The 2018 Year In Review for Northwest Indiana and Chicago Weddings

December 31, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom steal a kiss on a hilltop at Briar Ridge Golf Course.

I’m typing this blog post on December 31, 2018 on what is supposed to be a slow day in the world of a wedding photographer. It’s not!! With several client meetings today and the final wedding of the year just this past weekend, one of my busiest years in Northwest Indiana and Chicago wedding photography is ending as it began with a very active schedule. No complaints here, but get ready because I have LOTS of images and wedding stories for the year down below. Let’s get to it…

Late winter 2018 weddings in Valparaiso, Indiana and Grant Park, Illinois.

After a busy December the previous year, I photographed Nicole and Luke’s wonderful church wedding in early March in Beecher, Illinois and followed shortly by Ashley and Adam at Aberdeen Manor.

Wedding Ceremony At Faith United Reform Church

In early Spring I found myself at Briar Ridge Country Club quite a few times starting off with Rachel and Matt with Sheri and Ryan the following Saturday. Both couples had some blazing sun for their golf course weddings.

Two Spring weddings at Briar Ridge Country Club in Dyer, Indiana.

The previous Fall I had done Ashley and Michael’s engagement session and they had such a wonderful chemistry together that I was eagerly anticipating their outdoor wedding at the spectacular Sandy Pines Pavilion with it’s beautiful bridal suite and perfectly landscaped scenery. It was a wonderful Sunday wedding.

I was also back for another golf course wedding with a touch of Disney with Abby and Sean at Sand Creek Country Club.

Bride and groom hold hands on the lake pier at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

Weddings at two golf courses - Sandy Pines and Sand Creek.

In mid May it was the first of two weddings at County Line Orchard with Jaime and Tom. The groom’s family came all the way from England for this exquisite barn wedding.

The bride and groom exit the County Line Orchard south barn after their ceremony.

Spring wedding photos at County Line Orchard.

Late in May saw me heading to Chicago for Veronica and Adrian’s church wedding and then it was time for another trip to Valparaiso University and The Chapel of the Resurrection where Lauren and Edward declared victory.

May weddings in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

The groom rings the victory bell at Valparaiso University.

Bride and groom at the bottom of the spiral staircase at Valparaiso University.

The groom and his guys at Valparaiso University.

Also in late May, I made it back to the beach for Nicole and Chad’s Memorial Day weekend wedding at Marquette Park Pavilion. Then it was back to Briar Ridge Country Club for Patty and Stephen’s outdoor nuptials.

Late Spring weddings at Marquette Park Pavilion and Briar Ridge Country Club.

June saw another golf course wedding reception with Jennifer and Carl and a stop by Meyer’s Castle two weekends in a row for Valerie and Anthony and then Mallory and Ryan.

June weddings at Briar Ridge and Meyer’s Castle.

The bride is soaked by sunlight at Meyer’s Castle during a summer wedding.

June wedding at Meyer’s Castle in Dyer, Indiana.

Summer rolled on with another County Line Orchard wedding where Ashley and Zach had their un-plugged wedding ceremony.

Bride and groom smooch in the farm fields behind County Line Orchard.

Gang of bridesmaids stalk the open fields of County Line Orchard.

July saw another Chicago wedding with Lauren and Mark at The Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building and Katie and Patrick’s church wedding at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana with reception at The Munster Center for the Performing Arts.

July weddings in Chicago and Schererville, Indiana.

The groom kisses the bride at the edge of the Centennial Park Lake.

The summer weddings rolled on with Kim and Tim at St. Maria Goretti Church as well as Patti and David and their wonderful backyard wedding in Crown Point.

Summer weddings in Northwest Indiana during August of 2018.

Summer is the height of baseball season of course, so super fans Kaitlyn and Ryan took to the field after their wedding at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Griffith, Indiana. I also shot at the brand new Allure on the Lake for Katie and Arnie’s wedding reception.

August weddings at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Catholic Church and Allure on The Lake.

Labor Day weekend brought an end to summer but the beginning of busy season with Josie and Victor’s bohemian outdoor wedding at Friendship Garden in Michigan City with a stop at The Market for the reception. It also saw another stop at Briar Ridge Country Club with Molly and Chris.

Kissing bridge at Friendship Garden in Michigan City, Indiana.

Outdoor weddings at Friendship Garden and Briar Ridge Country Club.

Boho bride from above during bridal prep for her big day.

A couple in love gazes romantically at each other.

