Romantic Wedding Photos at Marquette Park Pavilion

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Greg and Kari's wedding ceremony actually took place in Jamaica this past summer.  They hired me to photograph their celebration here in Northwest Indiana with friends and family.  The newlyweds wanted a photo shoot on the beach to bring back the flavor of the Jamaican wedding attended by their wedding party and also wanted to incorporate a family feel to the images by including their two lovely daughters.

The Marquette Park Pavilion immediately came to mind as a Northwest Indiana wedding venue that could double as a tropical paradise.  We also used the nearby beach bath house for a backdrop as well.  When it came time for family wedding photos, the creative couple hired a horse and carriage to come and pick them up at their home and wisk them away to the celebration at the Hobart Elks Lodge.

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The Marquette Park Pavilion has been getting remodeled for the past two years and is now booking weddings and events for 2013.  I'm not affiliated with them at all, but have grown fond of the all in one wedding venue and as a Northwest Indiana wedding photographer, have shot their many times in the past - both in and around the building for weddings, events and high school senior and family photographs.

There is a lagoon in the back of the landmark building that is very picturesque and tropical in look.  Perfect for Greg and Kari to take a romantic stroll...

We used the bridge that goes over the lagoon and is a path to the Indiana Dunes beach for many of our scenic wedding photos.  This image of the groom admiring his bride from a distance is one of my favorites of the many images that we took.

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We used the nearby beach, as it is in within walking distance, for more couple's shots as well as this Reservoir Dogs tribute with the groomsmen waling toward the camera.

For family portraits we went back to the couple's home and simply used the wonderful scenery around their wooded community just off of I-65.  Their two daughters, Karly and Riley could not have been better subjects for the camera - incredibly polite and of course, photogenic as all get out. 

While strolling around their immediate neighborhood, we came across an old swingset and captured one of my favorite family photographs that I've ever taken.  The couple and their two daughters were up to try anything and together we came up with some unique wedding photographs.

Oh, there are a couple of extended members of the family I forgot to mention - their 1999 black Transam...

.... and the family dog!!

The can't be anything more romantic than the bride and groom in a horse and carriage.  While I took these in color, they just begged to have a more vintage look about them.

We went from romantic to adorably cute with the whole family on board and about to ride over the I-65 overpass toward the Hobart Elks Lodge for their reception, complete with a live band for entertainment.

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With the Just Married sign attached to the rear of the carriage, Greg and Kari + Family were sure to turn heads of the passing cars.

I want to compliment these folks on the creativity for their wedding day.  It was great fun to photograph their romantic wedding at Marquette Park Pavilion, their lovely home and the celebration in Hobart.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at at Greg and Kari's tropical wedding.  To keep updated and to see more images, subscribe here to the Journal and give us a "like" on the SBV Photography Facebook page.  

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Wedding Ceremony at Our Lady of Grace Church

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Dustin and Jenny's wedding ceremony was a classic catholic ceremony at Our Lady of Grace Church in Highland, Indiana.  The mass was complete with singing and the grand building was filled with family and friends.

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All eyes were on the flower girl and ring bearer as they walked arm in arm down the long aisle toward the altar. I often find the children will just veer off from fear after entering a cavernous room of people, but these two held it together admirably.

The soon to be bride and groom were all smiles as they exchanged vows while holding hands....

The ring exchange was perfect and I'm especially glad that they were aware of the photographs and held their hands within view.  I was then able to zoom in from the middle pf the pews to capture the rings being placed.

The first kiss was filled with emotion as the bride and groom held it for several seconds before taking in the applause from friends and family.

As the newlyweds walked to exit the church they stopped for one more display of affection...

The bride and groom left the church amidst bubbles as they headed for their limousine and fake getaway.

Stay tuned for a future post as we detail some fun and unique photographs of Dustin and Jenny at Centennial Park in Munster.  Here is one of the happly couple walking toward sunset across the bridge.

