfect last stop on our way to the venue.

Sidenote: I always love when couples choose to get ready together on their wedding day! It’s such a unique way to break tradition while personalizing your day.

The Dalcy Wedding Ceremony

Nick and Michael were married in a romantic candlelit ceremony at The Dalcy surrounded by loved ones. A dear friend officiated their ceremony, which was filled with laughter and happy tears. By the time they were pronounced married, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place! Guests were ready to celebrate with the newlyweds, and The Bluewater Kings kept the party going all night!! I’m lucky I got to pull the grooms away from the dance floor for a night photo on Fulton Street!

Michael and Nick: Thank you again for having us in October!! Your wedding day was an absolute joy to be part of. Wishing you the happiest marriage and future together 🙂

Last November, Carly and Matt tied the knot at Chevy Chase Country Club – and it was one of our most memorable weddings of 2021. From our very first conversation, I knew their wedding was going to be a blast! Their love story began with Tinder swipes, waiting outside a train station in frigid weather, and a mutual love for Jeff Goldblum (it’s true!). Oh! And they casually mentioned that it would have “sort of a retro theme … think 70’s funk and soul.” I must say, they pulled this theme wedding off flawlessly!

Wedding day began at The Westin North Shore in Wheeling, where both Carly and Matt got ready separately. Lucky me, I got to meet their sweet pups Foxy and Mugsy at the hotel! Carly and her crew headed to the venue just as light snow began to fall, and Matt followed shortly for their fairy tale first look. Seriously – if you’re on the fence about having a first look on your wedding day, seeing Matt and Carly’s may have you convinced! The wedding party were total champs about taking a few photos outdoors with the fall foliage, then it was time to head inside and get these two MARRIED 🙂

Chevy Chase Country Club

That evening, Matt and Carly were married by a friend in a cozy, candlelit ceremony surrounded by loved ones. Not surprisingly, there was no shortage of humor in their ceremony: After dancing down the aisle, Carly took the opportunity to Rickroll Matt during her vows! They stepped on glass to shouts of Mazel Tov and then danced down the aisle together. In fact, I don’t think they stopped dancing all night… to some of the best Funk, Soul, and Motown music that exists, of course!

Carly and Matt: Thanks for making my first wedding at Chevy Chase Country Club so much FUN!! You two were a joy to photograph and I couldn’t be happier for you. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness (and killer dance moves) together!

I will never forget Claire and Mark’s destination Michigan wedding. These two changed plans over the summer due to unforeseen circumstances (sound familiar?). Instead of the chic downtown Chicago soirée they had planned, they secured a private residence in their home state for their immediate families. If I say so myself: this was an absolute dream wedding! In fact, Claire designed much of the decor herself! With the help of an A+ Vendor Team, the dream became reality.

Union Pier, Michigan Wedding

The gorgeous property was located on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, including a private beach. Claire’s eldest sister officiated the private ceremony, and I know there wasn’t a dry eye among us! After the knot was tied, the newlyweds chose to celebrate with champagne on the beach (and photos, of course!). Claire and Mark joined their guests for a cocktails and romantic first dance as the sun set over the lake 🙂

Something I loved about this wedding was that every single detail was personalized. Travel is a mutual love of Mark and Claire’s, which they tied into their wedding day as much as possible. The dessert spread included French macarons and also mochi, a nod to their engagement in Japan. Fun fact: Mochi is also the name of their adorable pup, who celebrated her first birthday on Claire & Mark’s wedding day! If you don’t remember this smiley girl from their Engagement Session, her happy birthday photos are just as sweet!!

Claire and Mark: Thank you again for having us capture your Michigan wedding in October!! Wishing you all the happiness in your married life!

Vendor Team

Venue: Yellow Bird Vacations/Bride’s dress: Provonias/Bride’s veil: Untamed Petals/Bride’s shoes: Sole Society/Groom’s suit: The Black Tux/Florals: Field & Florist/Hair & Makeup: Jen and Colette from Hannah Elisabeth Beauty/Invitation: Bride’s sister/Engagement ring: Windy City Diamonds/Wedding bands: Dana Rebecca Designs/Caterer: Spire Catering & Event Planning/Cake: Black Currant Bakehouse/Mochi: Patisserie Tomoko/Macarons: Ladurée/2nd shooter: Jeremy

Thinking of downsizing your wedding to immediate family only? Check out what these other couples have done!

Megan & Taylor’s Elopement | Erin & Evan’s Microwedding | Melanie & Spencer’s Elopement

Brittany and Dan’s Warehouse 109 wedding last fall was a big, lively, family affair. These two met while working in the hospitality industry, and Brittany’s background in event planning made the pre-wedding process a breeze! By the time we met, these two already had a clear vision for the day. Mostly, they wanted to celebrate in style with family and friends… and dance the night away!

The day was filled with personal touches that were truly unique to them. Brittany and Dan chose to exchange vows privately before their ceremony – something I always recommend to couples seeking a more intimate vibe. Their seasonable October ceremony in the garden could not have been more lovely, and they even had a hot beverage bar set up with coffee and apple cider!

