Emma Mullins Photography

My final post this year goes out to Rosie and Scott! I loved everything about their Salvage One Chicago wedding in September. I’ve said it before, but this is easily one of our favorite wedding venues in City. Besides being a super awesome store full of antiques and unique items, it’s a memorable (and photogenic) place to get married! Scott and Rosie even got a practice round during their Salvage One engagement session last spring. 

Salvage One Chicago Wedding

The day began with these two getting ready separately at the venue. One thing I love about this space is the great natural light – something we always seek for getting ready photos! I was obsessed with the pops of color in their florals and invitation suite… it happened to pair perfectly with the venue’s vintage pink furniture.

After their first look in the courtyard, we had plenty of time for photos with the wedding party around Salvage One. Seriously, I could spend hours taking photos inside this space! It was a lot of fun to shoot a roll of film in this space, too – I think the timeless look and rich tones turned out so great 🙂 

That evening, Rosie and Scott were married surrounded by their favorite people. Rosie’s brother officiated the ceremony, full of laughter and happy tears. The Newlyweds were SO excited to make it official, and I couldn’t be happier for them! Guests celebrated by dancing the night away under the disco ball, another iconic staple of Salvage One. One of my favorite details was their custom chalkboard art made by their friend Anna-Michal of Late Night Chalk Show!

Rosie and Scott: Thanks again for having us this year!! Your wedding day was a joy to capture… all my best to you both! 

Meggie and Caleb’s Firehouse Chicago wedding this spring was an absolute delight to capture. Originally scheduled for September of this year, they decided to change plans after learning that their family would be expanding this summer! I happily joined their team of vendors in shifting to a May date, and a few months later, these two were officially married 🙂

When I first heard from Meggie and Caleb, they described their wedding vision this way:

“We are queer and polyamorous, and our wedding will reflect this! We plan to include our other partners and our Chicago community as much as possible. We also have an 11-year-old kiddo who we hope will participate in some way. We hope to create traditions around the wedding and reception that feel right for us, rather than defaulting to what we’ve seen before. We also hope to create space for an intimate gathering with our friends and family before the formal ceremony.”

Firehouse Chicago Wedding

As you may guess, their vision came together beautifully. We met these two at Firehouse Chicago on the most lovely spring afternoon, getting ready together with loved ones. Caleb’s stepfather officiated the emotional ceremony, which included meditative breathing, personal vows, and a moment to honor their family. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place!

That evening, the Newlyweds spent time visiting with their guests in the venue’s lovely garden. Highlights include delicious food and mocktails, heartfelt speeches, and an impressive first dance to get the party started! We even got to take a few impromptu maternity photos in the garden… how cute are they?! This day was a celebration not only Meggie and Caleb’s marriage, but the love and support of their community and growing family. It was truly a pleasure to document and be part of.

Meggie and Caleb: Thank you again for having us in May!! We couldn’t be more excited for you two and all that’s to come!

Allison and Matthew’s Warehouse 109 garden wedding ceremony last September was an absolute delight to capture! I first heard from these two shortly after their engagement in November 2021, and they were thrilled to be planning a wedding. When their 2023 day finally arrived, they were as excited as ever! I honestly don’t think either of them stopped smiling the entire day.

The day began with Allison and her party in the venue’s lovely bridal suite. This room is one of the venue’s most valuable features – seriously! The light is always soft and gorgeous (perfect for getting ready photos, just saying!) – and it’s a short walk to the actual venue. An ideal place to stay hidden from your guests before the ceremony! When it was time for their first look, we met Matthew in the garden for a heartfelt private vow exchange. Before we knew it, the wedding party joined us for photos in the garden before the ceremony began!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: a private vow exchange before the ceremony is one of my favorite ways to break tradition. If the thought of pouring your soul out to your partner in front of 100+ guests makes you cringe, definitely consider working this into your wedding day!!

Warehouse 109 Garden Wedding

That afternoon, Allison and Matthew were married in a stunning garden wedding ceremony surrounded by their closest people. The rain in the forecast gave us just a few drops (good luck!), and the newlyweds couldn’t have been happier! The evening continued with yard games, barbeque, flowing drinks, and LOTS of dancing. Oh – did I mention the DIY decor? Allison created the signs, seating chart and floral arrangements herself… including that bouquet! I loved the subtle nods to their cats Heihei and Lila, and will forever be impressed by that dessert table. Of course we had to take a romantic night photo in the courtyard, a perfect end to the Best Day Ever 🙂

Allison and Matt: THANK YOU again for having us last year!! Your wedding day was a dream to capture, I wish you nothing but the best in your future together!

Looking for more Warehouse 109 garden wedding inspo?! Check out the following posts on the Blog!

