July Wedding At The Pavilion At Sandy Pines

July 6, 2021 Steve Vansak

Darkness fall as the bride and groom slow dance at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

What a glorious summer day we had for Kaite and Aaron’s July wedding at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana. The verbal golf course wedding venue did not disappoint with it’s beautiful bridal suite and landscaped grounds.

As usual the bridal prep and groom prep took place in the spectacular bridal suite building. I handled the moment getting ready while photographer Kerrie photographed the guys.

Top of the line vendors such as Make Up Krissy V., Top Knot Bridal and Tastefully Katie were on hand to bring out the beauty.

Afterwards it was a series of first looks…

Bridal prep at the Sandy Pines bridal suite.

Kaite and Aaron put a nice twist upon a first look or bridal reveal by including their daughter. Both were super sweet moments.

First looks with groom, bride and daughter.

After our first looks / reveals, we did bride and groom portraits along with the entire wedding party and family as well. This allowed our newlyweds to relax after their ceremony and enjoy cocktail hour with friends and family.

Bride and groom take a walk in the woods at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines golf course.

Sunshine upon the bride and groom at a wedding at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

The bride and groom get giddy at their summer wedding.

A beautiful scene overlooking the lake at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

A candid moment between the newlyweds at a July wedding at Sandy Pines Pavilion.

The outdoor wedding saw the bride walked down the aisle by her mom and the couple dropped a traditional pouring of sand or unity candle for a brand new tradition - the making of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!!

A July wedding ceremony at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

An outdoor summer wedding in Demotte, Indiana.

Ring security keeping the valuables safe.

A wedding party group photo at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines golf course.

Security detail meets the local football team at a summer wedding at Sandy Pines.

The Party DJ’s provided the soundtrack for intros into reception dancing where the groom had a dance off with his ring bearer. A slideshow of memories played while mom and bride looked on and of course, guests rocked the dance floor and ate some delicious desserts. I may have had a lemon bar or two myself!

The Pavilion at Sandy Pines all ready for a summer wedding reception.

An open air wedding reception at Sandy Pines Pavilion in Demotte, Indiana.

This is merely a sneak peak look at Kaite and Aaron’s July wedding at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines. Do check the social media channels below for more images from this and other weddings.

To inquire about your big day, please fill out the Contact Form right here.

Harry Potter Wedding At The Grand CP

June 29, 2021 Steve Vansak

A romantic moment on the lower floor of The Grand CP in downtown Crown Point, IN.

Luis and Cara went all out for the decoration at their Harry Potter themed wedding. More images from the reception down below, but even the invitations and paper flowers I saw during bridal prep were exquisitely done.

Bridal prep decor at a Harry Potter themed wedding.

Bridal prep in the new bridal suite of The Grand CP.

Photographer Kerrie was with the guys while I handled bride and bridesmaid getting ready images. This all lead up to our wonderful first look on the third floor of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Make up artist Myra Crawford was on hand as was Under the Veil for hair.

Groom and groomsmen get ready for the harry potter themed wedding in downtown Crown Point.

The First Look…

Cara and Luis chose to have a first look so they could enjoy their day and not rush around for photos after the ceremony. It was a beautiful moment as they came together. We then snuck outside before thunderstorms hit and we also went back inside the historic wedding venue for more romantic wedding pictures of the happy couple.

First look for the bride and groom at The Grand CP.

A romantic gaze in the courtyard of the old Crown Point Courthouse.

The bride and groom share a laugh on the lower floor of The Grand.

The bride and groom practice their first dance on the marble floor of the Grand CP.

A loving gaze for the bride and groom at a downtown Crown Point wedding.

The ceremony was held in the old courtroom on the third floor. Cara was all smiles being escorted down the aisle and the groom celebrated with her as they exited.

A wedding ceremony in the vintage courtroom of The Grand CP.

This is just a small sampling of the Harry Potter themed decor of the wedding reception inside Maki Ballroom. We did our usual candid wedding photography coverage for the cocktail hour and reception - capturing real moments as guests interacted.

Harry Potter decor at wedding reception at The Grand CP.

Candid wedding photography at a reception in Crown Point, Indiana.

A fun and heartfelt wedding reception inside Maki Ballroom in downtown Crown Point.

