Outdoor Wedding at Aberdeen Manor

June 16, 2014 Steve Vansak

Surprise flower delivery with a note from the groom.

I usually start my posts with an image of the bride and groom, but today we get a message of love from Ryan to his bride Nikki. It was an unexpected delivery of flowers that came after make up had been applied. Nikki decided to read it later because she knew she'd cry, but that didn't stop her bridesmaids (or me) from taking a look. :)

The bride receives flowers on her wedding day.

The bridesmaids read a message of love sent over from the groom.

Our day started at the wonderful Accents on 45th in Highland, Indiana where the staff was just terrific. The entire salon was riveted to Nikki's spectacular hair all the way from the mussing to the finished style.

The bride gets her hair done at Accents on 45th in Highland, Indiana.

Next we made our way to Nikki's parent's home and I knew I had arrived at the right place due to the wedding decorations outside. Her parents have a wonderful home and the inside was wedding bliss as well with balloons and sayings of love. We used the front of their home for some bridesmaids photos along with nice formals as well.

After Nikki's mom helped lace up her dress I exited the room and looked back to see this wonderful light falling upon the bride and I took the following image.

The bride in her parent's home just before leaving for her wedding ceremony.

A fun wedding photo between the bride and her maid of honor.

Cute picture of the bride and her girls in front of her parent's home.

We then made our way from Highland to Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso where the outdoor ceremony and reception were to take place. We met up with Ryan and his groomsmen at a scenic area near the Aberdeen ballroom.

Groom sits by the ledge of a river near Aberdeen Manor.

The groomsmen relax before the wedding ceremony at Aberdeen.

As guests arrived, Nikki and Ryan did a peek-a-boo non look at each other as each one stood on the opposite side of a door way while holding hands....

The bride and groom hold hands as they stand at opposite sides of a doorway.

The weather was perfect for an outdoor ceremony and the seating in Aberdeen Manor courtyard was filled to capacity with friends and family.

The bride's father kisses her before giving her away.

A beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony at Aberdeen Manor.

First kiss at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso, Indiana.

For couple shots we went to the same area as the guy's photos for candid bride and groom portraits as well as a stroll through picturesque Valparaiso neighborhood. We broke away from the reception later in the evening for a night time picture at the Aberdeen Chapel adjacent to the ballroom.

A candid moment between the newly married couple.

A stroll through the Aberdeen neighborhood for the bride and groom.

The entire room rose and applauded when the newly married couple were introduced as Trans Audio provided the soundtrack.

The bride and groom enter the Aberdeen ballroom for their wedding reception.

The toast had lots of laugh as friends and family recounted funny moments in the couple's history. Soon it was time for a first dance as the room took on a blue hue in the darkened ballroom.

The bride and groom share a knowing look at their wedding reception at Aberdeen Manor.

The newlyweds dance a blue colored dance at their reception at Aberdeen Manor.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Nikki and Ryan's outdoor wedding at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso. Subscribe here and to the Region Weddings Facebook page for more updates and many more images to come.

The bride and groom share a kiss underneath the evening stars in front of the Aberdeen chapel in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Outdoor Wedding at The Patrician

May 27, 2014 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom embrace at sunset after their Spring wedding at The Patrician.

India and Brian were married on a gorgeous Spring day at The Patrician in Schererville, Indiana. The outdoor ceremony was awash with sunlight as the afternoon sky had no clouds on this Sunday before Memorial Day. We stepped away from the reception at dusk to take the above shot with the sun setting and casting it's orange glow upon the sky.

Our day began in the bridal suite with fun and laughter courtesy of the flower girls who absolutely love the many mirrors available to them.

The flower girl has fun in the bride's lap on wedding day.

The bride with her mother on the morning of her wedding.

The ceremony took place at the west gazebo area of the banquet hall on Route 30. Friends and family filled the seats with most wearing sunglasses to shield them from the rays as temperatures rose above 80 degrees.

The bride walks down the aisle at her outdoor wedding along side her Father.

The sky was a perfect blue overlooking the gazebo and blended in perfectly with India's wedding colors.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at the gazebo at The Patrician in Schererville, Indiana.

As usual we took family photos right after the ceremony and then I had the couple take a short stroll among the greenery behind the gazebo.

The bride and groom take a stroll in the summer sun.

For India's bridal portraits we tucked into one of the ballrooms for a darkened, dramatic look and focused on the back of her dress.

The bride shows off the back of her dress in this dramatic bridal portrait.

The afternoon reception was pure family fun with lots of laughs during the speeches as well as another happy flower girl enjoying the sunlight streaming in from the ballroom windows.

A candid moment during the reception toasts.

The first dance also had it's share of laughs as the bridal party encouraged the couple from the head table.

