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MeiLin@MeiLinBarralPhoto.com
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Welcome to the blog, home to Chicago & France's intimate wedding & elopement photographer for couples who lead with love, inclusivity, and a passion for the planet. LGBTQ+ & BIPOC owned + operated.
(I'm here and queer!)
1. My first name is Mei Lin (she/her)
2. I really love pugs!
3. I’m a huge musical theatre fan
4. I care deeply about animal welfare as well as social justice issues.
5. I incorporate sustainable practices throughout your wedding photography experience
Rhiannon (she/her) & Carrie (she/her) knew they picked the right venue because it had the perfect feel and was in the neighborhood of Jamaica Plain that they really love. They love walking at the pond with their rescue dog Winnie and it was a perfect fit because it feels like a more formal, bigger, but warm extension of their own home.
It’s a gorgeous historic house with two getting ready suites (one has air conditioning!), a parlour, a formal dining room (which the brides used as a buffet serving room), and a stunning garden out back which has enough room for a good-sized tent. The garden in the back includes a beautiful aisle full of fresh flowers and greenery which make for an unforgettable ceremony entrance and exit.
Rhiannon & Carrie met through the modern dating world: a dating app named Her; as the couple says, the whole reason they’re together is all thanks to Her. They met for their first date during Pride at Boston’s Fenway Park for a baseball game; (Rhiannon loves baseball, Carrie enjoys it because Rhiannon does). To prepare, Carrie had looked up statistics for the players to be an active baseball fan for the date. It was one classic Boston date that started it all. Now they are proud dog moms to Winnifred (she/her) aka Winnie aka Fred the lab/boxer/collie rescue mixed breed.
The first vendor they hired was the dessert food truck Cookie Monstah as that was essential to them as a couple. It was such a fun and delicious alternative to a traditional cake dessert. They were able to serve each other their ice cream sandwich of choice (Carrie chose the Green Monstah and Rhiannon chose the Strawberry Shortcake).
Their ceremony and cocktail hour was beautifully accompanied by the group Vintage String Music which elevated their already beautiful and romantic day. Both were in tears from hearing each other’s personalized vows and their guests were all dabbing their eyes with tissues as well. Rhiannon began her vows with “Hey baby” which is a musical theatre reference to Waitress. As a theater kid herself, Rhiannon has infused her love of showtunes with her love for Carrie. Rhiannon’s childhood friend and the brides’ MC for the night, Jeff, made a toast where he recounted tales of their childhood as theatre kids. It was so heartwarming that that love for theatre and the love Rhiannon and Jeff have for one another persisted so they could celebrate Rhiannon’s wedding day together after all these years.
The brides celebrated with their parents by having a sweet mutual father and daughter dances as well as a recognition for their moms. The emphasis on having an intimate wedding for Carrie & Rhiannon was to be able to have special moments with each and every one of their closest friends and family. Winnie their rescue dog even made a surprise appearance! She was over the moon excited to see her moms and enjoyed having her bed as a comfort during the reception. Their reception playlist was curated by the brides themselves with input from all their guests. Everyone loved the music — someone on the catering team just had to complement their awesome music choices!
Winnie (full name Winnifred) is a lab/boxer/collie rescue mixed breed who loves her moms tremendously. She is a bit nervous and wary of new people and new experiences, but her eyes absolutely light up whenever she senses either of her moms close by. She was able to make a surprise guest appearance at the wedding and settled in nicely at the foot of the sweetheart table in her cozy bed. It was a great balance of having her there to celebrate with her parents, while not staying too long as to overwhelm or overstimulate her.
In October these two seabirds will be honeymooning in the beautiful and romantic country of Italy!
Photography | Mei Lin Barral Photography
Venue | The Loring Greenough House
Planner | B. Remembered Inc.
Floral Design | Centerpiece Florist
Catering | Above & Beyond Catering
Dessert | Cookie Monstah
Invitation & Stationery Suite | Simply to Impress
Rhiannon’s Wedding Attire | BHLDN
Carrie’s Wedding Attire | Azazie
Engagement Rings | Aurate & Brilliant Earth
Wedding Bands | Made by the brides’ themselves at Stonybrook Fine Arts
Rhiannon’s Wedding Shoes | Journee Collection + Toms
Carrie’s Wedding Shoes | Vans
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music | Vintage String Music
Tent & tabletop Rentals | Baystate Tent
DJ | The brides themselves! With friend Jeff as the MC
Tabletop & Tent Rental | Baystate Tent
Mei Lin (first name, she/her) is a Chicago & France intimate wedding, elopement, & dog photographer for couples who lead with love, inclusivity, and a passion for the planet. LGBTQ+ & BIPOC owned + operated. Trans rights are human rights. Love is love. Stop AAPI Hate. Black Lives Matter.
about the author
For couples who lead with love, inclusivity, and a passion for the planet.
LGBTQ+, BIPOC, & Woman-operated
Chicago intimate
Wedding Photographer
LGBTQ+, BIPOC, & Woman-operated
© 2024 Mei Lin Barral Photography
brand + web design by inkpot creative, llc
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