Winter Wedding Ceremony At St. Maria Goretti Church

February 27, 2017 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom share a moment at St. Maria Goretti Church.

Samantha and Dale's February wedding at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana was full of great moments - lots of laughs and mimosas during getting ready, to nervous giggles during the exchange of rings all the way to the emotional speeches and first dances. Let me take you through the story of their big day...

When I arrived, the Mimosa Bar was open for business and everyone was in great spirits, including the dog!! Krissy V. tended to make up while Katelyn Pruitt styled hair.

The Pink Pajama Crew (aka Sam's bridesmaids) actually laughed at whatever joke I happened to say and soon it was time for Samantha to get into her dress.

The bridesmaids have a pajama party on the morning of the wedding.

Samantha looked stunning in the backlit room as her MOH helped her with the veil.

The MOH assists the bride with her veil.

Second photographer Bridget was with Dale and the groomsmen during this time as they put down a little "robitussin" to help out with the cold temperatures!!

The groom and groomsmen toast to the big day ahead.

Friends and family filled the pews at St. Maria Goretti Church as Sam and her father made their way down the aisle with Dale anxiously looking on. All the candles glistened as they exchanged vows.

Winter wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Church.

A reader speaks at a wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti.

After the ceremony, we did family photos in the church and then set out to Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

Wedding party photo at St. Maria Goretti.

Parents and couples photos at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana.

I remember walking out of the church and saying "these temperatures don't seem too bad". Famous last words!! When we arrived at Centennial Park the 18mph winds kicked in with a drop in temps to somewhere in the mid 20's. Much respect to the wedding party for enduring the madness. And of course, a shout out to our bride Samantha and her lovely veil that took a beating!!

Winter wedding photos at Centennial Park.

The wind carries the bride's veil on the bridge at Centennial Park.

Villa Cesare looked spectacular with the muted gold tones of Samantha and Dale's decor. The cake table was epic and I loved the Fuji Instax film cameras for guests to use.

Wedding decorations at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

The wedding party intros were a lot of fun and we scanned the room to capture the great moments - from the flower girl practicing to be the next Ronda Rowsey to Sam's emotional dance with her Dad while the ring bearer looked on.

Fun and emotional moments at a Villa Cesare wedding reception.

First dances at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

We saw quite the contrast with the single women vying for the bouquet and the look of terror on the men during the garter toss...

The bouquet toss at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

The dance floor was alive all night as Operation Get Down provided the soundtrack...

A full dance floor at Villa Cesare during a winter wedding reception.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at Samantha and Dale's wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana. To inquire about your big day, be sure to fill out the Contact Form. More images to follow at social media channels below.

Winter Wedding At Fair Oaks Farmhouse

January 17, 2017 Steve Vansak

Evening stroll for the bride and groom at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Annie and Paul had an epic winter wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse with a country theme provided by the bride and her western boots and the incredible Americana band at the reception. Oh, and hearty macaroni and cheese to go along with your choice of steak, chicken or salmon. You can't beat that!!

Things started out in the morning with Annie and her girls prepping for the day ahead. Her dress was beautiful and the remembrance charm attached to her bouquet was a nice touch.

Bridal prep for a wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

I gathered the bridesmaids together for a slumber party shot, but something wasn't quite right. One of the "bridesmaids" looked a little bit.... out of place.....

A groomsman photobombs the bridesmaids and gets paid back with a tickle attack.

In another room the guys were prepping for the big day. Their red vests and ties really popped.

The groomsmen prep for the big day at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Second photographer Kerrie took the guys out in back of the big red barn while I was in front with the girls.

The bridesmaids attack the bride with their winter shawls.

The bridesmaids visit a cow at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Keep in mind that is was pretty cold out at this point, but that did not bother Annie as she ditched her shawl for a few pictures showing off the big barn.

The bride in front of Fair Oaks Farmhouse at her winter wedding.

Soon it was ceremony time with the Fair Oaks ballroom packed with family and friends from all over. The bride and groom were serenaded with Your Song by Elton John in a live vocal from a friend in a ceremony filled with love and laughter.

Indoor wedding ceremony at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Winter wedding ceremony at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Immediately following the ceremony we took family photos as well as a wedding party group shot and some night time bride and groom pictures. Then it was time for introductions, dinner and getting the band tuned up for the big party.

Wedding party group photo at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

The bride and groom share a kiss in the ballroom at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Bride and groom at their winter wedding in Fair Oaks, Indiana.

The mighty WheelHouse band is an Americana and Bluegrass band from Madison, Wisconsin. They were the perfect soundtrack for Annie and Paul's epic reception. They had the dance floor full all night. They have their own brand of Wheelhouse Whiskey, but I'm unclear if any was being served up this night. :)

The WheelHouse Band on stage during a wedding.

