Fall Wedding At Holy Name Catholic Church

November 17, 2017 Steve Vansak

Red leaves illuminate at Lourde's Friary for a Fall wedding.

Autumn colors were still with us in mid November for Emily and Jeff's Fall wedding at Holy Name Catholic Church in Cedar Lake, Indiana. Our day started out with breakfast cocktails at Emily's parent's house. The bride looked elegant in her wedding dress as we took portraits in the mirror at home.

Bridal prep for a Fall wedding at Holy Name Catholic Church.

Second photographer Kerrie was with Jeff and the guys and soon we would be arriving for the mid afternoon wedding ceremony at church.

Holy Name Catholic Church was decorated with red as Emily came down the aisle in the arms of her parents. I love the balcony there as it makes for great photos, especially with the long train of the bride's dress.

Fall wedding ceremony at Holy Name Catholic Church.

The bride walks down the aisle at Holy Name Catholic Church.

After family photos, we took church wedding pictures with the wedding party and bride and groom. Then we quickly headed out the door to Lourde's Friary for some Fall color as it gets dark pretty early this time of year.

Bride and groom walk down the aisle at Holy Name Catholic Church in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Lourdes Friary is an area close to the church where nuns live and it is a wonderfully unique spot for photographs, complete with a lake and at this time of year, lots of Autumn leaves.

Bride and groom walk along the leaves at Lourde's Friary.

Nightfall was approaching and the blue hour was upon us for the wedding party photos.

Fall wedding party photos in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Fall color at Lourde's Friary for the bride and groom.

Emily's grandmother Rose had recently fallen and injured her hip. Sadly she was confined to a rehab center in Crown Point. We decided to give her a surprise visit with the bride, groom, MOH and best man. She was on the phone getting audio updates about the wedding and when she turned around, there was her granddaughter. She was SO HAPPY!!

Grandma gets a visit on wedding day from the bride and groom.

The red colors really popped for the reception at Center For The Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana. From the centerpieces to the cake decor to the party favors, the sea of red was spectacular in the darkened room.

Red wedding decorations at The Center For Performing Arts.

Wedding reception fun at The Center For Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Emily and Jeff's Fall wedding at Holy Name Catholic Church in Cedar Lake, Indiana. Please follow the social media channels for many more images to come. To inquire about your big day, please fill out the Contact Form.

Fall Wedding At Aberdeen Manor In Valparaiso, Indiana

November 8, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss in front of the gazebo at inn of Aberdeen.

At Gina and Marcus' Fall wedding at Aberdeen Manor we saw IU and Notre Dame come together. We also saw a storm and loss of power, but just like in football the game got played and both teams got cheered on.

In all seriousness, although the above is true, Gina and Marcus' big day was very romantic and filled with lots of emotion - happy tears, lol's and genuine love.

I knew I had a fun bunch the moment I walked in and the sea of red flannel shirts greeted me. The beauty crew included MUA's Brittany Hennings, Emily Dupre and Katlean Mae on hair.

Bridesmaids in flannel shirts having fun on wedding day.

Gina had lots of details to photograph which I love to do. Her and Marcus exchanged gifts separately and then it was time for our first look. At this point it had just stormed and the ground was quite wet so we chose the staircase at the inn for the big reveal.

The groom shows off his Notre Dame heritage.

First look on the staircase at The Inn at Aberdeen.

One of the benefits of rain on your wedding day is the saturation of colors, a big plus at Fall weddings and really anytime of year. So don't worry too much about your day if weather gets a bit rough.

Romantic embrace for the bride and groom at Aberdeen.

Red leaves in the garden at Aberdeen Manor.

Romantic wedding photos at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso, Indiana.

We had a lot of fun with the wedding party and the fountain area near Aberdeen was a great spot for this large group.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso.

The wedding party at Aberdeen Manor and Ballroom.

Next up was family photos as guests arrived for the ceremony in the Aberdeen Chapel. We had a wedding first with Straight Outta Compton being quoted by the minister during the ceremony. The leave exit celebration was a blast. It was now night time and the dance floor was waiting.

Wedding ceremony inside Aberdeen Chapel.

Emotions abound inside Aberdeen Chapel for a Fall wedding ceremony.

As guests filed into the Aberdeen Manor Ballroom, they were greeted by the wedding cake suspended in air. It is one of the more unique wedding cake displays in the area.

A wedding cake is suspended from the ceiling at Aberdeen Manor.

Wedding reception fun at Aberdeen Manor.

Bride and groom first dance on the beautiful Aberdeen Manor ballroom.

The packed dance floor during a wedding reception at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso, Indiana.

This is merely a sneak peek at Gina and Marcus' Fall wedding at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso, Indiana. Stay tuned to social media below for more images. To inquire about your big day, as always please fill out the Contact Form.

