Winter Wedding At Maki Ballroom

December 7, 2020 Steve Vansak

Christmas tree lights surround the bride and groom outside the Old Lake County Courthouse.

Tori and Steve had originally planned to have a Spring wedding but this is the year 2020 and well, we all know that plans for this year had to be flexible to put it mildly.

So a winter wedding it ended up being and what a beautiful day it was.

I started off with bridal prep at the Old Lake County Courthouse inside the spacious Accessor’s Room on the third floor while Kay covered guy’s prep at the couple’s home.

Bridal details at the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

The bride and her bridesmaid’s get ready for the big day in Crown Point, Indiana.

In between taking details photos of fun moments, mementos and the flowers provided by Kathy’s Florist I also snuck down to the Maki Ballroom as was amazed at how Stacey and crew of The Grand CP had created a winter wonderland for the reception later that night. Stay tuned for those images down below.

Bridal prep at the Old Crown Point Courthouse

The ceremony took place just down the street at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Crown Point. Before we left the downtown Square to see Tori walk down the aisle, we had a first look with Dad and Kay took some portraits of the groom outside the venerable church while I shot the girls in the downtown area.

First look with Dad on the 3rd floor of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Portraits of the bride inside the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Bride and bridesmaids outside the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Groom and groomsmen prep at a Crown Point winter wedding.

Groom and groomsmen photos outside St. Mary’s Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

The bride escorted down the aisle by her parents.

Winter wedding ceremony at St. Mary’s Church in Crown Point.

After the ceremony we took family photos and bride and groom photos inside the church. Then we made our way to downtown Crown Point for some unique, night time bride and groom pictures outside and inside the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Bride and groom portraits on the altar at St. Mary’s Church.

The bride and groom take a stroll down the center aisle of St. Mary’s Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

The newlyweds before they exit the church parking lot.

A nighttime wedding photo during the holiday season in front of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Under the veil wedding photo in downtown Crown Point during a December wedding.

Bride and groom on the stairs leading to the 3rd floor of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

As I explained earlier, Maki Ballroom truly was a winter wonderland. Musician Denny B. entertained guest before and after dinner. Spotlight was on the bride and groom for the first dance and the father of the bride got a bit emotional during the dance with his daughter.

Winter wedding decorations at Maki Ballroom.

A winter themed wedding inside Maki Ballroom.

First dance for a winter themed wedding at Maki Ballroom.

Winter wedding reception at Maki Ballroom inside the old Crown Point Courthouse.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Tori and Steve’s winter wedding at Maki Ballroom inside the Old Crown Point Courthouse. Be sure to fill out the contact form to inquire about your big day right here. Stay tuned for more wedding photographer here and on the social media channels below.

June Wedding At Aberdeen Manor

June 30, 2020 Steve Vansak

Passionate kiss after a June wedding ceremony.

Two wedding dresses, an outdoor ceremony and a church blessing and the love and support of a whole bunch of friends and family = Kaley and Adam’s June wedding.

This summer wedding day started out at the couple’s home where I photographed bridal decor, hair and make up as well as the bride’s reading of a love letter from her husband to be.

Two wedding dresses and the flower girl’s dress.

The bride reads a love letter from her husband to be.

Just before we left for Saint Mary’s Church in Crown Point, Indiana, Kaley had a couple of bridal reveals with her parents as well as the bridesmaids.

The bride and groom are ready to be married.

Like many churches, Saint Mary’s in Crown Point has crowd size restrictions due to the current health crisis. Nonetheless, this Catholic church wedding ceremony was able to take place and then we were off to Valparaiso, Indiana for an outdoor ceremony in front of friends and family.

June wedding ceremony and blessing at St. Mary’s Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

I definitely wanted to make sure I captured some photos of the bide and groom at this beautiful church before I took off for the 2nd outdoor ceremony.

The bride shows off her long veil on the altar at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride and groom at the altar of St. Mary.

Second photographer Kerrie was capturing guests arriving for the ceremony while we were en-route from Crown Point. Soon Kaley would be walking down the aisle again, this time in front of an audience of friends and family. This time Grandpa Joe was the officiant.

Backyard wedding ceremony in Valparaiso, Indiana.

First kiss for the bride and groom at their June wedding.

Romantic stroll for the bride and groom after their Summer outdoor wedding ceremony.

We took family photos at this time as well as images of the wedding party. After our flying veil shot, we took off for the reception where second photographer Kerrie was already photographing cocktail hour.

A long wedding dress veil flies in the air as the bride kisses her groom.

After some energetic introductions and cake cutting, dinner began at Aberdeen Manor Ballroom in Valparaiso, Indiana. When the first dance began, the groom gave his bride a spin and finally a dip on the dance floor.

A June wedding reception at Aberdeen Manor.

A spin for the bride on the dance floor of Aberdeen Manor.

Parent dances at a June wedding at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso.

A full dance floor at Aberdeen Manor for a summer wedding.

