Spring Wedding At Villa Cesare and First Presbyterian Church

May 29, 2019 Steve Vansak

The groom dips his bride behind the gazebo at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

If there is one thing I will always remember about Tessa and Luis from their wedding day as well as their engagement session last year, it’s that you will always catch them smiling and laughing at each other. It’s contagious in a good way.

Our day started off with me documenting bridal prep and Bridget with the guys. Gifts were exchanged, letters were read and the anticipation for the first look was on. Jay Marie Salon & Spa was on hand for hair and make up. Tessa’s wonderful dress came from Something Blue Bridal.

The bride and her bridesmaids having fun while getting ready.

Looking beautiful at her Spring wedding.

The groom prep before the first look with his bride.

Solo portraits of the bride and groom before they see each other for the first time on wedding day.

Tessa and Luis’ first look took place in the north garden at Centennial Park. Luis spun Tessa around for a look before wiping away some tears. The wedding party let them have this private moment before we went around the park for pictures.

First look for the bride and groom in the Centennial Park north garden.

I thought it might be nice to have these two have a seat under the trestle in one of the gardens and just chat for a bit while we captured some nice candid moments. Then it was onto the wedding party and a trip around the park including the lake and bridges.

The bride and groom share some candid moments underneath a trestle at Centennial Park garden.

The wedding party lined up and looking chic.

Having fun with the wedding party on the Centennial Park stage.

Blue sky silhouette of the bride and groom at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

From darkened silhouettes to dips in the golden sun, it was all smiles for Luis and Tessa during their Spring wedding.

Sun shines upon the bride and groom during a romantic dip.

The always laughing bride and groom at Centennial Park.

Having fun with the bridesmaids and groomsmen at Centennial Park.

Soon we were off to First Presbyterian Church in Schererville, Indiana for the ceremony and family photos.

Wedding party enjoying the sunshine on the lake bridge at Centennial Park.

Wedding photos as Spring turns to Summer in Schererville, Indiana.

Wedding ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Schererville, Indiana.

The ceremony was a joyous affair complete with a bubble exit.

A joyous wedding ceremony at First Presbyterian Church.

As I finished up family pictures, second photographer Bridget was at Villa Cesare capturing the decorations and guests arriving. Soon the dance floor would be alive with some major celebrating courtesy of AJ & S Mobile DJ services.

Wedding reception decorations, cake cutting and the shoe game at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

First dance for the bride and groom center stage at Villa Cesare.

Spring wedding dance floor fun at Villa Cesare.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Tessa and Luis’ Spring wedding at Villa Cesare and First Presbyterian Church in Schererville, Indiana. Stay tuned to the social media channels below for more images and please do fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day.

Spring Wedding At Saint Mary Catholic Church In Crown Point

May 21, 2019 Steve Vansak

Newlyweds take a walk in the rain in front of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

As lawyers it was only fitting that Sarah and Billy take a stroll in front of the Old Crown Point Courthouse after their Spring wedding ceremony at nearby Saint Mary Catholic Church. We also went inside for some court room shots as well.

The day started at Sarah’s parent’s home where the kitchen had been made over into a beauty salon. Lot’s of smiling, laughing faces were on hand to greet me when I arrived to photograph the details and getting ready prep.

Bridal details at a Spring wedding in Crown Point, Indiana.

The sisters of the bride gave Sarah her gift of scrapbooked memories after she got into her dress. Then I was off to meet the guys at the church where Billy’s “personal attendant / best man” handled the lint roller like a boss.

The bride gets into her dress for her Spring wedding ceremony.

Bride and groom in Crown Point, Indiana just before their wedding ceremony at Saint Mary Church.

The groomsmen reveal their socks at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

Guests began arriving and mingling and soon it would be time for Sarah and her Dad to come down the aisle. The flower girl decided to make a run for it as well. One of the nicest aspects of Saint Mary’s is the great view from the balcony. I made a point to get up there for a few images during the ceremony.

Friends and family mingle before the ceremony.

Wedding ceremony at Saint Mary Catholic Church.

The view from the balcony of Saint Mary’s Church in Crown Point during a wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony we quickly took family photos before the next service was to begin and then wedding party and Sarah and Billy. It was then we noticed an unscheduled rain storm had come over the area. Fortunately the Old Crown Point Courthouse was open and we were able to stop in for pictures in between the rain.

Bride and groom solo portraits at the altar of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride and groom at the altar of Saint Mary’s Church.

Wedding party on the steps of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Top: America’s Next Top Models - Bottom: Auditions for the Zoolander movie sequel.

Bride and groom inside the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Some candid moments for the bride and groom in between raindrops.

Wedding party group photo on the marble floor of Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Bride and groom share a moment outside the gazebo at Villa Cesare.

Our next stop was Villa Cesare for the reception and what a celebration it was. It started out with mingling during cocktail hour and generational hugs, but soon turned into a full on dance party as 27 Entertainment brought the beats.

Reception decor at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

Two generational hugs within moments of one another.

Introductions and first dances at Villa Cesare Banquet Hall.

Dance floor fun during a wedding reception at Villa Cesare.

Please take out your light sabre and head on over to the Region Weddings instagram feed for more images from this wedding and many others. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please fill out the Contact Form right here. Enjoy!!

