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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
The story of how Kelly & Erin met, as told by the brides themselves —
”We met in Brooklyn while Kelly was visiting from Boston during the weekend of the 2014 Brooklyn Half Marathon. Kelly’s college friends introduced their “Brooklyn friend, Erin” to Kelly in Prospect Park during the race. Kelly offered her jacket to Erin while cheering on runners…and the rest is history. We gave long distance the old college try and realized the nearly 300 miles between Boston and Brooklyn was just too far. Kelly moved to Brooklyn in April 2015.” Their love story began in New York, and continued to grow in huge milestones in the city that never sleeps. On July 29, 2017, Kelly enlisted the help of her wonderful friends in order to host a surprise picnic-proposal for Erin. She said yes, which brings them to their wedding day.
Kelly & Erin chose their venue because it is extremely special and meaningful. It is their friends Laura & Sarah’s new home which they offered especially for their wedding. They became their “framily”, as they are lovingly-dubbed, in Brooklyn, but have since relocated to Maine in order to be surrounded by beautiful nature. Laura & Sarah told Kelly & Erin that “[they] built [their] home to bring people together, and what better way to do so than hosting a wedding?!” Their first dance song, Anderson East’s “This Too Shall Last”, is equally as heartfelt. When Kelly heard it, she knew it was the song; she played it for Erin upon returning home and they slow danced barefoot in the kitchen while squealing, “we found our wedding song!”.
When asked to describe their wedding in three words or three small phrases, they answered with “dance party, prideful, LOVE” which perfectly encapsulated their wedding. Kelly & Erin were married in between two tall standing trees: one elm and one ash that held deep symbolic meaning. They were married by their “framily” Laura & Sarah which made the ceremony incredibly sweet as well as personal. They missed their own rehearsal and so there were a couple tiny mishaps. However, since they are such free-spirited people, they were not afraid to laugh at their own expense. Kelly & Erin wore matching navy blue heels and later changed into their sparkly gold dancing shoes for their reception — fully equipped with a shoe-changing song. The brides shared their sincere gratitude for all of their friends and family for helping them celebrate their wedding, especially as a same-sex couple. The parent dances were bittersweet as Kelly’s father passed away recently; her brother in law stepped in and they shared a lovely dance which left no dry eye. Kelly & Erin requested a jump rope be made from all the linens — there was more than one person jumping for joy! The rest of the night was of course spent on the dance floor with some much-needed doughnut breaks.
Congratulations Mrs. & Mrs. Dalooney!
Photography | Mei Lin Barral Photography
Venue | Birch Bay Farm, Private Friends’ Residence
Wedding Planner | Shanna Matari, Brides’ Friend
Floral Design | Watershed Floral
Tent Rental | New England Tent and Awning
Tabletop Rentals | Savvy Event Rental
Catering | Harvest Moon
Doughnuts | The Holy Donut
Bridal Gowns | David’s Bridal
Bridal Shoes | Marc Fisher
Dancing Shoes | Toms
Rings | Nicholas Downing, Kelly’s Cousin!
Hair + Makeup | Done by the brides themselves!
Invitation & Stationery Suite | Minted
DJ | Anand Savani, Friend of the Brides
Path Decorations | Birch From Reception’s Land
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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