2021 Year In Review - Midwest Wedding Photography

December 29, 2021 Steve Vansak

Welcome to my 2021 Year in Review! What a year it has been for wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, southwest Michigan and the Chicago area.

Above is a short video slideshow to give you an overview of the entire year in pictures. Turn up the volume and enjoy.

Of course, scrolling through this blog / journal you will find the stories of the weddings days (with lots of images) of many of my clients dating all the way back to 2010. This post will concentrate on the images from 2021 (also check out Sarah + Brents’s Short Film embedded at the end) with a few comments from me.

As always, inquire on my Contact Form about openings for your big day for photography as well as Short Films.

Happy New Year!

I had one lone wedding in March at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana and then the season kicked off in earnest in late May. After that, WEDDINGS DID NOT STOP! In late June I recall 5 weddings in one 10 day period. This wedding season saw many weekday weddings.

Some of the early Spring wedding venues as seen above were Sand Creek Country Club, The Grand CP and Journeyman Distillery.

Wedding photo in the garden at Centennial Park.

June turned out to be the busiest month of the year for Midwest weddings in 2021. The Fall season usually takes that crown but this year was more traditional.

The beginning of Summer saw weddings in Monee, Illinois as well as Meyer’s Castle, Tying the Knot wedding venue in Michigan, Whiting Lakefront Park and The Lighthouse Lodge in Monticello, Indiana.

The bride’s veil flies in the air as she kisses her groom at a summer wedding in Northwest Indiana.

As summer rolled on, I photographed such diverse Northwest Indiana wedding venues such as County Line Orchard, The Pavilion at Sandy Pines as well as church weddings in downtown Chicago.

Yes, you are seeing an actual rainbow in the image above! After a rain delay of an outdoor ceremony at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana a rainbow appeared in the sky. I can honestly that was a wedding first for me and no photoshop was involved.

Wedding ceremonies at County Line Orchard and Marquette Park Pavilion. — Weddings at County Line Orchard and Marquette Park Pavilion.

A Harry Potter themed wedding took place this year at The Grand CP in Crown Point, Indiana along with receptions at Maggiano’s, a Chicago wedding venue in River North area as well as a beautiful outdoor wedding at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Romantic wedding moments in Northwest Indiana.

Early Fall saw me back at Gabis Arboretum for another outdoor wedding at the scenic Northwest Indiana wedding venue as well as the venerable Avalon Manor.

Weddings at Gabis Arboretum and Avalon Manor.

Candid wedding photography at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana. — Bride and groom in a candid moment at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

Fall is always busy for weddings in Northwest Indiana and throughout the Midwest. This year I had many church weddings in the Autumn with photos at locations such at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Centennial Park.

The Fall wedding season also saw me return to Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City along with photos at the gorgeous Friendship Botanic Gardens.

Silver Lake Country Club and Georgio’s Banquets in Orland Park, Illinois were two of my Illinois wedding venue destinations this year.

Midwest wedding photos taken in the Fall season.

The end of October into early November gave us some intense Fall color at a Briar Ridge Country Club as well as a return to County Line Orchard along with church nuptials.

Early winter weddings often mean it gets dark early. For an early December wedding at Four Season’s Clubhouse we ventured outside for blue hour in this winter wedding photo below.

A groom dips his bride outside at night during a winter wedding in Northwest Indiana.

Winter weddings at The Grand CP and Center For The Visual and Performing Arts.

Wedding Season 2021 ended with a December wedding at Center For Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana in mid December and a Christmas Eve wedding in Wilmington, Illinois.

Bridesmaids pose on the staircase during a December wedding at Northwest Indiana wedding venue Center For Visual and performing Arts. — Bride and bridesmaids on the staircase during a December wedding at Center For Visual and Performing Arts.

Christmas weddings in Northwest Indiana and Illinois.

It was a glorious year for weddings in 2021!!

As a bonus for making it this far down in my Year in Review post, press play below on the Short Film video that Sarah and Brent added to the wedding package of their winter wedding.

In case you didn’t know that there was an option to add video to your wedding photography package, more info can be found at this link.

September Wedding At Uptown Social

September 29, 2020 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom passionately kiss on the stage at Uptown Social.

Colleen and Michael held their September wedding in several locations culminating in an extended photo shoot and reception at the very elegant Uptown Social in Michigan City, Indiana.

