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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
Greek restaurant Oleana blends the cozy warmth of having an at-home family meal including high quality ingredients with excellent and beautiful food presentation. With beautiful blends of spices they have a great representation of Turkish and Middle Eastern food. Not only do they host standard dining experiences, they also have a private patio section that is perfect for private dining and events.
Caitlin & Paul have been together 6 years. Their story began when they met in grad school — both were pursuing a PhD in Chicago at the time. World travelers at heart and with each other, they have combined lived in four different countries). Caitlin is originally from Cambridge, Boston and Paul is from Romania and also spent a lot of time living in Montreal. Together, they lived in Copenhagen, Denmark and now have settled (back home for Caitlin) in Boston to start this new chapter in their lives. This was not only a wedding celebration, but a welcome event to kick off their new home (with hopefully the addition of a four-legged family member soon!).
Paul and Caitlin visited Paul’s home country of Romania. It was Caitlin’s first time there and it ended up being even more memorable than expected. He proposed in 2018 in his beautiful country which made for Caitlin’s incredible welcome into his heritage.
The couple were married officially in Chicago in 2020 in a tiny ceremony full of zoom guests in a very casual and lovely intimate ceremony. Along with many couples, the pandemic changed their plans not once but twice now. They originally were going to do a big traditional wedding in 2021 in Boston, then they were going to have a mid-size wedding in Boston in 2022, and they finally were able to merrily celebrate with a small intimate wedding in Cambridge.
Their wedding celebration started by them casually getting ready together at the Ginko House. Because they decided on an intimate weddings, they had so much flexibility in their morning that they were able to enjoy an impromptu laid back coffee shop Their reception choice, though not the original plan, was a tremendous fit for Caitlin & Paul. It was a fantastic venue that encapsulated the joy felt by the couple and their friends & family. There were so many huge emotions that day, most notably from the couple themselves. It was so moving to be able to see how touched they both were by their families’ kind words and from all of their friends taking the time to finally, in person, celebrate their love. Embraced in all sorts of forms, the guests and the couple were absolutely beaming with joy throughout the festivities.
A self-described “pretty casual, regular couple”, one of the things they absolutely love is anything and everything Greek. If they had a day where they could do anything and go anywhere in the world they would go to Greece. Greece truly is their favorite place; they love drinking the amazing wine, dancing, eating spectacular food (octopus for Paul), and seeing the beautiful landscapes. It’s because of this love that they brought Greece to them through Cambridge’s Oleana Restaurant.
Photography | Mei Lin Barral Photography
Getting Ready Venue | Ginkgo House
Venue, Catering, & Bar | OIeana Restaurant
Floral Design | Mother of the Bride
Florals | Whole Foods
Pie | Flour Bakery
Makeup Artist + Hair Stylist | The bride herself!
Bridal Gown | Reformation
Bridal Gown Alterations | Sophos
Groom’s Wedding Attire | Ernest Montréal
Engagement Ring | Koala Jewellry Design
Wedding Bands | Bario Neal
Jewelry | Davie & Chiyo
Bride’s Wedding Shoes | Bella Belle & BHLDN
Invitations & Stationery Suite | Zola
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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