Lake Michigan Beach Wedding

July 25, 2016 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom embrace on the beach after their summer wedding ceremony.

Ashley and Justin were married in a beach wedding ceremony in the garden at Whiting Lakefront Park. This beautiful location is right off the shores of Lake Michigan with the Chicago skyline able to be seen on clear days.

This beautiful summer wedding began at an area hotel with bridal prep. One of our flower girls was prepared for this sunny day with her Hollywood sunglasses!! Second photographer Bridget captured the guy's getting ready along with their superhero shirts exploding from their suits while I captured the bride and her mom illuminated by window light.

Bridal and groom prep for a summer wedding.

The bride and her mom share an emotional moment on wedding day.

The groom shows off his Batman tee shirt as his bride looks on.

Before taking off for the shores of Lake Michigan and the beach wedding ceremony, the bride and groom had their first look / reveal at the hotel.

The bride and groom first look / reveal.

Whiting Lakefront Park has a beautiful garden area that overlooks the lake. The stone sidewalk enables the wedding party to elegantly walk out with full view of all of the guests. Just beyond the gazebo, the skyline of Chicago can be seen.

Beach wedding ceremony at Whiting Lakefront Park.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Whiting Lakefront Park.

We took family wedding photos in the shade of the gazebo and of course then made our way all along the beach for wedding pictures with the entire wedding party and then romantic bride and groom pictures all along the shore of Lake Michigan.

Wedding party on the shores of Lake Michigan with skyline of Chicago in the background.

Wedding photos of the bride and groom on the shore of Lake Michigan.

The bride and groom on a Lake Michigan beach as waves roll onto the shore.

Ashley and Justin's summer, beach themed wedding continued with dinner and dancing at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana. The room had a wonderful beach colored glow to it as guests sang songs to the bride and groom to encourage them to kiss. The photo booth saw children of all ages getting into costume and a future Olympic gymnast took over the dance floor...

Beach themed wedding reception at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Ashley and Justin's beach wedding. Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about availability for your big day. Stay tuned to the Region Weddings Instagram feed for more images.

First dance at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

Summer Wedding Photos At Whiting Lakefront Park

July 18, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom on the shore of Lake Michigan with Chicago in the background.

Jessica and Jeremy had a wonderful family filled summer wedding with lots of emotion throughout their big day. We started the day with the bride getting ready at her parent's home. The even helped her beloved father get fancied up in addition to assisting her bridesmaids. There were a lot of laughs and happy tears all around.

The bride gets ready for her big day surrounded by family.

The ceremony saw many Mexican traditions and continued with an emphasis on family. The groom was beaming as his bride came down the aisle.

We had wonderfully blue summer skies for our next stop which was Whiting Lakefront Park which is adjacent to Whihala Beach. This area has been totally restored and beautified and is a great location for wedding photos as well as just bringing the family out for a summertime picnic.

Bride and groom take a walk on the pier.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Jessica and Jeremy's big day with many more images to follow. I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and are having a great summer like we are. We are now at the half way point of an incredible wedding season. Bookings for next season are already in the calendar so please do inquire about your day soon. Stay cool!!

Outdoor Wedding At Lighthouse Restaurant In Cedar Lake, Indiana

June 20, 2016 Steve Vansak

A just married couple stands alone on the pier as the sun sets off Cedar Lake.

Wendy and Kelly were married on a gloriously sun filled day at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake. The outdoor wedding took place on the balcony facing the lake as friends and family looked on.

Our day started with warm and tender love between the couple as they opened each other's gifts as well as handed out presents to their moms. I knew happy tears were going to fall during the first look. There was no doubt!

Getting ready for the big day at Lighthouse Restaurant.

Wendy's mom assisted with her dress in the wonderful bridal suite as the light and airy wedding flowers hung from above. Soon it was time for our emotional first look out on the sun filled pier in the back of Lighthouse Restaurant.

I positioned Kelly toward the middle of the pier and photographed Wendy's long walk toward her. Second photographer Kerrie captured another angle from the side as videographer John Zale of Chicago Wedding Films captured action and sound.

First look for the soon to married couple on the pier at Lighthouse Restaurant.

