The Northwest Indiana Wedding Photography Year In Review 2016

March 13, 2017 Steve Vansak

Wow - going through wedding photos from 2016 has simply been overwhelming!! So many moments - fun, serious, emotional, unexpected - the list goes on. The year started with winter weddings and freezing temperatures and ended like that as well. There is so much to share and not enough space, so I'm going to dive right into it.

My year started off photographing a winter wedding at Meyer's Castle with an indoor ceremony. However, I had to venture outside with Lisa and Mandeep for a few shots. Our next stop was in Crown Point with the winter wedding of Marissa and Dennis.

Winter wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

Spring weddings in Northwest Indiana can vary from 75 degree days to snow. Our April wedding saw all 4 seasons in a span of 8 hours!!

Spring wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

A sudden snowstorm breaks out during wedding photos in Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride alone at Holy Spirit Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

Late Spring saw stops at Notre Dame Basilica as well slightly warming temperatures. From Harley Davidson boots for the bride to a groom getting serenaded at church - the 2016 wedding fun was just beginning.

Spring weddings in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

Bride and groom take a stroll at Wicker Park in Munster, Indiana.

June is traditionally a busy month for weddings in Northwest Indiana as the temperatures tend to settle in, although it can get quite warm. June weddings in 2016 saw more Harley Davidson motorcycles along with stops at County Line Orchard, The Patrician as well as a church wedding at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville.

The bride and groom roar away on their Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Summer wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

I was very proud to capture the new Mrs. and Mrs. Wendy and Kelly at Lighthouse Restaurant in June 2016. We had a blast covering their big day and I'm so glad mother nature gave us a nice sunset overlooking the pier.

Summer 2016 wedding at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Sunset wedding photo at Lighthouse Restaurant.

June continued on with many stops at the beach and an epic Chicago church wedding with a reception at The Halls of St. George.

June wedding photos in Northwest Indiana during 2016.

July saw stops at Sand Creek Country Club for Kelly and John's big day as well as a Catholic wedding ceremony at St, Kasmir Church in Hammond. We stopped by Centennial Park a few times as well.

Bride and groom at the fountain at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

July weddings in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

August saw another stop at County Line Orchard along with The Pavilion at Sandy Pines. Lets open the balcony door and take a look...

The bride opens the balcony door at County Line Orchard.

Northwest Indiana wedding photos in August of 2016.

The bride and her bridesmaids take a walk at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines.

September and October have increasingly become the busiest times of the year. The 2016 Fall wedding season was exactly that!! We started things off on Labor Day weekend at White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point with the outdoor golf course wedding of Amanda and Zach and then it was onto The Allure in Laporte, Indiana where BB8 delivered the wedding ring.

Bride and groom on the golf course at White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point, Indiana.

September 2016 wedding photos in Northwest Indiana.

The second half of September saw us at barn weddings, riding tractors and exploring some nearby forests.

Wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in September 2016.

October 2016 was one of the busiest with outdoor weddings at Briar Ridge and church weddings and receptions back at Lighthouse Restaurant and elsewhere.

Bride and groom sit on logs at Coffee Creek Park in Chesterton, Indiana.

October wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

Bride and groom at Briar Ridge Country Club in Dyer, Indiana.

Bride and groom walk in front of the courthouse in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana.

One theme of the Fall weddings here in Northwest Indiana and the surrounding Chicago area in 2016 was the Chicago Cubs playoff games and of course, World Series win!! Almost all of the receptions had updates. As we made our way into November, fall color was at it's peak.

Fall wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

A romantic moment between bride and groom during a Fall wedding.

December 2016 saw the train roll in for some winter weddings in Crown Point as well as Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso. Warm hearts melted the falling snow...

Northwest Indiana winter wedding photos in 2016.

A winter wedding photo at Cloister In The Woods in Munster, Indiana.

So there you have it, the Northwest Indiana Wedding Photography Year in Review 2016. So many wedding images to share and simply not enough room here. Please check out the Region Weddings Instagram feed to see even more. To inquire about your date, the Contact Form is the best method.

Happy New Year!!

The Moment Always Wins

April 6, 2015 Steve Vansak

The bride wipes away happy tears on the morning of her wedding.

There are many reasons I offer All Day Coverage for all of my wedding packages. Chief among those reasons is that my clients do not have to stress out about their photographer capturing key moments of the day. A wedding is a major event with many people and variables involved. There are bound to be things that don't go exactly as planned.

Another part of this philosophy is that moments are going to occur on the wedding day at many various points. I want to be there and at the ready. In the image above, Krystyne sat in an empty room where her dress hang and read a card left to her from her husband to be. I was in the hallway observing from a distance. She shed some happy tears while reading those words and I'm glad to have been able to capture the moment.

Here are the stories of the images in the above collage. I'll never forget the groom Cordale beginning to sob as his best friend told of a car accident they were in together years before. It was wonderful to listen, learn and of course - capture!! The sun was streaming through the curtains as Brian and India danced at the start of their Sunday reception. They were simply overjoyed as they embraced and friends and family looked on.

