As the sun sets on the 2023 wedding season, I’m looking back at all the weddings I photographed (and filmed) this past year. I’ve visited many venues in Northwest Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, some very familiar and some brand new to me.
Read moreOctober Wedding At The Grand Wedding Venue
Hometown love was displayed at the elegant Northwest Indiana wedding venue, The Grand, for Kathryn and Tyler’s big day. Located in the heart of downtown Crown Point, Indiana Square, the historic building served as a getting-ready location and a ceremony and reception.
Read more2021 Year In Review - Midwest Wedding Photography
Welcome to my 2021 Year in Review! What a year it has been for wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, southwest Michigan and the Chicago area.
Above is a short video slideshow to give you an overview of the entire year in pictures. Turn up the volume and enjoy.
Of course, scrolling through this blog / journal you will find the stories of the weddings days (with lots of images) of many of my clients dating all the way back to 2010. This post will concentrate on the images from 2021 (also check out Sarah + Brents’s Short Film embedded at the end) with a few comments from me.
As always, inquire on my Contact Form about openings for your big day for photography as well as Short Films.
Happy New Year!
I had one lone wedding in March at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana and then the season kicked off in earnest in late May. After that, WEDDINGS DID NOT STOP! In late June I recall 5 weddings in one 10 day period. This wedding season saw many weekday weddings.
Some of the early Spring wedding venues as seen above were Sand Creek Country Club, The Grand CP and Journeyman Distillery.
Wedding photo in the garden at Centennial Park.
June turned out to be the busiest month of the year for Midwest weddings in 2021. The Fall season usually takes that crown but this year was more traditional.
The beginning of Summer saw weddings in Monee, Illinois as well as Meyer’s Castle, Tying the Knot wedding venue in Michigan, Whiting Lakefront Park and The Lighthouse Lodge in Monticello, Indiana.
The bride’s veil flies in the air as she kisses her groom at a summer wedding in Northwest Indiana.
As summer rolled on, I photographed such diverse Northwest Indiana wedding venues such as County Line Orchard, The Pavilion at Sandy Pines as well as church weddings in downtown Chicago.
Yes, you are seeing an actual rainbow in the image above! After a rain delay of an outdoor ceremony at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana a rainbow appeared in the sky. I can honestly that was a wedding first for me and no photoshop was involved.
Weddings at County Line Orchard and Marquette Park Pavilion.
A Harry Potter themed wedding took place this year at The Grand CP in Crown Point, Indiana along with receptions at Maggiano’s, a Chicago wedding venue in River North area as well as a beautiful outdoor wedding at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Early Fall saw me back at Gabis Arboretum for another outdoor wedding at the scenic Northwest Indiana wedding venue as well as the venerable Avalon Manor.
Bride and groom in a candid moment at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.
Fall is always busy for weddings in Northwest Indiana and throughout the Midwest. This year I had many church weddings in the Autumn with photos at locations such at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Centennial Park.
The Fall wedding season also saw me return to Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City along with photos at the gorgeous Friendship Botanic Gardens.
Silver Lake Country Club and Georgio’s Banquets in Orland Park, Illinois were two of my Illinois wedding venue destinations this year.
Midwest wedding photos taken in the Fall season.
The end of October into early November gave us some intense Fall color at a Briar Ridge Country Club as well as a return to County Line Orchard along with church nuptials.
Early winter weddings often mean it gets dark early. For an early December wedding at Four Season’s Clubhouse we ventured outside for blue hour in this winter wedding photo below.
Winter weddings at The Grand CP and Center For The Visual and Performing Arts.
Wedding Season 2021 ended with a December wedding at Center For Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana in mid December and a Christmas Eve wedding in Wilmington, Illinois.
Bride and bridesmaids on the staircase during a December wedding at Center For Visual and Performing Arts.
It was a glorious year for weddings in 2021!!
As a bonus for making it this far down in my Year in Review post, press play below on the Short Film video that Sarah and Brent added to the wedding package of their winter wedding.
In case you didn’t know that there was an option to add video to your wedding photography package, more info can be found at this link.
Fall Wedding At Briar Ridge Country Club
Fall color surrounds the newlyweds at Briar Ridge Country Club.
Fall color finally arrived in Northwest Indiana for the Fall wedding of Colette and Jared at Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville, Indiana. October 31st made even more “spook-tacular” although the couple refrained from a full on costume party at the reception. They did however, provide enough candy and other treats to rival many tick or treat bags.
We started off in the bridal suite with Krissy V. enhancing the beauty and soon wedding coordinator Hannah from Enchanted Events was on the scene as we made our way from a series of first look reveals, culminating with the groom.
Bridal details at Briar Ridge Country Club.
Bridal prep for an Autumn wedding at Briar Ridge golf course.
The first bridal reveal of the day.
Reveal to the bridesmaids inside the bridal suite at Briar Ridge Country Club.
Our groom arrived dressed and ready to see Colette for the first time. The golf course made for a great backdrop as they came together for the first time on their big day.
All dressed up with a wedding to attend!!
First look on Briar Ridge golf course on a crisp Fall afternoon in October.
We had some yellows and intense orange Fall color on hand as well as a dramatic array of cloud cover at times. It made for a wide range of looks.
A romantic stroll on the golf course at Briar Ridge for the bride and groom.
An array of clouds and sun surrounds Briar Ridge golf course as the bride and groom kiss.
Team bride has some laughs on the golf course.
Some silliness before guests arrive and things get real.
A loving look between the happy couple with Autumn leaves in the background.
The intimate wedding ceremony took place just outside of the ballroom at Briar Ridge Country Club with afternoon sun streaming in upon the outdoor nuptials.
An outdoor October wedding ceremony at Briar Ridge in Schererville, Indiana.
Sun illuminates an outdoor Fall wedding ceremony on Briar Ridge golf course.
A sunset wedding photo on Briar Ridge golf course.
The guests who love candy and sweet treats did not need to worry that they were missing out on Halloween night. A treat table was on display. During cocktail hour a warm fire was lit in the lounging area as Jim Bulanda sang the songs of Frank Sinatra and others for a very classy pre-dinner social hour. 27 Entertainment had the dance floor rocking.
Reception decorations for an October wedding reception at Briar Ridge Country Club.
An Autumn wedding reception in Schererville, Indiana.
Dance floor fun at a Fall wedding at Briar Ridge wedding venue.
This is merely a sneak peek look at Colette and Jared’s Fall wedding at Briar Ridge Country Club. Stay tuned here and the social media channels below for more. Please do fill out the Contact Form now to inquire about wedding photography for your big day here in Northwest Indiana or the Chicago area and beyond.
Bride and groom in silhouette on the golf course at Briar Ridge Country Club.