The bride and groom laugh it up during their first dance at an afternoon wedding reception at The Patrician.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at India and Brian's outdoor wedding at The Patrician in Schererville, Indiana. You can subscribe here and visit the Region Weddings Facebook page for more updates.

Beach Weddings at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

January 17, 2014 Steve Vansak

The groom carries his bride across the bridge at Portage River Walk.

As I write this, the "polar vortex" is about to revisit Northwest Indiana with more bitterly cold air along with some snow. What a perfect time to talk about beach weddings at the Indiana Dunes Lakeshore!!

Sarcasm aside, you actually may be thinking about this as you do wedding planning for 2014 and 2015. I think most people have beach weddings or at least go there for their wedding photos because they love the calming atmosphere it provides along with the beautiful blue skies, water and fresh air. I also think beach weddings appeal to couples who want to keep it simple and natural.

Bride and groom walk toward the beach after their wedding at the Indiana Dunes Lakeshore.

Today I found out, that as a professional photographer, I will need to purchase permits for photographing at the Indiana Dunes Lakeshore. I shoot many sessions out there so I will be doing this in the next few weeks. If you are planning to have your ceremony at one of the lakeshore locations such as West Beach, Portage River Walk, Chellberg Farm and others, here are some guidelines you will need to know.

A permit is needed and can be obtained by calling 219-395-1644. The cost is $65.00.
Wedding permits are available all year around and are good for 2 hours.
Electricity is only available at one location - Portage River Walk.
The following is a link to download the - Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Permit Application
Metal or wooden folding chairs are not allowed.

Here is a link to download the Frequently Asked Questions about Beach Weddings at the Indiana Dunes.

I hope this is helpful to you if you are considering a wedding on the beach at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. You can contact me here if you have any other questions about the photography.

A group hug as the best man and matron of honor sandwich the bride and groom for a casual, fun wedding photo.

Fall Wedding at Fernwood Botanical Garden

October 6, 2013 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom share a kiss in this dreamy wedding photo taken in the forest of Fernwood Botanical Garden.

I was expecting Fall / Autumn colors for Mike and Jennifer's outdoor wedding at Fernwood Botanical Garden and this hideaway in Niles, Michigan did not disappoint. This nature preserve is a special place where people, plants, and nature come together. Several mini gardens are surrounded by a forest area with tall trees and many different paths leading to hidden areas such as a water wheel with a river and bridge. This was the perfect setting for Mike and Jennifer who were looking for earthy looking wedding photos featuring them surrounded by nature.

My assistant and I arrived early and started taking detail shots of the unique Fall wedding decorations that were set up in the outdoor tent area that would serve as the reception hall for family and guests.

Fall wedding decorations for an outdoor Autumn wedding.

A homemade, rustic looking wedding gift card box.

Soon the groom and his groomsmen arrived for photos. They took a stroll through the wooded area of Fernwood as we awaited for the bride's arrival and the much anticipated first look.

The groomsmen take a stroll through the woods of Fernwood Botanical Garden.

The groom is surrounded by yellow leaves for a photo at his Autumn wedding.

I have had some real touching first looks this wedding season, everywhere from Lake County Fairgrounds to Centennial Park and I'm happy to say that this streak continues with Jennifer and Mike. Just look at the grooms face as he sees his bride for the first time!!

An overjoyed groom reacts during the first look at Fernwood Botanical Garden.

We let the anticipation build as the bride slowly walked toward her soon to be husband as friends and family cheered them on.

The bride walks toward her soon to be husband in a beautiful green field surrounded by trees and Autumn leaves.

A beautiful bride reveals herself to her groom.

The bride and groom first look at the gorgeous pumpkin garden during their Fall wedding in Niles, Michigan.

We then walked deep into the forest area at Fernwood Botanical Garden taking bridal party shots along with portraits of our beautiful bride surrounded by the wonderful colors of the Fall season.

Beautiful bridal portrait taken in the Fall season with warm color.

I left the couple alone for awhile to soak in the beauty of the area while I took candid images of their moments together.

A candid photo of the bride brushing the grooms hair surrounded by wonderful greenery.

Soon it was time for the outdoor ceremony to begin and the groom got last minute advice from his mom. Okay, I admit it, I goaded her into giving him a lecture!! Either way, it was a fun shot. :)

The groom's mother gives some last minute advice to her son just before the wedding ceremony.

The bride and groom are surrounded by family for their first kiss captured from behind and showing their guests in the background.

The outdoor reception was held under an open air tent and featured earthy, homemade furniture for guests to lounge in while drinking wine and tasting delicious desserts.

A lounge area at an outdoor wedding reception.

Guests mingle and drink wine at an outdoor wedding reception in Niles, Michigan.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Mike and Jennifer's outdoor Fall wedding at Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles, Michigan. Stay tuned to this Journal and give the Region Weddings Facebook Page a like for more photo updates.