Wedding At Friendship Botanical Garden

September 5, 2018 Steve Vansak

Josie and Victor were married in an homegrown tropical paradise Friendship Botanical Gardens in Michigan City, Indiana. We had some light rain the morning of the wedding which gave the incredible greenery an even more saturated look as the bride and groom traveled the grounds with me for romantic wedding pictures.

Our day started in the morning with bridal prep as Josie took on her striking bohemian bride look. Second photographer Bridget met up with the guys at the ceremony site and soon enough guests were arriving.

The beautiful bride on her big day as taken from above.

Groom and groomsmen arrive at Friendship Botanical Gardens.

The ceremony took place at the Romanian Garden within the vast Friendship Botanical Gardens and was an intimate affair with only immediate family attending.

Family photos took place in the ceremony area and then it was wedding party group pictures. Soon after, the newlyweds took a tour of the many scenic spots of International Friendship Garden for romantic wedding photos.

Wedding party group photo at Friendship Botanical Garden.

The newly wed bride and groom in a tender moment.

Give me a spectacular background along with a rustic bridge and you can bet I'm going to do some photos with my bride and groom there!!

Sunlight gleams through the trees onto the bridge at Friendship Botanical Garden.

Bride and groom gaze off into the distance on a rustic bridge.

The Friendship Botanical Gardens has many smaller and themed gardens within it. One of Josie's favorite spots was the Poland Garden with it's metal gazebo. We also ventured off to the lake where some tall willow trees overlooked.

Wedding photo collage at Friendship Botanical Gardens in Michigan City, Indiana.

Bride and groom take a rest on a park bench at International Friendship Garden.

The wedding reception took place at the elegant The Market venue in Valparaiso, Indiana. The romantic candle lit background was great for photographing the decorations as well as the first dance. 27 Entertainment had the place moving ALL NIGHT and that is not an exaggeration!!

Wedding decor at The Market in Valparaiso, Indiana.

First dance for the bride and groom at The Market.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Josie and Victor's wedding at Friendship Botanical Garden in Michigan City, Indiana. For more images from this and other weddings, please follow the Region Weddings Instagram feed. As always, to inquire about your own wedding photography, do fill out the Contact Form here.

Beautiful Backyard Wedding In Crown Point, Indiana

July 30, 2018 Steve Vansak

Sun streams though the trees onto the bride and groom.

“Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right”

— George Harrison / Here Comes The Sun

Patty and David had a wonderful backyard wedding in Crown Point, Indiana and I was there to capture all of the love between them and family and friends. It truly was a special day and I was floored by all of the warmth between all who attended.

The couple's home was surrounded by rustic wedding decor, including hay bales and memorable quotes.

Wedding decorations at a backyard wedding.

Reverend Doug presided over the ceremony as friends and family looked on in seats on the lawn. Patty and David were always looking into each other's eyes and celebrated with excitement after being married.

Outdoor wedding ceremony moments in Crown Point.

After family pictures, we took a very short trip to Lake County Fairgrounds for bride and groom photos. David mentioned that he loved the tall oak trees and we spent some time letting these newlyweds take romantic strolls among the wooded area and old covered bridge which conveniently has a heart drawn inside.

Bride and groom wedding photos at Lake County Fairgrounds.

Bride and groom take a stroll underneath the tall oak trees of the fairgrounds in Crown Point.

A romantic walk in the woods by the bride and groom.

The outdoor reception was simply a blast and very much saw a lot of family moments with the various children in the lives of the couple. There was dancing on the deck, a cupcake tower, wine and mixed drinks as well as popcorn and snow cones for the little ones. The night ended with an emotional remembrance of loved ones who had passed away. This was signified by the lighting and letting go of many sky lanterns. Family members took turns sending them into the night sky.

Outdoor wedding reception in Crown Point, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Patty and David's beautiful backyard wedding in Crown Point, Indiana. To inquire about your big day, please fill out the Contact Form here on the website. If you are on social media, be sure to follow at the links below.

June Wedding At Meyer's Castle

July 2, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom in front of the Meyer's Castle fountain.

