Wedding Venue Spotlight - Briar Ridge Country Club

February 19, 2020 Steve Vansak

Romantic wedding photo on the rolling hills of Briar Ridge Golf Course.

One of the things I love about Briar Ridge Country Club as a wedding venue is that the entire wedding can be shot in this one beautiful spot. The newly remodeled bridal suite has a nice modern vibe to it and overlooks the golf course and is right down the hall where the reception ballroom is. This gives me the opportunity to break away and capture all the decor as it gets set up throughout the day.

Are your bridesmaids getting “hangry” for some breakfast during prep time? No problem, the restaurant is mere steps away! :)

To see a wedding from bridal prep to reception, check out this summer wedding at Briar Ridge Country Club right here.

A boho bride tosses her dress on the golf course at Briar Ridge Country Club.

We all love sunshine but it can be difficult and harsh for photos sometimes. When I’m doing wedding photos at Briar Ridge Country Club, I either use the sun there as a beautiful backlight or tuck my couples away underneath the many trees on the golf course.

If possible, we should definitely sneak out for some sunset images as golden hour as it is quite nice on the golf course with the sun setting over the western trees.

Two newlyweds come together in the shade of a tall tree at Briar Ridge golf course.

Eskimo kiss in a vintage tone at Briar Ridge Country Club.

I’ve photographed wedding ceremonies on the back deck as well as my preferred spot east of the ballroom. I like this area because it is more shaded and less chance of harsh sun upon the wedding party and guests. The ballroom is available should the weather not cooperate for an outdoor wedding ceremony.

To view more of this outdoor wedding ceremony, follow the link to this summer wedding with Patty and Stephen.

An outdoor wedding ceremony at Briar Ridge Country Club.

Under the veil at Briar Ridge Country Club.

The reception ballroom overlooks the golf course and has access to a back deck where guests can get some fresh air. The chandeliers in the rooms give an air of elegance for dinner and dancing.

First dance inside the ballroom at Briar Ridge Country Club.

I hope you found this wedding venue spotlight of Briar Ridge Country Club (located in the Dyer / Schererville area) helpful for your wedding planning. When you are ready to see more of my work for your own wedding photography, please do fill out the Contact Form right here. To see another wedding I’ve shot at Briar Ridge, head over to view this Spring wedding with Sheri and Ryan right here. Happy planning!!

Wedding photo during a gorgeous summer day at Briar Ridge golf course in Schererville, Indiana.

Weddings In Indiana, Chicago and Michigan - The 2019 Year In Review

December 30, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride in Converse All Star shoes in front of a red door in Chicago.

It was another action packed year of wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southwest Michigan. There are a TON of images from February weddings all the way through November so let’s get started.

I had two winter weddings in 2019 with Sarah + Robert and Erin + Mason. Yep, we had some snow and even the Village People showed up to rock the reception.

Black and white winter wedding photo in the snow.

Early Spring saw torrential rain almost every single weekend. Like the postal service though, we deliver in ice, rain, sleet or snow. For Beth + Chad we had that all in one day!! Cherise + Thomas had some sunshine for their big day at Sand Creek Country Club and for a bridal portrait session in Chicago we had to dodge some puddles for sure.

Rain and wind and fog surround the bride and groom in a wedding photo at Sand Creek Country Club.

Bridal portraits on the streets of Chicago.

The wet Spring continued for Breana + Kevin’s Chicago wedding and Sarah + Billy’s hometown wedding in Crown Point, Indiana. Both had wonderful church ceremonies.

Bride and groom walk back down the aisle after their wedding ceremony at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.

May weddings in Chicago and Crown Point, Indiana.

The month of May was very busy with Northwest Indiana weddings of Tessa + Luis as well as Dan + Tea.

Vintage bridal portraits in Northwest Indiana.

June saw Gabby + Matt at Briar Ridge Country Club and Becky + Chuck along with the summer weddings of Rachel + Brandon at County Line Orchard and back to the Crown Point Courthouse with Robyn and Stacey.

First dance at Briar Ridge Country Club.

June wedding photos at Briar Ridge Country Club and Centennial Park.

Weddings in late June in Crown Point and County Line Orchard.

