Rainy Day Romantic Engagement Photos At Ogden Gardens Park

July 14, 2016 Steve Vansak

A kiss in the rain at Ogden Gardens Park in Valparaiso

When I arrived at the beautiful Ogden Gardens in Valparaiso, Indiana for Kelly and John's engagement session, rain started to slowly drizzle down. Now, I love overcast days for pictures, but I wasn't sure if Kelly and John wanted to chance it. I gave them a call and they said "let's do it". I'm so glad they did as the raindrops added a unique element to many of our photos and the couple's lovely spirit of fun remained intact. If you look closely, you can see the droplets of water around them.

Some candid moments between two lovebirds during their engagement photos.

I love to take artistic and romantic engagement photos for couple's to show off in large prints in their home and also for Save the Date cards and a Wish Book for display at the reception. I also love to leave them alone and just let them be together for awhile to capture some candid moments.

Romantic engagement photos at Ogden Gardens in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Kelly brought along an umbrella to match the greenery of Ogden Gardens and the rain just made things even more saturated in color. It was a wonderful session with a wonderful couple. I'm very much looking forward to their wedding at Sand Creek Country Club.

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The happy couple shares a kiss beneath the trees at Ogden Gardens in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Wedding At Annunciata Church In Chicago

July 5, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom during their first dance at Halls of St. George.

Lauren and Brandon had an incredible summer wedding with a Catholic ceremony at Annunciata Church in Chicago and ending at the Halls of St. George reception hall. In between we saw some incredible emotion, a lot of laughs, a traditional Croatian band, a bucket full of happy tears, a laser light show, delicious homemade desserts, some beer and wine, and oh yeah, more emotional moments. Let's get to it... ***Click On Images To Enlarge***

The day started off at Lauren's Aunt's home where we photographed the beautiful wedding dress and accessories. Plenty of food was out for the bridesmaids and the many family and guests who came to visit. It was here where we began to see the emotional moments of the day unfold between the bride and her mom, joyous dancing with grandmother as a Croatian band played in the living room and her opening the gift from her goom. My apologies to the flower girl for the corn dog photo. Please don't hate me when you are 23!! :)

Many emotional moments unfold as the bride gets ready on wedding day.

Wedding day fun for the bride and her bridesmaids.

A traditional Croatian band serenades the bride on her wedding day.

Our next step was Annunciata Church in Chicago, IL for the Catholic wedding ceremony. Lauren appeared out of the bright light to walk down the aisle as Brandon and the congregation awaited. Afterward the band was waiting and paid tribute in song to the newly married couple.

Wedding ceremony at Annunciata Church in Chicago.

The bride and groom join together at Annunciata Church in Chicago, Illinois.

Wedding party at the altar of Annunciata Church.

The beautiful bride at Annunciata Church.

After photos inside and outside the church, we were off to Whiting Lakefront Park where clearing skies let us see the Chicago skyline etched in the distance on the other side of Lake Michigan. It looks as though the groom was attacked during pictures, but don't worry he appears to be okay. :)

Wedding party photos at Whiting Lakefront.

The bride and groom share a kiss on the rocks of the shoreline at Whiting Lakefront Park.

The bride and groom take a walk along the pier at Whiting Lakefront Park.

Our final stop of the day brought us to The Halls of Saint George in Schererville, Indiana. The room was awash in blue and more homemade desserts were on hand in addition to the fantastic meal and wedding cake. Seems as though the flower girls was not going to allow the groom to take off the garter she helped put on!!

A fun wedding reception at Halls of St. George in Schererville.

A laser light show illuminates the dance floor during a wedding reception at the Halls of Saint George.

So many great moments were captured and so many more images to show. Please stay tuned to social media for more images of Lauren and Brandon's summer wedding at Annunciata Church in Chicago.

June Wedding At First Christian Church In Crown Point, IN

June 27, 2016 Steve Vansak

Wedding ceremony at First Christian Church.

About a year ago I received an email from Amy in which she told me all about her relationship with Bart. It was approximately 4 pages long - and I loved it!! :)

I also read every bit of it. She is a sweet girl and I know this day mattered so much to her and it was evident that she adored Bart and her family and her friends. All the ingredients of a great wedding were there!! Sure enough, myself and second photographer Bridget and assistant Josie were greeted warmly by her family and wedding party. Oh, and Pastor Dave was super cool. He even name dropped some awesome TV shows and Star Wars into the proceedings!!

Our day started with the girls getting ready at Shear Magic salon in Crown Point and the soon to be Mrs. Brown getting into her dress at the church.

We did a first look with Dad and the groom along with family photos before the ceremony. The ceremony itself saw the church decorated in purple with a thumbs up from a curly haired wedding guest. The newlyweds were serenaded with bubbles just outside the Crown Point church.

Wedding ceremony at First Christian Church in Crown Point, IN.

The bride and groom kiss on the altar at First Christian Church in Crown Point.

We did a combination of wedding photos inside the church as well as at nearby Sauermann Woods.

The bride and groom take a stroll in a Crown Point park with a gazebo in the background.

The reception portion of the day saw us move on to Andorra Banquet Hall in Schererville, Indiana. Once again purple was on display while guests got down low on the dance floor. Even the "dance with a mirror" guy had fun boogieing solo on the floor.

Wedding reception at Andorra Banquet Hall in Schererville, Indiana.

Some wonderful moments occurred during the first dances. The Father of the bride cradled his daughter and and mom and son laughed it up as she sang to him while they danced. Good times!

First dances at Andorra Banquet Hall in Schererville, Indiana.

Whew, a very busy June of weddings has now concluded with July weddings starting up this coming Saturday. I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Amy and Bart's wedding at First Christian Church in Crown Point. As always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your date.

June Wedding At St. Michael's Parish

June 24, 2016 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom kiss at the statue of the Virgin Mary at St. Michael's Parish.

Stephanie and Craig's June wedding took place at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville, Indiana. It was only a few minutes from Stephanie's parent's home where we saw her and her bridesmaids taking over the living room for getting ready.

The bride and her bridesmaid's get ready at her parent's house in Schererville, Indiana.

Stephanie's mom was super sweet as she asked for a photo with her daughter in the living room before taking off for the church.

Mother of the bride and her daughter on wedding day.

St. Michael's Catholic Parish is very unique as it is a large oval and a very long church. It's gives ample room for very unique angles when covering the wedding ceremony.

Wedding ceremony at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

After family pictures inside the church, off we went to Centennial Park for some fun shots with the wedding party and a romantic stroll for the newly married couple.

Fun wedding party photos at Centennial Park.

Bride and groom wedding photos at Centennial Park and St. Michael's Church.

The sun was still streaming in for this June wedding reception at Wicker Park Social Center. Guests hung out on the balcony and of course danced as the night took over.

Summer wedding reception at Wicker Park Social Center.

First dance at Wicker Park Social Center.

June is one of the busiest times of year for a professional wedding photographer, so please enjoy this sneak peek look at Stephanie and Craig's June wedding at St. Michael's Parish. Follow us on social media below for more images.