Wedding At Christ Lutheran Church In Valparaiso

July 24, 2015 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss at the altar of Christ Lutheran Church.

At times, Stephanie and Brett's wedding ceremony at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso felt like a family reunion. The pews were packed and kids who were moving about from one family member to the other. They were all well behaved and it was sweet to see. Pastor Tim was very welcoming and had a great sense of humor thought the nuptials.

Our day started out at the groom's parent's home where Stephanie and her bridesmaids were getting ready. I had fun interacting with them and capturing all of the laughs. The bride was as calm as could be. Toni Dockery and Maria Blanco provided hair and make up.

The bride and bridesmaids and family get ready for the big day.

It appears as though 2015 is the year for red haired brides!! I told Stephanie to "glam it up" with her new sunglasses that are no doubt being put to use on their honeymoon as I type this.

A pretty red haired bride on her big day.

Our second photographer Kerrie captured the guy's getting ready and I took a few of Brett on the spectacular altar area at the church.

The groom stands tall at the altar of Christ Lutheran Church.

Soon it was ceremony time and all eyes were upon Stephanie as she walked down the aisle. We captured the ceremony from all angles with an emphasis on family interaction.

A wedding ceremony at Christ Lutheran Church.

After family photos inside of the church, we took off to Ogden Garden in Valparaiso. At this point we had already heard tornado warning talk and when we got there a sprinkle of rain occurred. We had to hustle to get photographs in and as soon as we finished a major storm rolled in. I'm happy to report that we all survived the typhoon. :)

Wedding photos at Ogden Garden in Valparaiso, IN.

The reception took place at Ambassador Banquets in Hobart, Indiana. They have a very long dance floor that was perfect for wedding party introductions. Stephanie and Brett started the honeymoon early with those sunglasses!!

The newly married couple enter Ambassador Hall in Hobart, Indiana.

The reception featured 27 Entertainment with DJ services and live music. One of the biggest hits of the night was the incredible cupcake table by Laura Hecht. I stalked the long dance floor from end to end capturing the fun faces and crazy moments that were unfolding.

The first dances were in the center of the banquet room with our spotlight following the bride and groom along with their parents.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Stephanie and Brett's summer wedding. Stay tuned here and on social media for more images to follow.

First dances at an Ambassador Banquets wedding reception.

North Avenue Beach Chicago Engagement Session

July 15, 2015 Steve Vansak

A couple strolls down the boardwalk at North Avenue Beach in Chicago.

Carla and Rob told me it was important that they go to a Chicago beach for their engagement session and that they show off their bright blue anchor that is adorned with their wedding date.

We started their Chicago Engagement Session by boarding the South Shore train and taking shots with the city as our backdrop. Our adventure for their engagement photos saw us making our way toward the Chicago River and ending our session at North Avenue Beach.

Chicago engagement photos on State Street and North Avenue Beach.

Carla and Rob are one of my June weddings for next year. Their homemade anchor proudly showcases their big day. With only one Saturday in June left open, it's going to be another busy year of weddings!!

An engaged couple displays their wedding date on a boat anchor at North Avenue Beach in Chicago..

Our final shot of the Chicago engagement session was taken off the boardwalk at North Avenue Beach with the buildings of the city and Lake Shore Drive in the background.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Carla and Rob's North Avenue Beach Chicago engagement session. To inquire about booking your own, please fill out the Contact Form.

The city of Chicago at night as seen from the beach.

Weddings at Farmhouse Restaurant At Fair Oaks Farms

July 13, 2015 Steve Vansak

A bride in front of the Farmhouse Restaurant with her bouquet of flowers on a bale of hay.

If you are planning a wedding with some country charm and a hint of rustic, definitely take a look at The Farmhouse Restaurant at Fair Oaks Farms. This wedding venue is a new building that is an off shoot to the popular I-65 tourist attraction. I recently shot there and the images I took were published in Wedding Essentials Magazine.

Weddings at Farmhouse Restaurant at Fair Oaks Farms.

The spacious ballrooms have very scenic and country views. The spiral staircase is very elegant and the fireplace adds an intimate, upscale feel to guests eating dinner at your wedding. I love the chandelier lights as well and couldn't resist taking our bride underneath them for a few photographs. For these images, the design, decor and candy table was by How Sweet It Is Events with the Farmhouse Restaurant providing the delicious entrees of food.

I took our beautiful bride out in back of the ballrooms for a walk in the country. The light and airy wedding gown from Something Blue trailed behind Hannah on this breezy afternoon.

The bride walks alone with her dress trailing behind her.

The Apple Pie came courtesy of the Farmhouse Restaurant with wedding invitations from Cloud Nine and flowers via Schultz Floral. Hannah's wonderful wedding jewelry came from Highland Jewelers with those braids and make up from Beauty and Bliss.

The many different looks of wedding venue Farmhouse Restaurant at Fair Oaks Farms.

After you book your wedding date at the Farmhouse Restaurant at Fair Oaks Farms, please fill out the Contact Form to see if the date is available. I have quite the craving for Apple Pie!!

An Indiana bride amidst the miles of farmland off of I-65 in Fair Oaks, Indiana.

Wedding On The 4th Of July At County Line Orchard

July 9, 2015 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom walk along the farmland of County Line Orchard.

Megan sheepishly asked me when we first met if I would be willing to photograph a wedding on the 4th of July holiday. It sounded great to me. Yes, sign me up!! It was a family affair all of the way and the stars and stripes theme made it's way from the getting ready to the reception. You knew it was Independence Day, but it wasn't overdone.

Wedding rings rest upon American flag stars and stripes. — Wedding rings rest upon American flag stars and stripes.

Family and bridesmaids filled the room when I arrived for the Getting Ready session. They were in high spirits and I had a blast (get it - 4th of July reference here) capturing their smiles and interacting with them. Much fun...

Bride and bridesmaids get ready on wedding day at County Line Orchard.

Mom helps her daughter on wedding day with her dress and veil.

County Line Orchard in Hobart is a great location for a 4th of July rustic wedding. We took full advantage of the rustic bridal suite as well as the field of Apple orchards.

The wedding party at County Line Orchard.

The outdoor ceremony featured a mobile bar with tea and lemonade as guests were brought in via tractor. The string quartet was a nice touch along with the unity wine ceremony. The bride gave a celebratory fist pump.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at County Line Orchard.

Before the ceremony, Megan had a first look with her Dad as well as the bridesmaids who both saw her in her dress for the first time. Afterwards we were taken by tractor for couples and wedding party photos around the grounds.

The bride and groom alongside a tractor at County Line Orchard.

The party really kicked in after parent dances and we all celebrated Megan and Bobby as well as the 4th of July.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Megan and Booby's 4th of July wedding at County Line Orchard in Northwest Indiana. Happy Summer!! Stay tuned to social media via the links below for more images to come.