It was my first “wedding selfie” shot at Tracey and Chris’ outdoor wedding at Peck Farm Park in Geneva, Illinois. The grain silo is just massive and I was so glad to take some images showcasing the bride and groom next to it. Early September also saw a stop at Centennial Park for an outdoor wedding with Julie and Jason.

September weddings in Illinois and Indiana.

The grain silo at Peck Farm Park towers over the bride and groom.

As September drifted into October, we saw the absolutely fun wedding of Emma and Kyle at Croation Center and then it was Nikki and Johnny’s wedding with a church ceremony at St. Michael’s Church in Schererville, Indiana and a rocking reception at St. Elijah Banquet Center in Merrillville.

The bride and groom sport a take no prisoners look for their wedding photo.

Bridal portrait at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

October also saw Captain America and SpiderWoman (Jess and Josh) get married at Lighthouse Restaurant as well as Erika and Mitch with a Great Gatsby themed wedding at The Allure in Laporte, Indiana.

Captain America marries SpiderWoman at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake.

A wedding picture during a hailstorm in Laporte, Indiana.

The bride and groom get mischievous at The Allure.

Karen and Jason had their hometown wedding in Crown point with a St. Mary’s Church ceremony with stops at the fairgrounds and a reception at the old Lake County Courthouse Maki Ballroom.

More October weddings at The Allure and in downtown Crown Point.

Late October and November Fall weddings saw me back at Sand Creek Country Club for Marz and Tom’s big day as well as Krueger Memorial Hall in Michigan City for Ashley and Terry’s beautiful Fall wedding with Autumn leaves everywhere.

Fall weddings at Sand Creek Country Club and Krueger Memorial Hall.

Leaves fall upon the bride and groom for their Autumn wedding.

As winter finally arrived, The Uptown Center got all lit up for Kristen and Patrick’s wedding and last, but certainly not least the grand finale, last wedding of 2018 was Sarah and Nick’s snow filled day at Sand Creek Country Club.

Winter weddings at Uptown Center and Sand Creek Country Club.

Whew, thanks for making it all the way though this long review of weddings in Northwest Indiana and Chicago in 2018. Please contact me here on the website to set up a meeting to discuss the photography for your wedding day. I service Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southern Michigan but I’m also available for travel. 2018 brought me to a few new venues as well as old favorites. I’m looking forward to seeing where you take me next year and beyond. A special Thank You to Kerrie, Bridget, Schylar, Michelle, Lauren, Doug and Jaime for their help in Wedding Season 2018. Happy New Year!!

Fall Wedding At Kreuger Memorial Hall

November 12, 2018 Steve Vansak

Fun moment for the bride and groom at Kreuger Memorial Park.

Ashley and Terry had some outrageous Fall color at their recent wedding at Kreuger Memorial Hall in Michigan City. Even near the beach where the girls got ready, Autumn colors were definitely at their peek.

I knew that Ashley and her bridesmaids were getting ready at a beach house off of Lake Michigan, but it wasn’t until I got there that I saw what a cool idea this was. I loved the northern light coming into the loft where Ashley got into her dress and the whole place just said “relax, have fun”. A very cool vibe for sure.

Bridal prep at a Beach House in Michigan City.

The entire morning had a series of mini events such as a reading of the groom’s letter and a memento from grandma being given to the bride, to the reveal to the bridesmaids. The big finale was a first look with Dad and then off to the venue we went for the afternoon ceremony.

The bride reads a love letter from her husband to be.

We had a very picturesque spot for Ashley’s first look with her Dad, but I was a bit concerned about the uneven terrain. He had been given orders to keep his eyes closed and even though I told him it was okay to open and see the back of her dress, he would not budge. It was eyes closed until he reached Ashley. All was good and it was a great moment and I’m happy to report that Dad did not go swimming in the creek!

First look with Dad surrounded by Fall color.

While I did bridesmaid pictures, second photographer Kerrie was with Terry and the guys.

Groomsmen prep at Kreuger Memorial Hall.

Bride and groom before their wedding ceremony.

Groom and his groomsmen at Kreuger Memorial Hall.

Bridesmaids all paired up with the bride.

The beautiful bride among the Autumn leaves at Kreuger Memorial Park in Michigan City.

The ceremony took place inside Kreuger Memorial Hall with it’s dark wood and log cabin vibe. After the bride and groom’s exit into the sun, we went into the park for family pictures, wedding party pictures and the newlyweds as well.

Wedding ceremony at Kreuger Memorial Hall.

