Engagement Photos On The Beach

August 20, 2015 Steve Vansak

A young couple walks along Marquette Park Beach at sunset.

Stephanie and Craig had had a stressful day with power going out in the area that they live and now they were coming to the beach for their very first photo session. I'm sure it was all very daunting, but hopefully the calm sounds of Lake Michigan rolling onto the Indiana Dunes performed it's natural wonders.

We started our session at the incredibly scenic lagoon near Marquette Park Pavilion. I love the bridges there (even the shaky one) and the walkways are a great spot for engagement photos.

Engagement photos at the lagoon of Marquette Park Pavilion.

The Indiana Dunes has some great pathways and with a big ball of sun illuminating the way, I had to have Stephanie and Craig take a stroll. As visitors were leaving the Lake Michigan beach shores with the sun about to fall, we were heading toward it and looking for a nice sunset.

For their engagement photo, a couple strolls along a pathway at the Indiana Dunes.

My sandals are still caked with sand, but it was worth it to capture this lovely couple with the orange hue of the setting sun coming down upon them.

A sunset silouhette of a couple on a Lake Michigan beach.

This is merely a sneak peek of the many images we took during Stephanie and Craig's engagement session on the beach. I'm sure I will be back here because as summer turns into Fall, it's a wonderful time for engagement sessions on the beach.

Outdoor Wedding At Avalon Manor

August 18, 2015 Steve Vansak

The bride's long veil flies in the air at Deep River County Park.

April and Fred's outdoor wedding and reception at Avalon Manor saw the sky turn from ominous dark clouds to bright sunshine just as the bride came down the aisle. Let me take you through their day, from getting ready and first look all the way to the rockin' reception.

I arrived at April's parent's house where I found an incredibly efficient bride with all of her accessories ready to be photographed and a bride anxious to get into her dress. Her wedding colors simply popped!! I knew we were going to have great detail shots and couldn't wait to see the reception decor later that night.

We dodged the Lake County Fair traffic and made our way to the downtown Crown Point Square for a first look for the bride and groom along with some photos in front of the iconic Old Courthouse.

First look for the bride in groom in downtown Crown Point.

The iconic Old Courthouse in Crown Point, IN.

We then joined a number of other wedding parties at Deep River Park where we were met with some sweltering temperatures and hot sunshine.

Wedding party photos at Deep River County Park.

The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Doug Klukken who made note of the parting sky as friends and family looked on for the beautiful outdoor ceremony at Avalon Manor. The temperatures had now dropped and after family photos it was time for dinner and fun.

An outdoor wedding ceremony at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, IN.

After introductions and best man and maid of honor toasts, April's Dad told us all about her - the skydiving, her love of sour patch kids and more. His "script" that he read from was met with a lot of laughter and a declaration to "get this party started" which Spinning Productions was certainly glad to do. Of course, everyone needed to dig into the candy buffet from How Sweet It Is Events first!! Children of all ages donned the top hats as Twist and Shout blasted from the speakers.

Wedding reception at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at April and Fred's wedding at Avalon Manor. Stay tuned here and on social media for more images and stories.

Outdoor Wedding At Sand Creek Golf Course

August 13, 2015 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom in the garden at Sand Creek Country Club.

Sand Creek Country Golf Course is a beautiful location for a wedding - indoors or out!! Throw in a wonderful couple like Jennifer and Daniel and you have the perfect day.

We started out in the morning at State of Mind Salon and Spa in Crown Point, Indiana. Jenn was not nervous. I would characterize her as anxious though, for sure. She kept saying she couldn't wait to get into her dress, couldn't wait to be married to Daniel and that she'd love to speed up the day!! Ah, but that beautiful location in Chesterton was awaiting and family and friends weren't set to arrive until later. I understand though Jennifer, I understand. :)

The bridal party gets ready at State of Mind Salon and Spa.

We had a wonderful afternoon first look out on the golf course where Jennifer walked the winding path toward Daniel. She finally reached him and fell into his arms. We then took photos of the wedding party as well as the soon to be married couple.

First look for the bride and groom at Sand Creek Golf Course

The bride and groom soak up the sun at Sand Creek Country Club.

At Sand Creek, the golf cart limos escort guests to the ceremony site which is on a quiet part of the property about a block away from the main building. Reverend Doug officiated and pulled the emotional heartstrings from passionate introductions of grandmothers to outright stories of laughter.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Sand Creek in Chesterton, Indiana.

First kiss at an outdoor wedding ceremony.

We took a ride around the golf course in one of the "limos" and took wedding photos and then it was off to the reception.

Wedding party photos at Sand Creek Country Club.

Judging from the introductions and the speeches given, this is quite the beloved couple. All eyes were upon them during their first dance.

First dance at Sand Creek Country Club for the bride and groom.

It was quite a night on the dance floor as 27 Entertainment brought the sounds and family and friends of Jennifer and Daniel brought the fun.

Wedding reception at Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at Jennifer and Daniel's outdoor wedding at Sand Creek Golf Course. Please follow on social media for more images.

Wedding At Parry Court In Crown Point

August 3, 2015 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom photo in front of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Our bride Denise became infatuated with Parry Court, a picturesque off shoot of the Crown Point downtown square, from seeing an image from fine art photographer Scott Wood. So much so that she decided she HAD to have her wedding there. Trouble is, it had never been done before!! After quite a few phone calls and meetings with the town of Crown Point she not only convinced them to rent the spot to her, but she has now created a whole new wedding venue here in Northwest Indiana.

If Parry Court is your ideal wedding venue, please contact the city of Crown Point and then be sure to come back to this website and fill out my Contact Form to inquire if I have your wedding date open.

Bride and groom wedding photos in the downtown Crown Point square.

I met the happy couple at the Old Courthouse steps and we took images all around the downtown Square. We even had some fun with the statue of the photographer that is on display on the east side of the historic building.

Soon it was ceremony time and Reverend Doug Klukken was in charge of the emotional rollercoaster as friends and family gathered in a circle around them.

Wedding ceremony at Parry Court in Crown Point.

The newly married couple take a stroll down Parry Court.

The outdoor reception was lovely as guests drank cocktails and ate the delicious offerings of Comforts Catering from St. John.