Wedding At Thornton Distillery

February 28, 2022 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss in the loft at Thornton Distillery wedding venue in Illinois.

Robert and Ivana chose Thornton Distillery for their winter wedding in Thornton, Illinois. It is one of the most unique Midwest wedding venues I’ve been in.

Thornton Distilling Company was built in 1857 as a brick and limestone brewery and grain tower by John S. Bielfeldt Brewing Company on the west bank of Thorn Creek.

The bridal suite is very spacious with adjacent rooms available for groomsmen and guests. I was greeted by a fun group with lots of laughter and wedding moments galore.

Venue: Thornton Distillery

Coordinators: Ginger Peach
Live Music: The Jolly Ringwalds

***Click or tap on images to enlarge and advance***

We had a series of first looks before we did portraits of the bride and groom. First up was the groom and his daughter and then Robert got to see his bride for the first time.

We had a first look with their young sons as well and then an “accidental first look” with Dad as he arrived just as Ivana was making her way toward the ballroom. It was a sweet wedding moment with tears from the father of the bride.

Father of the bride starts crying after seeing his daughter on her wedding day.

For the couples creative portraits, we explored the entire building from the billiard room to the actual distillery where the spirits are made.

We surely appreciated the venue allowing us into the room where they make the spirits and also use of the bar area. It made for some unique wedding photos while also showing off this historic venue.

Bride and groom gaze at each other inside the well of Thornton Distillery.

Bride and groom kiss behind the bar at Thornton Distillery.

The ceremony took place just off the dance floor of Coopers Hall (the main event room) as guests sat in their seats.

The bride was walked out by her brother and her father. She flexed a bit of muscle before the sand ceremony and they all danced and exited as a happy family.

The reception saw live band The Jolly Ringwalds provide the soundtrack with the couple’s daughter Mila showing that she is ready to compete on Dancing with the Stars!

The dancing, the decor and especially the candid moments were all captured as everyone celebrated a wonderful wedding.

Oh, and we can’t forget to mention our special guest singer - the bride!!

The bride sings with the band at her wedding reception.

Bride and groom portrait in a rustic Illinois wedding venue.

As usual, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography and Short Films for your own wedding day.

This has merely been a sneak peek of images from Ivana and Robert’s big day at Thornton Distillery. Stay tuned to the Region Weddings social channels below for more images from this and other weddings.

Fall Wedding At Munster Church and County Line Orchard

December 2, 2021 Steve Vansak

Groom carried bride through apple orchards at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

It was a crispy, late Fall day in November for DJ and Lydia’s wedding at Munster Church and reception at County Line Orchard.

We began our day with bridal prep at the couple’s new home with Lydia’s sisters and mom on hand to assist in the morning bridal prep.

Bride gets ready for a wedding surrounded by her sisters and mother.

The bride's dress, flowers, shoes and jewelry are all laid out for her late Fall wedding.

A close up portrait of the bride on the morning of her wedding.

DJ met up with us at County Line Orchard for a first look / reveal with his bride. After a few detail photos of him making last minute wardrobe adjustments before we set him up to see Lydia.

We then walked all around the rustic Midwest wedding venue taking in all of the Fall color for outdoor wedding photos. Autumn leaves crunched beneath our feet as we strolled the apple orchards looking for beautiful wedding photo locations.

The groom sees his bride for the first time in front of the red barn at County Line Orchard.

Bride and groom lean on a country fence during a November wedding at County Line Orchard.

The bride and groom walk with Fall color in the background and Autumn leaves on the ground.

The bride and groom kiss in late Fall with yellow leaves at their feet.

We nabbed a few wedding party group pictures outside the grain silo and a few of Lydia inside and then we left for Munster Church for the ceremony.

The wedding party gather outside the grain silo at County line orchard with the bride and groom inside of it.

The bride shows off her wedding dress with sleeves inside a grain silo.

This was my first time photographing a wedding at Munster Church and it was a great experience. The balcony provided us a great overview of the wedding ceremony and the exit directly onto Ridge Road attracted a lot of horn honking and just added to the excitement of the day.

A view of a wedding ceremony at Munster Church from the balcony.

Bride and groom exit their church wedding ceremony onto a busy street.

Bride and groom on the altar of Munster Church.

Wedding party standing beneath a large glowing cross at Munster Church.

