Sand Creek Golf Course Wedding

September 15, 2014 Steve Vansak

The bride's veil flies in the wind at Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, Indiana.

Brieanne and Jeremiah were married at Sand Creek Golf Course this past weekend. The temperature was unexpectedly cool, but our skies were clear as the wind blew the bride's veil while we were out shooting on the course.

Our day started in a portioned off area of the locker room with the girls getting ready. Emotions ran from fun laughter to happy tears as ceremony time approached. Everybody doted on flower girl Chloe and Jeremiah left a heartfelt note with his gift to Brieanne...

Girls just want to have fun while getting ready for a wedding at Sand Creek in Chesterton.

These girls were a real fun bunch so I just let them go for a walk along the wonderful greenery of the Chesterton country club and wedding venue while I captured all the fun...

The bridesmaids go for a walk at Sand Creek Golf Course.

Perhaps it was the wine that had them all giddy in addition to the excitement of Brieanne's big day...

The guys had a different take on their wedding pictures. Football season has begun and time to show off team pride...

The groomsmen wear the jersey to their favorite football team for a fun wedding photo.

I told these girls to attack the groom and they didn't have to think twice. Looks like he didn't mind at all.

Due to the crisp Fall temperatures the wedding ceremony was held indoors in the Sand Creek dining area in the late afternoon. Emotions got the best of the bride and groom as they said their vows and Chloe the flower girl couldn't get enough of the spotlight.

A photo collage of a wedding ceremony at Sand Creek in Chesterton, Indiana.

The just married couple shares a kiss after their wedding ceremony as guests look on.

Family photos followed with us then taking a 6 car golf cart around the course for bride and groom shots. The happy couple spelled out love and went for a stroll with a covered bridge in the background.

A young couple shares a kiss as they stroll the golf course at Sand Creek.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Brieanne and Jeremiah's wedding at Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, Indiana. Be sure to subscribe to the Northwest Indiana Wedding Photographer Journal down below for more updates.

I leave you with the newly married couple on the dance floor of the ball room at Sand Creek.

Wedding at the Banquets of St. George

September 8, 2014 Steve Vansak

First dance at the Banquets of St. George in Schererville, Indiana

Stephanie and Keith were married this past Friday at the bride's childhood home with their wedding reception at the Banquets of St. George in Schererville, Indiana. I first photographed the bride back in 2008 for a studio session and she has been following my work online. It was great to photograph her again for her wedding. The self described "book nerd" was a calm and confident bride and I really enjoyed capturing her big day and interacting with her and Keith's families who were all terrific.

Our day began with the maid of honor Anastasia styling her best friend's hair while the bride's furry canine friends ran around our feet trying to figure out what all the excitement was about. I knew a live musical performance was coming up later at the reception so I made sure to get detail shots of her Dad's guitar and her mandolin. Her mom was concerned about wrinkling the dress so she had a vintage mannequin on display for it to hang on. For the second time this year, Converse All Stars became the shoes of choice for the bride!!

A collection for Getting Ready detail shots at the bride's childhood home in Griffith, Indiana and Merle Norman in Highland.

Mom zips up her daughter's wedding dress on wedding day.

Stephanie had told me about her parent's beautiful property in the back of their home and this is where we had our first look. Keith slowly turned to face his bride as friends and family looked on.

First look for the bride and groom besides a tree overlooking a pond in Griffith, Indiana.

Beautiful greenery reflects into a small pond as the bride and groom gaze at each other.

We then proceeded to take family photos and couple photos before the intimate afternoon ceremony which would take place adjacent to the home.

As you can see from the images above, Stephanie and Keith have a fun loving family. A couple of the guys even became part of my crew and I had to take a behind the scenes shot to show them working. Seriously though, it was humid as heck and I really appreciate them giving me a hand in taming the vicious sun!!

Stephanie's Dad performed the ceremony as a handful of family watched the young couple become husband and wife.

Photo collage of an intimate outdoor wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony some major thunderstorms rolled in but at this point all were ready to party at the Banquets of St. George in Schererville. The dance floor was packed with well wishers. Just look at all of those happy faces!!

The bride dances with a guest as her new husband looks on and friends and family cheer them on.

In lieu of a Father and Daughter dance, Stephanie and her dad decided to perform an acoustic version of the Barenaked Ladies' classic "if I Had A Million Dollars". It was a smash hit with a number of videos floating around online already. I loved it!!