We began our day for Mallory and Ryan's summer wedding at Beauty and the Beach in Crown Point, Indiana. We had plenty of beauty on hand, but with temperatures in the high 90's, we definitely could have used more beach!! Seriously though, it's a great spa / full service salon and all the bridesmaids seemed to enjoy it there. Even Mallory's two doggies made a visit during bridal prep.

Bridal prep at Beauty and the Beach salon.

The bride's two doggies visit her on wedding day.

Bridal details for a Meyer's Castle wedding.

When we arrived at the castle, I took Mallory and her crew around the grounds for photos while second photographer Kerrie captured the guy's prep and group pictures.

The bride shows off her dress in the foyer of Meyer's Castle.

Bride and bridesmaid photos at Meyer's Castle.

The groomsmen showed off their American flag socks for Independence Day weekend and secured their bowties before rewarding themselves with a nice cold beer.

Groomsmen at Meyer's Castle for a June wedding.

Mallory and Ryan had their outdoor wedding on the back terrace of the castle as the castle peacock kept a watchful eye on the proceedings. As Mallory's bridesmaid sang, the bride and groom exchanged rings.

June wedding ceremony at Meyer's Castle.

We strolled all around the grounds of the castle as guests enjoyed cocktail hour. The greenery is incredible in the enchanted forest area and I love using the entrance lights for romantic pictures.

Bride and groom photos in the forest of Meyer's Castle.

The sun peaks through the trees at Meyer's Castle in Dyer, Indiana.

The wedding party in front of the castle fountain.

The bride takes a break on the castle steps.

We had a packed dance floor all night and I had no problem capturing smiling, happy faces as they were everywhere. Let the adventure begin...

First dance for the bride and groom on the Meyer's Castle ballroom floor.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Mallory and Ryan's June wedding at Meyer's Castle. To inquire about photography for your wedding day, just fill out the Contact Form right here.

Summer Wedding At Meyer's Castle

June 18, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom among the greenery of Meyer's Castle.

Anthony and Valerie had a summer wedding this past weekend at the iconic Meyer's Castle in Dyer, Indiana. It was full metal summer too - as in temperatures close to 100 degrees with full sun!!

Our day started in the A/C at the bride's sister Lisa's home with bridal prep pictures and detail shots. The kids had fun hanging out with grandma and soon after we were off for bridesmaid photos at Meyer's Castle while second photographer Kerrie took shots of Anthony and the guys.

The bride gets ready for her wedding at Meyer's Castle.

The bride and groom dressed and ready for their castle wedding.

The outdoor wedding ceremony took place at the back of the castle, but this is the view the guest's see as they ride the shuttle around the cobblestone road to the courtyard.

I know how wonderful it must have felt for Valerie to walk out with her Dad who had been recently ill and is still recovering. I wanted to make sure I got an image of the two of them alone during the wedding ceremony and they looked extremely happy as they walked out together.

Perhaps it was the heat, but the flower girls decided mid ceremony that is was time to take a break!! Afterwards we took family pictures and then I whisked Valerie and Anthony all around the grounds of the castle for pictures.

Summer wedding ceremony at Meyer's Castle.

The groom walks his bride down the path from the gazebo.

The wedding party having fun at Meyer's Castle in Dyer, Indiana.

Romantic kiss for the bride and groom on the grounds of the castle.

Couples will sometimes bring a Thank You sign they they use later for cards and we took a variety of shots, but this "rock pose" from the bride and groom is probably my favorite.

I caught the happy couple in one final smooch and then we headed inside to cool off and take some portraits in the lounge just before the reception started.

The happy couple at their castle wedding.

Wedding reception decor at Meyer's Castle.

I usually show off first dances when I write these articles with the bride and groom first dance as the large image and the parent dances within a smaller collage. However, seeing as Valerie's Dad has gone through so much health wise this year AND it was the day before Father's Day - he gets the spotlight with this wonderful moment during the first dance with his daughter.

Father of the bride with his daughter during parent dances.

Good times at a summer wedding at Meyer's Castle.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Valerie and Anthony's summer wedding at Meyer's Castle. Stay tuned to the social media channels below for more image previews. Also, be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day.