As we close the chapter on 2025, I’m incredibly grateful for every couple who trusted us to document one of the most meaningful days of their lives. From intimate celebrations to packed dance floors, and from Northwest Indiana to the Chicago area and Southwest Michigan, this year was filled with genuine emotion, beautiful light, and unforgettable moments.
Read moreLake Katherine Botanic Gardens Wedding Photos
Rodger and Jessica recently had a wonderful summer wedding in Illinois which saw them taking wedding portraits at beautiful Lake Katherine Botanic Gardens in Palos Heights, Illinois.
The couple had a private ceremony in Bridgeview, Illinois, then met up with family and friends (including their beloved dogs) for a quick celebration before I captured their wedding photos in front of the waterfall at Lake Katherine.
Read moreMicro Wedding At Twilight At Barker Mansion
Bride and groom encircled by light at historic Barker Mansion.
Alyssa and Goran were married during twilight at the historic Barker Mansion in Michigan City. I met up with the bride inside the bridal suite while it was still light out and soon we were outside in the courtyard for the ceremony.
Barker Mansion is a terrific venue for micro weddings and elopements. The reception was held outside under a covered space in the courtyard and we did photos inside and out of the historic, 100+ year old building.
The bride has a laugh inside the bridal suite at Barker Mansion.
The bride on the red carpeted staircase at Barker Mansion.
A modern bride portrait with a vintage look.
While I definitely shoot in color at Barker Mansion weddings, the building begs for some vintage looks in some of the photos as well.
Guests arrived into the soon to be dark courtyard and were greeted by an illuminated backdrop where the couple would be married under the night sky. During cocktail hour I took the newlyweds throughout the mansion for pictures.
A micro wedding at Barker Mansion in Michigan City.
Twilight wedding ceremony in the Barker Mansion courtyard.
Newlyweds inside historic Barker Mansion.
The bride and groom take a tour of the historic Barker Mansion.
Outdoor wedding reception in the courtyard at Barker Mansion.
This is merely a sneak peek look at Alyssa and Goran’s micro wedding at Barker Mansion in Michigan City. Be sure to check out the Instagram channel listed below for more images from this wedding along with others.
To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, be it a micro wedding / elopement or full day wedding - please fill out the Contact Form right here.
Barker Mansion is a very classy and elegant wedding venue. Follow this link to view a bridal portrait session done during daytime hours recently. Enjoy!
Region Weddings Instagram Feed:
Micro Wedding Session At Friendship Botanical Garden
Dust from the overhead sun descends upon the bride and groom.
What in the world is a micro wedding?!! Simply, it’s an intimate affair with guests of 50 or less. Alternately it’s called an elopement wedding or a Zoom wedding. These have always been around but really gained popularity in 2020.
Sometimes a micro wedding is paired down to the couple only with a friend who got ordained as an officiant online. Today’s article is focused on the couple and the portraits we take before or after the exchanging of the vows.
These elopement portraits of Jenny and Christian were all taken at Friendship Botanical Garden, a beautiful location for full weddings as well as micro weddings / elopement ceremonies.
Bride at Friendship Botanical Garden.
Groom at Friendship Botanical Garden.
Bride and groom on the wooden white bridge.
If you are wondering where to get started with your micro wedding, definitely check out the following articles I wrote:
Best Locations For Chicago Elopements
Introducing Elopement Photography for Indiana, Chicago and Southwest Michigan
Bridal portrait on the wood and metal bridge at Friendship Botanical Garden.
Micro wedding session images at Friendship Garden in Michigan City.
Friendship Botanical Garden is a very large property. So after you jump for joy at having tied the knot, it’s the perfect spot to roam for a few hours getting timeless images of you and your partner. It also has many “mini wedding venues” that can accommodate guests and some are covered as well.
Close up portraits of the bride and her bouquet.
Close up portraits of the bride.
Are you ready to go micro? Think about it - the fewer the guests, the less opinions and the fewer people to please. You can still celebrate with a small group or just make it the two of you.
If you do choose an intimate wedding, I hope you will go pro with the photographs and allow me to get creative with you on location. We can go with nature, urban or indoor chic with the PeerSpace app.
Contact me right here for availability.