A night time dip for the bride outside Aberdeen Manor Ballroom.

This is merely a sneak peek at Kaley and Adam’s June wedding at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso with many more to come. Stay tuned to the Region Wedding sInstagram account for more images from this and other weddings. Also, be sure to fill out the Contact Form here to inquire about your big day. Enjoy!!

Church Weddings In Northwest Indiana and Chicago

April 18, 2016 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom stand center aisle at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Laporte, Indiana.

I love photographing in the outdoors and now that temperatures are rising here in the Midwest, I'm energized for all of the weddings coming up and engagement sessions as well. However, I equally enjoy shooting inside at churches. Often times the lighting can be challenging and movement can often be restricted, but it has it's photographic rewards. Let me take you through some church weddings done throughout Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan. Here are some of the things I love about them and what can make them difficult to photograph as well.

Church wedding ceremonies in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan.

I usually position myself in the center aisle and cover the procession while one of my second photographers is usually assigned coverage of the "reactions" - groom anticipating his bride, parents, guests, loved ones, tears, laughter and more. I can feel the nervous tension in the room just before the bride comes down the aisle and I can only imagine what the couple must be feeling. Some churches have quite the long walkway too!!

We never use flash during the ceremony as it is distracting and often prohibited. If we have access, we always try to capture closeups of the emotions from family and even the bride and groom themselves. As the lead photographer, I tend to focus more on the couple getting married and the architecture shots while my second photographer (and myself too) looks for emotional moments. Oh, and I love capturing images that show off the church and the significance of the various religious symbolism. I've photographed really large churches such as St. Andrew in Calumet City, St. Stanislaus in Michigan City and St. Josephat in Chicago as well as tiny little chapels.

Wonderful moments at various church weddings.

Family photographs usually occur right after the ceremony. Sometimes a bubble send off occurs and then it's right back inside for pictures. If you have a limited amount of time ( most weddings do) I'd encourage you to skip the traditional receiving line at the church. Family pictures usually take awhile to organize, plus we have wedding party and couple's photos as well. Most couples go table to table for a meet and greet at the reception.

I bring professional, studio quality lighting for the church family photos and couple's photos. The ceremony is now over and the pastor or priest will now allow us to use our lighting. We follow along on the shot list that you filled out. I love to take artistic photos inside the church, but simple pictures with grandma and parents, etc. are equally important. They and you will cherish these.

Family and wedding party photos inside a church.

The bride on the altar at St. Mary's Church in Crown Point.

Often times people have been attending their church for years and often don't realize the beauty that is there. After some shots of the happy couple in their church, it's usually off to the park, beach or wherever for fun shots and romantic photos.

Artistic church wedding photos in Northwest Indiana and Chicago.

I hope you have enjoyed this look at church weddings in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan. To inquire about your wedding date - church or otherwise - please fill out the Contact Form and I will get back with you shortly.

Military guard salute at St. Mary's Church in Griffith, Indiana.

Wedding At St. Mary's Catholic Church In Griffith, Indiana

October 27, 2015 Steve Vansak

The newly married couple exits St. Mary's amid bubbles.

Michelle and Derrick's Fall wedding at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Griffith saw them surrounded by a large group of family and friends. And, as you can tell from the image above, some very large celebratory bubbles as well.

Our day started with bridal prep at The Patrician where the reception would also take place. It was a whirlwind of activity with hairspray, make up, laughter, champagne and more.

Bridal prep at The Patrician in Schererville, Indiana.

Derrick's mom brought along baby pictures of the groom to show off while Kristina, MOH and sister of the bride displayed stuffed bears representing the bride and groom as part of the decor.

I photographed the bride and bridesmaids at The Patrician while my second photographer photographed the guys near the church. Then it was off for a first look with Dad and then the ceremony.

The bride just before her Fall wedding ceremony.

I love the long aisle way at St. Mary's Church in Griffith and the balcony that gives me a bird's eye view of the ceremony. It's a lovely church and it was filled with love and laughter during Michelle and Derrick's wedding vows.

Wedding ceremony at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Griffith, Indiana.

A view from the balcony at St. Mary's Church in Griffith, Indiana.

The newly married couple were radiant as they exited the church...

The newly married couple exits St. Mary's Church.

After family pictures it was off to Carmelite Shrine in Munster for some hidden forest, Fall wedding photos.

The bride and groom stroll through the walkways of Carmelite Shrine in Munster, Indiana.

The Patrician was filled with a purple hue for the celebration. Wine was distributed to every guest and also served as a table placard. The toasts were funny and heartfelt and the cake was cut and eaten. It was now time for dancing and fun!!

Wedding reception fun at The Patrician Banquets.

First dance awash with purple and blue uplighting.

Bouquet toss at The Patrician Banquet Center.

For more Derrick and Michelle photos and all kinds of wedding photography updates, please visit the social media links below. Happy Fall everyone!!