October Wedding At Saint Michael's Parish

October 9, 2018 Steve Vansak

Romantic kiss on the bridge at Centennial Park.

Nikki and Johnny’s October wedding at Saint Michael’s Parish had them surrounded by family and friends the entire day. It brought along some challenges too that only served to prove that the strong bond they have with their friends and family is stronger than anything mother nature can throw at them.

I started the day out at the bride’s childhood home for bridal prep with True Beauty by Dana while Kerrie covered the guys at the groom’s parent’s home. Bridal details, caffeine and Instax cameras ruled the morning.

Future wedding photographer and flower girl captures the moments.

Bride and groom ready for their big day.

Wind blows the long veil during bridal portraits.

Groom in black and white with his guys behind him.

The ceremony took place at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville and many more children were now present and participating since I photographed sisters of the bride - Jackie and Amanda’s weddings.

Family at a wedding ceremony at St. Michael’s Parish.

The bride is escorted down the aisle of St. Michael’s Parish.

Bride and groom in the sanctuary of St. Michael’s Parish.

Formal photos of the bride and groom in church.

Don’t tell Father, but I snuck a peak at my weather app during the ceremony. No rain until night fall!! Let’s do this, Centennial Park here we come…

Bridesmaids and groomsmen at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

Centennial Park is a popular spot for pictures and we ran into several wedding parties there, but the area is so vast that it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. Perfect for romantic walks on the bridge.

Bride and groom take a romantic walk on the bridge at Centennial Park.

Vogueing for the camera at Centennial Park.

The wedding party paired up for a portrait by the lake.

My “tired bride” shot is quite popular and the wall at the Amphitheater is a perfect place to lean. After our trek around the park, the bride and groom had some time to chill with their friends and then it was off to St. Elijah Event Center for the reception.

The bride takes a rest at Centennial Park.

A lakeside portrait of the bride and groom.

Wedding reception at St. Elijah Event Center.

What can I say about the reception? The dance floor was packed all night giving me plenty of fun to capture. I also learned that if you have a spill on the floor, bridesmaid Abby is ready with mop in hand to keep the dancing safe!!

Dance floor fun at St. Elijah Event Center.

A packed dance floor at St. Elijah Event Center.

This is merely a sneak peek of Nikki and Johnny’s October wedding. Be sure to tune into the Instagram feed for more images and fill out the Contact Form here to inquire about photography for your big day.

Baseball And Travel Themed Wedding

August 27, 2018 Steve Vansak

The bride's veil flies in the wind as she kisses her groom at home plate.

Kaitlyn and Ryan had a fun summer day at their baseball and travel themed wedding. I started with team bride with Four Lady Events on hair and make up at her parent's house while Kerrie captured the guys a few blocks away at the couple's house.

Bridal prep for a summer wedding in Griffith, Indiana.

Mother of the bride assists with the dress.

One of the most precious moments of the day was Kaitlyn's first look with her Dad in front of her childhood home. Soon he would be walking her down the aisle of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Griffith, Indiana.

Fist look with the Father of the Bride on wedding day.

Saint Mary Catholic Church in Griffith, Indiana was filled with friends and family. Bubbles filled the afternoon air as they exited the church. After family photos it was time to hit the baseball field for some fun, baseball themed wedding pictures.

Wedding ceremony at Saint Mary Catholic Church.

The newlyweds at Saint Mary Church in Griffith, Indiana.

Bride and groom at the altar of Saint Mary Catholic Church.

Wedding photos inside Saint Mary Church in Griffith.

Kaitlyn and Ryan wanted to visit a baseball field and they brought along some bats, gloves and wore cleats as we took pictures behind home plate, the pitchers mound and the outfield.

Team bride behind home plate for a baseball themed wedding photo.

The wedding party cheered on their respective teams as the bride and groom stepped up to the plate.

The wedding party cheers for the newlyweds on the baseball field.

Bride and groom share a kiss on the pitcher's mound.

Bride and groom take a stroll in the outfield of the baseball field.

The groom then grand slammed a home run all the way to Andorra Banquet Hall where friends and family were arriving for the big celebration.

At the reception, the themed turned to the couple's love for travel.

Travel themed wedding reception at Andorra Banquet Hall.

The reception at Andorra was a rocking good time with 219 Productions providing the soundtrack. Aside from "technical difficulties" during the garter retrieval, the night was a huge success.

Wedding reception fun at Andorra Banquet Hall.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Kaitlyn and Ryan's baseball and travel themed wedding. I'd love to hear all about your big day, so be sure to fill out the Contact Form to set up a consultation to discuss wedding photography.

Wedding At Saint Paul Catholic Church In Valparaiso

August 21, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom portrait At Coffee Creek Nature Preserve.