Serbian Wedding At St. George's Church In Schererville, Indiana

October 2, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom illuminated by the sun outside St. George's Church

When I arrived for Tanja's bridal preparation / getting ready photos I did indeed photograph her dress, jewelry and bridesmaid camaraderie. However, it didn't take long for me to be in full "reception mode" as the band started playing at 11am and the dancing was on. Oh, and delicious food was in abundance along with a little moonshine!!

Pre-ceremony celebration at a Serbian wedding.

After the introduction of the bride, a circle of life dance broke out in the street across from their home. Soon we would be off to St. George's Church in Schererville, Indiana for the traditional ceremony.

Circle of life celebration dance at a Serbian wedding.

Wedding ceremony at Saint George's Church.

Once all of the rituals were completed, the ceremony ended and then it was outside into the sun for more celebrations in dance.

Post ceremony celebration at a Serbian wedding.

We then went inside the church for family photos and then I took the bride and groom outside in the wooded area between the church and the hall for some bride and groom wedding photos.

Family pictures inside of St. George's Church.

Bride at the altar at St. George's Church in Schererville, Indiana.

Golden sun flare surrounds the bride and groom.

The bride and groom on their wedding day.

Bride and groom Fall wedding photos at St. George's Church.

We finished up with some wedding party photos at Halls of St. George and then it was back inside for introductions, a meal and non stop dancing.

The Dollar Band kept the music going for first dances as well as a whole bunch of circle dances.

First dances at Halls of St. George in Schererville, Indiana.

Serbian wedding reception celebration at Halls of St. George.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Tanja and Kevin's Fall wedding at St. George's Church in Schererville, Indiana. Please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your day and stay tuned to social media below for more images.

Wedding At Old Hebron Church And The Market In Valparaiso

September 26, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom in front of her childhood church in Hebron, Indiana.

Last year I photographed Emily and Todd's aviation themed engagement session and I was anxious to see how they brought that into their wedding decor. While the aviation part was more on Todd's side, Emily's theme was definitely her childhood Hebron home that sits right next to her old church which no longer has it's doors open. I guess you could say their wedding was the last hurrah for the vintage building.

With all of that context, let's dig in to this happy couple's big day that saw heart tugging emotional and nostalgic moments to high flying fun on the dance floor at The Market.

Bridal details at the bride's childhood home on wedding day.

As soon as the cameras were at my side emotional moments were all around, starting with the bride and her grandmother having a deep conversation with a few tears and hugs. Of course, lots of fun moments too with the bridesmaids and bride lip syncing Love Me Tender with guitar in hand.

The bride and her grandmother on wedding day.

Fun moments during getting ready on wedding day.

Emily's dress looked terrific with a wonderful back. I wanted to capture it along with the emotion of her mom assisting her getting dressed for her big day.

Mother of the bride assists her daughter on wedding day.

Emily and i had talked about doing a mini photo session of her in various areas of her parent's home and the place where she grew up. We did exactly that just before we walked next door for the ceremony.

Portraits of the bride at her childhood home.

A photo of the bride reflected in her mom's make up mirror.

The bridesmaids on the stairs leading to the loft of the bride's childhood home.

While I was capturing the women second photographer Kerrie was photographing Todd and the groomsmen at The Inn at Aberdeen.

Groomsmen prep at The Inn At Aberdeen in Valparaiso.

Bride and groom just before their church ceremony.

The aviation theme began to come into play as guests entered the old church and were greeted by some vintage airplane models along with paper versions to throw during the exit later. The tiny chapel was filled with an overflow of friends in the small lobby.

Wedding decor at the entrance of the old church in Hebron, Indiana.

Wedding ceremony at the bride's childhood church in Hebron, Indiana.

The bride enters her childhood church for her wedding.

Exchanging of the vows for bride and groom at their church wedding in Hebron, Indiana.

It's no secret that Todd is a lot taller than Emily. The officiant brought out a hidden stool so Emily could gain some height and have a proper first kiss!!

The bride steps up to her groom for their first kiss.

Paper airplanes fly toward the bride and groom during their church exit.

After family photos we did bride and groom pictures as well as wedding party all along tree lined paths around Emily's parent's home and the church itself. From old barn pictures to vintage car shots to silly face wedding party photos.

The bride and groom in front of an old weathered barn.

Church steeple in the background as the bride and groom kiss.

Too sexy for their suits - the groomsmen try to show up the bridesmaids.

Awkward and strange wedding party portraits.

Romantic bride and groom photos in Indiana farmland.

Entering the The Market for the reception in Valparaiso you were greeted by vintage typewriters, airplanes and family photos printed out in a faded sepia tone. Oh, and there were airplane engine parts as part of the wedding cake!

The emotional rollercoaster continued with the melancholy as Emily danced with her Dad to pure joy as kids of all ages kicked up their heels on the dance floor.

Wedding reception moments at The Market in Valparaiso, Indiana.

First dance for the bride and groom at The Market in Valparaiso, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Emily and Todd's big day. Please stay tuned to this blog and the social media feeds listed below for more images from this wedding and others. As always, to inquire about your wedding day, please fill out the Contact Form.