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Welcome to the blog, home to Chicago's intimate wedding, elopement, & dog photographer for couples grounded in the present moment.
(I'm here and queer!)
1. My first name is Mei Lin (she/her)
2. I'm part of the LGBTQ+ & BIPOC communities
3. I really love pugs!
4. I’m a huge musical theatre fan
5. I care deeply about animal welfare as well as social justice issues.
6. I incorporate sustainable practices throughout your wedding photography experience
Burlington, Vermont is known for being a warm and exciting part of the state. In the Northern part of the Green Mountain state, Burlington is home to a beautiful waterfront park (which Shanna & Ian took advantage of for their photos!), amazing culinary experiences, and a picturesque brick-lined pedestrian street, among many other amazing sights to see.
Dedalus offers not only a wonderful curation of both local and world-renowned wines but also fun and education experiences. The whole team at Dedalus are experts when it comes to wine and can offer a truly personalized recommendation. With their private room, they offer exclusive wine tasting experiences for those who adore wine and those who are wanting to experience wine more. Pairing each wine with the perfect food to accompany it, you get to taste the wine in the most ideal scenario possible, surrounded by all of your loved ones.
Hen of the Wood is known for its exceptional quality of food and presentation. It is right next to Hotel Vermont for convenient traveling. They utilize and represent only the best of the region’s local foods. With their private Butcher Room, they also serve exclusive private dinners where they offer a multi-course, chef’s-choice dinner served family-style for intimate guest list parties. With the chef and their team’s expertise, they source seasonally appropriate and plentiful ingredients. It is not only a delicious time, but a wonderful experience all around.
Now for a little background on the newly married couple. Shanna and Ian’s friends (who are now a married couple and new parents!) introduced them to each other about four years ago. A classic friend group evening out at a cozy and relaxed bar lead to their initial meeting a year before they started officially dating. The conversation flowed effortlessly with mutual connections to Maine and other common interests. And now fast forward to today and Shanna & Ian are married with two four-legged family members: cavapoos Freida and Coco (who have hyphenated last names).
Officially married for two weeks, Shanna & Ian enjoyed a private wine tasting with their guests during their intimate and relaxed Burlington, Vermont wedding celebration. Their original plan was to celebrate in Montreal at a local natural wine bar that’s been “their spot” since they took their first big international trip together two months after they started dating. Since then, they’ve visited every year. They visited Burlington, Vermont (specifically Dedalus Wine Bar) for the first time two years ago and fell in love with the atmosphere and community in a similar way to Montreal which is why it was the perfect alternative location for their wedding day festivities. To end the wonderfully laid-back day, the couple along with their intimate guest list enjoyed a delicious private dinner at Hen of the Wood right in the restaurant’s kitchen!
Both Shanna and Ian are super laid back people. They go with the flow and have fun which is exactly how they celebrated their proposal and wedding. The proposal happened right in the middle of Covid during a little trip they took together. Shanna had been cleaning and found the ring box in a random drawer, but she didn’t sneak a peak at the ring, waiting for the actual moment to see it. The question came while on a beautiful, rain-soaked cliff walk with Freida their first cavapoo (Coco was not yet a part of the family). Freida sensed the romantic moment approaching and decided this was the perfect time to poo. Ian was picking it up when Shanna turned around and he was on one knee in the mud and pouring rain. They celebrated in their fashion with pizza and (natural) wine that evening.
Their wedding was nothing short of unique, easygoing, and spectacular. It wouldn’t have been a Shanna + Ian milestone if it weren’t raining, and so Vermont delivered that day. Luckily, it rained just enough for the waterfront boardwalk to glisten but not enough to dampen the couple’s bright day. They started their day getting ready at the lovely Lang House on Main Bed and Breakfast and were ready to have their couple portraits taken at two quintessential Burlington locations: the waterfront boardwalk and the University of Vermont’s campus. From there, family portraits took place in the beautiful, cozy, and warm lounge at the Lang House on Main. The festivities took place at two incredible local gems: Dedalus Wine Bar and Hen of the Wood. Both places welcomed Shanna, Ian, and their guests with open arms, amazing wine, and delicious food. Dedalus offered a special and custom natural wine tasting and everybody went home with a luxurious goodie bag of one of the wines they tried. At Hen of the Wood, everybody dined at the exclusive Chef’s Table which gave them better than front-row seats to the kitchen behind-the-scenes because they dined right in the middle of the kitchen. It was a beautiful candle-lit private dinner that ended the day full of love, laugh, and incredible food.
Congratulations Shanna & Ian!
Photography | Mei Lin Barral Photography
Wine Tasting Venue | Dedalus Wine Shop, Market, & Wine Bar
Reception Venue + Catering | Hen of the Wood
Wedding Planner | The couple themselves plus Shanna’s sister
Hair & Makeup | The bride + her sister
Rings | D. Cole Jewelers
Bridal Gown | Sarah Seven
Bridal Shoes | The Attico
Groom’s Suit | Suit Supply
Mei Lin (first name, she/her) is a Chicago intimate wedding, elopement, & dog photographer who's passionate about commemorating diverse couples grounded in the present moment. Animal welfare, social justice, and sustainability are three things that are really important to her. Trans rights are human rights. Love is love. Stop AAPI Hate. Black Lives Matter.
about the author
for couples grounded
in the present moment.
Utilizing sustainable practices INCLUDING LEAVE NO TRACE.
Chicago intimate
Wedding Photographer
LGBTQ+, BIPOC, & Woman-operated
© 2024 Mei Lin Barral Photography
brand + web design by inkpot creative, llc
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