Flower Gram led the way with Brittany’s daughter, who waited midway to escort her mother down the aisle. Dan recited separate vows to his new daughter, and I know there wasn’t a dry eye in the place! The newlyweds rode across the parking lot on their Just Married scooter to get the party started 🙂

This was such a fun fall wedding to capture in one of my favorite venues! Shout out to Gina for helping make it all happen.

CONGRATS again, Brittany and Dan!! Thanks so much for having me in October! All the best to you and your family.

Vendor Team

Venue: Warehouse 109/Hotel: Aloft Bolingbrook/Wedding Planner: Gina Polcaster/Bride’s dress: Sarah Seven/Bride’s shoes: Valentino/Groom’s suit: The Groomsman Suit/Groom’s tie: The Tie Bar/Florals: family member/Hair Stylist: Diem Angie/Makeup Artist: Michelle Finch/Rings: Kendra Scott/DJ: DJ Outta Control/Vintage furniture: Joe’s Live, originally purchased from Restoration Hardware/Caterer: Bub City/Dessert: Cinnabon, Morris Bakery, Hub 51

Jen and Pete’s West Loop restaurant wedding was one big, happy celebration. If you didn’t know, getting married at a Chicago restaurant has its perks! Most can accommodate both ceremony and reception, the spaces are always unique, and – bonus! – the food is guaranteed to be delicious! Jen and Pete decided on Nellcôte for many of these reasons… not to mention their first date happened next door at Green Street Smoked Meats! Sneaking over for a few wedding photos was pretty much a given.

Guests traveled from near and far to witness Jen and Pete tie the knot. They wanted the day to be simple, romantic, and encompass all the things they love about their city and each other. For example, they had no formal wedding party or traditions – they just wanted to celebrate! After their lively summer engagement session I couldn’t wait to capture their wedding day!!

The weather was perfect for a fall wedding. We stopped at some favorite Chicago locations before heading to the ceremony – and they couldn’t help but smile the whole time! Seriously, I can’t think of a moment either of them weren’t beaming ear-to-ear. After their ceremony, guests enjoyed an intimate cocktail hour at RM Champagne Salon. But once the party started back at Nellcôte, it lasted all night long! One of the first things Jen mentioned while planning their wedding was: “All I want to do is dance!!” And the bride wasn’t the only one dancing… see for yourself!

Jen and Pete: Thanks again for having me in November!! It was so great getting to know you last year and finally getting to capture these memories 🙂 All the best to you both in your adventures together!

Vendor Team

Venue: Nellcôte Restaurant/Hotel: Crowne Plaza West Loop/Bride’s dress: Aisle Chic/Bride’s shoes: Caparros/Groom’s suit: Suit Supply/Groom’s shoes: Allen Edmonds/Florals: Flowers for Dreams/Hair & Makeup: Pin Me Up Chicago/Invitation: Shutterfly/Save The Date: Vistaprint/Rings: Windy City Diamonds/DJ: Ryan from Style Matters/Caterer: Nellcôte/Photo Booth: Emma Mullins Photography/2nd shooter: Jeremy

Nicole and Jason’s City Winery Chicago wedding was everything they’d hoped it would be: a cozy, intimate affair surrounded by their favorite people. These two were so excited to finally marry each other when the day arrived! The winery’s Barrel Room was the perfect setting for a romantic candlelit ceremony.

We were lucky enough to set up their first look at the Cerise rooftop overlooking Chicago! The three of us braved the crisp October weather together for photos (Nicole in her mom’s vintage fur!). Nicole and Jason wanted portraits in some iconic Chicago locations that were also meaningful to them. I am so happy we had time for some fun photos in the West Loop before their ceremony!

Highlights

Highlights from the day include Nicole’s wedding gift to Jason, a silver airplane paperweight reminiscent of their spontaneous first date. She also donned a lovely gold pin as her guardian angel, in memory of her late father. It was so sweet! A few pink roses in Nicole’s bridal bouquet represented other loved ones who had passed… something I’d never seen before. I loved this unique way to memorialize those who were there in spirit.

One other first for me at this wedding: a cameo appearance by a certain Frank Sinatra doll! I’m so happy to have been there to capture this moment, and Jason’s hilarious reaction. The doll’s significance is a secret safe with me… you’ll have to use your imagination 🙂

Thanks again for having me, Nicole and Jason!! I enjoyed every moment of your wedding day (not to mention the killer dance party!). All my best to you both in your future together.

Vendor Team

Getting Ready location: Virgin Hotels/Bride’s dress: Hayley Paige/Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka/Groom’s suit: Hugo Boss/Rings: James Allen/Invitation: Minted/Hair: Erin Graham/Makeup: Evy Papadopoulos/Officiant: Michael Moody/Cake: City Winery/DJ: Katy from Toast & Jam/Florist: Redberry Floral Designs