Summer Wedding At Marquette Park Pavilion

June 5, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom in silhouette at the Marquette Park Pavilion lagoon.

The last time I photographed a wedding at Marquette Park Pavilion was before the big remodel. It was spectacular then and even more so now. So when Nicole and Chad told me their wedding would be at this classic venue AND there would be live music inside and out throughout the day, I was even more excited to capture their big day.

Nicole and her bride tribe got ready in one area while second photographer Bridget hung out with the guys in another location. While I took photos of Nicole's uniquely beautiful wedding dress, Bridget captured the guys swimming on this sweltering 95 degree summer day.

Bridal prep for a wedding at Marquette Park Pavilion.

Bride getting ready at Marquette Park Pavilion.

The groom and his guys before a wedding at Marquette Park Pavilion.

Nicole and Chad had their first look along the walkway of the lagoon behind the Marquette Park Pavilion ballroom. The bride and groom had a romantic moment together and then we took photos all around the picturesque venue.

First look for the bride and groom at Marquette Park Pavilion.

Bride and groom on the bridge overlooking the lagoon at Marquette Park Pavilion.

Bride and groom wedding photos at Marquette Park Pavilion.

The bride on the bridge overlooking the lagoon.

A trio of singers performed an acoustic set as Nicole's Dad walked her down the aisle. The sand ceremony became a family pact and the officiant, wedding party and congregation made great light of the fact that we were all baking in sun in 95 degree temperatures!! If you think I'm exaggerating take a look at that big old sunstar below. It didn't matter as it was all beautiful anyway.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Marquette Park Pavilion.

A sunstar illuminates an outdoor wedding.

A bubble exit for the bride and groom at Marquette Park Pavilion.

Summer wedding ceremony at Marquette Park Pavilion.

So we had live music outside, inside and the entire wedding party is playing air guitar in these photos. Can you guess what Nicole and Chad (and many of their wedding party and guests) do when they are not getting married on the beach? That's right - they sing, play guitar, beat on drums, compose on the piano and make beautiful noise!! Be sure to check out their music here and here.

The wedding party plays air guitar like a boss.

The cocktail hour continued an acoustic set of music and then it was inside the spectacular ballroom for dinner and dancing.

Wedding reception at Marquette Park Pavilion.

The ballroom at Marquette Park Pavilion.

First dance and parent dances at Marquette Park Pavilion.

Dinner is served in the main ballroom of Marquette Park Pavilion.

The Chicago Catz band had the crowd in a frenzy on the dance floor as a wedding crasher visited the photo booth (must be a bass player).

Live music at a summer wedding reception.

It certainly was great to be back at the spectacular Marquette Park Pavilion. I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Nicole and Chad's summer wedding there. Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about photography for your big day.

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.

Outdoor Weddings In Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan

March 19, 2018 Steve Vansak

A ceremonial garden planting during an outdoor wedding at The Red Barn Experience.

A few weeks ago I had an article on Church Weddings with examples, tips and stories of the various chapels, churches and more that I've shot at. Today we showcase outdoor wedding ceremonies. I've shot at so many outdoor wedding venues that I can't possibly show them all here, but I can post a few along with some tips down below if you are planning an outdoor event.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

One of my favorite outdoor wedding venues is Sandy Pines Pavilion. What is nice about this Demotte, Indiana golf course wedding destination at that photos before and after can all be done right there along with the reception.

One of the other hidden benefits of an outdoor ceremony is I often have more area to move about as a photographer. This means I can swirl about to the front side and capture some emotional moments from family and guests like in the collage above.

If country club weddings are not your thing, we have plenty of farmland here in Northwest Indiana. The photos below from Meadow Springs Manor shows this off as does other area venues such as County Line Orchard and Red Barn Experience.

Outdoor wedding at Meadow Springs Manor.

Bride and groom at Meadow Springs Manor.

Not too many people realize that there are outdoor weddings in Chicago quite often that have the city as a backdrop. So this is an option as well.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at The Cancer Survivor's Garden in Chicago.

Here are my top tips for planning an outdoor wedding ceremony:

If you think the wind blowing your veil around is annoying, think about what it might do to the decorations you have set up. Have a plan to secure chairs, lanterns, flowers and more. While I may use the wind to my advantage to have your veil blowing in the wind romantically, we certainly don't want the archway to come crashing down. :)
Outdoor weddings often have a structure like a gazebo or archway, etc. and these can often cast shadows from a blazing sun. Ask your officiant to look closely at you as they begin the proceedings. Have them move you if need be so there are no shadows or stripes coming across your face. I've seen the slats of the gazebo cast a shadow across the groom's face making it look like he has black bars tattooed on. Look at each and move a few steps if you see this happening.
If you are using a non traditional area such as a beach where you often visit or something along those lines, don't assume you have a wedding there even if it's a quick "15 minute" nuptial. You will need to secure a permit. This will be a lot less expensive than paying a fine.
If you are having an outdoor reception at say your parent's beautiful home, be sure to have generators on hand in case the electricity fails or the home simply cannot handle the enrgy of a DJ and outdoor lighting, cooking, etc.
The "R"word - also known as rain, thunder, lightning and more. If it's a slight rain, don't worry about it - get some umbrellas and let's have us a wedding and take some pictures. My equipment can handle it as can I. If it's looking to be more than that, take out the extra expense of reserving a tent company just in case.
Concerned about too much sun and guests? Consider passing out some stylish floppy hats as they enter the ceremony area. Or, simply warn them ahead that this is an outdoor venue with very little shade.

I often hear, "oh no, my day is overcast and cloudy". As photographers, we love this! I don't have to fight with the sun and we have plenty more vantage points to choose from. Just because it's cloudy doesn't mean your photos will look gloomy in the right photographer's hands.

A cloudy overcast day at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

At those church weddings I wrote about recently, I often show off the architecture. This can be done at outdoor weddings in a way as well. Clouds and sun take the place of stained glass windows, etc.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Centennial Park.

Fun outdoor wedding ceremony photos at Briar Ridge Country Club.

Outdoor wedding ceremonies in Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

Outdoor wedding garden at Trinity Hall in Chesterton, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this article about outdoor weddings in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan. Please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about photography for your big day, indoor or outdoors. :)