I was shooting Brandi and Gary's reception at the Old Crown Point Courthouse when an older woman got up suddenly and rushed over to another guest to hug him. At the time I wasn't sure who she was, but found out later it was an ailing grandmother. I love the look of pure joy on Brittany's face as her groom Shaun spun her around. It was a beautiful moment during their outdoor wedding ceremony in the middle of Grant Park in Chicago. Andee got lifted sky high during her and Mike's first dance. I love the shadow on the wall.

So, the purpose of today's post is to simply say that, in wedding photography - The Moment Always Wins. My 2015 wedding season starts on April 18th and I can't wait!! If you are a 2016 couple, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your date.

Wedding at Radisson Hotel

November 7, 2014 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom pose in between paintings at the Radisson Hotel in Merrillville, Indiana.

If there is one thing that I came away with from Ashley and Cordale's wedding at the Radisson Hotel is that these two really, really wanted to get married. From the exciting first look at the grand piano to Cordale's smiles during the ceremony as Ashley came down the aisle accompanied by her Father, it was all very apparent. Heck, scroll down below to the first dance shot and look at that smile on the groom's face!!

The day started out in the Birch Room where the girls got ready. Some champagne was poured, make up applied, hair styled and a cocktail in the lounge to calm the soon to be Mrs. Franklin's nerves.

Getting ready for the wedding at Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza Theater.

After Ashley got into her dress, we took portraits of her with the first look with Cordale to happen soon after. We were going for a classy elegance near the grand piano at the very back of the hotel ballrooms.

The bride shows off the back of her wedding dress in the hotel lobby in Merrillville.

The bride shows off her dress next to the grand piano at Radisson Hotel.

Excitement was in the air for the first look. A few bridesmaids looked on as Ashley and Cordale slowly turned toward each other and finally kissed...

First look for the bride and groom at The Radisson in Merrillville.

After emotions settled down, we then walked all over the hotel taking couple's shots. From the staircase and it's patterned skylights to two comfy chairs in a hallway where I noticed the lights above were forming a heart. Ashley and Cordale got nose to nose, eyes closed. No kissing allowed!! :)

Bride and Groom on the staircase at Radisson at Star Plaza Theater.

An orange heart forms from two lanterns above the bride and groom as they snuggle.

The wedding ceremony took place in one of the Radisson Hotel ballrooms. As I stated before, Cordale was overjoyed as Ashley came down the aisle with family and friends looking on.

The groom watches his bride come down the aisle in her Father's arms.

A collage of wedding ceremony photos at Radisson Hotel.

After family photos and before the reception began, wedding party photos were taken at the entrance of the hotel lobby. Special thanks to the staff of Radisson in Merrillville for helping us move all of the furniture for the large group shot.

A large wedding party group shot in the front lobby of Radisson Hotel.

Soon it was party time and emotions ran high during the speeches of the best man. The first dance in the celebrity ballroom saw the couple spotlighted by my lighting assistant with family and friends cheering them on.

The bride's father dances with her at her wedding at Radisson Hotel.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Ashley and Cordale's wedding at Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza Theater. If you are planning your own wedding, be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about openings for your date.

First dance for the bride and groom at the celebrity ballroom at Radisson Hotel.

Wedding Details

September 1, 2014 Steve Vansak

People always ask me if I ever get tired of shooting at some of the same wedding venues. Do I feel that wedding couples are all the same? I always say no and I mean that. I once shot at Avalon Manor three Saturdays in a row and it had a different flavor and different look each time. I like to see what my clients and their families are going to put on display or what event they may stage. Not too mention the different types of people and cultures that I photograph.

In the above collage you will find a Star Wars garter, pink All Star Converse shoes for the bride and engraved I Do and Me Too shoes. Vintage jewelry and specially made hangers are becoming venerable classics these days as well.

A recent trend and one that I've really enjoyed photographing are father and daughter first looks on the wedding day.

Father and daughter wedding day first look photo collage.

When you think of wedding detail shots, no doubt rings come to mind. I always try to do something unique and interesting with them and very often I will use the bride and groom's decor in the photo.

I'm not sure why, but Fall weddings tend to bring out the most decor. Perhaps people are just really attracted to the Autumn colors.

The classic shot of the hanging dress needs to included here as well. One of my more recent weddings had a super sweet sign and sentiment hanging over the bed. I made sure to include that in one of our dress photos for sure.

Always Kiss Me Goodnight wedding decoration.

I wrote above about uniqueness in every couple. In the collage below we have henna decorated hands, harpist Jamie Lynn Haney performing, a couple entering their reception via the military honor guard, a bride reading a message from her soon to be husband, fabulous uplighting and the back of an equally fabulous wedding dress.

The reception is usually where I take most of my wedding detail photos. This is where I tend to forget that I was just at this very banquet hall the previous week. It's certainly fun to see what I will find waiting for me to photograph. In the photo collage below, you will find everything from artilery ammunition (gifts to the groomsmen) to a traditional film camera for guests to snap pictures on.

You didn't think I would forget about cake did you? Signature drinks for the couple is another growing trend and cupcakes are alive and well too.

I hope you have enjoyed all of these wedding detail photographs. I have so many and I simply grabbed a few from the past two years. Perhaps in the off season I will look for more and share them here. In the meantime, have fun dreaming up all the fun stuff you will be showcasing at your wedding!!