Weddings In Indiana, Chicago and Michigan - The 2019 Year In Review

December 30, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride in Converse All Star shoes in front of a red door in Chicago.

It was another action packed year of wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southwest Michigan. There are a TON of images from February weddings all the way through November so let’s get started.

I had two winter weddings in 2019 with Sarah + Robert and Erin + Mason. Yep, we had some snow and even the Village People showed up to rock the reception.

Black and white winter wedding photo in the snow.

Early Spring saw torrential rain almost every single weekend. Like the postal service though, we deliver in ice, rain, sleet or snow. For Beth + Chad we had that all in one day!! Cherise + Thomas had some sunshine for their big day at Sand Creek Country Club and for a bridal portrait session in Chicago we had to dodge some puddles for sure.

Rain and wind and fog surround the bride and groom in a wedding photo at Sand Creek Country Club.

Bridal portraits on the streets of Chicago.

The wet Spring continued for Breana + Kevin’s Chicago wedding and Sarah + Billy’s hometown wedding in Crown Point, Indiana. Both had wonderful church ceremonies.

Bride and groom walk back down the aisle after their wedding ceremony at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.

May weddings in Chicago and Crown Point, Indiana.

The month of May was very busy with Northwest Indiana weddings of Tessa + Luis as well as Dan + Tea.

Vintage bridal portraits in Northwest Indiana.

June saw Gabby + Matt at Briar Ridge Country Club and Becky + Chuck along with the summer weddings of Rachel + Brandon at County Line Orchard and back to the Crown Point Courthouse with Robyn and Stacey.

First dance at Briar Ridge Country Club.

June wedding photos at Briar Ridge Country Club and Centennial Park.

Weddings in late June in Crown Point and County Line Orchard.

July saw me at the height of summer and back at County Line Orchard for an outdoor wedding with Emily + Tyler and Whiting Lakefront Park for the beach wedding of Maureen + Carlos.

July summer weddings at County Line Orchard and Whiting Lakefront Park.

Newlyweds kiss between two Golden Delicious sign in the apple orchards.

July also saw me heading east to Heston Hill wedding venue for Maggie + Eric and staying close to home for Cynthia + Zachary at Avalon Manor wedding venue.

Summer weddings at Heston Hills and Avalon Manor.

Bride and groom share a moment at Heston Hills wedding venue in Laporte, Indiana.

August began with a themed wedding from Isela + Thomas and Jackie + Kevin for the first time a bride has ever arrived via boat at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Early August weddings in Northwest Indiana.

Wedding photo with a sunset over the lake.

Mid to late August saw the 4 day Indian wedding of Molly + Ahsan in Chicago and the church wedding of Brie + Ryan at St. Michael’s Parish and reception at Sand Creek golf course.

Mid to late August weddings in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

A candid moment underneath the willow tree at Sand Creek Country Club.

Early September saw the first of two weddings at Four Corners Winery with Holly + Ethan and then it was onto The Allure in Laporte, Indiana with Mary + Jeff.

Wedding photos at Four Corners Winery and The Allure.

Photo at the rustic wedding venue Four Corners Winery in Valparaiso, Indiana.

I’d always wanted to photograph at the Naperville Riverwalk in Illinois for a wedding and did just that with Vilda + Brandon and weddings at Aberdeen Manor are some of the most elegant and the nuptials of Kristen and Zach did not disappoint.

September weddings in Naperville, Illinois Riverwalk and Aberdeen Manor.

Wedding photo on the staircase at Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Candid wedding moment at a lake in Aberdeen neighborhood in Valparaiso, Indiana.

A photo at night in front of the chapel at Aberdeen Manor.

September is still the most popular month for weddings and I was back at Avalon Manor for Violet + Jeremiah and an epic wedding with Jordan + Matt at Centennial Park where it snowed on the dance floor.

Late September weddings in Northwest Indiana.

It snows on the dance floor at the Centennial Park clubhouse for a wedding reception.

October is football season and we celebrated that with Francesca + Zane at Wicker Park and also wine tasting season at Four Corners Winery with Ammie + Matt.

Reema + Corey donned two wedding dresses and two suits at their Meyer’s Castle wedding in Dyer, Indiana and Mary + Ben braved the rain at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana for their late Fall weddings.

Late Fall weddings in Northwest Indiana.

Rain falls at night in this wedding photo at Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

I certainly can’t forget about Annie + Michael at Aberdeen Manor as well as the 2019 wedding season finale of Kim + Dustin at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Late November weddings in Northwest Indiana.

I’m looking forward to next year’s weddings in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please do fill out the Contact Form on this website and set up a meeting so I can show you more of my work. Happy New Year to all!!

A bride in front of graffiti art in the Bucktown area of Chicago, Illinois.

Spring Wedding At Villa Cesare and First Presbyterian Church

May 29, 2019 Steve Vansak

The groom dips his bride behind the gazebo at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

If there is one thing I will always remember about Tessa and Luis from their wedding day as well as their engagement session last year, it’s that you will always catch them smiling and laughing at each other. It’s contagious in a good way.

Our day started off with me documenting bridal prep and Bridget with the guys. Gifts were exchanged, letters were read and the anticipation for the first look was on. Jay Marie Salon & Spa was on hand for hair and make up. Tessa’s wonderful dress came from Something Blue Bridal.

The bride and her bridesmaids having fun while getting ready.

Looking beautiful at her Spring wedding.

The groom prep before the first look with his bride.

Solo portraits of the bride and groom before they see each other for the first time on wedding day.

Tessa and Luis’ first look took place in the north garden at Centennial Park. Luis spun Tessa around for a look before wiping away some tears. The wedding party let them have this private moment before we went around the park for pictures.

