Outdoor May Wedding At Briar Ridge Country Club

May 8, 2018 Steve Vansak

Romantic kiss hillside at Briar Ridge Country Club.

It was warm and sunny for Sheri and Ryan's May wedding at Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville, Indiana. It was also Cinco de Mayo!! However, the main theme of the day that I noticed right from the start was laughter and family....

Mother of the bride looks on as her daughter has her veil put in place.

Groom prep for a May wedding at Briar Ridge Country Club.

Sheri and Ryan had an audience of friends and family as they had their first look. It was a wonderful coming together moment. We then spent the afternoon taking bride and groom portraits and fun wedding party pictures.

The reveal for the bride and groom at Briar Ridge.

The bride and groom take a romantic stroll up a hill.

Fun bride and bridesmaids photos on the golf course at Briar Ridge.

Wedding party during a May wedding at Briar Ridge.

Goofing off with friends and family on wedding day.

As we made our way around the sun filled golf course, many congratulations were sent the newlyweds way from the players.

The sun shines down upon the bride and groom at Briar Ridge Country Club.

A romantic gaze in a vintage tone for the bride and groom.

Wedding pictures at Briar Ridge in Schererville, Indiana.

The ceremony saw an SRO crowd cheer on the couple. Sheri's father escorted her down the aisle as Ryan watched in earnest.

The groom watches his bride walk down the aisle with her Father by her side.

Joyous laughter during a May wedding at Briar Ridge Country Club.

Reception detail photos at Briar Ridge Country Club.

The reception featured some knock out speeches from two small members of the wedding party and the taco truck later in the evening was a big hit.

A May wedding reception at Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Sheri and Ryan's May wedding at Briar Ridge Country Club. Please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day.

Spring Wedding At Briar Ridge Country Club

April 30, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom beneath a sun star at Briar Ridge Country Club.

I spent a lovely day with Rachel and Matt at Briar Ridge Country Club for their Spring wedding. Rachel had her hair and makeup done alongside her mom, daughter and sister and we caught up with Matt getting prepped just before the couple's big reveal.

Bridal prep at Jay Marie Salon and Briar Ridge.

The bridal suite at Briar Ridge Country Club.

It was a stunning dress for a stunning bride and now Matt was about to get a glimpse of both as we did the couple's first look outside the clubhouse at Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville, Indiana.

Close up portraits of the bride and groom at the piano.

Excitement was building as Rachel came around the corner to take a peek at Matt waiting for her. My assistant commented how much she could tell these two were in love. It really showed in their embrace and the passion as they came together to kiss.

First look for the bride and groom at Briar Ridge golf course.

The wedding party then came out to be with them, including Anna and her baseball bats. :)

Wedding party at Briar Ridge Country Club.

Wedding pictures of the bride at Briar Ridge Country Club.

The groom kisses his bride in the shade on the golf course.

The bride and groom walk into the sun on the golf course at Briar Ridge.

I knew the wedding ceremony was about to start when I saw the flower girl / grandmother of the bride enter the building. The ceremony with officiant Dr. Chickie Wolfe was moved indoors due to chilly temperatures despite all the sunshine streaming in through the windows. As you will see below, Rachel and Matt literally tied the knot.

The bride enters the ceremony at Briar Ridge.

Indoor wedding ceremony at Briar Ridge Country Club.

The reception decor was incredibly simple and elegant. DJ Shaun Kelly had a lit monogram on the ceiling as guests entered the lobby.

Wedding reception decor at Briar Ridge Country Club.

Fun times on the dance floor for a Spring wedding at Briar Ridge in Schererville.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Rachel and Matt's Spring wedding at Briar Ridge Country Club. To inquire about wedding photography for your Northwest Indiana, Michigan or Chicago wedding, please fill out the Contact Form. Happy Spring!!

The 2017 Northwest Indiana Wedding Photography Year In Review

December 26, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride applies lipstick at Barker Mansion in Michigan City, Indiana.

Welcome once again to the Region Weddings Year In Review for wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southern Michigan. Settle in as it was another full year of weddings and this my longest article of the year with lots of images. To see a video slideshow of this post, check out The 2017 Year In Review video.

The 2017 wedding season saw me photograph for the first time at the historic Barker Mansion in Michigan City. My goal with this series of bridal portraits was to showcase the vintage history of the iconic building with a very modern bride. This resulted in some glorious color right next to sepia tones.

Bride on red staircase at Barker Mansion in Michigan City, IN.

There were quite a few winter wedding this year starting with Annie and Paul at Fair Oaks Farmhouse and then Lynne and Dale with a church ceremony at a stop at One Trick Pony brewery. Samantha and Dale were married at Saint Maria Goretti Church with a very chilly stop by Centennial Park.

As winter gave way to Spring (very begrudgingly), Sam and Alex and Amanda and Mike were on board for a pair of church weddings along with stops at Buckley Homestead.

Spring wedding photos in Northwest Indiana.

Bride and groom strike a magazine style pose at Centennial Park.

Late summer and early Spring saw Emily and Zach with an outdoor ceremony at Villa Cesare and Amanda and Josh at St. Michael's Church.

High fives, neon love, sisters / bridesmaids and church wedding ceremonies.

Summer weddings saw the flowers of Northwest Indiana in full bloom at Hans and Karla's outdoor ceremony at The Inn At Aberdeen with lakeside photos for Jill and Johnny.

July wedding photos in Northwest Indiana.

Bride and groom kiss in front of the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Ashlee and Ryan took a tour of downtown Crown Point for their wedding photos while Samantha and Tyler stayed in Valparaiso for their Aberdeen Chapel ceremony with pictures at Taltree Arboretum and a reception at The Market.

