Spring Engagement Session At Gabis Arboretum

June 18, 2018 Steve Vansak

Nature was in full bloom at Gabis Arboretum (formerly Taltree Arboretum) for Erica and Stephen's Spring engagement session. Their son Ace tagged along to make sure Mom and Dad didn't get lost in the woods and he even jumped in for some family pictures.

Family time at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Engagement photos along the wooded paths of Gabis Arboretum.

Erica and Stephen are getting married in 2019 and are new to the area. I suggested the famed Valparaiso nature preserve for it's scenic landscaping and the unique colors it often produces.

Purple hues in the garden at Gabis Arboretum.

Romantic engagement photos at Gabis Arboretum.

I have a feeling Erica and Stephen will be bringing their son back to the Arboretum for all of the events and railway garden. It's a great spot for family outings as well as photo sessions like theirs. Please use the Contact Form to inquire about your engagement session here or elsewhere.

Fall Engagement Photos At Taltree Arboretum

October 23, 2017 Steve Vansak

Sun streams through the trees like a fire mist during an engagement session at Taltree Arboretum.

Fall is upon us and the wonderful colors of the season are starting to show. For Kim and Tim's engagement session we chose Taltree Arboretum to show off their love as well as the wonderful Autumn color. We also made a quick stop before hand to the iconic old Crown Point Courthouse for sentimental reasons as the groom to be's great grandmother had gotten married there.

A couple in love in front of the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Taltree Arboretum is a lovely nature preserve in Valparaiso, Indiana. I'm always amazed by the different colors on display the various times of the year.

Autumn engagement photos at Taltree Arboretum.

We played with the sun in the background for a romantic glow as well as "falling" leaves. Kim and Tim played along with my corny jokes and I had a great time capturing their engagement photos.

A golden light engulfs a young couple at Taltree Arboretum.

Fall engagement photos at the scenic Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana.

One of our final shots of the day had Kim and Tim taking a walk among the wildflowers at Taltree with the setting sun putting an orange tinge upon the background.

The sun sets upon the widlflowers as a couple in loves takes a romantic stroll.

To see more images from Kim and Tim's Fall engagement session at Taltree Arboretum, check out the Instagram feed below. Also, be sure to fill out the Contact Form to schedule your own session. Enjoy those Fall colors!!

Fall Engagement Photos At Taltree Arboretum

November 14, 2016 Steve Vansak

Leaves turn orange and red at Taltree Arboretum for a Fall engagement session.

Cynthia and Tom were looking for maximum color for their Fall engagement session and they found it in spades at Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana. The newly engaged couple wandered the nature retreat with me as I took photos to show off their love as well as the fabulous Autumn color.

Fall engagement photos at Taltree Arboretum.

Everywhere we turned another picturesque scene was in front of us. We could have explored further, but rain the night before made some of the trails quite muddy. We stayed on the pavement and one of our final images was on the rolling hills in the middle of the park with the distant tree leaves a burning red.

Fall engagement photo on the rolling hills at Taltree Arboretum.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at Cynthia and Tom's Fall engagement session at Taltree Arboretum. Stay tuned here and on the Region Weddings Instagram feed for many more images.

Fall Wedding At Avalon Manor

October 10, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom display their Thank You sign on wedding day.

Fall is upon us with temperatures falling, Autumn leaves in all kinds of colors and wedding season at it's peak!! Stephanie and Brett's October wedding saw us going from getting ready at the groom's parent's home to a first look at Taltree Arboretum and our final destination of Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana.

Stephanie and her girls were in great spirits as I captured all of their laughs and all of their toasts! As their tee shirts stated - the bridesmaids got the bubbly, but Stephanie got a hubby!

Bridal prep for an outdoor Fall wedding at Avalon Manor.

Laughter and spirits during bridal prep.

Stephanie and Brett's first look at Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso was filled with wonderfully real emotion. After this private moment that we captured from a distance, we went all around the nature preserve with the wedding party and eventually ended with some romantic photos of the soon to be married couple.

First look / reveal at Taltree Arboretum.

The bride and groom take a break on a bench at Taltree Arboretum.

Romantic wedding photos at Taltree Arboretum nature garden.

From the glistening sun poking through the colorful trees to the blue skies and the lake, we pretty much had a gorgeous backdrop every way we turned. We heard a few farm animals on the loose as well.

A sunstar appears through the trees as the bride and groom embrace.

The bride shows off her garter as she shares a romantic moment with her groom.

The bridesmaids each had their own sign showing their connection to Stephanie. It was a nice continuation of Stephanie and Brett's engagement photos from last Fall.

Stephanie's dress was just perfect and I especially loved the texture within it. We took a few wide shots to show off the dress as well as the picturesque nature all around us.

The bride shows off her dress at Taltree Arboretum.

We lined up the wedding party up on top of the rolling hills at the entrance of Taltree Arboretum with the sun shining brightly behind them. Then it was time for some cute blowing kisses pictures before we took off for the early evening ceremony.

The wedding party on top of the rolling hills at Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The outdoor ceremony at Avalon Manor saw every seat full along with a standing crowd in the back. Two acoustic guitar players strummed and sang as the wedding party entered and exited. Stephanie and Brett were grinning ear to ear through their vows and raised their hands in the air in celebration as they were pronounced husband and wife.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Avalon Manor.

The bride and groom celebrate at their outdoor ceremony at Avalon Manor.

After family photos it was time to go inside for cake cutting and speeches. Oh, the decor and candy buffet from How Sweet It Is Events was simply SPECTACULAR!!

Party time at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana.

Father and daughter first dance at Avalon manor.

Mother and son first dance at Avalon Manor.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Stephanie and Brett's Fall wedding at Avalon Manor. Stay tuned to social media for more images. As always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your wedding date.