Weddings In Indiana, Chicago and Michigan - The 2019 Year In Review

December 30, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride in Converse All Star shoes in front of a red door in Chicago.

It was another action packed year of wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southwest Michigan. There are a TON of images from February weddings all the way through November so let’s get started.

I had two winter weddings in 2019 with Sarah + Robert and Erin + Mason. Yep, we had some snow and even the Village People showed up to rock the reception.

Black and white winter wedding photo in the snow.

Early Spring saw torrential rain almost every single weekend. Like the postal service though, we deliver in ice, rain, sleet or snow. For Beth + Chad we had that all in one day!! Cherise + Thomas had some sunshine for their big day at Sand Creek Country Club and for a bridal portrait session in Chicago we had to dodge some puddles for sure.

Rain and wind and fog surround the bride and groom in a wedding photo at Sand Creek Country Club.

Bridal portraits on the streets of Chicago.

The wet Spring continued for Breana + Kevin’s Chicago wedding and Sarah + Billy’s hometown wedding in Crown Point, Indiana. Both had wonderful church ceremonies.

Bride and groom walk back down the aisle after their wedding ceremony at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.

May weddings in Chicago and Crown Point, Indiana.

The month of May was very busy with Northwest Indiana weddings of Tessa + Luis as well as Dan + Tea.

Vintage bridal portraits in Northwest Indiana.

June saw Gabby + Matt at Briar Ridge Country Club and Becky + Chuck along with the summer weddings of Rachel + Brandon at County Line Orchard and back to the Crown Point Courthouse with Robyn and Stacey.

First dance at Briar Ridge Country Club.

June wedding photos at Briar Ridge Country Club and Centennial Park.

Weddings in late June in Crown Point and County Line Orchard.

July saw me at the height of summer and back at County Line Orchard for an outdoor wedding with Emily + Tyler and Whiting Lakefront Park for the beach wedding of Maureen + Carlos.

July summer weddings at County Line Orchard and Whiting Lakefront Park.

Newlyweds kiss between two Golden Delicious sign in the apple orchards.

July also saw me heading east to Heston Hill wedding venue for Maggie + Eric and staying close to home for Cynthia + Zachary at Avalon Manor wedding venue.

Summer weddings at Heston Hills and Avalon Manor.

Bride and groom share a moment at Heston Hills wedding venue in Laporte, Indiana.

August began with a themed wedding from Isela + Thomas and Jackie + Kevin for the first time a bride has ever arrived via boat at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Early August weddings in Northwest Indiana.

Wedding photo with a sunset over the lake.

Mid to late August saw the 4 day Indian wedding of Molly + Ahsan in Chicago and the church wedding of Brie + Ryan at St. Michael’s Parish and reception at Sand Creek golf course.

Mid to late August weddings in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

A candid moment underneath the willow tree at Sand Creek Country Club.

Early September saw the first of two weddings at Four Corners Winery with Holly + Ethan and then it was onto The Allure in Laporte, Indiana with Mary + Jeff.

Wedding photos at Four Corners Winery and The Allure.

Photo at the rustic wedding venue Four Corners Winery in Valparaiso, Indiana.

I’d always wanted to photograph at the Naperville Riverwalk in Illinois for a wedding and did just that with Vilda + Brandon and weddings at Aberdeen Manor are some of the most elegant and the nuptials of Kristen and Zach did not disappoint.

September weddings in Naperville, Illinois Riverwalk and Aberdeen Manor.

Wedding photo on the staircase at Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Candid wedding moment at a lake in Aberdeen neighborhood in Valparaiso, Indiana.

A photo at night in front of the chapel at Aberdeen Manor.

September is still the most popular month for weddings and I was back at Avalon Manor for Violet + Jeremiah and an epic wedding with Jordan + Matt at Centennial Park where it snowed on the dance floor.

Late September weddings in Northwest Indiana.

It snows on the dance floor at the Centennial Park clubhouse for a wedding reception.

October is football season and we celebrated that with Francesca + Zane at Wicker Park and also wine tasting season at Four Corners Winery with Ammie + Matt.

