The Northwest Indiana Wedding Photography Year In Review 2014

December 29, 2014 Steve Vansak

It was a crazy cold start to the year with a coupe of winter weddings in very low temps and a whole bunch of snow. It took awhile, but once Spring got here it was pretty much non stop until the end of November. To get the four minute overview of this incredible year in Northwest Indiana and Chicago weddings, please view the video below. 2015 and 2016 are shaping up to be some of my busiest so please do not delay in checking on your date by filling out the Contact Form. I promise to get back to you right away. I hope you have a fantastic New Years Eve!!

Best Wedding Venues In Northwest Indiana 2014 Edition

December 22, 2014 Steve Vansak

One of the great things about my job as a wedding photographer is that I get to see pretty much all of the wedding venues in Northwest Indiana. I also get to know many of the people who run the various halls and locations. At the end of every year I like to write a little bit about where I was throughout the wedding season and share some images too. I shoot in Chicago and Michigan as well as Destination Weddings, but we will just focus on my home turf of Northwest Indiana today with one Chicago venue. Next year is filling up by the way, so please do fill out my Contact Form to inquire about your wedding date.

NOTE: There are many other great venues not listed here. However these are the ones I happened to be shooting at in 2014. You can have a fantastic wedding ANYWHERE. I shot a lovely ceremony in the bride's parent's backyard last year. It was wonderful. So please consider this more of a guided tour and informational.

Centennial Park

Centennial Park is a great destination for your outdoor wedding as well as a lovely hall for the reception. You can get married in the garden, the lakeside terrace and I have always loved the wood floors inside. During the reception guests can step outside on the balcony for fresh air which is nice. If it rains or the temperatures fall, having the ceremony indoors there is nice as well as it overlooks the lake and the room is nice and clean. I have a great working relationship with the staff as well and I know they will treat you well.

The sun sets at Centennial Park in Munster.

The Patrician

I also have a great working relationship with the folks over at The Patrician in Schererville, Indiana. What I've always liked about the venue is just how clean and classy it always is as well as the delicious and vast array of food selections. As you will see below, I shot a number of indoor as well as outdoor ceremonies there this year. The outdoor gazebo areas also make for nice bride and groom pictures in all seasons.

A newly married couple takes a stroll in the outdoor area at The Patrician in Schererville, IN.

The Red Barn Experience

If you are looking at a rustic barn wedding, The Red Barn Experience in Laporte, Indiana is quite popular. This rustic venue is located amongst farm fields and sports an open air reception area. If weather cooperates, you can dance underneath the stars and sky lanterns.

Bride in the sun lit doorway of The Red Barn Experience

Sandy Pines Pavilion

Speaking of open air wedding reception venues, Sandy Pines Pavilion in Demotte, Indiana is a great one. My wedding there this past year had rain on and off all day. This was no problem because moving the ceremony under the pavilion itself felt just like being outdoors. Everybody remained dry during dinner and we snuck out onto the beautiful golf course for pictures when weather permitted. I even sent the bride and group out into the night rain with an umbrella.

Navy Pier

For something completely different and downright cool, consider Navy Pier in Chicago for your outdoor wedding. Specifically one of the cruise ships that docks there and then takes you around Lake Michigan for your reception on the water. This years wedding there we boarded the Mystic Blue cruise ship, but the Odyssey is an option as well. We took an Uber car around Chicago for bride and groom shots. The ceremony was on the bow of the ship while it was docked, family photos were on the Pier itself and the reception was aboard the ship and we took many portraits overlooking the night skyline of Chicago. Dinner and dancing are undercover inside the ship, but guests may go out to soak up the night air if they wish.

Valparaiso University

The Valparaiso University Union Center is available for receptions and for a grand church ceremony you can also book The Chapel of the Resurrection. The grounds of the University offer up many different photo opportunities and of course the church itself has the famous spiral staircase. It had been a few years, but I was very glad to be back at this iconic Northwest Indiana wedding venue.

Macedonian Hall

On Broadway Street in Crown Point, Indiana you will find one of the largest dance floors in Northwest Indiana and a perfect destination for a large guest list. We had a ball going from one end to the other capturing all the fun.

Sand Creek Golf Course

Sand Creek is known for it's outdoor weddings, but this year we photographed one inside due to cool temperatures. No problem because this is a great looking venue inside and out. Sun streamed in during the ceremony and we were able to cruise the golf course for some great outdoor bride and groom photos.

White Hawk Country Club

Staying with our golf theme for the moment, don't forget White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point, Indiana. They recently remodeled their reception room to accommodate larger parties. Of course, hidden deep on the course is the wonderful bridge that I love taking bride and groom photos on and around.

