Wedding At The Center For Visual And Performing Arts

October 24, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom walk along a path at Briar Ridge Country Club golf course.

Joel and Shaina held their Fall wedding at two very prestigious venues - The Center For Visual and Performing Arts and Briar Ridge Country Club.

Our day started at The Center For Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana with a "no cry zone" set up in the bridal suite. Sister of the bride and MOH Chandra could not contain herself much to the amusement of all the other women. Shaina's dress was a wonderful combination of neutral and white.

Bridal prep at The Center For Visual and Performing Arts.

Getting Ready on wedding day at The Center For Visual and Performing Arts.

The gallery at the center would become the setting for cocktail hour later in the day, but it became our backdrop for bride and bridesmaid photos that afternoon. Shaina was pure elegance against the grand piano with the wonderful artwork surrounding her.

The bride rests against the piano at The Center For Visual and Performing Arts.

I could not let the spiral staircase at the Center go unused. I also knew it would soon be filled with people attending the reception and other events. In early afternoon, however, we had it to ourselves.

Bride and her bridesmaids on the staircase at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

The outdoor ceremony saw us moving to Briar Ridge Country Club in Dyer, Indiana. The bride's nephew Tommy let Joel know that Shaina was on her way. The nuptials were tucked away outside one of the ballrooms off the golf course with sunshine streaming down.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Briar Ridge Country Club.

Outdoor wedding at Briar Ridge Country Club.

After family photos, we captured the wedding party together along with images of the newly married couple. Some of the trees on the golf course are quite large and I couldn't wait to get the bride and groom under the shade of one of them with the Autumn leaves and blue skies.

The bride groom hold hands in the shade of a large tree at Briar Ridge Country Club.

Groom and his groomsmen at Briar Ridge Country Club.

Wedding party photos at Briar Ridge Country Club in Dyer, Indiana.

Bride and groom on the golf course at Briar Ridge.

For the reception it was back to The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana. The gallery was swinging with cocktail hour guests and the main ballroom looked elegant as the newlyweds were introduced and toasts began from the best man and MOH.

Wedding reception at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

First dance at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

Not only did Shaina get married on this fine October day, she also won the air guitar championship as band Final Say rocked the room into the night.

The bride plays air guitar as band Final Say performs.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Shaina and Joel's Fall wedding at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana. Stay tuned here and on the social media channels listed below for more images. As always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about availability for your date.

Outdoor Wedding At White Hawk Country Club

September 6, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom are illuminated by sun flare at White Hawk Country Club.

The song Here Comes The Sun was going through my head all day as I photographed Amanda and Zach's outdoor wedding at White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point, Indiana. It was quite the bright day in every respect - from the golden sun in the sky to the laughing faces of the bridesmaids as I greeted them that morning to the joyous looks of family and friends during the outdoor ceremony. Let's take a sneak peek look at their big day!!

We started out at Vanis Salon in Valparaiso and made our way to the bridal suite of White Hawk in early afternoon. I covered the girl's getting ready as second photographer Bridget covered the guys.

The bridesmaids get ready for Amanda's wedding at White Hawk Country Club.

Wedding day selfies as the bride gets make up done at Vanis Salon in Valparaiso.

I took the girls and guys out separately for photos as golfers drove by offering their congratulations. The groomsmen were able to borrow some clubs and onto the course we went.

Wedding party photos at White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point, Indiana.

The groomsmen hit the green at White Hawk golf course.

Portraits of the bride and groom in separate locations before their outdoor wedding ceremony.

The outdoor ceremony took place at the gazebo at White Hawk Country Club and saw an SRO crowd of friends and family as the couple were married. We immediately started family pictures and then I took Amanda and Zach around the golf course.

An outdoor wedding ceremony under the gazebo at White Hawk Country Club.

First kiss for the bride and groom at White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point, Indiana.

Family pictures at White Hawk Country Club golf course.

I decided to take advantage of the tremendously bright day as Amanda and Zach took a romantic stroll along the rolling hills of the golf course backlit by the golden hour sun.

The bride and groom stroll the hills of White Hawk golf course at golden hour.

Cute wedding photo of bride and groom on a golf cart.

We had to let the flower girl get her camera time in as well as the wedding party together. White Hawk Country Club has a beautiful pond with rocks as well as the lovely greenery all around the golf course.

Wedding photos at White Hawk golf course in Crown Point, Indiana.

Wedding party on the terrace of White Hawk Country Club.

Bundt cakes - this is all that needs to be said about the reception!! Okay, there was a bit more - such as the emotional first dances, the garter attached to a frisbee and the competitive bouquet toss. Oh, and there was plenty of dancing too!!

Wedding reception at White Hawk Country Club.

Bouquet and garter toss and the longest married couple dance.

