Fall Wedding at Avalon Manor

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Jessica and David's Fall wedding at Avalon Manor could not have been more fun or diverse.  We ended up taking so many different styles of shots, from the seductive tone of the bride engulfing the groom in her glamorus veil to the lighthearted goofing off of the bridesmaids as they modeled the groomsmen's jackets.

The day started at the Razor's Edge Hair Salon where I soon discovered these girls were going to be a fun bunch.  This getting ready photo session was part female bonding and part dance party at times.  Everyone escaped injury from the 100mph champagne cork that kicked off the celebration.  Note to self: next time I'm asked to uncork a bottle - point away from all wedding participants!!

We just so happened to have a shiny curtain at the salon that was the perfect backdrop for a pinup style photograph of the girls sipping from their decorated water cups.  Once again, Jessica and her girls showed what a fun group they are.

Jessica looked like a Hollywood starlet as she had her make up applied....

I took a detour to Deep River Park where I met up with the guys for some Fall pictures in the wooded park.  They chatted away on a bench overlooking the river for this vintage style photo.

Soon we were back at Avalon Manor for more getting ready photographs like the wedding dress next to the lovely pink dresses of the bridesmaids.  Jessica had the cutest props such as these personalized hangers for each girl.

The ceremony took place in one of the ballrooms with friends and family looking on.  Here, the bride makes her grand entrance with the greatest of smiles.

After some very hearfelt wedding vows, it was pronounced that David could kiss the bride as pink petals lined the runner for them to exit.

Family photo's got fun as the happy couple posed in the distance as relatives held up an empty picture frame...

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Thanks to Alex and crew from 27 Entertainment for providing the atmosphere during the first dance at the Merrillville banquet hall.  I wanted to get a silhouette and another image of the bride and groom lit from the front as well.  The smoke filled wash of blue and purple light made for a great background.

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I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at at Jessica and David's Fall wedding at Avalon Manor in Merrillville. To keep updated and to see more images, subscribe here to the Journal and give us a "like" on the SBV Photography Facebook page.  More to come!!

October Wedding at Bethel Temple Church and Centennial Park

The words spelled out in scrabble lettering says it all about Marcus and Kelley!!  I could really feel the L-O-V-E whenever they were in the room.  Whether we were in Bethel Temple Church for their October wedding ceremony or the clubhouse at Centennial Park in Munster, the vibe was in the air.  The chilly temperature of this Fall wedding got heated up quick when Marcus and Kelley were together.

The day started out with detail shots as the girls got ready in the bridal room of the church.  The wedding colors were an eye popping red against black as seen in this detail shot of the bouquet, garter and bride's shoes.

The bride was all smiles as her Dad and church pastor walked her down the aisle at the wedding in Gary, Indiana.

The guest were admiring her flowing white dress as they continued down the aisle of Bethel Temple.

Many friends and family came in from out of town to witness the ceremony and marvel at the wonderful structure of the church.

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We took many family formals after the ceremony including this solo shot of the bride smiling while holding her red bouquet...

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Afterwards, we headed over to Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana for some photos in front of the Fall foliage.

We were soon in the confines of the Centennial Clubhouse as the temperature started to drop.  After a meal, friends and family warmed up with dancing.  Here, Marcus and Kelly smile during their heartwarming first dance.  Can you feel the love?!!

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at at Marcus and Kelley's wedding at Bethel Temple Church in Gary. To keep updated and to see more images, subscribe here to the Journal and give us a "like" on the SBV Photography Facebook page.  More to come!!

Fall Wedding at Ogden Gardens in Valparaiso

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It's a wonderful thing to capture spectacular Autumn colors at outdoor Fall wedding ceremonies.  Maureen and Brett chose the beautiful Ogden Gardens in Valparaiso for their wedding ceremony and formal wedding photos.

 

This late September gathering of family and friends saw the bride and groom sharing a tender laugh just before being declared man and wife.  Part of their ceremony ritual had them turning each others hands palms up during their vows...

Before the ceremony began, we took outdoor photographs to take advantage of the colorful foliage.  Here the flower girl plays with the scattered Fall leaves.  The yellow and orange tinge to the leaves complimented the little girls dress perfectly.

Maureen's matron of honor was similarly decked out in an Autumn colored dress as she posed with the bride for a quick shot outside of her parent's home in Valparaiso.

After doing family photos at Ogden Gardens, the wedding party headed to the beach for some fun shots.  Soon we were arriving at the reception site of Cloister in the Woods in Munster.  In the lobby I was greeted by one of the framed engagement photos I took of the happy couple at my Crown Point portrait studio...

The groom was all smiles as he swayed with his bride during their first dance in the middle of the Munster banquet hall's ballroom floor.

After dinner, the party began with the newlywed game played this night with bottles of beer courtesy of 219 Productions in Highland, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at at Maureen and Brett's wedding at Ogden Gardens in Valparaiso. To keep updated and to see more images, subscribe here to the Journal and give us a "like" on the SBV Photography Facebook page.  More to come!!

Willow Harbor Vineyard Wedding

A wedding at Willow Harbor Vineyard and Dewey Cannon Winery in Three Oaks, Michigan is unique for many reasons, let alone the bride's arrival in an old 1970's Rolls Royce.  The ceremony site is located amongst wine vineyards in southwestern Michigan just over the Indiana state line.

It is a great location for an outdoor wedding with much greenery as you can see below with our bride Kelly being walked down the aisle by her parents.

The actual wedding nuptials take place below decorated pillars in the midst of the fields.  Mat and kelly were all smiles during their ring exchange with family and friends looking on.

Soon the newlyweds would seal things with a kiss as they exit the picturesque ceremony site amongst the vineyards.

Family photos followed such as this one with mom showing much affection for her son, the groom.

As storm clouds formed over the vineyard, I had the bride and groom stand at the edge of the row and share some moments together and a brand new husband and wife.

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I knew from shooting the couple's Chicago Session engagement photos that they loved black and white.  Here, the groomsmen get the same treatment.

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We walked all over the fields of love at Willow Harbor Vineyard in southwest Michigan.  We came across the old white pillar that surely was the scene of wedding ceremonies of the past.

The sun was shining upon us at this point and was time for a break and perhaps a few more kisses...

Nothing wrong with a little peek-a-boo amongst the tall vineyards...

As I stated in a previous posting, we found a ladder laying in the fields that was still in decent shape.  This gave me an opportunity to have the bride and groom the image and at the same time show the vastness of the green fields with the blue sky above.

Soon we were back in downtown Three Oaks in front of Dewey Cannon Winery for the reception.  We decided to take it to the streets for this fun and unique wedding photo.  I added a grunge border and bit of faded color for the vintage look.

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When planning your outdoor wedding, consider something unique like a wine vineyard.