A wedding reception photo collage taken at the  Banquets of St. George. — A wedding reception photo collage taken at the Banquets of St. George.

I had so many opportunities for great candid photos at the reception as everyone was just so happy and smiling all of the time. I love playing the roving reporter at events and capturing all of the fun!!

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Stephanie and Keith's wedding at the Banquets of St. George. Subscribe to the blog feed below and visit the Region Weddings Facebook page for more updates.

A tender moment on the dance floor for the bride and groom.

Romantic Engagement Photos at Marquette Park Beach

September 4, 2014 Steve Vansak

Romantic kiss along the Marquette Park Lagoon

On my way to Marquette Park beach to photograph Ashley and Cordale, I had sunset photo on my mind. I can't control the weather, but I had a feeling we would have a nice orange hue in the sky at least and that we needed to be ready - sunsets are fleeting.

We began our session along the lagoon at Marquette Park Pavilion. The soon to be married couple kissed romantically with the iconic lagoon bridge in the background. Thank you Mr. Fisherman guy for moving to another spot!! :)

I will be photographing Ashley and Cordale's wedding this November and they wanted to have some beautiful images to display at their reception. I know Ashley was quite taken with my Wedding Wish Books that enable guests to answer questions on various pages with photos of the couple shown throughout. These are more personable than guest books and better for display than giant signing boards. Definitely ask to see a sample at our consultation.

Indiana Dunes beach engagement photo collage.

We were still a good 45 minutes from sunset so we used the wonderful lagoon bridge for some of our images. I love that we were able to capture the Simpsons-esque puffy clouds as the couple relaxed at the top of the bridge.

A couple holds hands atop the Marquette Park lagoon bridge.

The lagoon itself has very reflective water and made for a great, dramatic image as the couple embraced.

A young couple is about to kiss as the sky reflects into the lagoon water at Marquette Park Pavilion.

We took many different photos on our way toward the beach, on the dunes and finally the lakeshore itself. Suddenly I saw the sun starting to dip and we all got into place to not only capture a gloriously shining ray of light in the sky, but also the wonderful light emenating from this warm couple. We had hugs all around after the session and I'm even more excited to photograph their big day later this year.

This is merely a sneak peek with many more romantic engagement photos to come. Subscribe below and follow the Region Weddings Facebook Page for more images.

Sunset engagement photo off of Lake Michigan.

Wedding Details

September 1, 2014 Steve Vansak

People always ask me if I ever get tired of shooting at some of the same wedding venues. Do I feel that wedding couples are all the same? I always say no and I mean that. I once shot at Avalon Manor three Saturdays in a row and it had a different flavor and different look each time. I like to see what my clients and their families are going to put on display or what event they may stage. Not too mention the different types of people and cultures that I photograph.

In the above collage you will find a Star Wars garter, pink All Star Converse shoes for the bride and engraved I Do and Me Too shoes. Vintage jewelry and specially made hangers are becoming venerable classics these days as well.

A recent trend and one that I've really enjoyed photographing are father and daughter first looks on the wedding day.

Father and daughter wedding day first look photo collage.

When you think of wedding detail shots, no doubt rings come to mind. I always try to do something unique and interesting with them and very often I will use the bride and groom's decor in the photo.

I'm not sure why, but Fall weddings tend to bring out the most decor. Perhaps people are just really attracted to the Autumn colors.

The classic shot of the hanging dress needs to included here as well. One of my more recent weddings had a super sweet sign and sentiment hanging over the bed. I made sure to include that in one of our dress photos for sure.

Always Kiss Me Goodnight wedding decoration.

I wrote above about uniqueness in every couple. In the collage below we have henna decorated hands, harpist Jamie Lynn Haney performing, a couple entering their reception via the military honor guard, a bride reading a message from her soon to be husband, fabulous uplighting and the back of an equally fabulous wedding dress.

The reception is usually where I take most of my wedding detail photos. This is where I tend to forget that I was just at this very banquet hall the previous week. It's certainly fun to see what I will find waiting for me to photograph. In the photo collage below, you will find everything from artilery ammunition (gifts to the groomsmen) to a traditional film camera for guests to snap pictures on.

You didn't think I would forget about cake did you? Signature drinks for the couple is another growing trend and cupcakes are alive and well too.

I hope you have enjoyed all of these wedding detail photographs. I have so many and I simply grabbed a few from the past two years. Perhaps in the off season I will look for more and share them here. In the meantime, have fun dreaming up all the fun stuff you will be showcasing at your wedding!!