Grab your favorite cup of tea, a giant bowl of popcorn, & settle in.
If you want to say hello, feel free to email me over at:
MeiLinBarralPhoto@gmail.com
Weddings
Couples
Dogs
Authors
Personal
Hello! Thank you for coming to the place where you can witness couples who are deeply in love with each other alongside their four-legged family.
(I'm here and queer!)
1. My first name is Mei Lin
(pronounced may-LYNN)
2. My pronouns are she/her
3. I really love pugs
4. One of my favorite novels is Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
5. Ma famille vient du sud de la France
6. I’m a musical theatre fan
Photo By Lena Mirisola Photography
It was the perfect Autumnal queer farm wedding hosted by Jin & Steven. They gathered such warm and loving family and friends for an absolutely stunning day. The happy couple have been together for over 3 years and this was an exciting start to their new lives together.
Jin & Steven started wedding planning pre-proposal since they wanted to ensure their day was perfect. The beginning of their official wedding story started with a mutual proposal in January while they visited San Francisco on a beach with the view of the golden gate bridge in the background. They got each other jade necklaces of each other’s Chinese zodiac animal.
To learn more about the beginning part of their marriage story, read their engagement blogpost here!
Everyone was incredibly joyous and jubilant for Jin & Steven. They had amazing weather — clear skies and a warm Autumnal day. Their ceremony was endearingly officiated by their very close friend Becca. It was a beautiful ceremony that finished with two emotional and heartfelt vows from the couple. Jin’s referenced math and though it may seem odd, it was the perfect way for him to express just how much he loved his future-husband.
To start the reception festivities, the couple enjoyed a fun first dance that included not one but *two* lifts. The reception space was gorgeously lit with candles and chandeliers. There was beautiful rich dark green everywhere in the space; it was the signature color of the wedding. After a delicious meal and lovely toasts from Jin’s mom and the couple’s best men, they ended the night with s’mores and sparklers with all of their guests. It was an excellent way to end a heartwarming day full of celebration.
Huge thank you goes to Jin & Steven’s phenomenal creative team!
Photography | Mei Lin Barral Photography
Planner | Alex Kessler from Valley View Farm
Venue, Catering, & Bar | Valley View Farm
Officiant | Close friend of the couple: Becca Masutani
Floral Design | Until We Wed Flowers
Cake | Lady M Cake Boutique
Dessert | Wheelhouse from Valley View Farm
Makeup Artist + Hair Stylist | Upstyle
Wedding Bands | Blue Nile
Jin & Steven’s Wedding Attire | Hive & Colony
Jin’s Wedding Shoes | Wolf & Shepherd
Steven’s Wedding Shoes | Allen Edmonds
DJ | Evan Healey from Meritage Entertainment
Engagement Necklaces | Phuong Jewelry Store
Invitations & Stationery Suite | Brody Printing
Women’s Wedding Party Attire | Etsy
Men’s Wedding Party Attire | The Black Tux
Chicago LGBTQ+ & BIPOC
Intimate Wedding Photographer
for couples in love
& their four-legged family
© 2023 Mei Lin Barral Photography
brand + web design by inkpot creative, llc
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