Wedding At St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church

September 13, 2017 Steve Vansak

The groom dips his bride for a romantic wedding moment.

Wow - family and guests, wedding party and bride and groom were ready to CELEBRATE at Marinko and Jessica's wedding at St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church in Chicago, IL. Settle in for all of the highlights, from the nervous laughs during getting ready at Vanis Salon to the post celebration outside the church to the bouquet and garter toss at The Serbian Social Center in Lansing.

Bridal prep at Vanis Salon in Schererville, Indiana.

While second photographer Kerrie hung out with the guys, I photographed the bridal details and all of the moments as the girls got ready for the big day.

Jessica looked beautiful holding her bouquet with all of it's blue and purple hues as the golden sun illuminated her hair. We kept bride and groom seperate on each side of the church taking photos as guests began to arrive. Soon it was time for the traditional Serbian ceremony inside of St. Simeon.

Beautiful bride with a purple and blue bouquet of flowers.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen at St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church in Chicago.

The wedding ceremony had much emotion. The traditional crowning ceremony took place after The Betrothal (exchanging of the rings). The crowning ceremony is what truly distinguishes an Orthodox Wedding from all others. It's a wonderful thing to photograph and the celebration afterwards with music and dancing is a spectacular showing of joy. Jessica and Marinko's church exit was no exception.

The crowning ceremony at St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church.

The bride enters the church as the groom reacts.

The post wedding celebration at St. Simeon in Chicago.

We all went back inside for bride and groom portraits as well as family photos and the wedding party as well. Soon we would be off to the reception where food and drink awaited.

Bride and groom kiss at St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church.

The bride shows off her dress at St. Simeon in Chicago.

Wedding party group photo at St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church in Chicago, IL.

We did many close up, intimate portraits of the bride and groom on this gorgeous summer day. We also grabbed a few with the lovely church in the background and some fun wedding party photos too.

A joyous moment between bride and groom.

Bride and groom kiss in front of church in Lansing, Illinois.

The bride and groom together in some romantic wedding photos after their September wedding.

Happy smiles from the bride and groom on wedding day.

A fun wedding party photo under the gazebo at Serbian Social Center in Lansing, Illinois.

The reception at the Serbian Social Center had a ton of emotion with pure joy being first and foremost. It also had happy tears from family as well as dance floor celebrations.

Wedding reception at the Serbian Social Center in Lansing, Illinois.

First dance at the Serbian Social Center.

Happy tears and joyous dancing at a Serbian American wedding reception.

Family and friends dance in a circle to celebrate the bride and groom at the Serbian Social Center.

The ring bearer gets congratulated for catching the garter and Jessica throws her bouquet high into the air for the traditional wedding reception celebrations.

The bouquet and garter toss at a Serbian Amercian wedding.

This has been a sneak peek look at Marinko and Jessica's wedding at St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois. Stay tuned as many more photos to come. To inquire about your own wedding, please fill out the Contact Form. Cлавље!!

Summer Wedding At Saint Mary's Church In Crown Point, Indiana

August 14, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss in front of the Old Courthouse in Crown Point, Indiana

Ashlee and Ryan had a beautiful summer day for their wedding at Saint Mary's Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Our day started at State of Mind Salon and Spa with Ashlee getting all glamoured up for her big day. Her mom was on hand to tie her lovely dress and soon we were off to meet up with the groom for the ceremony.

Bridal prep at State of Mind Salon in Crown Point, IN

Vintage glamour wedding day accessories.

As Ashlee's Father walked her down the aisle, friends and family were crying. I loved the fist pump that Ashlee gave after Father pronounced them married. Right after the ceremony we took family photos as well as wedding party and church bride and groom pictures. Then we walked to the Crown Point square for some small town flavor.

Bride and groom pray in front of the statue of Mary.

Summer wedding ceremony at Saint Mary's Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride and groom photos inside Saint Mary's Church.

It was such a lovely day that we walked from the church and all around the downtown square of Crown Point. We took photos outside and inside the old courthouse as well as near the old jail.

Passionate moment for the bride and groom.

