Fall Wedding at Taltree Arboretum

October 19, 2014 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom share a moment in the garden at Taltree Arboretum.

Kevin and Nicole's Fall outdoor wedding and reception at Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana had a strong emphasis on family and friends as most weddings do. Their nuptials at the hidden pavilion had very much the feel of a family picnic. So many laughs, good music and a casual elegance throughout the entire event. Oh, and the scenery was gorgeous!!

Fall colors come to life as the bride and groom take a walk at Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Friends and family brought out their families and the ceremony was cozy and full of laughter and a few happy tears. A member of the wedding party was the officiant and the bride and groom shared their first kiss to much applause.

An outdoor wedding ceremony at Taltree Arboretum.

I love open air wedding reception such as this. I was able to hover around the proceedings and take many fun, candid and "in the moment" wedding photos. As children played, adults mingled, ate strawberry wedding cake and drank some bubbly Chandon champagne.

Open air wedding reception at the Taltree Arboretum Pavilion.

I hope you have enjoyed this quick look at Kevin and Nicole's Fall wedding at Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso. Be sure to inquire about your wedding date via the Contact Form and visit the Region Weddings Facebook Page for more updates.

Fall Wedding at Centennial Park

October 8, 2014 Steve Vansak

A romantic kiss at sunset at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

I have to hand it to Kristen and Ryan and their entire wedding party for toughing out the cold temperatures (mid 30's) at her Fall wedding at Centennial Park. Looking back years from now I believe they will have a good laugh over the ridiculous weather. See, goosebumps aside during the photographs, this was a fun wedding!!

We started the day at The Chop Shop in Lansing, IL where in between morning bagels, hairspray, and lots of laughs there were decisions being made on moving the ceremony inside. Kristen's beautiful decorations would not have survived the high winds so inside it was. Centennial Park has a wonderful reception room with wood floors and a look out over the lake. Her beautiful and colorful flowers courtesy of Sugarfield Flowers were going to pop either way.

Getting ready for the Autumn wedding at The Chop Shop hair salon.

Family looked on as the ring bearer made a break for it during the introductions which amused the flower girl. Reverend Doug Klukken kept the proceedings lighthearted and Kristen and Ryan were married.

Indoor wedding ceremony at Centennial Park.

The groomsmen at least had jackets, but the bridesmaids were strapless. I felt for them, but they made it happen as we walked along the grounds of Centennial Park taking wedding photos on the bridge and the garden as well as the amphitheater stage.

The bridesmaids show off their purple dresses on the bridge that overlooks the Centennial Park clubhouse.

After family and group photos were done, the couple went on a romantic stroll and we eventually ended up in the Centennial garden for dusk shot. Night was coming and the clouds were dark and dramatic. We were able to fire off a few sunset images as well.

Romantic stroll around Centennial Park for the bride and groom.

An evening kiss inside the Centennial Garden area.

One of the things I love about Fall weddings is all of the Autumn decor at the reception. Kristen and Ryan had tree bark table placements as well as twigs and more. Another great decorative addition was the illuminated LOVE sign that I understand the bride's father made.

Fall wedding reception at the Centennial Park clubhouse in Munster, Indiana.

The first dance in front of an illuminated sign of LOVE at Centennial Park.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Kristen and Ryan's Fall wedding at Centennial Park. Subscribe to this blog below and visit the Region Weddings Facebook page for more updates.

Wedding at Red Barn Experience

September 30, 2014 Steve Vansak

The bride glows in sunlight at the entrance of The Red Barn Experience in LaPort, Indiana.

Dustin and Rachel's rustic Fall wedding at The Red Barn Experience was filled with smiles and laughter. No really, my camera lens did not have to look far to see smiling, glowing faces. From the bride and groom themselves to family and guests at the reception. As I told Rachel before I left the reception that night, "you guys are doing it up right".

Speaking of smiling faces, when I entered the bridal suite at the Best Western Hotel in LaPorte I saw the dream team of hair and make up with Alex Garcia of Foxy by Alex Garcia and Krissy Vanderwoude of Makeup by Krissy V. and Shannon Grimmer of Fringe Salon. Rachel and her bridesmaids were in good hands and I'm sure the hidden stash of champagne made things all the better!!

