Summer Wedding At Gabis Arboretum

August 24, 2021 Steve Vansak

Candid wedding photography at Gabis Arboretum.

I sure had a good time capturing Cristina and Nick’s outdoor summer wedding at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana. I started at the couple’s house with dancing bridesmaids with their instant cameras and furry ring bearer and vinyl record collection while Lauren covered the guys as they blindfolded the groom before he got on the bus with the bride.

Make up artist Kelly Saulters and hair stylist Top Knot Bridal were on hand to bring out the beauty.

We then had a private first look with pictures of the wedding party and bride and groom before the ceremony.

Bridal details for a wedding at Gabis Arboretum.

You should be dancing - yeah (and taking pictures too!!

Some vintage tones as the bride site by the window on her wedding day.

The groom gets blindfolded before boarding the party bus with his bride.

The groom and his groomsmen at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, indiana.

The bride and her bridesmaids at Gabis Arboretum.

The first look saw Nick anxiously awaiting Cristina in the nature preserve of Gabis Arboretum. Then we were off around the lake area for photos before beginning the outdoor wedding ceremony.

First look / reveal fro the bride and groom at Gabis Arboretum.

Bride and groom with their furry ring bearer.

The sun peeks through the forest of trees at Gabis Arboretum as the bride and groom kiss.

It’s not often I give the ring bearer his own photo collage here, but the bride and groom’s beloved dog sure is something special and deserving of it.

The ring bearer delivers the rings and watches his owners get married at Gabis Arboretum.

A summer wedding ceremony at Gabis Arboretum.

An outdoor wedding ceremony at the lake inside Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Sunshine glistens off the top of the trees as the bride and groom kiss.

The reception took place at Hellenic Cultural Center in Merrillville, Indiana where guests got to take home something to plant and nurture as well as eat some deliciously moist bundt cake.

The bride and groom step outside Hellenic Cultural Center for some more pictures.

Dance floor fun at Hellenic Cultural Center in Merrillville, Indiana.

This is merely a sneak peek of Cristina and Nick’s summer wedding at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana. Stay tuned here and on the social media channels below for more images from this and other weddings.

To contact me for photos and video, please fill out the Contact Form right here.

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.