2021 Year In Review - Midwest Wedding Photography

December 29, 2021 Steve Vansak

Welcome to my 2021 Year in Review! What a year it has been for wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, southwest Michigan and the Chicago area.

Above is a short video slideshow to give you an overview of the entire year in pictures. Turn up the volume and enjoy.

Of course, scrolling through this blog / journal you will find the stories of the weddings days (with lots of images) of many of my clients dating all the way back to 2010. This post will concentrate on the images from 2021 (also check out Sarah + Brents’s Short Film embedded at the end) with a few comments from me.

As always, inquire on my Contact Form about openings for your big day for photography as well as Short Films.

Happy New Year!

I had one lone wedding in March at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana and then the season kicked off in earnest in late May. After that, WEDDINGS DID NOT STOP! In late June I recall 5 weddings in one 10 day period. This wedding season saw many weekday weddings.

Some of the early Spring wedding venues as seen above were Sand Creek Country Club, The Grand CP and Journeyman Distillery.

Wedding photo in the garden at Centennial Park.

June turned out to be the busiest month of the year for Midwest weddings in 2021. The Fall season usually takes that crown but this year was more traditional.

The beginning of Summer saw weddings in Monee, Illinois as well as Meyer’s Castle, Tying the Knot wedding venue in Michigan, Whiting Lakefront Park and The Lighthouse Lodge in Monticello, Indiana.

The bride’s veil flies in the air as she kisses her groom at a summer wedding in Northwest Indiana.

As summer rolled on, I photographed such diverse Northwest Indiana wedding venues such as County Line Orchard, The Pavilion at Sandy Pines as well as church weddings in downtown Chicago.

Yes, you are seeing an actual rainbow in the image above! After a rain delay of an outdoor ceremony at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana a rainbow appeared in the sky. I can honestly that was a wedding first for me and no photoshop was involved.

Wedding ceremonies at County Line Orchard and Marquette Park Pavilion. — Weddings at County Line Orchard and Marquette Park Pavilion.

A Harry Potter themed wedding took place this year at The Grand CP in Crown Point, Indiana along with receptions at Maggiano’s, a Chicago wedding venue in River North area as well as a beautiful outdoor wedding at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Romantic wedding moments in Northwest Indiana.

Early Fall saw me back at Gabis Arboretum for another outdoor wedding at the scenic Northwest Indiana wedding venue as well as the venerable Avalon Manor.

Weddings at Gabis Arboretum and Avalon Manor.

Candid wedding photography at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana. — Bride and groom in a candid moment at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

Fall is always busy for weddings in Northwest Indiana and throughout the Midwest. This year I had many church weddings in the Autumn with photos at locations such at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Centennial Park.

The Fall wedding season also saw me return to Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City along with photos at the gorgeous Friendship Botanic Gardens.

Silver Lake Country Club and Georgio’s Banquets in Orland Park, Illinois were two of my Illinois wedding venue destinations this year.

Midwest wedding photos taken in the Fall season.

The end of October into early November gave us some intense Fall color at a Briar Ridge Country Club as well as a return to County Line Orchard along with church nuptials.

Early winter weddings often mean it gets dark early. For an early December wedding at Four Season’s Clubhouse we ventured outside for blue hour in this winter wedding photo below.

A groom dips his bride outside at night during a winter wedding in Northwest Indiana.

Winter weddings at The Grand CP and Center For The Visual and Performing Arts.

Wedding Season 2021 ended with a December wedding at Center For Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana in mid December and a Christmas Eve wedding in Wilmington, Illinois.

Bridesmaids pose on the staircase during a December wedding at Northwest Indiana wedding venue Center For Visual and performing Arts. — Bride and bridesmaids on the staircase during a December wedding at Center For Visual and Performing Arts.

Christmas weddings in Northwest Indiana and Illinois.

It was a glorious year for weddings in 2021!!

As a bonus for making it this far down in my Year in Review post, press play below on the Short Film video that Sarah and Brent added to the wedding package of their winter wedding.

In case you didn’t know that there was an option to add video to your wedding photography package, more info can be found at this link.

Fall Wedding At Munster Church and County Line Orchard

December 2, 2021 Steve Vansak

Groom carried bride through apple orchards at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

It was a crispy, late Fall day in November for DJ and Lydia’s wedding at Munster Church and reception at County Line Orchard.

We began our day with bridal prep at the couple’s new home with Lydia’s sisters and mom on hand to assist in the morning bridal prep.

Bride gets ready for a wedding surrounded by her sisters and mother.

The bride's dress, flowers, shoes and jewelry are all laid out for her late Fall wedding.

A close up portrait of the bride on the morning of her wedding.

DJ met up with us at County Line Orchard for a first look / reveal with his bride. After a few detail photos of him making last minute wardrobe adjustments before we set him up to see Lydia.

We then walked all around the rustic Midwest wedding venue taking in all of the Fall color for outdoor wedding photos. Autumn leaves crunched beneath our feet as we strolled the apple orchards looking for beautiful wedding photo locations.

The groom sees his bride for the first time in front of the red barn at County Line Orchard.

Bride and groom lean on a country fence during a November wedding at County Line Orchard.

The bride and groom walk with Fall color in the background and Autumn leaves on the ground.

The bride and groom kiss in late Fall with yellow leaves at their feet.