The words "I Love You" were first spoken by Wendy and Kelly on the beach near Lighthouse Restaurant. We strolled around this same area, including the very bench they sat while dating. The original love note was redrawn in the sand as Wendy and Kelly kissed in the background.

Romantic wedding photos along Cedar Lake near Lighthouse Restaurant.

A huge thank you to the wedding party for enduring the hot sun beating upon them as we took photos. This group was certainly there for the couple on their big day!!

Wedding party at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

The balcony for the ceremony was quite packed and with two photographers and one videographer we were somewhat limited in movement. So I want to give a big shout out to the wonderful lady who gave up her seat in the center to allow me to capture Wendy and Kelly's nuptials from an ideal location. I lost track of her after the ceremony, so now is my chance to thank her.

Outdoor wedding ceremony on the balcony at Lighthouse Restaurant.

First kiss during an outdoor wedding in Cedar Lake.

The beach theme continued with the decor at the reception as we hung the rings from a fishing lure. Dancing was off the charts as the sun went down. Oh, and the food was delicious too!!

Wedding reception at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

For more images from Wendy and Kelly's outdoor wedding at Lighthouse Restaurant be sure to follow the social media channels below. Happy summer!!

Summer Wedding At Saint Maria Goretti Church

May 30, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom walk among the beautiful scenery of Wicker Park in Munster, Indiana.

Sometimes I go into a wedding and I just know... I can tell right away that the couple is tailor made for each other and that they come from loving families. This was certainly the case with Megan and Garrett. From the groom's love letter that Megan read during getting ready to the bride singing to her new husband on the altar later that afternoon, the proof just kept on coming.

I arrived at Megan's childhood home to a very welcoming group. If there was any doubt I was at the correct house, it was erased by the outside wedding decor and gigantic 'I do' sign. I noticed that the computer was playing a Wedding Playlist of songs. Song #9 on the list would come into play a bit later.

Bride and her bridesmaids get ready for the summer wedding.

Wedding day getting ready at the bride's parent's home.

After getting into her wedding dress, Megan descended down the stairs as I'm sure she did many times in her childhood. This time however, she was "going to the chapel" as the song of the same played in the other room.

The bride descends from the staircase at her childhood home.

Before we left for St. Maria Goretti in Dyer, Indiana, we took a few fun bridesmaids photos in the front yard. Second photographer Bridget did the same with the guys at the church.

Fun bridesmaids photos before the ceremony.

Fun groomsmen photos before the ceremony.

Now, I've photographed many weddings and I'm "on the job" so to speak so I'm not supposed to get emotional. However, when the bride sings "Grow Old Along With Me", written by John Lennon and does it beautifully at that and on the altar to her groom in front of friends and family... well, you get a lump in your throat. It was a wonderful wedding ceremony at Saint Maria Goretti capped off by the bride and groom exiting with bubbles surrounding them.

Wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana.

Bride and groom exit St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer to friends blowing bubbles.

Immediately after the ceremony we began family pictures inside the church as well as a few with the newlyweds, including a silhouette in front of the stained glass windows.

Family wedding photo at St. Maria Goretti Church.

A silhouette of the bride and groom in front of stained glass windows at Saint Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana.

Bride and groom on the altar as light streams in through stained glass windows.

The whole gang then took off to the reception site - Wicker Park Social Center. After a quick lunch of Jimmy John's subs, it was outside for photos of the wedding party and the newly married Megan and Garrett.

The wedding party having fun at Wicker Park.

Bride and groom portrait at Wicker Park on a bright, sun drenched summer day.

Sun was bouncing off the lake and the gazebo as we went around Wicker Park taking photos. We had to take a few featuring the wedding sunglasses as well as megan's spectacular train and veil!! Then it was back inside for the party...

Wedding photos at Wicker Park in Munster, Indiana.

The cake topper said Best Day Ever and I believe it was. Garrett was handcuffed, but he still managed to get the garter. The crowd was with the couple the entire way and the dance floor was filled at all times.

Wedding reception at Wicker Park Social Center.

First dance for the bride and groom at their reception at Wicker Park.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Megan and Garrett's summer wedding at Saint Maria Goretti Church and Wicker park. Stay tuned here and on various social media for more!!