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Region Weddings

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Crown Point, Indiana 46307
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Northwest Indiana Wedding Photographer

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2021 Year In Review - Midwest Wedding Photography

December 29, 2021 Steve Vansak

Welcome to my 2021 Year in Review! What a year it has been for wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, southwest Michigan and the Chicago area.

Above is a short video slideshow to give you an overview of the entire year in pictures. Turn up the volume and enjoy.

Of course, scrolling through this blog / journal you will find the stories of the weddings days (with lots of images) of many of my clients dating all the way back to 2010. This post will concentrate on the images from 2021 (also check out Sarah + Brents’s Short Film embedded at the end) with a few comments from me.

As always, inquire on my Contact Form about openings for your big day for photography as well as Short Films.

Happy New Year!

I had one lone wedding in March at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana and then the season kicked off in earnest in late May. After that, WEDDINGS DID NOT STOP! In late June I recall 5 weddings in one 10 day period. This wedding season saw many weekday weddings.

Some of the early Spring wedding venues as seen above were Sand Creek Country Club, The Grand CP and Journeyman Distillery.

Wedding photo in the garden at Centennial Park.

June turned out to be the busiest month of the year for Midwest weddings in 2021. The Fall season usually takes that crown but this year was more traditional.

The beginning of Summer saw weddings in Monee, Illinois as well as Meyer’s Castle, Tying the Knot wedding venue in Michigan, Whiting Lakefront Park and The Lighthouse Lodge in Monticello, Indiana.

The bride’s veil flies in the air as she kisses her groom at a summer wedding in Northwest Indiana.

As summer rolled on, I photographed such diverse Northwest Indiana wedding venues such as County Line Orchard, The Pavilion at Sandy Pines as well as church weddings in downtown Chicago.

Yes, you are seeing an actual rainbow in the image above! After a rain delay of an outdoor ceremony at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana a rainbow appeared in the sky. I can honestly that was a wedding first for me and no photoshop was involved.

Weddings at County Line Orchard and Marquette Park Pavilion.

A Harry Potter themed wedding took place this year at The Grand CP in Crown Point, Indiana along with receptions at Maggiano’s, a Chicago wedding venue in River North area as well as a beautiful outdoor wedding at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Early Fall saw me back at Gabis Arboretum for another outdoor wedding at the scenic Northwest Indiana wedding venue as well as the venerable Avalon Manor.

Bride and groom in a candid moment at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

Fall is always busy for weddings in Northwest Indiana and throughout the Midwest. This year I had many church weddings in the Autumn with photos at locations such at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Centennial Park.

The Fall wedding season also saw me return to Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City along with photos at the gorgeous Friendship Botanic Gardens.

Silver Lake Country Club and Georgio’s Banquets in Orland Park, Illinois were two of my Illinois wedding venue destinations this year.

Midwest wedding photos taken in the Fall season.

The end of October into early November gave us some intense Fall color at a Briar Ridge Country Club as well as a return to County Line Orchard along with church nuptials.

Early winter weddings often mean it gets dark early. For an early December wedding at Four Season’s Clubhouse we ventured outside for blue hour in this winter wedding photo below.

Winter weddings at The Grand CP and Center For The Visual and Performing Arts.

Wedding Season 2021 ended with a December wedding at Center For Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana in mid December and a Christmas Eve wedding in Wilmington, Illinois.

Bride and bridesmaids on the staircase during a December wedding at Center For Visual and Performing Arts.

It was a glorious year for weddings in 2021!!

As a bonus for making it this far down in my Year in Review post, press play below on the Short Film video that Sarah and Brent added to the wedding package of their winter wedding.

In case you didn’t know that there was an option to add video to your wedding photography package, more info can be found at this link.

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In Chicago Weddings, Candid Wedding Photos, Church Wedding, Creative Wedding Images, Micro Weddings, Modern Wedding Photography, Northwest Indiana Wedding, Wedding Planning Tags northwest indiana wedding venues, northwest indiana wedding video, candid wedding photos, modern wedding photography

Introducing Elopement Photography For Indiana, Chicago and Michigan

April 22, 2020 Steve Vansak

Newly married couple at Friendship Botanical Garden in Michigan City, Indiana.

Elopements are perfect for couples who do not want to plan a big event with hundreds of guests. Sometimes it’s done with just the couple alone or with a few friends and family. These are the perfect packages for your Zoom wedding as well.

What happens though when you want the same gorgeous photographs that your friends with weddings with large guest lists have?

This is where my new Elopement Wedding Photography Packages come in. They come in two flavors - with or without an album. I am the photographer for these elopements so the same quality you see in my portfolio is what you will receive. They are four hours in length and can be used how you wish - Ceremony + Portraits but also some bridal prep photos can be done or even a cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres mini reception. Extra hours are available.

Bride and groom portraits on Lake Michigan.

Locations

Here are a list of general locations locally that are great for elopements as well as some specific areas in the Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southwest Michigan:

  • beach weddings

  • botanic garden weddings

  • courthouse weddings

  • backyard weddings

  • Friendship Botanical Garden in Michigan City is a great spot for an elopement ceremony and beautiful portraits as well. There are also areas to go undercover in the event of rain.

  • Cancer Survivors Garden in downtown Chicago is an excellent spot for a city elopement

  • Gabis Arboretum is a beautiful nature preserve for photos and can also provide a pavilion

  • Beaches along Lake Michigan from Whiting Lakefront Park to areas in New Buffalo, Michigan

There are many creative options for Elopement Wedding Photography and these new package options are super simple and flexible.