We nabbed a few wedding party group pictures outside the grain silo and a few of Lydia inside and then we left for Munster Church for the ceremony.

The wedding party gather outside the grain silo at County line orchard with the bride and groom inside of it.

The bride shows off her wedding dress with sleeves inside a grain silo.

This was my first time photographing a wedding at Munster Church and it was a great experience. The balcony provided us a great overview of the wedding ceremony and the exit directly onto Ridge Road attracted a lot of horn honking and just added to the excitement of the day.

A view of a wedding ceremony at Munster Church from the balcony.

Bride and groom exit their church wedding ceremony onto a busy street.

Bride and groom on the altar of Munster Church.

Wedding party standing beneath a large glowing cross at Munster Church.

The wedding reception took place at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana. The iconic Midwest wedding venue featured the sought after apple donuts for dessert.

The balconies and wooden stairways allowed me to capture the dance floor fun from many different angles with 27 Entertainment providing the musical entertainment.

Wedding reception details at County Line Orchard wedding venue.

A November wedding reception at a rustic wedding venue in Northwest Indiana.

This is only a fraction of the images and moments captured on DJ and Lydia’s wedding day. To set up an appointment and to see an entire wedding from me, please fill out the Contact Form here. I will check my calendar to see if your day is available and then set up a meeting.

October Wedding At St. Michael's Parish

October 4, 2021 Steve Vansak

The happy couple in the Centennial Park garden after their wedding at St. Michael’s Church.

I’ve known Abby for awhile as I have photographed the weddings of three of her sisters. We have established a few traditions - bridal prep at mom’s house, St. Michael’s Parish for the ceremony, Centennial Park for photos after and of course brother Jake always “presents” his sisters to me in a photo.

All the weddings are unique though and with a growing family, the flower girls and ring bearers appear to be creating their own traditions as well.

MUA: Antoinette Esche. | Hair: Brittney Macneill | Dress: Something Blue

Bridal prep for an October wedding at St. Michael’s Parish.

The flower girls and budding Instax photographers.

Groom prep saw Bryan and the guys using their gifts for refreshments. Soon they were off for the afternoon Fall wedding ceremony at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

All dressed up and ready for wedding day.

St. Michael’s Parish is a longstanding Catholic Church with great architecture. So along with capturing ceremony moments, I try to get a few wide shots showing off the building and all of it’s adorations.

Walking down the aisle at the beginning of the ceremony.

Saint Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana during an October wedding.

Wedding ceremony inside St. Michael’s Parish.

Wedding party group photo inside St. Michael’s Church.

Bride at the altar of St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

After family photos we braved the rain and went to Centennial Park for additional bride and groom and wedding party group pictures. We embraced the rain and these newlyweds looked happier than ever playing with all the “luck” that was coming from the skies above. (people say rain is good luck on your wedding day)

Walking in the rain across the Centennial Park bridge.

Rainy day wedding photos at Centennial Park.

Bridesmaids photos at Centennial Park in Munster, indiana.

A romantic walk along the lake in the rain.

The reception at Andorra Banquets was quite the party starting right off with the introductions.

Cake: Cakes by Karen

DJ: DJ jenn Booty

An October wedding reception at Andorra Banquets.

The groom spins his bride during the first dance.

Family dances during a wedding reception at Andorra Banquets.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Abby and Bryan’s October wedding at St. Michael’s parish in Schererville, Indiana. Please follow the social media channels below for more images from this and other weddings. Also, dates fill up quick so please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography and wedding short films.

Wedding At Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral

June 1, 2021 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom at Sts Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana

We had quite the sunny day for Kelly and Anthony’s wedding at Sts Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana with the reception at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana.

One of Kelly’s childhood dreams was to get ready at her parent’s home and that is exactly what she did with a quick stop at the nearby lake for a photo to show off her gorgeous dress and this lovely day.

Bridal prep at the home of the parents of the bride.

The bride illuminated by window light at the home of her mom and dad.

The bride near the lake on a sunny day in Northwest Indiana.

Photographer Kerrie was with the guys as I captured the bridal prep. Soon we would all meet up at Sts Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville for the Greek wedding ceremony.

Groom prep for a wedding at Sts Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

The wedding ceremony featured the ritual of placing of the crowns on the bride and groom while the Koumbaros intertwined them three times to symbolize the couple’s union.

The bride and groom exited the church as family and guests showered them with flowers.

Wedding ceremony at Sts Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana.

Wedding photos on the altar of Sts Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

We took our outdoor wedding photos at the beautiful Sand Creek Country Club as guests arrived for the dinner and reception. We took a variety from romantic wedding photos to candid moments to dramatic sky wedding photos all around the golf course.

The bride embraces her new husband in the flowered garden at Northwest Indiana wedding venue Sand Creek Country Club.

A kiss on the golf course as the bride’s veil flies.

Wedding portraits all around Sand Creek Country Club.

The groom dips his bride at Sand Creek Country Club.

A sun soaked wedding photo at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana.

Opa - It’s time for the off the charts wedding reception complete with Greek music, flying dollar bills and line dancing galore!!

Sand Creek Country Club decorated for a Greek wedding.

First dance for the bride and groom at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Kelly and Anthony’s wedding at Sts Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral. To see more from this and other weddings, visit the Region Weddings Instagram channel listed below. Also, fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day.