Wedding At Gamba's Ristorante In Merrillville, Indiana

September 21, 2015 Steve Vansak

First dance for the bride and groom at Gamba's Ristorante.

It came as no surprise to me that Allen and Nicole were introduced to friends and family at their reception at Gamba's Ristorante to the sounds of the Chicago Blackhawks Win Song!! A year ago I photographed their engagement session in Chicago that featured the happy couple in Hawks jerseys. What a fun introduction it was!!

Their day started out at Chesterton United Methodist Church where emotions got teary eyed as Nicole and her bridesmaids got ready for her big day.

The bride and her bridesmaids get ready at Chesterton United Methodist Church.

The emotions spilled over to the groom as well as Nicole's Dad as he escorted her to the front of the church. It was a terrific ceremony with laughter, tears and... bubbles!!

Wedding ceremony at Chesterton United Methodist Church.

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We did family and wedding party photos in the church and then it was off to Coffee Creek Park where there wasn't a cloud in the sky. We captured the couple and wedding party with the picturesque fountain in the background and then found a quiet bench for our newly married couple to have a romantic moment.

Bride and groom at Coffee Creek Park in Chesterton, Indiana.

The dance floor was packed all night at Gamba's Ristorante. I had to go overhead to capture faces while second photographer Lauren captured the cake and the delightful champagne glasses engraved with the couple's names and wedding date.

Wedding reception at Gamba's Ristorante in Merrillville, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Allen and Nicole's wedding. Please follow Region Weddings on social media for more images!!

Wedding At Christ Lutheran Church In Valparaiso

July 24, 2015 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss at the altar of Christ Lutheran Church.

At times, Stephanie and Brett's wedding ceremony at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso felt like a family reunion. The pews were packed and kids who were moving about from one family member to the other. They were all well behaved and it was sweet to see. Pastor Tim was very welcoming and had a great sense of humor thought the nuptials.

Our day started out at the groom's parent's home where Stephanie and her bridesmaids were getting ready. I had fun interacting with them and capturing all of the laughs. The bride was as calm as could be. Toni Dockery and Maria Blanco provided hair and make up.

The bride and bridesmaids and family get ready for the big day.

It appears as though 2015 is the year for red haired brides!! I told Stephanie to "glam it up" with her new sunglasses that are no doubt being put to use on their honeymoon as I type this.

A pretty red haired bride on her big day.

Our second photographer Kerrie captured the guy's getting ready and I took a few of Brett on the spectacular altar area at the church.

The groom stands tall at the altar of Christ Lutheran Church.

Soon it was ceremony time and all eyes were upon Stephanie as she walked down the aisle. We captured the ceremony from all angles with an emphasis on family interaction.

A wedding ceremony at Christ Lutheran Church.

After family photos inside of the church, we took off to Ogden Garden in Valparaiso. At this point we had already heard tornado warning talk and when we got there a sprinkle of rain occurred. We had to hustle to get photographs in and as soon as we finished a major storm rolled in. I'm happy to report that we all survived the typhoon. :)

Wedding photos at Ogden Garden in Valparaiso, IN.

The reception took place at Ambassador Banquets in Hobart, Indiana. They have a very long dance floor that was perfect for wedding party introductions. Stephanie and Brett started the honeymoon early with those sunglasses!!

The newly married couple enter Ambassador Hall in Hobart, Indiana.

The reception featured 27 Entertainment with DJ services and live music. One of the biggest hits of the night was the incredible cupcake table by Laura Hecht. I stalked the long dance floor from end to end capturing the fun faces and crazy moments that were unfolding.

The first dances were in the center of the banquet room with our spotlight following the bride and groom along with their parents.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Stephanie and Brett's summer wedding. Stay tuned here and on social media for more images to follow.

First dances at an Ambassador Banquets wedding reception.

Literary Themed Wedding at Centennial Park

July 6, 2015 Steve Vansak

Shadow of a heart with a wedding ring placed inside a book.

Katie and Kurt are fans of the Harry Potter series of books and avid readers. It made perfect sense for them to have a literary themed wedding complete with books on every table at their reception at Centennial Park in Munster.

The day began at Hampton Inn where the girls got ready. It was there amongst all the laughter and hairspray that I first spotted the library due date cards that would be serving as table placards later in the night.

The bride puts on earrings as window light shines upon her.

Katie looked resplendent in her veil and we definitely showed it off in pictures. I took the girls into the hotel lobby for posed as well as goof off photos and I took Katie outside for a walk.

Bridesmaids wedding photos in Munster, Indiana.

The ceremony took place at Ridge United Methodist Church with Father Steve as officiant. The tall building gave me opportunity to get some nice wide shots of the altar and the center aisle was perfect for up close shots as Katie and Kurt were married.

Wedding ceremony at Ridge United Methodist Church.

We were concerned about storms as the couple exited the church with bubbles surrounding them. However, I put in a text to Mother Nature and the rain held off!!

Bubbles surround the newly married couple at Ridge United Methodist Church in Munster, IN.

Centennial Park was our last stop of the day for photos as well as the literary themed wedding reception. The newly married couple walked alone across the bridge while we loaned out a golf cart for a fun group wedding photo.

The bride and groom walk across the bridge at Centennial Park.

The literary themed wedding really showed at the reception with books adorning each table and the library due date cards for each guests. Boris from Precision Sound kept them dancing all night and handed the microphone off to the groom and the single guys who serenaded the bride just before the garter toss.

Literary themed wedding reception at Centennial Park.

Wedding season is in full swing and this is only a sneak peek look at Katie and Kurt's literary themed wedding at Centennial Park. Stay tuned for more at the social media links below!!

Wedding At United Methodist Church In Hebron, Indiana

July 3, 2015 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss at United Methodist Church in Hebron.

To me, Lauren and Ryan are the perfect "early summer" couple - laid back, breezy, calm and cool. Their June wedding at United Methodist Church in Hebron was just that. The temperature was perfect and we we're able to go to the beautiful Ogden Gardens as well as the rip roaring, open air reception at the Valparaiso YMCA Pavilion.

The day started at His and Hers Salon with lots of laughter and continued to the church where Lauren got into her beautiful dress.

The bride's dress hangs in front of stained glass windows at the church.

The couple had a private first look inside the church before letting in friends and family for the ceremony. It was a great moment as Lauren came down the aisle and Ryan slowly turned to see her for the first time on their wedding day.

First look for the bride and groom at United Methodist Church in Hebron, Indiana.

The church was packed with well wishers as the couple were married. A crowd waited outside afterward to salute the newly married couple and send them off.

Wedding ceremony at United Methodist Church.

After family photos inside the church, we stopped by Ogden Garden in Valparaiso where we took fun wedding photos with the bridesmaids and groomsmen as well as romantic pictures of the bride and groom. Lauren and the girls showed off their "epic swag" while Ryan sheepishly showed the bridesmaids his "bling".

Fun wedding photos at Ogden Garden in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Romantic wedding photos at Ogden Garden in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The wedding reception was held at the open air venue of the YMCA Pavilion in Valparaiso. The couple danced in front of the Mr. and Mrs. sign that was handcrafted by the groom. As night approached, the dance floor heated up. The bride and groom even got in a quick corn toss.