Destination Elopements are available in Custom Packages. Inquire via the Contact Form if we are heading to the Arizona desert or a beach in San Diego or beyond.

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Next Steps

  1. Fill out the Contact Form and inquire about availability of your date.

  2. I will then send you a link to schedule a meeting via Skype, phone or in person.

  3. Pay the retainer right here to secure the date.

  4. Or Save 10% By Paying In Full

  5. I will be in touch a few weeks before to go over our locations and timeline.

  6. Pay the balance via an online invoice.

The Elopement Photography Packages are listed below.

Full wedding day coverage can be found on the Rates Page right here.

Elopement Package 1
$1,000.00
  • 4 hours of wedding photography by Steve Vansak

  • Digital images via download (hi-resolution, includes printing rights)

  • Online photo gallery and ordering

Secure the date with a signed contract and a retainer payment of $500.

Elopement Package 2
$1,535.00
  • 4 hours of wedding photography by Steve Vansak

  • Digital images via download (hi-resolution, includes printing rights)

  • Online photo gallery and ordering

  • The Elopement Album (12”x12”, 20 pages)

Secure the date with a signed contract and a retainer payment of $500.

Extra Hour of Photography
$275.00

Add an extra hour or hours to your Package.

NOTE: These extra hours of photography can only be purchased as an add-on to a wedding or elopement package. Additional hours will result in more images and added editing time, although the impact on delivery times are minimal. Please discuss with the photographer how many extra hours may be necessary for your particular event.

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In Elopements, Wedding Planning Tags elopements, elopement wedding photography

Real Weddings In Northwest Indiana

April 21, 2020 Steve Vansak

First look at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

With the world in chaos and gripped by a pandemic (that is still shocking to write), I thought it was time for a feel good post. I want you to view these Real Wedding episodes as not only a look at the past, but also a glimpse into the future.

If you follow me on the Region Weddings Instagram Channel, you will know I have an IGTV series call Real Weddings. Every episode features highlights from one wedding set to music. They are all weddings from Northwest Indiana, Chicago area and southwest Michigan. Here are the first five:

 

Real Weddings - Episode 1: Tessa + Luis

A Spring wedding with a church ceremony and a reception at Villa Cesare. Portraits taken at Centennial Park. Press play and enjoy!

Real Weddings - Episode 1

 

Real Weddings - Episode 2: Josie + Victor

A bohemian style outdoor wedding at Friendship Botanical Gardens and a reception at The Market.

Real Weddings - Episode 2

 

Real Weddings - Episode 3: Nikki + Johnny

A church wedding at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana with a wonderful, tight knit family.

Real Weddings - Episode 3

 

Real Weddings - Episode 4: Christina + Melvin

An epic wedding at The Uptown Center in Michigan City, Indiana.

Real Weddings - Episode 4

 

Real Weddings - Episode 5: Beth + Keenin

Roar along in the groom’s vintage car for an outdoor golf course wedding at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

Real Weddings - Episode 5

I hope you enjoyed these videos of Real Weddings from Northwest Indiana. Stay tuned for more episodes from Chicago and Michigan and some winter and Fall weddings too.

As always, please do fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography for your big day.

And remember, weddings will be back, hugging will begin again and love will be celebrated!!

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In Wedding Planning Tags real weddings, wedding planning, The Pavilion At Sandy Pines, St. Michael's Parish, Centennial Park, Friendship Botanical Garden, The Uptown Center, Villa Cesare Banquet Hall, The Market

Wedding Venue Spotlight - Sand Creek Country Club

February 19, 2020 Steve Vansak

Today’s Northwest Indiana wedding venue spotlight is the absolutely beautiful Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana. This classy venue can be your all in one location for a wedding with its bridal suite, elegant ceremony area, spacious ballroom and scenic outdoor photo opportunities.

I’ve photographed there in many different seasons, from Fall weddings to Winter weddings to glorious sun filled Spring and Summer nuptials. See Jessica and Mitchell’s Fall wedding at Sand Creek right here.

Fall wedding photo from Sand Creek Country Club.

Winter wedding photo at Sand Creek Country Club.

A bride and groom kiss on the golf course at Sand Creek Country Club.

The indoor ceremony area is separate from the reception ballroom so guests can go directly to cocktail hour or lounge on the back deck overlooking the golf course.

Wedding ceremony at Sand Creek Country Club.

Besides the “clock garden” directly behind the building, some of my favorite locations for photos at the venue include the weeping willow tree and the nearby lake. I also love casual group shots on the patio.

An intimate moment among the vines of a tall willow tree at Sand Creek Country Club.

Fog and rain over the lake as the bride and groom kiss at Sand Creek Country Club.

The wedding party chills on the patio chairs at Sand Creek golf course.

The ballroom is surrounded by windows but when night falls it can become quite the dance club. Sometimes it even snows inside!!

Snow falls upon the dance floor at Sand Creek Country Club during first dance at a wedding.

I hope you have enjoyed this spotlight article on one of the premiere Northwest Indiana wedding venues located in Chesterton, Indiana - Sand Creek Country Club.

For wedding photography, do fill out the Contact Form here to inquire about availability for your big day.

The happy couple takes a walk in the clock garden on Sand Creek golf course.

In wedding venues, Wedding Planning Tags Sand Creek Country Club, Sand Creek Golf Course, golf course wedding
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