It was a jam packed Labor Day weekend of weddings!! More to come on the social media links below. To inquire about wedding photography for your own date, please fill out the Contact Form and I will reply back soon.

Summer Wedding At The Pavilion At Sandy Pines

August 18, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom stand on a hill at Sandy Pines Golf Course

We had a threat of rain (maybe it did rain a little) at Ashley and Kevin's summer wedding at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana. However, with my weather controlling skills that came with my camera kits I was able to send the clouds away and soon we saw sun peaking through the blue skies of the golf course!! :)

The bridal suite at Sandy Pines is simply spectacular as was the "bridal squad" who I spent the morning with as they readied for the big day. Second photographer Kerrie was up in the second floor man cave as the groomsmen prepped for the big day.

Bride and her bridesmaids show off their monogrammed salmon colored robes.

The bridal suite has a full on kitchen where fruit and juice were served as well as a gigantic Subway sandwich for lunch. I had a lot of laughs with everyone as I roamed the building capturing moments and detail shots.

Bridal prep at Sandy Pines Pavilion bridal suite.

Groomsmen prep for wedding day at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

A wedding dress hangs inside the bridal suite at Sandy Pines.

I did some quick shots of the girls while Kerrie photographed the guys and then we were off to St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen take a walk at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

It was a wonderful moment as the crowd rose and Ashley and her Dad entered the church. A "groom to be" with hid Daddy holding him up seemed quite interested as Ashley and Kevin lit candles together at the altar. The entire congregation lined up outside of St. Paul Catholic Church as colorful bubbles filled the air. Even the bride and groom got into the act.

Wedding ceremony photos from St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.

St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.

We took family photos inside the church and then we were off again to Sandy Pines where we had fun with the wedding party and I took Ashley and Kevin around the grounds of the golf course for their couples shots.

Wedding party jumping shot at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

Bride and groom kiss as the sun sneaks through the trees at Sandy Pines Pavilion.

Wedding photo fun at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

Kevin said he was ready to dip his bride and he did not disappoint. Soon it would be time for introductions and dinner underneath the pavilion.

The groom dips his bride on the golf course at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

The reception started off with the father of the bride teaching the groom a new language - "Ashley speak" as the toast became more of a roast to his "sweet pea". It was a lot of fun as was dancing, a sorority photo and more.

Wedding reception at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

The bride and groom slow dance under the night sky at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Ashley and Kevin's summer wedding. More to follow on the Region Weddings Instagram feed. Please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about availability for your date.

Summer Wedding At Sand Creek Country Club

August 1, 2016 Steve Vansak

A newly married couple kisses in the garden of Sand Creek Country Club.

One of the things I love about weddings at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana is that you have a beautiful location no matter where you are on the property. Indoor wedding ceremonies such as Kelly and John's are just as beautiful as outdoor ceremonies. Let's take a look at this wonderful couple's big day - from their beautiful families coming together to the impeccably decorated ballroom complete with Hot Wheels classic cars as center pieces.

Our morning saw the bridesmaids in the bridal suite doing hair and make up as I captured moments and wedding details. Alaina the flower girl got a chance to try on the bride's shoes.

Bridal prep and wedding details at Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, Indiana.

Many gifts were opened on this warm summer day - from the bride and groom gift exchange to mother of the bride and the friend who introduced the couple.

I took the bridesmaids out for pictures in the Sand Creek garden area while second photographer Kerrie photographed the guys in another area of the golf course. Soon it would be ceremony time...

Wedding party photos at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana.

The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Doug in the wonderful indoor space that overlooks the garden and golf course. Vows and rings were exchanged along with quite a few joyful laughs. The wine ceremony was very elegant with a sense of fun.

Bride and groom exchange vows and rings at Sand Creek Country Club.

Wedding ceremony in the elegant dining area of Sand Creek Country Club.

Wedding party and family photos were next and then I whisked the couple out to the garden for pictures as cocktail hour began. I joked that it seemed I was always photographing these two in the rain as droplets fell from the sky, just as they did for the couple's engagement session. This did give us some wonderful cloud cover and and dramatic background lighting on the golf course.

Wedding photos in the clock tower garden of Sand Creek Country Club.

The newly married couple kisses on the balcony overlooking Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, IN.

When I saw all of the Hot Wheels cars scattered about the ballroom at Sand Creek, all I could think was 'how cool is that'. Add on the enticing candy buffet, sea of red flowers and classic convertible cake topper and we had us some very cool wedding decor to photograph. Spinnin' Productions added the soundtrack as couple partied into the night.

The ballroom at Sand Creek is decorated with classic car wedding decor.

First dance for the bride and groom in the ballroom of Sand Creek Country Club.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Kelly and John's wedding at Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, Indiana. Be sure to subscribe to this page below for more wedding stories from Northwest Indiana weddings as well as Chicago and Michigan weddings. Destination weddings will be added for 2017, so stay tuned.