Outdoor Wedding At Lighthouse Restaurant In Cedar Lake, Indiana

June 20, 2016 Steve Vansak

A just married couple stands alone on the pier as the sun sets off Cedar Lake.

Wendy and Kelly were married on a gloriously sun filled day at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake. The outdoor wedding took place on the balcony facing the lake as friends and family looked on.

Our day started with warm and tender love between the couple as they opened each other's gifts as well as handed out presents to their moms. I knew happy tears were going to fall during the first look. There was no doubt!

Getting ready for the big day at Lighthouse Restaurant.

Wendy's mom assisted with her dress in the wonderful bridal suite as the light and airy wedding flowers hung from above. Soon it was time for our emotional first look out on the sun filled pier in the back of Lighthouse Restaurant.

I positioned Kelly toward the middle of the pier and photographed Wendy's long walk toward her. Second photographer Kerrie captured another angle from the side as videographer John Zale of Chicago Wedding Films captured action and sound.

First look for the soon to married couple on the pier at Lighthouse Restaurant.

The words "I Love You" were first spoken by Wendy and Kelly on the beach near Lighthouse Restaurant. We strolled around this same area, including the very bench they sat while dating. The original love note was redrawn in the sand as Wendy and Kelly kissed in the background.

Romantic wedding photos along Cedar Lake near Lighthouse Restaurant.

A huge thank you to the wedding party for enduring the hot sun beating upon them as we took photos. This group was certainly there for the couple on their big day!!

Wedding party at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

The balcony for the ceremony was quite packed and with two photographers and one videographer we were somewhat limited in movement. So I want to give a big shout out to the wonderful lady who gave up her seat in the center to allow me to capture Wendy and Kelly's nuptials from an ideal location. I lost track of her after the ceremony, so now is my chance to thank her.

Outdoor wedding ceremony on the balcony at Lighthouse Restaurant.

First kiss during an outdoor wedding in Cedar Lake.

The beach theme continued with the decor at the reception as we hung the rings from a fishing lure. Dancing was off the charts as the sun went down. Oh, and the food was delicious too!!

Wedding reception at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

For more images from Wendy and Kelly's outdoor wedding at Lighthouse Restaurant be sure to follow the social media channels below. Happy summer!!

Summer Wedding At The Patrician Banquet Center

June 13, 2016 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom kiss with a sun burst in the sky above them.

Carla and Rob had a wonderful, nautical themed summer wedding at The Patrician in Schererville, Indiana. It was a steamy 96 degrees, but they didn't let that keep them from their outdoor wedding in front of the gazebo.

Temperatures were a lot cooler in the morning as the bridesmaids took over the bridal suite in the loft. Carla's dominant blue wedding color showed off prominently in her garter and we used the twin as a prop for detail pictures.

Images from the bridal suite at The Patrician Banquet Center.

The bride leans against a rustic fence during her June wedding in Schererville.

The bridesmaids blue dresses were stunning. They were a great bunch as I took them out in the heat for some fun wedding photos. Second photographer Kerrie and myself took the guys out next and then it was ceremony time.

Bridesmaids in lovely blue dresses pose with the bride.

Groomsmen walk along the path at The Patrician Banquet Center.

Happy tears began falling as Carla and Rob were married underneath the bright, glowing sun. They poured sand to symbolize coming together and marched back inside the Patrician where we began family photos.

Outdoor, June wedding ceremony at The Patrician Banquet Center.

After some fun wedding party photos at the back gazebo, I whisked the bride and groom away for a little while and had them take a romantic stroll along the rustic fence and winding road. Since the sun was so bright in the sky, a romantic silhouette of the two of them seemed in order. Soon it would be time for introductions, dinner and dancing!!

Romantic bride and groom summer wedding photos.

Bride and groom take a romantic walk along a rustic, wooden fence.

Wedding party photos at The Patrician Banquet Center.

Rob's father carried out the couple's little boy during introductions and Carla and Rob cut their nautical themed wedding cake. Party time saw photo booth props hit the dance floor and a soul train plowed through The Patrician Diamond Room Ballroom.

Summer wedding reception at The Patrician Banquet Hall.

First dance at The Patrician during a June wedding.

This has been a sneak peek look at Carla and Rob's summer wedding at The Patrician in Schererville, Indiana. Be sure to follow the social media links below for more updates. As always, to inquire about your own wedding date, please fill out the Contact Form.

June Wedding At County Line Orchard

June 6, 2016 Steve Vansak

Just married sign on the back of a Harley Davidson as the bride and groom kiss in the background.

Wow...... I could probably just stop the text here and just run a bunch of photos from Joan and Daniel's rustic barn wedding at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana. We fought with rain a little, but ultimately we won. It was an epic wedding with the bride and groom's beloved Harley Davidson on display as well as a classic hot rod.

