Father Daughter Dance

One of the most emotional and important moments to capture at the wedding reception are the first dances.  You've no doubt seen many bride and groom shots here on the Wedding Journal, but today we focus on Father and Daughter dances.

I did some research on the most popular Father / Daughter wedding dance songs and there were some surprising results.  Here are few that kept showing up in every list... 

• What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
• Unforgettable - Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
• I Loved Her First - Heartland
• Tiny Dancer - Elton John
• Forever Young - Rod Stewart

A real surpise that kept coming up, but a song that I totally love is God Only Knows by The Beach Boys.  The number one Father and Daughter wedding dance song according to most wedding websites is The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra.  It kept topping list after list that I found.  I guess traditional is the preferred way to go for most brides when it comes to dancing with Dad.

Here are some tips when planning this loving moment for your reception....

• Talk to your Dad.  Ask him what he'd like to dance to or if he wants to practice ahead of time.
• Keep it short.  After all your Dad is a guy and sometimes we are uncomfortable dancing in the spotlight.  You can also have your groom come up mid song with his mother.
• Go ethnic.  Show off your ethnic pride and be surprised when Dad really cuts loose.  It could make for a fun moment between you guys that I can capture with the camera.

While photographing the above reception at Villa Cesare Banquet Hall, the bride's dad surprised me by spinning his daughter around and around on the floor.  It was a showstopper and I loved capturing it for their wedding album.

LaPorte Winter Wedding Sneak Peek

Heather and Mike's winter wedding in LaPorte, Indiana occured just last week and it was a grand affair.  Most of our wedding photos, including the bride and groom first look above, took place at The Allure Banquet Hall in downtown LaPorte, Indiana.

Our day started with the Getting Ready session at the couple's house which had been turned into a makeshift hair salon...

With hair and make up complete, we headed to The Allure's bride's room which has a loft surrounded by brick and large mirrors.  There is even a full shower available.

The ceremony took place at St. John's in New Buffalo, Michigan where the bride and groom where surrounded by family for their first kiss...

The newly married couple was all smiles when walking back down the aisle after being married...

Before the celebration began we took advantage of The Allure's balcony for a retro looking bride portrait...

DJ Wade Breitzke of 27 Entertainment did a fantastic job entertaining the crowd during the "breaking of the ice" shenanigans which tested the couple's knowledge of one another with humor.

- click to enlarge - 

Many more images to follow.  Be sure to follow this Journal or the SBV Photography Facebook Page for more updates on Mike and Heather's winter wedding in LaPorte.

Portrait Studio Grand Reopening

I have a brand new portrait studio opening in March.  Photography clients who have had sessions at my former portrait studio can attest that the quality has been superb, but the room a bit cramped.  All that changes in a few weeks when I will have a grand reopening of the larger studio - now located in Crown Point, Indiana.

As before, sessions will be booked by appointment and the results will be what the big box retailers cannot offer.  Just as I strive to make my wedding photography unique, my child photography and family photography will have the same guidelines.

For high school seniors, I will now have many more sets and backgrounds along with an App for iPhone and iPad in some of the packages.  There will even be a rock star set up to revealed soon.

My Crown Point portrait studio can also be a destination spot for engagement photos as well....

I hope to have things complete in the next few weeks so I can post some images and reveal the exciting new studio packages.  Of course, things have been crazy busy with the move and booking wedding clients for 2012 and 2013.

More news about my new Crown Point Portrait Studio coming soon.  In the meantime, enjoy these images from past sessions.  

Wicker Park Bridal Show Recap

From cake tasting to wedding photographers to beauty experts - all wedding vendors were well represented at the Wicker Park Bridal show in January.  I was there with my Region Weddings booth where we gave away a Chicago Sessions Engagement Package.

Wedding cakes are always plentiful at these shows and it's a great way to see how they will look in the environment of a reception hall such as the Wicker Park Social Center in Highland.

One of my favorites is this vintage style cake with retro looking white flowers...

Of course, the main reason a wedding photographer like myself is at shows like this is to show off my work in person and also meet brides to be.  It's usually a bit noisy so I encourage prospective clients to schedule a meeting so I can hear all about your wedding.  It's only been a week and I've already booked with one couple from the show.  The entire month of January has been a booking frenzy so please don't delay in contacting me to set up your very own meeting.

My booth was right next to a string quartet that played some soothing classical pieces.  They would make a classy addition to any wedding ceremony or wedding reception dinner.

Bridal fashions were on hand with everything from dresses, veils and foot wear such as these sexy high heeled pumps...

This year's show, as always, was sponsored by Brides Guide Magazine - the longest running bridal publication in Northwest Indiana and Chicago.

So, after you say "yes" and before you both say "I do", check out a local bridal show.  The next one is scheduled for February 26th at Glenwoodie Golf Course in Glenwood, Illinois.  Please call 219-662-9245 for more information.  I will be busy this date setting up my new portrait studio in Crown Point, so please contact me now as opposed to waiting for a show.