July saw me at the height of summer and back at County Line Orchard for an outdoor wedding with Emily + Tyler and Whiting Lakefront Park for the beach wedding of Maureen + Carlos.

July summer weddings at County Line Orchard and Whiting Lakefront Park.

Newlyweds kiss between two Golden Delicious sign in the apple orchards.

July also saw me heading east to Heston Hill wedding venue for Maggie + Eric and staying close to home for Cynthia + Zachary at Avalon Manor wedding venue.

Summer weddings at Heston Hills and Avalon Manor.

Bride and groom share a moment at Heston Hills wedding venue in Laporte, Indiana.

August began with a themed wedding from Isela + Thomas and Jackie + Kevin for the first time a bride has ever arrived via boat at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Early August weddings in Northwest Indiana.

Wedding photo with a sunset over the lake.

Mid to late August saw the 4 day Indian wedding of Molly + Ahsan in Chicago and the church wedding of Brie + Ryan at St. Michael’s Parish and reception at Sand Creek golf course.

Mid to late August weddings in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

A candid moment underneath the willow tree at Sand Creek Country Club.

Early September saw the first of two weddings at Four Corners Winery with Holly + Ethan and then it was onto The Allure in Laporte, Indiana with Mary + Jeff.

Wedding photos at Four Corners Winery and The Allure.

Photo at the rustic wedding venue Four Corners Winery in Valparaiso, Indiana.

I’d always wanted to photograph at the Naperville Riverwalk in Illinois for a wedding and did just that with Vilda + Brandon and weddings at Aberdeen Manor are some of the most elegant and the nuptials of Kristen and Zach did not disappoint.

September weddings in Naperville, Illinois Riverwalk and Aberdeen Manor.

Wedding photo on the staircase at Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Candid wedding moment at a lake in Aberdeen neighborhood in Valparaiso, Indiana.

A photo at night in front of the chapel at Aberdeen Manor.

September is still the most popular month for weddings and I was back at Avalon Manor for Violet + Jeremiah and an epic wedding with Jordan + Matt at Centennial Park where it snowed on the dance floor.

Late September weddings in Northwest Indiana.

It snows on the dance floor at the Centennial Park clubhouse for a wedding reception.

October is football season and we celebrated that with Francesca + Zane at Wicker Park and also wine tasting season at Four Corners Winery with Ammie + Matt.

Reema + Corey donned two wedding dresses and two suits at their Meyer’s Castle wedding in Dyer, Indiana and Mary + Ben braved the rain at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana for their late Fall weddings.

Late Fall weddings in Northwest Indiana.

Rain falls at night in this wedding photo at Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

I certainly can’t forget about Annie + Michael at Aberdeen Manor as well as the 2019 wedding season finale of Kim + Dustin at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Late November weddings in Northwest Indiana.

I’m looking forward to next year’s weddings in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please do fill out the Contact Form on this website and set up a meeting so I can show you more of my work. Happy New Year to all!!

A bride in front of graffiti art in the Bucktown area of Chicago, Illinois.

August Wedding At Sand Creek Country Club and St. Michael's Parish

September 2, 2019 Steve Vansak

Newlyweds snuggle at the base of a weeping willow tree at Sand Creek Country Club.

I would describe Brie and Ryan’s wedding day as picturesque, complete with a small town trolley as transportation. The day started at the bride’s parent’s house where hair and make up crew Brook’s Beauties and Make Up by Riem had transformed the kitchen into a salon. The beautiful dress came courtesy of Paris House of Bridal and video of the day by Elegante Media.

Bridal prep at the bride’s parent’s home.

Bridal details at an August wedding at St. Michael’s parish.

One of the items on my list to capture for the day was the bridesmaids decorating Polly the Trolley who would be transporting the wedding party to St. Michael’s Parish and again to Sand Creek Country Club. The groomsmen were already waiting after second photographer Kerrie captured their prep at a nearby hotel.

The bridal crew all aboard Polly the Trolley on wedding day.

Soon after the trolley arrived at church, the ceremony began with Dad walking Brie down the aisle and sister Alyce escorting the couple into the sanctuary of St. Michael’s Parish.

August wedding ceremony at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

Bride and groom inside the sanctuary at St. Michael’s Parish.

Bride and groom, post wedding ceremony photos inside St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

The wedding party at church board Polly the Trolley.