The wedding reception took place at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana. The iconic Midwest wedding venue featured the sought after apple donuts for dessert.

The balconies and wooden stairways allowed me to capture the dance floor fun from many different angles with 27 Entertainment providing the musical entertainment.

Wedding reception details at County Line Orchard wedding venue.

A November wedding reception at a rustic wedding venue in Northwest Indiana.

This is only a fraction of the images and moments captured on DJ and Lydia’s wedding day. To set up an appointment and to see an entire wedding from me, please fill out the Contact Form here. I will check my calendar to see if your day is available and then set up a meeting.

Spring Wedding At Journeyman Distillery In Three Oaks, Michigan

May 24, 2021 Steve Vansak

Sunlight streams through the windows as newlyweds kiss at Journeyman Distillery.

Emily and Nick were all ready for their wedding in 2020 when the biggest health crisis for the entire world came crashing down upon us all. So here we are in 2021 with things looking up on all fronts along with a spectacular day at Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, MI.

We started off catching moments during bridal prep as well as groom prep and then it was onto the indoor ceremony.

Bridal details inside the bridal suite at Journeyman Distillery.

The bride inside Journeyman Distillery just before her ceremony.

Black and white bridal portraits inside the bridal suite.

Bride in the mirror inside the bridal suite at Journeyman Distillery.

Groom prep for a wedding at Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, MI.

WANTED: Please contact the authorities at Journeyman Distillery if you know these individuals.

The bride on the balcony and the groom below just before the ceremony.

The rustic wedding ceremony featured the groom’s Dad as officiant and family heirloom bibles brought along for the occasion. After he pronounced Nick and Emily as husband and wife, we took family and group photos and then off I went with the couple around the rustic building for romantic and candid wedding photos.

A rustic wedding ceremony inside Journeyman Distillery.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids at Journeyman Distillery in southwest Michigan.

A romantic wedding photos inside the rustic wedding venue in Three Oaks, Michigan.

Cute wedding photos at Journeyman Distillery.

The reception was DJ’d by none other than the man himself, Mr. Wade Breitzke - the owner of 27 Entertainment. The wedding reception intros were joyous, the speeches were heartfelt and the dancing was live…

The bride and groom are introduced at their wedding reception at Journeyman Distillery.

Wedding reception decorations at Journeyman Distillery.

Wedding reception fun in Three Oaks, Michigan.

This is only a sneak peek look at Emily and Nick’s Springtime wedding at Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan. Stay tuned to my social media below for more images from this and other weddings. Get in touch for your wedding photography at this link right here.

First dance for the bride and groom at Journeyman Distillery.

November Wedding At County Line Orchard

November 16, 2020 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom among the apple orchards in early Winter / late Fall.

Daniel and Sofia had cool temperatures, but warm hearts for their mid November wedding at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

I covered bridal prep inside the bridal suite while second photographer Kerrie photographed the guys at the couple’s home. True Beauty by Dana handled make up duties and the pajama party was sponsored by the bridesmaids themselves!

Gifts between bride and groom as well as letters from the bridesmaids and mom brought on happy tears.

Gift opening and letter reading for the bride on her big day.

Groom prep for a wedding at County Line Orchard.

Bride inside the grain silo at County Line Orchard.

Bride and groom in a vintage tone on their wedding day.

The wedding ceremony was held indoors in the south barn with the bride and Dad making their entrance down the wooden stairs. Right after the ceremony we went outside for group photos around the barn as well as portraits of the newlyweds. Then it was back inside for family pictures and the reception.

Indoor wedding ceremony in the south barn.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen at County Line Orchard.

The newlyweds and a vintage truck outside the big red barn.

Late Fall wedding photos at County Line Orchard.

The reception decorations were quintessential County Line Orchard rustic pieces and the donuts we all crave were on hand for all to enjoy along with delicious cupcakes. The instant cameras were put to good use as was the game area in the balcony.

Rustic wedding decorations and desserts.

Fun and games at a barn wedding reception.

I neglected to mention the taco truck that arrived for those who were hungry from dancing as well as one of the most athletic moves I’ve ever seen to snag the bride’s bouquet!!

A bridesmaid tries out for wide receiver for the Chicago Bears.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Daniel and Sofia’s November wedding at County Line orchard. Many more images to come from this wedding as well as others right here and on the Region Weddings Instagram feed.

Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography and short films for your big day.