Katie and Arnie had a wondrous day for their summer wedding at St. Paul Catholic Church with the reception at The Allure On The Lake in Chesterton, Indiana. We started our day at Vanis Salon in Valparaiso for bridal prep while second photogrpaher Bridget captured the guys.

Katie's mom helped with her dress and it's flowing train. After some stained glass window shots in one of the church chapel rooms, it was time to her walk down the aisle in her Dad's arms.

The bride at the stained glass window of Saint Paul Catholic Church.

The groom and his guys get ready for the big day.

Saint Paul has wonderful architecture and we definitely wanted to show it off in some wide shots along with all of the emotions on the altar as well. After family photos inside the church, we jetted off to Coffee Creek Nature Preserve for wedding party and couple's pictures.

Wedding ceremony at Saint Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The great architecture of Saint Paul Church.

Bride and groom on the altar of St. Paul.

We had a wedding crasher of sorts with a Great Egret bird making an appearance for the bridesmaid group picture.

Bridesmaids on the rocks of the lake at Coffee Creek.

Bride and groom under a big tree at Coffee Creek Nature Preserve.

After leaving Coffee Creek, we walked around the back area of The Allure On The Lake for some scenic wedding photos before heading inside for the party.

Wedding photos at Coffee Creek and The Allure On The Lake in Chesterton, Indiana.

The Allure On The Lake is a fairly new Northwest Indiana wedding venue that has a great deck overlooking the lake where guests can mingle. They also have a beautiful indoor ceremony area. We photographed Katie and Arnie's decor before some spirited introductions, dinner and then dance floor fun. The circular lighting of the ballroom is especially great for epic first dance pictures.

Wedding reception decor at The Allure On The Lake in Chesterton, Indiana.

Wedding reception fun at The Allure On The Lake in Chesterton, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Katie and Arnie's wedding at St. Paul Catholic Church and The Allure On The Lake. Be sure to follow the social media channels below for more images from this wedding and others. To inquire about your big day, please fill out the Contact Form.

Summer Wedding At St. Maria Goretti Church

August 14, 2018 Steve Vansak

A celebratory dip for the bride and groom after their church wedding at St. Maria Goretti.

Wow - I had a lot of fun capturing Kim and Tim's summer wedding at St. Maria Goretti Church with photos afterward at Centennial Park and the reception at Halls of St. George. From the welcoming hospitality of each of their families to the "singing bridesmaids", it was an inspirational day for sure.

We started the day with myself capturing bridal prep and Bridget with the guys.

Wedding day bridal prep for Kim and her bridesmaids.

Getting ready at the bride's parent's home.

Groom prep for a church wedding at St. Maria Goretti.

Bride and groom dressed and ready for their summer wedding.

Kim's Dad escorted her to the church in his vintage car and in his arms down the aisle of St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana as Tim looked on.

The bride and her father at a catholic wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Church.

Wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana.

Bubble exit at St. Maria Goretti Church.

After the exit we went inside for family pictures and I also took the couple around the church for photos. Kim wanted to show off the stained glass behind the altar and we did just that with them in a classic kiss down below. Then we were off to Centennial Park.

Bride and groom at the altar of St. Maria Goretti Church.

Stained glass windows overlook the bride and groom for their church wedding photos.

Showing off the bride's wonderful dress at church.

At Centennial Park, once again I went off with the girls while Bridget photographed the guys. And then we let the girls goof off with Tim and the same with Kim and the guys.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen photos at Centennial Park in Dyer, Indiana.

Bride with groomsmen and groom with bridesmaids.

Summer wedding photos at Centennial Park.

Centennial Park is a popular destination for wedding pictures in Northwest Indiana and we utilized all of the wonderful backgrounds there including the lake and greenery as we walked the perimeter of the park.

Bride and groom walk along the greenery at Centennial Park.

Bride and groom at the edge of the Centennial lake.

It had been awhile since a wedding party had attempted a jumping shot, but Kim and Tim's group were up for it with shoes flying. Soon it would be time to celebrate indoors at the Halls of St. George.

Ninja masters and shoe throwers in the summer sun of Centennial Park.

The fun continued at the reception at Halls of St. George with intros, speeches and cake cutting. A special appearance was make via cardboard cutout of "a guy named Mike" and then it was time to hit the dance floor.

Fun times at Halls of St. George for a summer wedding reception.

“It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Hurry boy, she’s waiting there for you”

— Africa by Toto - Songwriters: David Paich / Jeff Porcaro

It appears the "singing bridesmaids" only know the chorus of the song Africa, but they did a fine job of it!!

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Kim and Tim's summer wedding at St. Maria Goretti Church. Be sure to tune in to the social media channels below for more images. As always, to inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please use the Contact Form to set up a meeting. I'd love to chat with you about your wedding.