We strolled the grounds of Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, Indiana until it was time for the reception to begin. We visited the covered bridge deep inside the course as well as the famed weeping willow tree near the lake.

A candid moment between bride and groom underneath the covered bridge at Sand Creek golf course.

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

Bride and groom walking in the sunshine over the bridge at Sand Creek Country Club.

All this wedding stuff can get exhausting you know, so sometimes a nap for the wedding party is in order. Gotta save up that energy for the dance floor!!

Wedding photos all around Sand Creek Golf Course during an August wedding.

Wedding party in the garden area of Sand Creek Country Club.

The sun shines upon the newlyweds at Sand Creek Golf Course in Schererville, Indiana.

While I finished up bride and groom photos, second photographer Kerrie covered cocktail hour where guests mingled on the deck balcony that overlooks the beautiful course at Sand Creek Country Club. Soon it would be time for introductions, surprise visits, cake cutting and dancing with a soundtrack courtesy of 27 Entertainment. Cake was by Beck’s Crown Bakery in Crown Point.

Reception decorations, surprise visits and more during the wedding cocktail hour at Sand Creek.

First dances during an August wedding at Sand Creek Country Club.

Wedding reception fun inside the ballroom at Sand Creek Country Club wedding venue.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Brie and Ryan’s wedding at St. Michael’s Parish and Sand Creek Country Club. Stay tuned to the Region Weddings Instagram feed for more images from this and other weddings. As usual, please do use the Contact Form to inquire about your big day.

Summer Wedding At Briar Ridge Golf Course

June 11, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom among the greenery of Briar Ridge Country Club.

Gabrielle and Matt had a wonderful summer wedding at Briar Ridge Country Club. The green hues of the expansive golf course were everywhere and made for some very romantic, nature filled photos.

Our day started in the brand new, modernized bridal suite with Hannah Nottingham providing make up and Texture Pointe Hair Salon also on hand. Kathy’s Florist designed some wonderful bouquets and flower arrangements as well. Second photographer Kerrie captured the arrival of the groom and his guys and soon it was time for our bride and groom reveal.

Detail shots at a summer wedding at Briar Ridge Country Club.

The bride and bridesmaids get ready inside the new bridal suite at Briar Ridge Country Club.

The groomsmen arrive at the Briar Ridge clubhouse.

Matt practically leaped with excitement as he turned around to see Gabrielle in her dress for the first time. He walked all around her until they embraced with a kiss.

Bride and groom reveal at Briar Ridge Country Club.

We strolled around the gold course grounds taking romantic wedding photos as these two embraced, hugged, kissed and embraced. I played paparazzi to their celebrity status for the day. We had fun in the near perfect summer weather.

Loving eyes of the bride and groom with purple flowers in the foreground.

Wedding photos on the golf course of Briar Ridge.

Wedding photos at Briar Ridge Country Club golf course.

As we made our way back toward the clubhouse we met up with the wedding party for group pictures and family photos. Then it was time for the late afternoon outdoor ceremony.

Bride and her bridesmaids on the golf course of Briar Ridge.

Groom and his groomsmen at Briar Ridge Country Club.

Wedding party group photo at a summer wedding at Briar Ridge golf course.

Gabby made an entrance to the ceremony with her father and son as the SRO crowd of guests looked on. The location was incredibly scenic and vows were lighthearted and heartfelt.

The bride makes her ceremony entrance alongside her father and son.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Briar Ridge Country Club.

Wedding ceremony at Briar Ridge golf course.

The cocktail hour was outside and inside with lots of laughter and banter between guests and congratulations for the bride and groom. The cake was provided by Calumet Bakery and the room drapery and entertainment by Ever After Events.

Cocktail hour at Briar Ridge Country Club.

A rousing introduction for the bride and groom at their Briar Ridge wedding reception.

First dance inside the clubhouse at Briar Ridge golf course.

We had two of the most excited recipients of the bouquet and garter for sure! And the dance floor was so full that I had to stand on chairs for many of my photos to capture all of the fun.

The exuberant dance floor at Briar Ridge during a summer wedding reception.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Gabrielle and Matt’s summer wedding at Briar Ridge Golf Course. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please do fill out the Contact Form right here. Stay tuned to the social media channels listed below for my latest work.