Wedding photos in downtown Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride and groom slow dance on the vintage lobby floor of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

The bride and her bridesmaids have fun in in downtown Crown Point.

We strolled by the Halls of Justice on the Square for this silhouette in the lobby. The vintage piano also made for nice backdrop for Ashlee and Ryan's elegant wedding theme.

Bride and groom at the entrance to The Halls of Justice in Crown Point, Indiana.

The groom relaxes next to the vintage piano at The Halls of Justice.

The last of our downtown Crown Point wedding photos was this dipping shot in the middle of the intersection.

The groom dips his bride in downtown Crown Point, Indiana.

The reception took place at Villa Cesare with photo booth, kissing bells and some eager single ladies on the dance floor!! A very touching moment came with Ryan brought his mom out during the father daughter dance,

Parent dances at Villa Cesare during a wedding reception.

This sneak peek look at Ashlee and Ryan's summer wedding is only the tip of the iceberg with many more images to come. To inquire about your own wedding be sure to fill out the Contact Form and I will let you know if your day is available. Enjoy!!

Wedding at Aberdeen Chapel and The Market in Valparaiso

August 7, 2017 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom share a laugh among the yellow flowers at Taltree Arboretum

Samantha and Tyler had a gorgeous summer day for their wedding at Aberdeen Chapel and The Market in Valparaiso. We also stopped by Taltree Arboretum for wedding party and couples photos.

Our day started in Crown Point at Thomas William Salon with beverages courtesy of Coopers Hawk, laughter and friendship from the bridesmaids and loving advice from mom.

Sammy got into her dress in the wonderful bridal suite at Aberdeen Manor just before her first look with Tyler in the garden.

Bridal prep at the bridal suite at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso.

Dad received a special tie courtesy of the bride while mom looked on.

Tyler is in the United States Navy and is stationed out in San Diego, CA right now. He and his guys celebrated with a pre-ceremony game of pool as second photographer Lauren captured the moments.

Groomsmen prep for a summer wedding in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Samantha and Tyler's first look was a wonderfully private moment in the garden of Aberdeen Manor. We placed the groom under a shaded trellis as Sammy walked toward him.

First look for the bride and groom in the garden at Aberdeen Manor.

Portraits of the bride and groom at their summer wedding in Valparaiso, IN.

The summer ceremony inside of the picturesque Aberdeen Chapel had lots of laughs with Reverend Doug Klukken presiding. Sammy and Tyler exited into the bright midday sun and soon we were back inside for family photos.

Wedding ceremony at the Wedding Chapel at Aberdeen Manor.

Congregation attend a wedding ceremony at Aberdeen Chapel in Valparaiso.

The bride and groom kiss as they exit the Chapel at Aberdeen Manor.

Family and wedding party portraits inside the Aberdeen Chapel.

We spent the late afternoon at Taltree Arboretum taking wedding party and couple's photos at the beautiful nature preserve.

Bridesmaid and groomsmen group photos at Taltree Arboretum.

The wedding party stars in a sequel of The Sopranos TV show.

Taltree Arboretum is a great location for romantic wedding photos and we definitely used the gorgeous colors to our advantage.

Bride and groom share in a kiss amidst the nature of Taltree Arboretum.

Romantic couples photos at Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso.

Wedding days can be a real whirlwind, so if possible I like to have my couples take a break from pictures and just sit and talk for awhile. Of course, I am sneaking in some shots (as was the video crew at Whole Hearted Wedding Films) and these are often the most natural expressions.

Bride and groom sit and chat on a bench surrounded by greenery at Taltree Arboretum.

We had a few puffy clouds in the eastern sky so made sure we got Tyler and Sammy up on the rolling hills at Taltree Arboretum where two clouds were nice enough to hover on each side of the newlyweds. Thanks Mother Nature!!

The bride and groom slow dance on the rolling hills of Taltree Arboretum nature preserve.

The Market in Valparaiso is a relatively new wedding venue and Samantha and Tyler had it decorated to the nines. The candles were beuatiful and the tribute to deceased grandparents (along with their wedding photos) was very touching.