Getting ready at The Best Western bridal suite in LaPorte, Indiana.

Rachel had a lovely dress and I got one last shot of her showing off her garter before heading to the Red Barn to set up the first look.

The bride shows off her garter just before her Fall wedding ceremony at The Red Barn Experience.

The plan was to have Dustin wait upon a hill in the back field behind the Red Barn and have Rachel walk toward him for the big reveal. He was nervous and excited and turned around and walked toward her. We caught their embrace and some intimate talk with the iconic windmill in the background.

First look for the bride and groom at The Red Barn Experience.

Bride and groom in front of the windmill at Red Barn.

If you are a fan of the rustic look then certainly this is a great wedding venue that many from Northwest Indiana as well as Chicago and Michigan celebrate at. It was the perfect scene for some bridal party wedding photos as well as the couple.

Sun rays illuminate the behind the red barn as the bride and groom gaze at each other.

After a walk in the cornfields and a cute kiss at the entrance to the Red Barn reception area, it was close to ceremony time.

The bride and groom walk amongst the Indiana corn.

Dustin was just as elated as the first look earlier when Rachel was walking down the aisle. The planted garden symbolism was very unique and I enjoyed that feature of the ceremony tremendously. As you may have noticed, weather was picture perfect.

The bride walks down the aisle at a Fall outdoor wedding ceremony at The Red Barn Experience.

The bride and groom plant a garden together during their outdoor wedding ceremony.

Remember all of those smiling faces I talked about at the beginning of the day? Here they all were along with many more at the open air reception. Somehow the groomsmen grew mustaches while the bridesmaids hair went frizzy. Must have been something in the champagne!! :)

Dancing under the stars and the lighting of the Sky Lanterns during the first dance were some of the many highlights.

Open air wedding reception at The Red Barn Experience.

Sky lanterns fill the night sky during the first dance.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Dustin and Rachel's rustic Fall wedding at The Red Barn Experience. Subscribe to this Journal below and visit the Region Weddings Facebook page for more updates.

Sand Creek Golf Course Wedding

September 15, 2014 Steve Vansak

The bride's veil flies in the wind at Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, Indiana.

Brieanne and Jeremiah were married at Sand Creek Golf Course this past weekend. The temperature was unexpectedly cool, but our skies were clear as the wind blew the bride's veil while we were out shooting on the course.

Our day started in a portioned off area of the locker room with the girls getting ready. Emotions ran from fun laughter to happy tears as ceremony time approached. Everybody doted on flower girl Chloe and Jeremiah left a heartfelt note with his gift to Brieanne...

Girls just want to have fun while getting ready for a wedding at Sand Creek in Chesterton.

These girls were a real fun bunch so I just let them go for a walk along the wonderful greenery of the Chesterton country club and wedding venue while I captured all the fun...

The bridesmaids go for a walk at Sand Creek Golf Course.

Perhaps it was the wine that had them all giddy in addition to the excitement of Brieanne's big day...

The guys had a different take on their wedding pictures. Football season has begun and time to show off team pride...

The groomsmen wear the jersey to their favorite football team for a fun wedding photo.

I told these girls to attack the groom and they didn't have to think twice. Looks like he didn't mind at all.

Due to the crisp Fall temperatures the wedding ceremony was held indoors in the Sand Creek dining area in the late afternoon. Emotions got the best of the bride and groom as they said their vows and Chloe the flower girl couldn't get enough of the spotlight.

A photo collage of a wedding ceremony at Sand Creek in Chesterton, Indiana.

The just married couple shares a kiss after their wedding ceremony as guests look on.

Family photos followed with us then taking a 6 car golf cart around the course for bride and groom shots. The happy couple spelled out love and went for a stroll with a covered bridge in the background.

A young couple shares a kiss as they stroll the golf course at Sand Creek.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Brieanne and Jeremiah's wedding at Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, Indiana. Be sure to subscribe to the Northwest Indiana Wedding Photographer Journal down below for more updates.

I leave you with the newly married couple on the dance floor of the ball room at Sand Creek.