Aberdeen Manor

Located in a neighborhood in Valparaiso, Indiana, Aberdeen Manor is known for it's spectacular reception hall and beautifully landscaped outdoor weddings. Nearby you can find a fountain and they have a chapel available as well.

The Halls of St. George

There are usually two weddings per night at the Halls of St. George in Schererville, IN as it is one of the larger wedding venues in Northwest Indiana. I have photographed there many, many times from outdoor ceremonies to indoor ones to simply receptions. They have a nice area off to the side of the building for outdoor photographs as well as a gazebo. Their large stage can accommodate a live band as well as a big DJ set up.

Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza

With it's grand pianos, luxurious wall decor and large ballrooms, Radisson Hotel in Merrillville is still one of the classiest options for Northwest Indiana or even Chicago weddings. Plenty of options for reception after parties as well.

My wedding season coming up is looking to be one of my biggest yet. So please do fill out the Contact Form to inquire if your date is still available. I hope you have found this article informative and helpful as you research your wedding venue in Northwest Indiana.

Wedding at Radisson Hotel

November 7, 2014 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom pose in between paintings at the Radisson Hotel in Merrillville, Indiana.

If there is one thing that I came away with from Ashley and Cordale's wedding at the Radisson Hotel is that these two really, really wanted to get married. From the exciting first look at the grand piano to Cordale's smiles during the ceremony as Ashley came down the aisle accompanied by her Father, it was all very apparent. Heck, scroll down below to the first dance shot and look at that smile on the groom's face!!

The day started out in the Birch Room where the girls got ready. Some champagne was poured, make up applied, hair styled and a cocktail in the lounge to calm the soon to be Mrs. Franklin's nerves.

Getting ready for the wedding at Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza Theater.

After Ashley got into her dress, we took portraits of her with the first look with Cordale to happen soon after. We were going for a classy elegance near the grand piano at the very back of the hotel ballrooms.

The bride shows off the back of her wedding dress in the hotel lobby in Merrillville.

The bride shows off her dress next to the grand piano at Radisson Hotel.

Excitement was in the air for the first look. A few bridesmaids looked on as Ashley and Cordale slowly turned toward each other and finally kissed...

First look for the bride and groom at The Radisson in Merrillville.

After emotions settled down, we then walked all over the hotel taking couple's shots. From the staircase and it's patterned skylights to two comfy chairs in a hallway where I noticed the lights above were forming a heart. Ashley and Cordale got nose to nose, eyes closed. No kissing allowed!! :)

Bride and Groom on the staircase at Radisson at Star Plaza Theater.

An orange heart forms from two lanterns above the bride and groom as they snuggle.

The wedding ceremony took place in one of the Radisson Hotel ballrooms. As I stated before, Cordale was overjoyed as Ashley came down the aisle with family and friends looking on.

The groom watches his bride come down the aisle in her Father's arms.

A collage of wedding ceremony photos at Radisson Hotel.

After family photos and before the reception began, wedding party photos were taken at the entrance of the hotel lobby. Special thanks to the staff of Radisson in Merrillville for helping us move all of the furniture for the large group shot.

A large wedding party group shot in the front lobby of Radisson Hotel.

Soon it was party time and emotions ran high during the speeches of the best man. The first dance in the celebrity ballroom saw the couple spotlighted by my lighting assistant with family and friends cheering them on.

The bride's father dances with her at her wedding at Radisson Hotel.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Ashley and Cordale's wedding at Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza Theater. If you are planning your own wedding, be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about openings for your date.

First dance for the bride and groom at the celebrity ballroom at Radisson Hotel.

Autumn Engagement Photos in Crown Point

November 6, 2014 Steve Vansak

A couple embraces in the woods during an Autumn engagement session in Crown Point.

I had a great time with Kelly and Danny during their engagement session in Crown Point, Indiana. The temperatures were chilly, but the tall wooded trees at Lemon Lake Park shielded us. One of our more spontaneous shots was the couple running toward the camera with arms full of leaves to throw them in the air. Their expressions say it all...

Leaf throwing fun at Lemon Lake Park for an Autumn engagement session.

We roamed deep into the park taking candid photos as well as Fall portraits by the lake. In one shot a lone leaf fell on Danny's head as he and Kelly kissed. People fishing on the lake congratulated them on their upcoming wedding as I sat them down on a bench for some close ups.

An Autumn engagement session in Crown Point, captured in a collage of images.

The Fall engagement sessions this year have been off the charts. This is merely a sneak peek with many more images to come. To see more, stay tuned here via the RSS feed listed below or the Region Weddings Facebook page. To book your own session or inquire about your own wedding date, please fill out the Contact Form. Stay warm, eat pumpkin bread!! :)