Fall Engagement Photos at Millennium Park

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One of the last images taken for Krystyne and Todd's Fall engagement photos occured in front of the Millennium Park fountain in downtown Chicago.  Todd spun his fiance' around and when they landed, fell into this passionate kiss.  It was perfect!!

The day started out with a walk around the downtown area amongst the shoppers and business people of Chicago.  This was all part of a Chicago Sessions engagement package in which I shoot in color and then turn all the images into old school black and white street photography.  I even add grain for a film like quality.  Here is an example of the color and black and white of the same image of the engaged couple walking down State Street.

Note the image grain and the dark room dirty border for a retro look.  For a complete example, take a look at this recent Chicago Session slideshow.

I've been known to get into traffic every once in awhile to get a shot that I want and this "one way love" image is an example of that.  Okay, it was only a few feet into traffic, but hey, you know these cab drivers!!  I might was well have been their hood ornament.  :)

We happened upon a row of bicycles that begged for a photo.  Perhaps all that 1960's classic rock I listen to influenced this as I recall a few album covers often saw rows of bikes like this.  I would have loved to have had the soon to be married couple riding a two seater, but it was not to be.  We spotted one, but the rider didn't stop.

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The sun soaked kiss below was taken overlooking the Chicago River as tourist elbowed around us trying to take the same shot.  Sometimes you just have to muscle your way into the crowd.  Krystyne and Todd did a great job blocking out all of the distractions and focusing on each other.

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We took a short break and met up again at Millennium Park for some real Autumn shots with the Fall leaves and orange and yellow colored trees.  We wanted to commemorate a photo with the 2013 wedding date and a trusty chalkboard did the trick. We have a lot more images like this with messages to each other written for the camera.  Can't wait to unveil all of the engagement photos in color and the specialty black and whites.

The wonderful thing about Millennium Park is you can get two worlds in the same shot.  In their entrance into the Millennium garden we have the Fall colored brush with the cityscape background.  Our focus of course, is the happy couple in the middle.

By the time we got deep into the park, these guys were old pros at being subjects for the camera.  They simply sat down and interacted with some gorgeous natural light falling upon them.  

One of our more fun loving images of the day is this back to back photo on one of the park benches.  I think these two were pretty relaxed at this point.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at at Krystyne and Todd's Fall engagement photos at Millennium Park in Chicago.  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!!

Autumn Wedding at the Halls of St. George

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Abra and Dan's Fall wedding took place entirely at the Halls of St. George in Schererville, Indiana.  It was a day of rain and wind, but spirits could not be dampened as the bride and groom stepped outside for the above photograph.  This yellow umbrella sheilded the happy couple from the elements and we still got our Autumn look.

The day began at Riah Salon in St. John, Indiana where the bridemaids rolled in with custom made Starbucks drinks to signify their status for Abra's big day.

Abra and her bridesmaids educated me on reality TV shows while the crew at Riah Salon readied their hair and makeup.  Oh, and some Hermosa may or may not have been served during this time!!

When we arrived back at the Halls of St. George, rain stopped for a few minutes and we took the groomsmen outside for some Fall foliage shots.  We got some good contrast with the dapper men in their black tuxedos against the Autumn leaves.

Meanwhile, the women were inside with last minute details.  Abra got a look at her dress just before ceremony time in the bridal suite of the banquet hall.

We sequestered the groom inside the bathroom (sorry Dan) and went into the ballroom for some formal wedding photos.  At this point the wind had really kicked in so we stayed inside for the rest of the afternoon and evening. 

The ceremony was moved inside with a large group of family and friends witnessing the first kiss of Abra and Dan as husband and wife.

After the ceremony we took family photos as well as some fun wedding party shots such as this one of the bridesmaids blowing kisses toward the groom.

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The reception introductions were capped off by the bride being dipped as family and friends mugged it up for the crowd and my camera.  It was going to be a fun night!!

The DJ shined a bright red light over the guests to show off Abra's wedding colors as the bride and groom danced their first dance together.  I don't think they ever stopped grinning.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek of Abra and Dan's Autumn wedding at The Halls of St. George in Schererville, Indiana.  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!!