Chicago Wedding At Saint Andrew The Apostle Church and Loft On Lake

May 13, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom walk the center aisle at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Calumet City, Illinois.

I spent last Saturday with Breana and Kevin for their Chicago wedding with a ceremony at Saint Andrew the Apostle and reception at Loft On Lake in the west Loop area. We also stopped by Millennium Park and blacked traffic on State Street by the Chicago Theater. It’s been a rainy Spring in the Chicago area so the outside photos are all romantic walks in the rain. It’s all good, we had a blast with them on their windy city adventure.

We started our day with bridal prep at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place with second photographer capturing the guys while I was with the bridesmaids.

Bridal Prep at Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago.

The bride and friends get ready for her big day at Hyatt Regency McCormick Place hotel.

In addition to rain, the Chicago area also was serving up thousands of 12 year old BTS fans for their concert at Soldier Field that night. The groomsmen had their brush with teen Korean boy band fame during a picture before exiting the hotel for the ceremony.

Groomsmen wedding day prep at the Hyatt Regency McCormick hotel in downtown Chicago.

Saint Andrew The Apostle Church is a wonderful old church in Calumet City. I certainly love to capture the architecture their during wedding ceremonies in addition to all of the emotional moments taking place on the altar.

Wedding ceremony at Saint Andrew Church.

A view from the center aisle during a Chicago wedding ceremony at Saint Andrew The Apostle Church.

Bubbles and raindrops descend upon the bride and groom during their church wedding exit.

Bride on the altar at Saint Andrew The Apostle Church.

Breana looked spectacular in her dress as we photographed her and Kevin upon the altar. I had to get a few from the balcony as well.

Bride and groom walk toward the church exit of Saint Andrew The Apostle Church.

Wedding party group photos at Saint Andrew The Apostle Church in Calumet City, Illinois.

The party bus back into Chicago was a wedding celebration on wheels. It was decided to brave the rain for some couples shots in Millennium Park and the some fun group pictures at the Chicago Theater.

The wedding party celebrates on the party bus.

Rainy day wedding photos at Millennium Park in Chicago.

Bride and groom kiss under an umbrella as rain falls in downtown Chicago.

Wedding party group photo underneath the marquee of the Chicago Theater.

The party took place at the West Loop Chicago reception venue Loft On Lake with it’s elegant string lights located behind the head table. A band was there to greet guests and the priest who married the couple earlier in the day (and who also flew in from Connecticut) was there to bless the dance floor during Shout.

Wedding reception cocktail hour at Loft on Lake in Chicago, Illinois.

Wedding reception fun at Loft On Lake in the West Loop of Chicago.

Wonderful speeches from the maid of honor and best man at Loft On Lake Chicago wedding venue.

First dance for the bride and groom at Loft On Lake wedding venue in Chicago.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Breana and Kevin’s Chicago wedding at Saint Andrew The Apostle Church and Loft On Lake. Please visit the Region Weddings instagram feed for more images of this wedding and others. To inquire about your big day, please fill out the Contact Form right here.

Spring Wedding At St. Paul Catholic Church

April 29, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom on the altar at St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Beth and Chad eloped on April 2nd to Maui, HI but had their church ceremony and celebration with family and friends in Valparaiso, Indiana. If there is one thing I can say about this couple it is they (and me) are like the postman - we deliver through rain, sleet and snow. More on that later!!

The day started out at the couple’s home where we captured bridal prep along with a few portraits. It was snowing when I arrived on this last Saturday in April. It was great to see Carrie from Sta-Glam who provided on site make up.

Bridal prep at the bride and groom’s home.

The bride stands alone in her bedroom in her wedding dress.

The ceremony took place at Saint Paul Catholic Church where we also did family photos along with wedding party and the bride and groom inside church.

Wedding ceremony at Saint Paul Catholic Church.

Bride and groom kiss on the altar at Saint Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Looking at my weather app for the rest of the day’s forecast pretty much said “are you kidding me, stay inside”. But as I said, Beth and Chad are pretty resilient as am I. We were supposed to go directly to an after party with pictures later but we decided to stop by Ogden Garden along the way. It was raining but this seemed to be our best (and warmest) chance for some outdoor photos. They have a gazebo on the grounds and we made our way underneath that. You can see the rain if you look closely.

Bride and groom have a laugh in the rain at Ogden Garden.

Kissing underneath the gazebo at Ogden Garden.

Bride and groom share a laugh underneath the gazebo during their Spring wedding in late April.

The weather doesn’t look too bad in these photos right now, but keep scrolling…

Our next stop was back at the newlywed’s home for an after party and then we headed to the reception venue Sand Creek Country Club. When we arrived at Sand Creek the temperatures had dropped to 35 degrees. I noticed some crazy looking fog rolling in off the lake there and out we went. I’m really glad we did. The fog was quite mystical…

Bride and groom kiss as rain and sleet falls upon them and fog rises over the lake.

A tender moment in the rain with the bride and groom.

Wedding party pictures along with our smiling bride.

Unveiled Weddings and Events had the room looking fantastic as Sand Creek Country Club hosted the dinner reception with Precision Sound filling the room with music.

A post wedding party at home and a dinner reception at Sand Creek Country Club.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Beth and Chad’s Spring wedding at Saint Paul Catholic Church with many more photos to come. Stay tuned to the Region Weddings Instagram feed. Please do fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your wedding day photography.