Our day started out at CJ Warren Salon and Spa in Crown Point, Indiana before moving to the St. Matthias Parish Bridal Suite for bridal prep as well as groom prep. All floral is by La Petite Fleuriste.

Bridal prep at CJ Warren and St. Matthias Parish.

Bridal details at St. Matthias in Crown Point, Indiana.

Groom prep and gift exchange at St. Matthias Parish.

During this getting ready period Colleen and Michael also did a gift exchange as well as separate portraits inside the church just before the ceremony began. We also snuck a first look with Dad.

The bride opens her gifts from the groom.

Portraits of the bride at Saint Matthias Parish in Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride on the altar at St. Matthias Parish.

Colleen’s Dad waiting down one of the church aisles for his daughter to tap him on the shoulder before turning around to greet his daughter tearing up during the moment.

The wedding ceremony saw the couple exchange vows while friends and family looked on. Afterwards we took family photos and wedding party and then we were off to Michigan City for the big party.

Wedding Ceremony at Saint Matthias Parish in Crown Point, Indiana.

A Catholic wedding ceremony at St. Matthias Parish.

Bride and groom in center aisle at Saint Matthias Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

The newlyweds in the backseat of a classic car.

Bride and groom arrive at Uptown Social in Michigan City for their wedding reception.

Wedding portrait in front of a red door.

Looking suave and elegant at the entrance to Uptown Social in Michigan City.

Colleen and Michael made both the ballroom and cocktail area their own with unique decor including drawings from caricature artist Nate as well as their very own drink commemorating the year 2020.

Wedding reception decor at Uptown Social in Michigan City.

Cocktail hour and wedding reception speeches and cake cutting.

Parent and first dance at a wedding reception at Uptown Social Center in Michigan City.

27 Entertainment played the soundtrack for the evening and 99.9% of guests were into the vibe except for the flower girl. I think it may have been pajama time for her! :)

#GetDownAtUptown for Colleen and Michael’s wedding reception.

Franklin Street in Michigan City is lit up wonderfully in the evening so we slipped out into the street for some night time wedding photos showing off the explosion of light and love on the big day.

Romantic night time wedding pictures in downtown Michigan City.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Colleen and Michael’s elegant September wedding at Saint Matthias Church in Crown Point as well as Uptown Social in Michigan City. Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography for your big day.

Getting down at Uptown during a wedding reception.

Indian Wedding in Skokie, Illinois: Nikah and Reception

December 26, 2019 Steve Vansak

The newlyweds on stage at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.

Day 3 - Nikah

If you missed Day 1 and Day 2 of Ahsan and Molly’s traditional Indian wedding please follow this link right here. Of course, don’t forget to come back here for the Nikah ceremony and reception.

It was a very bright day and the sun made Molly’s white dress glow as Ahsan awaited her tap on the shoulder for their first look. Associate photographers Jaime and Bridget captured the moment from all angles before heading inside of His Highness Prince Karim Worship Center for the formal ceremony.

Once again, many thanks to Raag and Isha of Paraagon Films for being so welcoming as we worked together during this epic wedding.

First look for the bride and groom at His Highness Prince Karim Worship Center.

Portraits of the bride and groom at their Nikah.

Ahsan and Molly officially became married with traditional rituals and friends and family gathered behind them. They then headed to the Koba Kobi with traditional marriage games played as the bride and groom sat opposite one another. The living room of the home was packed with people but wide angle lenses to the rescue!!

Ahsan and Molly are officially married following time honored religious traditions.

Koba Kobi marriage games after the ceremony.

Day 4 - Reception

The reception day began with the bride and her bridesmaids prepping for their big celebration. Bangles and soirees and hair and jewelry were all precisely placed. I asked Molly if I could take some extreme close ups of her during this time and she obliged. Associate photographer Jaime captured the groom and his guys.

Bridal prep for an Indian wedding at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.

The bride shows off her incredible red dress on Day 4 of her traditional Indian wedding.

Groomsmen prep on Day 4 of an Indian wedding.

The groom all suited up for the reception.

Just before introductions I was able to steal a few minutes of the bride and groom’s time for some portraits inside and outside of their ballroom. We did some family group photos and wedding party group shots as well. Then it was on to the party!

The bride and groom before their big entrance at their wedding reception.