Caitlyn & Ray | Brittany & Dan

Happy Halloween, friends!!! I have been waiting over a year to feature Kirsten & Andrew’s Halloween-inspired October wedding, and am SO excited to finally share. These two officially tied the knot in 2020, and then got to celebrate with friends and family exactly two years later! What’s more, their reception took place at one of Chicago’s most unique venues (one of my favorites!), the International Museum of Surgical Science. For anyone planning a Halloween wedding in Chicago: this is the perfect venue for you!!

I met these two at the Humboldt Park lagoon for their first look, which just so happened to be the exact spot where they were married. With their adorable Corgi Margot, we took some family photos around the park with the most beautiful golden light! Andrew stunned in his orange suit while Kirsten’s moody florals were the perfect compliment to her wedding jewelry (all from Asrai Garden!). One thing I love about these two is their giddy newlywed energy… you’d never know they had already been married for two years!

International Museum of Surgical Science Wedding

When the sun began to set, we made our way to the museum to greet family and friends. Guests enjoyed vegan appetizers and cocktails while wandering the museum and congratulating the newlyweds. If you can’t tell from the photos, there is SO much to see here! From centuries-old surgical tools to human skeletons and medical devices… not to mention the galleries of art! I am lucky that Kirsten and Andrew agreed to take a few portraits with the graphic murals 🙂

Highlights from their celebration include stationery designed and printed by Andrew, vegan everything (including ice cream cake!), and Halloween-inspired decor. Their custom cake topper by Fiber Friends honored the memory of a Corgi in each one of their lives. The awesome Kari of Wedding Day Chicago actually officiated their 2020 ceremony, and returned as their planner for this event! It was truly a stylish and joyful way to celebrate, and I couldn’t be happier for these two.

Kirsten and Andrew: Thanks again for having me capture your celebration last year! Cheers to many more anniversaries, celebrations, and Halloweens!!!

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

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!

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!

Jake and Jen’s fall Blumen Gardens wedding was one of the most memorable days I’ve ever captured. From our very first meeting, I was so excited to meet these two in person and see their vision come together! As a fellow cat person, theatre person, and former October bride, I knew we’d be a perfect match from the start 🙂

Wedding day began with Jake and Jen’s parties getting ready together at the venue. If you’re not familiar, Blumen Gardens is a unique garden center, design studio, and shop located in Sycamore, Illinois. Lucky for us, they also happen to host weddings! My favorite thing about this venue is the variety of locations… and the fact that it is absolutely gorgeous in the fall. After their emotional first look in the conveyor room, it was time to explore! There is no doubt that Jen and Jake’s happiness is contagious… I could have spent hours taking photos of these two in that space.

Blumen Gardens Wedding

That evening, guests gathered for the outdoor ceremony in the garden center. Jake and Jen were married surrounded by their favorite people, in a ceremony officiated by a close friend. I love how interactive their ceremony was – from mid-ceremony hugs to the ring warming! It’s clear how important each and every person’s presence was to them in that moment.

Once the knot was tied, the party was ON!! Guests enjoyed vegetarian tacos and custom cocktails inside the event space, and then danced the night away with the newlyweds. Every moment of this day was an absolute pleasure to capture, I’m so happy to have been a part of it!

Jake and Jen: THANK YOU again for having us in October! Wishing you and your fur-babies all the happiness in the world.

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!!

Allison and Jason’s Alice Millar Chapel wedding last fall was one I’ll never forget. Originally scheduled for October 2020, these two made the difficult decision to postpone their festivities until the following year. However, after spending a few minutes with Allison, I learned that they were legally married in Florida on their original date! I was so full of congratulations, it made me even more excited to capture this day.

Jason and Allison got ready separately at Evanston’s Hyatt House before heading to the chapel. This was my first ceremony at Alice Millar Chapel, and believe me, the stained glass is even more impressive in person! Once the knot was (re)tied, we were off to explore their old stomping grounds. Oh, and the weather forecast didn’t faze them at all… have you seen their rainy day engagement photos?! These two were already pros!

A little backstory:

Though they currently reside in Florida, Allison and Jason met while attending Northwestern University! A destination wedding on campus had always been a top priority. Their words: “As an homage to the place that brought us together, we’ve chosen to return to Evanston for our wedding so we can share this place with all of our loved ones.“

After touring campus with the wedding party, it was time to join their guests at the Halim Museum. Allison and Jason made a point to work with some favorite local vendors from their time in Illinois, including Hoosier Mama Pie! The entire day was full of unique, personal touches that really made it feel like them. One of my favorite parts of the reception was the Newlywed pancake portrait, created by Dancakes in front of our eyes 🙂

Allison and Jason: Thank you again for having me in October!! I’m so happy you finally got to have your wedding in this meaningful place. Wishing you nothing but the best in Married Life!!!