Traditional Crown Point Wedding

October 22, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom portrait on the altar at St. Mary’s Church.

Karen and Jason had an uproarious traditional Crown Point wedding complete with a chicken dance, polka band, hokey pokey and more inside the banquet room at the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

However, our day started in St. John with bridal prep while second photographer Kerrie photographed the guys at the couple’s home.

The ceremony was at St. Mary Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Family and friends saw Karen’s mom walk her down the aisle. After the traditional Catholic ceremony we took pictures of family as well as bride and groom photos on the altar.

Catholic wedding ceremony at St. Mary in Crown Point, Indiana.

The bride and groom pray at St. Mary Catholic Church.

Bride and groom on the altar at St. Mary Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

One of our stops for pictures was the Lake County Fairgrounds with the entire wedding party and bride groom. Then it was onto the Grand Old Lady where the reception would take place.

The bride and groom take a stroll in the wood at Lake County Fairgrounds.

Wedding photos near the old covered bridge at Lake County Fairgrounds.

Wedding party group photo on the stairs to the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Romantic kiss in front of The Grand Old Lady in Crown Point, Indiana.

We visited the iconic third floor of the old Crown Point Courthouse as well as the brick basement for photos. Soon it would be time for introductions in the ballroom.

Bride and groom on the historic third floor of the Crown Point Courthouse.

The adventure begins in the the Maki Ballroom.

First dance inside the Maki Ballroom at the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Dance floor fun at the old Crown Point Courthouse.

The entire night was leading up to the sparkler exit for the bride and groom. Smoke filled the air as they exited with one final kiss.

Sparkler exit for the bride and groom at the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Sparkler kiss in downtown Crown Point, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Karen and Jason’s Crown Point wedding. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please do fill out the Contact Form.

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.