Emma Mullins Photography

Liz and Jen’s Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool wedding ceremony was everything they wanted it to be: intimate, peaceful, and surrounded by loved ones. If you’re into nature, this is the perfect spot for a romantic ceremony! These two planned the entire day themselves, and it came together seamlessly.

Jen and Liz began their wedding morning at Hotel Lincoln. When I arrived to meet them, they were in matching plaid (how great is that?)! They got ready for their wedding together, one of my absolute favorite ways to break tradition. Meanwhile, their guests gathered to greet them at the Lily Pool. Luckily we had just enough time to stop at the J. Parker rooftop for some photos before heading to their ceremony.

Their wedding day was filled with unique personal touches. For instance, a childhood friend of Liz performed the heartfelt ceremony. It was perfect! I love how emotional smaller wedding ceremonies tend to be. Truly, I don’t think there was a dry eye among us.

After the ceremony, the three of us celebrated with newlywed photos in Lincoln Park. We even got to reminisce their first date at Lincoln Park Zoo! If one thing is clear, it’s that these two have each other’s hearts. Their smiles did not fade the entire morning 🙂

Want to have your own Caldwell Lily Pool wedding?

I don’t blame you! This stunning location is one of Chicago’s best kept secrets. Consequently, intimate weddings are popular here! The Lily Pool is part of the Lincoln Park Conservancy, and it regularly hosts wedding ceremonies with 30 guests or less. Learn more and reserve your date HERE.

Liz and Jen: Thank you again for having me capture your wedding day! It was truly an honor. Wishing you so much happiness in your married life.

Vendor Team

Getting Ready: Hotel Lincoln/Ceremony: Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool/Dress: Tadashi Shoji from BHLDN/Blazer: Sumissura/Suit pants: Calvin Klein/Florist: Sprout Home/Rings: Sparkles Fine Jewelry (Liz’s ring custom made with Jen’s grandmother’s diamond)/Invitation: Vistaprint

When Kelly and Matt first told me about their wedding plans, I was instantly excited for them. First, they wished to tie the knot in a private ceremony at Logan Theatre. As a fellow movie nerd, I knew this would be awesome! Later that evening, the celebration continued with a live music show by their favorite band. Friends and family traveled from near and far for their Logan Auditorium wedding reception… lead singer Todd Hembrook even flew in for the occasion!

After their intimate ceremony in the Lounge, we were lucky enough to take some newlywed portraits in the theatre. (Thanks for helping make this possible, Jen!) Before heading to the reception, we stopped at pizza place Boiler Room for a few photos. This is where Kelly and Matt’s love story began, and Kelly wanted to make an appearance in her wedding dress! Shout out to the awesome staff for accommodating us!

Matt and Kelly’s Logan Auditorium wedding reception was an absolute blast. The Hemispheres kept the crowd singing and dancing into the night! In other words, the party was EPIC and these two were all smiles 🙂

Kelly and Matt: Thank you again for letting me be a part of your wedding day! Wishing you nothing but happiness in your future together.

Vendor Team

Dress: Watters gown from Nancy’s Bridal Boutique/Bride’s shoes: BuffybabeDesigns/Suit: custom from Formally Modern Tuxedo/Ceremony: Logan Theatre/Reception: Logan Auditorium/Coordinator: Bollo Hollow Weddings/Band: Todd Hembrook and The Hemispheres/Florist: Chicago Flower Company/Caterer: Real Kitchen Chicago/Dessert: Mariano’s/Bride’s rings: Steve Quick Jewelers/Groom’s ring: Manly Bands/Invitation: VistaPrint/2nd shooter: Jeremy

Want to see more Kelly and Matt? Check out their spring Logan Square Engagement Session!

Gretchen and Michael’s Bristol Renaissance Faire wedding was more fun than I could have dreamed. I don’t get to photograph a lot of theme weddings, and this one made up for that!

When Gretchen was a little girl, she told her mother that she’d get married at the Renaissance Faire. Although she may not remember saying this – she was right!

Gretchen and Michael’s wedding was a full-on Renaissance affair. The ceremony took place over Labor Day weekend at the Cotswold Commons area of the fairgrounds. Gretchen and her family have attended Bristol’s Renaissance Faire almost every year, and she even wore her late grandparents’ wedding rings pinned to her dress in their memory during her ceremony. The officiant dressed as a monk, bridesmaids wore DIY faery wings and flower crowns, and all the groomsmen wore color-coordinated capes. The couple incorporated a Medieval wine ceremony into their wedding as a symbol of their lives uniting as one. Guests waved wands and tossed lavendar at the happy newlyweds during the recessional, and “Huzzah, huzzah!” was the common affirmation throughout the day.

I’m so happy to have been a part of this unique wedding day! Michael and Gretchen are a fun-loving couple who incorporated imagination and fantasy into their Wisconsin wedding day. Congrats again, you two!

Vendor Team

Bride’s dress and veil: The Bridal Event/Crown: One Curtain Road/Groom’s cape: Medieval Collectibles/Groom’s hat: Wizards Wardrobe at the Faire/Groom’s attire: Majestic Velvets/Faery wings: handmade by bridal party/Food: Bristol Renaissance Faire/Dessert: Robin’s Nest Cakery/Florist: Sunnyside Florist/Rings: Rogers & Hollands/Invitation: Marlene’s Wedding Accessory

Mary and William’s Thalia Hall wedding in June was a big, joyous celebration. I met these two during the beginning stages of planning their New York style wedding. If you’re unfamiliar, a “New York style” wedding reception has regular dancing in between courses. For instance, the band or DJ plays a set, then salads are served. Then speeches, then dancing, then entrées. Then dancing, dessert, and… you get the idea. DJ Timmy kept the party roaring into the night!