Bride and groom portraits on stage in the North Shore Ballroom at Holiday Inn Skokie.

The beautiful bride in her reception dress.

Before introductions we made a sweep of the room to capture all of the wonderfully colorful decor. Then the lights went down and introductions began going right into the cake cutting and first dance.

Decorations for an Indian wedding reception at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.

Ahsan and Molly did their take on the shoe game. Then it was time for something really unique as the groom had to guess which kiss came from his wife. He was blindfolded of course. I’m not going to say whom he chose, but I will say that those whiskers from the best man’s beard MUST HAVE been a giveaway. It was one of those times where I had to remind myself to stop laughing and start shooting. It was truly a good time!!

The best man, maid of honor and friends roast the bride and groom during their reception.

The rest of the night was pure dance floor fun with one surprise pause where the groom showed videos of friends and family talking about how much they loved Molly, his bride. It made her tear up before once again hitting the dance floor.

A fun reception of an Indian wedding at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.

It was an incredible 4 days just north of Chicago capturing Ahsan and Molly’s traditional Indian wedding. The rituals kept us on our toes, the colors were beautiful, but most of all every moment was heartfelt and authentic.

There are SO MANY more images from this wedding that I can’t possibly fit here. Please do follow Region Weddings on Instagram for more from this wedding and others. As always, Contact Me right here to inquire about your big day. To view Day 1 - Mehndi Party and Day 2 - Nikah, click over to this link. Enjoy!!

Indian Wedding in Skokie, Illinois: Mehndi and Sangeet

December 26, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom own the stage at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.

Day 1 - Mehndi Party

Ahsan and Molly’s wedding was a traditional 4 day celebration which began with covering the Mehndi Party at the parent’s of the bride while associate photographer Jaime was with groom and his family at another nearby home. This is Part 1 covering Day 1 and Day 2. To view highlights from Day 3 and Day 4, please follow this link here.

Henna artist were on hand at both locations and lots of well wishes, good food and laughter were on display.

Henna and make up are applied at the Mehndi Party for the bride.

The bride displays her henna art for the camera.

The Mehndi Party is a pre-celebration and was our shortest day of coverage. It was wonderful to meet everyone involved and we all hit it off really well. I knew we were in for a terrific next 3 days of intense celebration. Many thanks to Raag and Isha of Paraagon Films for being so welcoming as we worked together.

Day 2 - Sangeet

I love music so I was looking forward to the Sangeet taking place at the Skokie Banquet & Conference Center. Friends and family would be performing later in the evening but first we captured the colorful decor of the room before the bride and groom’s pithy (good luck ritual) and the “egging of the groom” which lead to a break in the festivities for a changing of clothes. Let’s just say this was one time where the groom was probably going to take a little longer than the bride to get ready!! See below…

Colorful decorations at the Sangeet celebration.

The groom was brought in first…

The groom’s pithi ceremony at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.

Now, I had been told of the “egging of the groom” but I had not anticipated the level at which the groomsmen would take this ritual. Let’s just say, when Ahsan becomes a groomsman for one of these guys - look out, I think revenge will be off the charts!! Vinegar, salmon, flour, ketchup are just a few of the ingredients seen below. Even the bride did a cake smash on her husband to be.

If you have a groom to be who isn’t carrying his weight with wedding planning, just show him these next set of images to set him straight!! haha

The “egging of the groom” with a healthy showering of white vinegar.

After a pause for a changing of clothes for Ahsan and Molly, the Sangeet music party began with introductions and performances. I was able to snag the bride and groom for a few portraits after dinner before round 2 of the musical celebration began.

Introduction of the bride and groom with musical performances from friends and family.

The bride and groom on their colorful stage.

Happy moments for the bride and groom during their Sangeet celebration.

Molly looked exquisite during some quick portraits in between musical performances.

The performances came from children, family members, friends, members of the wedding party and finally the bride and groom themselves took to the floor. Then they invited guests up as the room engulfed with sound.

Music and dance performances from friends and family and the bride and groom.

The dance floor opens up to guests for the finale of the Sangeet.

I hope you are enjoying Day 1 and Day 2 of Ahsan and Molly’s traditional Indian wedding at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center. To view Day 3 and Day 4, please follow this link.

To inquire about wedding photography, please fill out the Contact form right here.