Wedding decorations at The Market in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The introductions featured a "flower toss" and the speeches were funny and emotional all at once. Soon it was cake cutting time, dinner and on to first dances.

Wedding reception at The Market in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Parent dances and first dance at The Market.

I forgot to mention the delicious desserts and 27 Entertainment brought the noise...

Party time at a wedding reception at The Market in Valparaiso, IN.

First dance for the bride and groom at The Market.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Sammy and Tyler's summer wedding at The Chapel at Aberdeen and The Market in Valparaiso, Indiana. As always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day. More images to come on Instagram and other social media listed below. Enjoy!!

June Wedding At St. Michael's Parish In Schererville, Indiana

June 19, 2017 Steve Vansak

In the Centennial Park Garden after their June wedding ceremony.

Josh and Amanda had a beautiful June wedding at St. Michael's Parish and I could not have been happier to be there. Six years ago I photographed her sister Jackie's wedding and Josh was the best man. Jackie's husband Brandon was the best man this time around. If you are lost now, no problem - let's just say it was great for me to see everyone again as well as the new additions to the family.

This summer wedding started with bridal prep at Amanda's mom's house. I joined Chop Shop who was doing hair along with Sta Glam on make up. The flower girls assisted me with their Instax cameras. We even re-created a fave photo of Amanda's that I did with her brother in 2011.

Bridal prep for a June wedding at St. Michael's Parish.

Flower girls hide underneath bride's veil.

Josh paid tribute to Amanda's father Greg before joining his groomsmen and arriving at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville.

St. Michael's Parish was filled with friends and family of Amanda and Josh. As Amanda walked down the aisle with her brother Jake and mom Mary, the smile on Josh's face grew wider. Soon they would be husband and wife and off to celebrate in the summer sun.

June wedding ceremony at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

Bride comes down the aisle during a Catholic wedding ceremony at St. Michael's Parish.

Bride and groom listen to Father during mass of their Catholic wedding.

Bride and groom pray to the Virgin Mary in the sanctuary of St. Michael's Parish.

We immediately photographed family and wedding party after the ceremony with a few bride and groom photos inside the church. Then we were off to Centennial Park for some June wedding photos in the sun.

Wedding party photos at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville.

Bride and groom exit the darkened St. Michael's Church.

I photographed the wedding party groups pictures looking across the lake at Centennial Park and then second photographer Bridget took the guys for their images and I photographed the bridesmaids.

Wedding party group photos overlooking the lake fountain at Centennial Park.

The bride and her sisters at Centennial Park.

The groomsmen on the stage at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

Amanda had an incredibly long veil and we had to make sure we took advantage of the wind and let it fly for a few portraits. She was gorgeous wearing it outside as well as when she walked down the aisle.

Image of a bride and her veil flying in the wind.

As I took Amanda and Josh around Centennial Park I was amazed at all of the leaves on the ground. We took some kissing shots with them and I also had the happy couple chill in the shade of the garden for awhile for some candid moments.

Kissing photos at the Centennial Park gardens.

The fashion forward bride and groom on the Centennial Park stage.

Josh and Amanda were quite anxious for a dipping shot and I obliged them in front of the lake fountains. They looked as though they had been practicing!!

Summer wedding photos at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

During our last few photos, Josh lifted Amanda off of her feet and soon we were on our way to the party at Villa Cesare.

The groom lifts his bride off of her feet at their summer wedding.

The reception at Centennial Park had some raucous intros of the wedding party along with a roasting of the groom via best man Brandon. Summer sandals were handed out to all those who hit the dance floor and there were many!! DJ Shaun Kelly from Spinnin' Productions kept it live all night.

June wedding reception at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

A crowded dance floor at Villa Cesare for a June wedding reception.

Summer wedding reception photos at Villa Cesare.

Bouquet toss at Villa Cesare during a June wedding reception.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I could not have been more thrilled to photograph Amanda and Josh's big day and also get the chance to see Jackie and Brandon, Samantha and Dale and Rachel and Dustin - all former clients whose weddings I have shot. thanks! This is merely a sneak peek, so stay tuned for more images.

As always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day!!