August weddings in Crown Point and Valparaiso.

Post ceremony kiss at The Chapel at Aberdeen Manor.

The groom spins his bride near the cornfields of Indiana.

Late summer say another new venue, Meadow Springs Manor with Karlie and Corey and a spectacular day at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines with Bethany and Keenin and their classic Mustang.

Late summer weddings at Meadow Springs Manor and Sandy Pines.

Bride and groom ride away in a classic Mustang.

September and October were definitely the busiest for weddings as well as engagement sessions. This part of the season saw Christina and Melvin at the incredible Uptown Center and Emily and Todd who were married at the final event at the bride's (soon to be torn down) childhood church next to her parent's home.

Bride on stage at The Uptown Center in Michigan City.

Bride and groom kiss in front an old chapel in Hebron, Indiana.

Romantic wedding photo in downtown Michigan City.

I photographed two Serbian weddings in 2017 with Jessica and Marinko at St. Simeon Church in Chicago and Tanja and Kevin at St. George in Schererville. The circle dances never stopped on either day.

Serbian weddings in Chicago and Schererville, Indiana.

The sun sets as the bride and groom gaze at each other beneath the tall trees in the forest.

As Fall kicked in, I photographed two weddings on opposite ends of the region both in style and geography - Katie and Mike at Lighthouse Restaurant with it's nautical vibe and The Allure in South Bend with Morganne and Chris.

Fall weddings at Lighthouse Restaurant and The Allure.

Bride and groom on the pier at Lighthouse Restaurant.

Bride and groom on a leaf filled bridge near Coffee Creek in Chesterton, Indiana.

The Autumn weddings also saw stops at Sand Creek Country Club with Jessica and Mitchell and The Spa in Porter, Indiana with Julia and Evan. Both weddings featured a deluge of leaves and Fall color.

Autumn leaves at wedding venues Sand Creek Country Club and The Spa.

The bride and groom share a kiss surrounded by Fall color at The Inn At Aberdeen.

November saw a pair of church weddings with Gina and Marcus at The Chapel At Avalon Manor and Emily and Jeff at Holy Name Catholic Church and reception at The Center For Performing Arts. Both had an abundance of unique Fall colors.

Bride in mirror before walking down the aisle.

I certainly can't forget Jeremiah and Kevin with their big Christmas wedding at The Uptown Center or Whinchester and Whinchester (aka Jennifer and David) - my first ever bride and groom with the same last name.

Christmas red and a bride and groom in blue.

Thank you so much for a terrific 2017 in weddings!! I have one more on December 30th so be sure to stay tuned here for the final wedding of 2017. To inquire about your big day, as always please complete the Contact Form. I hope you have a terrific New Year and let's hope for a 2018 filled with love.

Bride inside the "red room" at Barker Mansion.

August Wedding At The Pavilion At Sandy Pines

August 28, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom on the golf course at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

We had an incredible day at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines capturing the summer wedding of Bethany and Keenin. From non stop laughter during getting ready at the bridal house to romantic photos on the golf course, the outdoor ceremony and of course, the open air reception. Let me take you through the day....

I started out in the bridal suite capturing hair and make up from the girls as well as details. Second photographer Bridget captured the guys as we counted down to the early afternoon reveal.

Bridal prep at the bridal house at Sandy Pines.

I had two wedding dresses to capture as Bethany shared the day with her sister Valerie. Dad surprised the bride with a quick visit as mom tended to the dress. Once the Converse All Stars were snug on her feet, it was time for some quick portraits of the gorgeous bride.

Bride getting ready at the bridal house at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

The bride in her wonderful dress at Sandy Pines bridal house.

bride-wedding-dress-bridal-house-sandy-pines-pavilion.jpg

Keenin pulled up in his green Ford Mustang and of course we took some photos with him and his Mach 1 hot rod along with his wedding clothes.

The first look was very emotional and exciting as I took the couple to a shady spot on the golf course. Beth approached Keenin who was facing the opposite way and they slowly came together with smiles, tears and a kiss.

First look bride and groom reveal at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

We explored the entirety of the sprawling golf course taking romantic wedding photos and Beth even got a ride on a golf cart courtesy of one of the club members!!

Bride and groom wedding photos on the golf course.

The bride and groom stand amidst the wildflowers.

All of us were very excited to take some photos with Keenin's classic car and the groomsmen had it decorated while I had the couple away on the golf course. We had a fun time posing them with the green Mustang as well as taking it for a quick ride.

Classic car wedding photos in Demotte, Indiana.

Bride and groom getaway drive in a classic Ford Mustang.

A few more wedding party photos and then guests started arriving for the late afternoon outdoor ceremony.

Bridesmaid and groomsmen photos at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

Bride and groom looking fashionable underneath the tall trees at Sandy Pines Pavilion.

The outdoor wedding ceremony at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana had lots of emotion as the groom's mom teared up after being walked down the aisle by her son. Bethany and her Dad came down the aisle with sister Valerie as the SRO crowd of friends and family looked on.

The outdoor wedding ceremony area at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines.

Dad walks his two daughters down the aisle.

Outdoor summer wedding ceremony at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

The wedding receptions at Sandy Pines are lovely open air events under a roof. Guests ate dinner and danced the night away while enjoying the fruits of summer. Of course a trip to the photo booth for some goofy fun was in the plan as well.

Open air wedding reception at Sandy Pines.

The bride and groom dance underneath the stars at their summer wedding.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Bethany and Keenin's outdoor wedding at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana. To inquire about your big day, please fill out the Contact Form to set up a meeting.