First look for the bride and groom in the Centennial Park north garden.

I thought it might be nice to have these two have a seat under the trestle in one of the gardens and just chat for a bit while we captured some nice candid moments. Then it was onto the wedding party and a trip around the park including the lake and bridges.

The bride and groom share some candid moments underneath a trestle at Centennial Park garden.

The wedding party lined up and looking chic.

Having fun with the wedding party on the Centennial Park stage.

Blue sky silhouette of the bride and groom at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

From darkened silhouettes to dips in the golden sun, it was all smiles for Luis and Tessa during their Spring wedding.

Sun shines upon the bride and groom during a romantic dip.

The always laughing bride and groom at Centennial Park.

Having fun with the bridesmaids and groomsmen at Centennial Park.

Soon we were off to First Presbyterian Church in Schererville, Indiana for the ceremony and family photos.

Wedding party enjoying the sunshine on the lake bridge at Centennial Park.

Wedding photos as Spring turns to Summer in Schererville, Indiana.

Wedding ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Schererville, Indiana.

The ceremony was a joyous affair complete with a bubble exit.

A joyous wedding ceremony at First Presbyterian Church.

As I finished up family pictures, second photographer Bridget was at Villa Cesare capturing the decorations and guests arriving. Soon the dance floor would be alive with some major celebrating courtesy of AJ & S Mobile DJ services.

Wedding reception decorations, cake cutting and the shoe game at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

First dance for the bride and groom center stage at Villa Cesare.

Spring wedding dance floor fun at Villa Cesare.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Tessa and Luis’ Spring wedding at Villa Cesare and First Presbyterian Church in Schererville, Indiana. Stay tuned to the social media channels below for more images and please do fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day.

Spring Wedding At Sand Creek Country Club

May 6, 2019 Steve Vansak

A romantic walk on the golf course at Sand Creek Country Club

Actual, honest to God, Spring weather decided to descend upon us for Cherise and Thomas’ wedding at Sand Creek Country Club. The sun was blazing outside as Cherise got ready in the bridal suite with a surprise visit from Dad who got to see her in her Something Blue Bridal wedding dress just before ceremony time.

Bridal prep at a Spring wedding at Sand Creek Country Club.

With grace and humor. the couple’s best man officiated the nuptials. It was a joyous ceremony capped by a celebration walk from the wedding party.

Spring wedding ceremony inside the Lake Room at Sand Creek Country Club.

Members of the wedding party start the celebration early.

After indoor wedding photos we stepped out to the clock garden for wedding party group pictures and then we went out onto the course for a romantic stroll.

A romantic stroll on the Sand Creek golf course as the sun shines brightly.

Wedding party group photos in the clock garden at Sand Creek Country Club.

Wedding photos on the golf course at Sand Creek.

Bride and groom at Sand Creek Golf Course.

The bride and groom nuzzle noses for their Spring wedding photos.

The ballroom was decorated with yellow sunflowers for this Spring wedding and a shot glass was waiting for all of the guests. The dance floor had so many joyous faces.

Spring decorations at a wedding reception at Sand Creek Country Club.

A wedding celebration inside the Sand Creek ballroom.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Cherise and Thomas’ Spring wedding. Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day and follow the social media links below for more image updates.

Spring Wedding At St. Paul Catholic Church

April 29, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom on the altar at St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Beth and Chad eloped on April 2nd to Maui, HI but had their church ceremony and celebration with family and friends in Valparaiso, Indiana. If there is one thing I can say about this couple it is they (and me) are like the postman - we deliver through rain, sleet and snow. More on that later!!

The day started out at the couple’s home where we captured bridal prep along with a few portraits. It was snowing when I arrived on this last Saturday in April. It was great to see Carrie from Sta-Glam who provided on site make up.

Bridal prep at the bride and groom’s home.

The bride stands alone in her bedroom in her wedding dress.

The ceremony took place at Saint Paul Catholic Church where we also did family photos along with wedding party and the bride and groom inside church.

Wedding ceremony at Saint Paul Catholic Church.

Bride and groom kiss on the altar at Saint Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Looking at my weather app for the rest of the day’s forecast pretty much said “are you kidding me, stay inside”. But as I said, Beth and Chad are pretty resilient as am I. We were supposed to go directly to an after party with pictures later but we decided to stop by Ogden Garden along the way. It was raining but this seemed to be our best (and warmest) chance for some outdoor photos. They have a gazebo on the grounds and we made our way underneath that. You can see the rain if you look closely.

Bride and groom have a laugh in the rain at Ogden Garden.

Kissing underneath the gazebo at Ogden Garden.

Bride and groom share a laugh underneath the gazebo during their Spring wedding in late April.

The weather doesn’t look too bad in these photos right now, but keep scrolling…

Our next stop was back at the newlywed’s home for an after party and then we headed to the reception venue Sand Creek Country Club. When we arrived at Sand Creek the temperatures had dropped to 35 degrees. I noticed some crazy looking fog rolling in off the lake there and out we went. I’m really glad we did. The fog was quite mystical…

Bride and groom kiss as rain and sleet falls upon them and fog rises over the lake.

A tender moment in the rain with the bride and groom.

Wedding party pictures along with our smiling bride.

Unveiled Weddings and Events had the room looking fantastic as Sand Creek Country Club hosted the dinner reception with Precision Sound filling the room with music.

A post wedding party at home and a dinner reception at Sand Creek Country Club.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Beth and Chad’s Spring wedding at Saint Paul Catholic Church with many more photos to come. Stay tuned to the Region Weddings Instagram feed. Please do fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your wedding day photography.