December 22, 2021
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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
Julie & Marvin hosted the most joyful Red Lion Inn wedding. They each have a huge family, hers Irish and his Guatemalan which made for a beautiful multicultural wedding full of dancing and love.
Their story began ten years ago at Julie’s twin sister’s wedding. Marvin was the cinematographer and Julie’s twin immediately knew Julie & Marvin would be the perfect team. Despite knowing the two would be a great couple, Julie didn’t want to be set up by her sister. Fast forward ten years later, and they finally are married (her twin now has bragging rights for the rest of time). Not only did Julie’s twin know Marvin through work and her wedding, but Marvin knew Julie’s mom because she taught two of his brothers. The connection between the couple was meant to be from the start.
Marvin doesn’t plan things half-heartedly. With help from Julie’s twin who is a talented graphic designer, Marvin pulled off a fake Titanic screening at their local cinema, Capitol Theatre in order to propose. Julie’s sister designed a movie poster for “A Winter Weekend of Titanic” presented by Capitol Theatre and Julie truly had no idea what was happening. Their whole family was at the cinema, conveniently posed as other movie-goers. When the film started playing, instead of Titanic, it was actually a film of their relationship. It included video footage from from the first day that Marvin met Julie.
The couple’s favorite restaurant is Capo in Southie; it’s an annual treat to go for Julie’s birthday. Each time they go they always ask for waiter Zach because one time they had hinted it was her birthday and he brought over two glasses of champagne on the house. It’s that attention to detail that made Marvin want to go the extra mile and celebrate Julie’s 30th birthday at Capo. (He even added a photo of San Francisco on the menu).
Since becoming a team, Julie & Marvin have grown their family to include Australian Sheppard Ozzie who was a special surprise VIP guest for their wedding! They chose the Red Lion Inn because of the rustic elements including a fireplace that added to the warmth and love flowing through their day. It was festively decorated for Christmas which included wreathes, Christmas trees, among numerous other details that helped bring extra cheer to the couple’s already joyous day.
Julie’s birthday is right before Christmas and they wanted to really embrace the holiday season for their day. Every part of their wedding was expertly planned. From Julie’s custom wedding shoes being a festive red just like Marvin’s velvet blazer, the table numbers that were Christmas and winter themed (and done by the bride herself!), to the superhero gear, socks, and cufflinks for Marvin and all of his groomsmen, no detail was forgotten. The ceremony was beautifully officiated by Julie’s dad and Marvin’s (favorite, according to her), cousin. It blended the humor from Julie’s Irish American family to Marvin’s Guatemalan American one through two languages. Tears were shed during the toasts, and then the real party began. They even planned a special guest appearance by none other than Father Christmas himself. Not only that, but Julie & Marvin went all out for their guests and planned a surprise Mariachi band that had everyone smiling and enjoying the evening.
Congratulations to Ozzie’s parents for a beautiful day!
Thank you to the creative team behind Julie & Marvin’s special day!
Photography | Mei Lin Barral Photography
Venue + Caterer | The Red Lion Inn
Wedding Planner | Jennifer Crook from The Red Lion Inn
Cinematographer | Jeffrey Lukaszeski
Officiant | Bride’s Dad + Krista, Marvin’s Cousin
Floral Design | Bittersweet Gardens
Cake Baker | Montilo’s Bakery
Cake Designer | Krista Marroquin, Groom’s cousin
Table Design | Julie, the bride herself!
Makeup Artist + Hair Stylist | REFeyeANCE
Dog Caretaker | Tail Waggerz
Engagement Ring + Wedding Bands | Harts Diamond Jewelers
Bridal Gown Designer | Watters
Bridal Gown Shop | Vows Bridal
Bridal Shoes | EllieWrenWeddingShoe
Groom’s + Groomens’ Attire | Formal Wear
Invitations | Abby Caparrotta (Bride’s sister)
DJ | Mass Rhythm Entertainment
Best Men Watches | MVMT
Transportation | Coastal Livery
Mariachi Band | Mariachi Internacional
Proposal Venue | Capitol Theatre
Couple’s Birthday Venue | Capo
Family Heirlooms | Julie’s Nana’s Rosary Beads
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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