After the incredible dinner - desserts were served up, drinks were flowing and the dancing began. It may still be going on! :)

Wedding reception at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Annie and Paul's winter wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse. Stay tuned to social media below for more images and as always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day. Stay warm!

Winter Wedding At Cloister In The Woods

December 20, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom at Lake County Fairgrounds among snow covered trees.

Matt and Mallory, aka Lord and Lady Seip had a true winter wedding with snow on the ground for their first look at Lake County Fairgrounds. Harry Potter sorcery and some Game of Thrones decor also took its place among Christmas lights at Free Spirit Church as well as the reception at Cloister in the Woods.

Our day started at Mallory's parents' home where I found spirits flowing along with flowers made from an actual Harry Potter novel. We had a fun first look with the bridesmaids and we were off to the old covered bridge at Lake County Fairgrounds.

Bridal prep for a winter wedding during the Christmas season.

Second photographer Kerrie covered the guys prep at House Lannister which consisted of securing the bowties, drinking beer and admiring the leg lamp from A Christmas Story. Soon these groomsmen would be abandoned at the snowy bridge as the limo went to pick up the bridesmaids.

Groomsmen wedding prep at House Lannister.

I had Matt in the center of the old covered bridge at Lake County Fairgrounds as Mallory made her way down through the snow and ice toward him. Lord Seip slowly turned around and embraced Lady Mallory. It was a wonderful moment...

First look for the bride and groom on a snowy day in December at Lake County Fairgrounds.

I have to admit, Mallory was handling the cold a lot better than I was as my fingers went numb during some of the outdoor portraits!! The snow looked gorgeous clinging to the tall trees of the fairgrounds though. The bridesmaids did a great job too, battling the elements as they all took a stroll down the icy paths of the wooded area.

Winter portraits of the bride and groom.

The bride and her bridesmaids take a walk in the snow filled woods of Lake County Fairgrounds.

I'm unsure if the groomsmen were warming up the bride or if she was doing that for them! The bridesmaids all brought along signs that declared their relationship with Mallory - fun stuff. A few more snow filled winter wedding photos and soon we were off to Free Spirit Church for the ceremony.

Wedding party fun at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

I kept hearing reports from guests arriving to the church that the weather had taken a turn for the worst. Soon we would find out as we stopped by the Crown Point Square after the ceremony. For the moment though, we were nice and toasty as Lord and Lady Seip said "I Do".

December wedding ceremony at Free Spirit Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

After family photos, we made a quick stop to downtown Crown Point for bride and groom pictures and then made our way to Cloister In The Woods in Munster. We stopped by the courtyard there for some images while second photographer Kerrie photographed the Harry Potter themed decor.

Snow fills the air as the bride and groom walk back to their limo in downtown Crown Point.

Alone time for the bride and groom in the courtyard at Cloister In The Woods.

A saber dual broke out during introductions as a bit of Star Wars made it's way into the Harry Potter and Game of Thrones mix.

Harry Potter wedding reception decorations.

This was a dancing crowd for sure and they filled the floor after Matt and Mallory's first dance. No one cared about the ice and snow as they danced the night away in celebration!!

First dance at Cloister In The Woods in Munster, Indiana.

I sure hope your holiday is a wonderful one!! Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day whether it be Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter!! :)

Valentine Wedding In Downtown Crown Point

February 15, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss at the Old Crown Point Courthouse on Valentine's Day weekend.

Marissa and Dennis were married on Valentine's Day weekend in Crown Point, Indiana. The day was filled with red and white and hearts galore. We started out at the bride's parent's home with everyone in great spirits. Even Dad paid the girls a visit as they took over his man cave with hair products and make up. Second photographer Kerrie captured the guys at the ceremony site getting dressed while I captured the women at the house.

Bridal prep during Valentine's Day weekend.

Free Spirit Church is a few blocks from the downtown Crown Point Square. Friends and family filled the church as Reverend Doug calmed the bride and groom's nerves with laughter as he pronounced them man and wife.

After family photos in the church, we all bravely headed to the Square for outdoor photos. Let's just say, it was a wee bit cold!! Marissa and Dennis were great as was the entire wedding party. Their cheeks might have been a little rosy, but they looked good with the Old Courthouse as a backdrop.

Winter wedding photos in downtown Crown Point.

Our next stop was the warm confines of the banquet halls at Woodland Park in Portage, Indiana. The room was a Valentine red and had an endless candy buffet. A balloon sculptor was on hand for the kids and they clutched onto their new toys as they watched the bride and groom during their first dance.

Valentine wedding reception at Woodland Park in Portage, Indiana.

The bride and groom share it kiss during their wedding reception at Woodland Park.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Marissa and Dennis' Valentine wedding. Stay tuned here and on social media for more images.