Mary met William through his younger brother Andrew, who would officiate their wedding ceremony. In their college days, Mary and Andrew were paired as lab partners at Notre Dame University… want to know why?! They have the same last name! After years of friendship, Mary finally crossed paths with William. The relationship that developed is what would lead us to this day 🙂

From their first look on the Chicago Riverwalk, these two couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. Because they’re big fans of Land and Sea Department, it only made sense that they’d tie the knot here (read about all the perks below!). Their romantic candlelit ceremony on stage was one to remember… Mary’s brother even serenaded them with a surprise song!

Perks of a Thalia Hall wedding

What’s not to love? Food, beverage, and ambiance are top notch. You get to marry your person on stage (or off-stage, if you prefer) in one of Chicago’s most unique neighborhoods. There are plenty of places inside Thalia Hall to enjoy a private moment together – I recommend sneaking up to the balcony together and taking it all in! Staff is always a pleasure to work with – plus you have Punch House downstairs for your afterparty.

Mary and William: Thank you again for having me! I’ll never forget this incredible day. Wishing you two lifetimes of happiness together.

Vendor Team

Hotel: Virgin Hotels Chicago/Venue: Thalia Hall/Dress: Willowby by Watters (Reagan gown)/Suit: Bonobos Tuxedo/Florals: Flowers for Dreams/Linens: Tablescapes/Dessert: 16″ on Center/DJ: Tim from Toast & Jam/2nd Shooter: Joe U

Kaitlin and Evan’s Milwaukee Charles Allis Art Museum wedding hit home for many reasons. I get excited every time I travel to my hometown for a wedding… but this one was extra special. It’s not every day I get to photograph the wedding of an old friend!

As you may recall from their engagement session, Evan and I used to work together in high school. Since then, he has made a culinary career! Now Executive Chef of Easy Tyger Restaurant on Brady Street, he and Kaitlin met in culinary school. They have become inseparable ever since.

Family and friends traveled from around the world to celebrate with these two. Even though the forecast called for day-long thunderstorms, we were pleasantly surprised with sunny blue skies! Evan and Kaitlin were lucky enough to exchange vows on the museum’s lawn, exactly as planned. Afterwards, we took a stroll across the Brady Street bridge for wedding party photos and some sweet nostalgia 🙂 I’m not kidding: these two were all smiles all day!

Some of my favorite details include their wheel of cheese instead of wedding cake (you know you’re in Wisconsin when…). Kaitlin also kept the memory of her mother close by tying her antique wedding ring to her bridal bouquet. There is no doubt that both she and Evan’s late father were with us in spirit.

Kaitlin and Evan: I am so honored to have been a part of your wedding day. You two are clearly a perfect match, and I couldn’t be happier for you! Wishing you a wonderful future together.

Vendor Team

Venue: Charles Allis Art Museum/Dress: Robert Bullock from Miss Ruby Boutique/Suit:1905 custom tailored by Joseph A Bank/Bride’s shoes: Betsey Johnson/Florals: Mari’s Flowers/Caterer: Easy Tyger/Cheese: Pleasant Ridge Reserve from Uplands Cheese

This year’s wedding season officially began with Emily and John’s Salvage One wedding in March. These two have been together for years, and a pleasure in front of the camera! The best thing about working with Emily and John is how obviously in love they are… thanks for making my job easy, guys!

On wedding day, we unanimously decided to have their first look at Salvage One. Ever since their December engagement session, I had been eagerly anticipating wedding day! The natural light in this venue is killer and it’s filled with vintage artifacts and pieces. Finally, it was time for church… but not before stopping at the local CTA station for a few iconic Chicago photos with the wedding party!

Second Presbyterian Wedding Ceremony

That afternoon, John and Emily were married at Second Presbyterian Church on Chicago’s south side. Their ceremony was filled with unique personal touches, including the same ring bearer pillow from Emily’s grandmother’s wedding. The gothic architecture of this building is a fantastic photo backdrop – not to mention the stunning Tiffany windows! Once the knot was tied, these two were ALL smiles and ready to celebrate 🙂

Salvage One Wedding Reception

After the ceremony, the newlyweds wanted nothing more than for family and friends to gather and celebrate with them at Salvage One. Delicious food and local beer was also a top priority – and I’d say they got their wish! Local brews served at the reception include Off Color, Pollyanna, and Argus Brewing. One of my favorite details is their homemade wedding cake, made specially for them by a dear friend. Guests danced the night away, and we didn’t say goodbye without a night photo in the courtyard, of course!

Emily and John: A million thank yous for trusting me to capture your wedding day! Wishing you all the best in your future together.

Vendor Team

Hotel: Springhill Suites River North/Church: Second Presbyterian/Dress: Amy Kuschel/Shoes: Nina/Suit: rented from The Black Tux /Rings: Brilliant Earth, Blue Nile/Invitation Design: the groom/Florals: Gratitude Heart Garden/Caterer: Honky Tonk BBQ/Cake: friend of the couple/2nd shooter: Jeremy