We began the day with the girls getting ready at the couple's home. Team Bride was in good spirits and ready to rock. Even our flower girl had her own custom tee shirt to model.

***Click Images To Enlarge***

The bride opens the balcony doors in the bridal suite at County Line Orchard.

The first look / reveal of the bride and groom saw the maid of honor and best man opening the gates of the white fence for Joan to approach her husband to be. Daniel held out his hand and the two embraced with myself and second photographer Bridget capturing the wonderful moment from different angles.

First look for the bride and groom at their June wedding.

Soon we were off for pictures featuring the bride and groom and their Harley. We did everything from posed "biker chic" images to action shots of Joan and Daniel roaring away. Who gets to the drive the car? Seems as though the bride is staking her claim. It was a lot of fun!!

The bride and groom face each other on their Harley Davidson bike with farmland as their backdrop.

Fun wedding photos of Harley's, hot rods and a bride and groom.

We took a detour over to Deep River County Park for wedding party photos and then it was barn shots with the silo at County Line Orchard.

Wedding photos at Deep River County Park.

Fun wedding photos at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

The barn wedding ceremony took place in the Northern barn at County Line Orchard. Daniel and Joan were pronounced husband and wife by their good friend John and then it was off to the reception in the South barn.

Barn wedding ceremony at County Line Orchard.

The reception featured a wonderful meal and the signature County Line donuts. A fire pit was open for roasting marshmallows and DJ 219 Productions brought the room lighting and the beat. Looks like the flower girl decided to crash the first dance as well. What a party it was!!

June wedding reception at County Line Orchard.

The flower girl charges onto the dance floor during the first dance at County Line Orchard.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Joan and Daniel's June wedding at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana. Stay tuned to social media below for more images. To inquire about your wedding date, please fill out the Contact Form and I will be back with you right away.

Summer Wedding At Saint Maria Goretti Church

May 30, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom walk among the beautiful scenery of Wicker Park in Munster, Indiana.

Sometimes I go into a wedding and I just know... I can tell right away that the couple is tailor made for each other and that they come from loving families. This was certainly the case with Megan and Garrett. From the groom's love letter that Megan read during getting ready to the bride singing to her new husband on the altar later that afternoon, the proof just kept on coming.

I arrived at Megan's childhood home to a very welcoming group. If there was any doubt I was at the correct house, it was erased by the outside wedding decor and gigantic 'I do' sign. I noticed that the computer was playing a Wedding Playlist of songs. Song #9 on the list would come into play a bit later.

Bride and her bridesmaids get ready for the summer wedding.

Wedding day getting ready at the bride's parent's home.

After getting into her wedding dress, Megan descended down the stairs as I'm sure she did many times in her childhood. This time however, she was "going to the chapel" as the song of the same played in the other room.

The bride descends from the staircase at her childhood home.

Before we left for St. Maria Goretti in Dyer, Indiana, we took a few fun bridesmaids photos in the front yard. Second photographer Bridget did the same with the guys at the church.

Fun bridesmaids photos before the ceremony.

Fun groomsmen photos before the ceremony.

Now, I've photographed many weddings and I'm "on the job" so to speak so I'm not supposed to get emotional. However, when the bride sings "Grow Old Along With Me", written by John Lennon and does it beautifully at that and on the altar to her groom in front of friends and family... well, you get a lump in your throat. It was a wonderful wedding ceremony at Saint Maria Goretti capped off by the bride and groom exiting with bubbles surrounding them.

Wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana.

Bride and groom exit St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer to friends blowing bubbles.

Immediately after the ceremony we began family pictures inside the church as well as a few with the newlyweds, including a silhouette in front of the stained glass windows.

Family wedding photo at St. Maria Goretti Church.

A silhouette of the bride and groom in front of stained glass windows at Saint Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana.

Bride and groom on the altar as light streams in through stained glass windows.

The whole gang then took off to the reception site - Wicker Park Social Center. After a quick lunch of Jimmy John's subs, it was outside for photos of the wedding party and the newly married Megan and Garrett.

The wedding party having fun at Wicker Park.

Bride and groom portrait at Wicker Park on a bright, sun drenched summer day.

Sun was bouncing off the lake and the gazebo as we went around Wicker Park taking photos. We had to take a few featuring the wedding sunglasses as well as megan's spectacular train and veil!! Then it was back inside for the party...

Wedding photos at Wicker Park in Munster, Indiana.

The cake topper said Best Day Ever and I believe it was. Garrett was handcuffed, but he still managed to get the garter. The crowd was with the couple the entire way and the dance floor was filled at all times.

Wedding reception at Wicker Park Social Center.

First dance for the bride and groom at their reception at Wicker Park.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Megan and Garrett's summer wedding at Saint Maria Goretti Church and Wicker park. Stay tuned here and on various social media for more!!