A quick prayer before the Fall wedding ceremony at Kreuger Memorial Hall in Michigan City.

Wedding ceremony inside Kreuger Memorial Hall.

We had toyed with the idea of going elsewhere in Michigan City for pictures, but Ashley was looking for Fall color, Fall leaves and tall trees and it was all right there staring down at us at Kreuger Memorial Park.

The wedding party beneath the towering trees of Kreuger Memorial Park.

The bride’s long veil flows into the air as her groom kisses her.

Fall wedding photos in Michigan City, Indiana.

To change things up a bit, we took a short drive to downtown Michigan City for a bit of a different flavor for Ashley and Terry’s wedding pictures.

The bride and groom looking outward behind an old building in downtown Michigan City.

Wedding photos in downtown Michigan City.

The groom dips his bride in front of The Uptown Center in Michigan City.

Back at Kreuger Memorial Hall the bride and groom had a private dinner while second photographer Kerrie captured the cocktail hour candids as vinyl albums were played. The wedding party were introduced “in the ‘round” and first dances as well as speeches were also done this way. The dance floor was completely full as Amplified Events filled the room with sound.

Cocktail hour and first dances at a Kreuger Memorial Hall wedding reception.

A packed wedding reception dance floor at Kreuger Memorial Hall in Michigan City.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Ashley and Terry’s Fall wedding at Kreuger Memorial Hall in Michigan City, Indiana. Stay tuned to the Region Wedding IG page for more images from this and other weddings. Please do fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography for your big day.

Intimate Wedding At Sand Creek

November 6, 2018 Steve Vansak

Newlyweds share a kiss on the bridge at Sand Creek Country Club.

Marz and Tom had an intimate family oriented wedding at Sand Creek Country Club. The day began with the bride being pampered by friends for her big day before getting a little help from Mom while putting on her dress.

Bride and the beautiful greenery of Sand Creek Golf Course.

The indoor ceremony saw the couple bookended by some gorgeous floral pieces on pedestals with friends and family members by their side. After some post first kiss goofing off, it was family photo time and then onto the course with the bride and groom.

Bride and groom exchange vows at Sand Creek Country Club.

Fall color surrounds the Sand Creek golf course for bride and groom portraits.

Wedding portraits at Sand Creek Country Club.

Under the veil kiss at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana.

Autumn walk for the bride and groom at Sand Creek Country Club.

The afternoon reception saw the bride and groom cut their cake and mingle and chat with friends and family. Dad gave sage advice and other close friends grabbed the mic for well wishes.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Marz and Tom’s intimate wedding at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana. Many more images to come from this wedding and others over on the Region Wedding Instagram feed listed below. Please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography for your big day right here.

October Wedding At Lighthouse Restaurant

October 15, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss on the Lighthouse Restaurant pier as the fog rolls in.

Jessica and Joshua were married on a fog filled day at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana. This Northwest Indiana venue is known for great food as well as their iconic pier which we utilized for photos as a white mist appeared over the lake.

The day began with Jessica and her girls huddled up for hair and make up from Sta Glam in the bridal suite. Her mom helped her with finishing touches and then it was time for a wonderful first look with Dad.

Bridal decor at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

The beautiful bride on her big day in the bridal suite at Lighthouse Restaurant.

The first look with Dad as mom watched was quickly followed by a first look with the bridesmaids. Second photographer Kerrie took photos of Joshua and his secret agent men while I photographed the bridesmaids.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen at Lighthouse Restaurant.

Bride and groom solo portraits at their Fall wedding.

The entire weekend had on and off rain, so we had to be careful with Jessica’s dress and we did many of her portraits inside. At this point we were still unsure if we would have the ceremony outdoors.

Bride in the mirror in the bridal suite at Lighthouse Restaurant.

All of our weather apps said no more rain until evening, so on with the outdoor ceremony we went with Reverend Doug presiding along with a secret agent ring bearer who handled the ring exchange. And yes, the groom did walk in with his indestructible Captain America shield. And so the adventure begins…

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Lighthouse Restaurant.

Wedding ceremony inside the Lighthouse gazebo in Cedar Lake.

After family pictures, the wedding party of superheroes was ready for crime fighting on the dance floor as Precision Sound provided the soundtrack.

Wedding portraits at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Wedding reception at Lighthouse Restaurant.

First dance for the bride and groom at Lighthouse in Cedar Lake.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Jessica and Joshua’s October wedding at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana. Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day and follow the IG feed below to see more images.