Reema + Corey donned two wedding dresses and two suits at their Meyer’s Castle wedding in Dyer, Indiana and Mary + Ben braved the rain at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana for their late Fall weddings.

Late Fall weddings in Northwest Indiana.

Rain falls at night in this wedding photo at Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

I certainly can’t forget about Annie + Michael at Aberdeen Manor as well as the 2019 wedding season finale of Kim + Dustin at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Late November weddings in Northwest Indiana.

I’m looking forward to next year’s weddings in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please do fill out the Contact Form on this website and set up a meeting so I can show you more of my work. Happy New Year to all!!

A bride in front of graffiti art in the Bucktown area of Chicago, Illinois.

Fall Wedding At Fair Oaks Farmhouse

November 25, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom take a walk behind Fair Oaks Farmhouse on a chilly November day.

It was all about the orange at Kim and Dusty’s Fall wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse Restaurant. This particular November day had a winter vibe with snow on the ground, yet we still had Fall color to work with. It made for some unique wedding photos on the rustic property. Jello shots were dispersed to all those involved in the wedding and girls gladly played along for a faux passing out picture.

Bridal prep and groom prep was all at the adjacent Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott at Fair Oaks Farms. It has a convenient tunnel that leads to the reception area in case of bad weather.

I covered the girls getting ready while second photographer Lauren was with the guys. Soon it would be time for our first look on the porch of the farmhouse.

Bridal prep at the Fairfield Inn at Fair Oaks Farms.

Sadly, a fight broke out among the bride and her bridesmaids… JUST KIDDING!! These girls were a lot of fun and I encouraged them to have duel with their winter shawls.

Bride has fun with her friend and bridesmaid on her wedding day.

Groom prep for a wedding at Fair Oaks Farms.

It was quite chilly this mid November day so after Dusty bravely waited for Kim to arrive for their first look / reveal, we stepped inside for these guys to warm up a bit. Then we were in and out for pictures all around the property of Fair Oaks Farms.

First look for the bride and groom on the porch at Fair Oaks Farmhouse Restaurant.

A kiss and an embrace with Indiana farmland in the background.

Wedding party photos during a fall / winter wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Bride and groom portraits with fall color at Fair Oaks Farms.

The ceremony was held inside with the couple’s friend as officiant. Family photos followed and then we stepped away for a sunset picture. We then made our way to the reception area where dancers of all ages were awaiting as Trans Audio rocked the ballroom.

Indoor wedding ceremony at Fair Oaks Farms.

Wedding ceremony vows at Fair Oaks Farms.

Bride and groom take a walk at sunset at Fair Oaks Farms.

On the way back to the reception room, my assistant Michelle noticed the tunnel connecting the hotel to the farmhouse was lit and encouraged me to do a photos of the couple and we did just that. Then it was onto the party!!

Bride and groom inside Fair Oaks Farmhouse Restaurant.

Fall wedding reception at Fair Oaks Farmhouse Restaurant.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Kim and Dusty’s Fall wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please use the Contact Form right here. As always, more images can be found on the social media channels below.

February Wedding At Sand Creek Country Club

February 5, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom eskimo kiss at their winter wedding in a snow covered field.

Prior to Sarah and Robert’s winter wedding at Sand Creek Country Club the polar vortex landed here in the Midwest. This plunged temperatures to record lows to the point of it being dangerous to be outside. I’m happy to report that a few days later we got back to “normal winter” and we snuck in some outdoor snowy shots of the bride and groom as seen above. No one lost an arm to frostbite! :)

The day began in the Sand Creek bridal suite with Krissy V. on make up and Jennalee from Identity Hair Design with the bridesmaids and moms of the bride and groom telling funny stories and opening gifts.

Bridal prep fun inside the Sand Creek Bridal Suite.

The bride and groom open each other’s wedding day gifts.

Second photographer Bridget covered the guys prep as we made out way towards the first look of Sarah and Robert.

