Spring Wedding At The Pavilion At Sandy Pines

May 14, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom overlooking the lake at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

I photographed Ashley and Michael's engagement session last Fall and was able to learn what a passionate and loving couple they are. I had no doubt that I'd have a wonderful day with them at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines in Demotte for their wedding. Indeed. It was fun, sweet, loving, emotional and all of the adjectives you'd expect at a wedding.

Our day started in the spectacular bridal suite with myself covering Ashley's prep while second photographer Kerrie captured Michael and the guys.

Bridal prep at the wonderful Sandy Pines bridal suite.

When I set up a "first look" with the bride and groom, I usually instruct one person to slowly walk toward the other. I did this with Ashley as well. However, she was quite the anxious one as she fast walked toward Michael. They came together in an embrace and we left them alone for awhile so they could have their moment together before we ventured out onto the golf course for pictures. She definitely was excited to see him.

The bride and groom reveal / first look at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

A loving moment between newlyweds at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

The groom dips his bride underneath some mile high trees.

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

Portraits of the bride and groom on and off the golf course.

On the way back from strolling the golf course we got together with the wedding party who were all now prepped and dressed and we did some group photos before the ceremony.

Wedding party group pictures at Sandy Pines.

The outdoor wedding ceremony featured Ashley being walked down the aisle by her brothers and ceremonial heart shaped locks in which parents and the bride groom attached. The couple was awash in bubbles as they exited the sun filled ceremony area.

Outdoor Spring ceremony at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

After the family pictures it was celebration time with introductions and cake cutting. First dances had a nice late afternoon vibe to them as I shot behind some blooming flower petals. The flower girl decided to audition for the Sandy Pines teardown crew by flattening the ceremony chairs.

A late afternoon, open air reception underneath The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

A late afternoon first dance for the bride and groom.

Parent dances in the open air reception area of Sandy Pines.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Ashley and Michael's Spring wedding at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana. To inquire about having your big day captured, be sure to fill out the Contact Form right here.

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.