First dance for the bride and groom underneath the chandeliers of The Grand CP’s Maki Balllroom.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Luis and Cara’s Harry Potter themed wedding at The Grand CP. Do inquire right here for wedding photography for your Northwest Indiana, Chicago or Michigan wedding.

Summer Wedding In Monee, Illinois

June 22, 2021 Steve Vansak

Elizabeth and James’ summer wedding in Monee, Illinois was a family affair all the way as it was held on a relative’s property overlooking farmland. It was a wonderfully, close knit experience as guests arrived and the hugs and laughter came forth.

I handled the bridal prep at the house while Michelle captured the guys at a nearby hotel.

We knew we had threatening storms for this outdoor wedding and indeed the skies darkened and rain and thunder hit forcing the ceremony inside the large reception tent. No matter as it was clear before and after. We even snuck in a sunset portrait!

Bridal prep at a wedding in Monee, Illinois.

Guests were seated at their reception tables as the wedding party and bride and groom entered. With rain and thunder outside it got pretty dark in the tent. However, the bride and groom illuminated the proceedings with their incredibly sincere vows. Soon after, we had sunshine again for wedding party and newlywed photos.

A wedding photo on Illinois farmland with swirling clouds over the horizon.

Wedding photos on farmland in Monee, Illinois.

The bride and groom entered via a laser sparkler entrance at their reception. Then it was on to cake cutting, speeches and dancing the night away.

A tent wedding reception in Monee, Illinois.

The sun sets as the bride and groom embrace.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Elizabeth and Jame’s summer wedding in Monee, Illinois. To inquire about your big day, please fill out the contact form right here. Stay tuned to social media channels below for more images from this and other weddings.

Summer Outdoor Wedding At Aberdeen Manor

September 2, 2020 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom have a laugh at the fountain in Aberdeen.

Jacob and Jasmine had a wonderful summer day for their outdoor wedding in the garden at Aberdeen Manor Ballroom in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Our day began at the historic Aberdeen Inn, a wonderful bed and breakfast down the street from the ballroom. So many moments and laughs were unfolding with the bride and her family and friends inside the picturesque bridal suite. I certainly was busy and on high alert with everything from opening gifts, reading love letter, dance parties on the bed and yes, hair and make up for the big day ahead!

Getting into the dress on wedding day at Aberdeen Inn.

While I was capturing the bridal prep, photographer Doug was with the groom as he prepped and read his love letter from his bride to be.

Flowers by: Blossom Shoppe

Dress: Elegance

Bridal portrait at Aberdeen Inn in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Outdoor portraits of the bride and groom.

Bride and groom read each other’s love letters on wedding day.

We took bridesmaid and groomsmen group photos separately and then it was time for an impromptu first look as Dad crashed the girls’ party over in the fountain area.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen take a walk in the Aberdeen neighborhood.

The garden wedding ceremony saw a nervous Jacob with friends and family watching as Jasmine was escorted down the aisle by her Father. The sun peeked out over the garden as the two exchanged vows.

A summer outdoor wedding ceremony at Aberdeen Manor.

Wedding ceremony in the garden at Aberdeen Manor and Ballroom.

Family photos were next along with wedding party and then off I went with the newlyweds to some nearby scenic locations for natural, candid and elegant wedding pictures. We even stopped at Family Express for some slurpees.

The groom twirls his bride for a romantic moment at Aberdeen.

Newlyweds surrounded by beautiful greenery after their summer wedding ceremony.

The slurpee machine was “out of order” at Family Express, so we settled for some Jones Cola and some very cute moments between the bride and groom.

Fun moments with the bride and groom at their summer wedding at Aberdeen Manor.

The reception inside the elegant ballroom of Aberdeen Manor saw performances during the introductions, roasting during the many speeches and of course plenty of dancing. Our last shot of the evening was a barefoot dip in front of the lit up chapel across the street.

Sounds: 27 Entertainment

Photo Booth: Laugh Booth

Wedding reception at Aberdeen Manor Ballroom.

A snowfall during the first dance at Aberdeen Manor Ballroom.

Party time on the dance floor at Aberdeen.

This is merely a sneak peek with many more images to come so please do check out the social media channels below. Also, fill out my Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography for your big day.