The groom preps for his big day at Sand Creek Country Club.

Groomsmen portraits outside in the winter snow.

The bridesmaids stay warm around the piano during a winter wedding at Sand Creek golf course.

Robert diligently waited for Sarah outside under the canopy at the entrance of the Sand Creek clubhouse. He closed his eyes as she approached and when she touched his hand they came together for a wonderful moment.

Bride and groom see each other for the first time on wedding day.

We then ventured off into the snow laden area surrounding the clubhouse for winter wedding portraits. While i love to turn snow scenes black and white, I did notice a bit of texture and blue in the sky so we took a few portrait of the bride and groom with the winter sky as a backdrop.

Winter wedding portrait at Sand Creek Country Club.

Winter wedding photos at Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, Indiana.

We then ventured inside for family pictures before the ceremony started with Reverend Doug on officiant duties.

Indoor winter wedding ceremony at Sand Creek Country Club.

Reverend Doug presides over a wedding ceremony at Sand Creek in Chesterton.

The wedding reception decor saw a selfie backdrop and a hint of Disney. The dance floor itself was packed all night with 27 Entertainment providing the soundtrack for the evening.

Winter wedding reception at Sand Creek golf course.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Sarah and Robert’s February wedding at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana. Don’t forget to visit the Region Weddings Instagram page for more images from this and other weddings and do fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day.

Winter Wedding At Sand Creek Country Club

January 3, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom portrait at Kapitan Nursery tree farm.

Sarah was hoping for snow on her wedding day. We kinda / sorta got it - outside and inside. Follow me as we go through the highlights of Sarah and Nick’s winter wedding at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana with a church ceremony at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

Our day started with bridal prep at Sarah’s parents home where the first signs of a Disney themed wedding were spotted within the bridesmaid’s slippers. Make up by Maria Blanco with hair by Lauren Phillips.

Bridal prep for a winter and Disney themed wedding.

Bridesmaid fun during getting ready on wedding day.

Second photographer Kerrie was with the guys at their hotel while I captured Sarah, her bridesmaids and her lovable dog Madden. Then we all convened upon St. Michael’s Parish to see Sarah walk down the aisle on the arms of her Dad. Flowers by: Kristina Lynn Floral

St. Michel’s Parish looked very festive with Christmas decorations in every corner including behind the altar for all of our photographs. After the ceremony we took family pictures, wedding party and bride and groom photos and then we were off in the search for snow.

Winter wedding ceremony at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

Bride and groom pray inside the sanctuary at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

Wedding party group photo at St. Michael’s Parish.

The bride shows off her pretty wedding dress at St. Michael’s Parish.

Bride and groom church portraits with Christmas decorations.

We began our search for snow at Kapitan Nursery tree farm in Merrillville, Indiana where we set the wedding party and bride and groom up against a picturesque backdrop with frost on the ground and freezing but happy faces walking along the baby evergreen trees.

Wedding party group photo at Kapitan Nursery tree farm.

Fog surrounds the bride and groom in this outdoor winter wedding photo.

Winter wedding photos at Kapitan Nursery tree farm.

As we made our way toward Sand Creek Country Club we found that in Chesterton, Indiana quite a bit more snow had fallen. This meant some snow covered bride and groom portraits at the beautifully lit entrance to the Sand Creek ballroom.

Outdoor winter wedding photos at Sand Creek Country Club.

Upon entering the reception room at Sand Creek Country Club for Sarah and Nick’s winter wedding, the Disney theme took hold alongside winter. By the time first dances arrived, snow was now falling indoors. Music: 27 Entertainment / Snow: Ever After Events / Cake: Beck’s Crown Bakery

Disney and winter themed wedding decorations.

Winter wedding reception at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana.

First dance for the bride and groom as snow falls upon them.

Snow falls on the dance floor at a winter wedding reception at Sand Creek Country Club.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Sarah and nick’s winter wedding at Sand Creek Country Club with a church ceremony at St. Michael’s Parish. Be sure to follow the Instagram feed to see more images and fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography for your big day.