Summer Wedding At The Pavilion At Sandy Pines

August 18, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom stand on a hill at Sandy Pines Golf Course

We had a threat of rain (maybe it did rain a little) at Ashley and Kevin's summer wedding at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana. However, with my weather controlling skills that came with my camera kits I was able to send the clouds away and soon we saw sun peaking through the blue skies of the golf course!! :)

The bridal suite at Sandy Pines is simply spectacular as was the "bridal squad" who I spent the morning with as they readied for the big day. Second photographer Kerrie was up in the second floor man cave as the groomsmen prepped for the big day.

Bride and her bridesmaids show off their monogrammed salmon colored robes.

The bridal suite has a full on kitchen where fruit and juice were served as well as a gigantic Subway sandwich for lunch. I had a lot of laughs with everyone as I roamed the building capturing moments and detail shots.

Bridal prep at Sandy Pines Pavilion bridal suite.

Groomsmen prep for wedding day at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

A wedding dress hangs inside the bridal suite at Sandy Pines.

I did some quick shots of the girls while Kerrie photographed the guys and then we were off to St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen take a walk at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

It was a wonderful moment as the crowd rose and Ashley and her Dad entered the church. A "groom to be" with hid Daddy holding him up seemed quite interested as Ashley and Kevin lit candles together at the altar. The entire congregation lined up outside of St. Paul Catholic Church as colorful bubbles filled the air. Even the bride and groom got into the act.

Wedding ceremony photos from St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.

St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.

We took family photos inside the church and then we were off again to Sandy Pines where we had fun with the wedding party and I took Ashley and Kevin around the grounds of the golf course for their couples shots.

Wedding party jumping shot at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

Bride and groom kiss as the sun sneaks through the trees at Sandy Pines Pavilion.

Wedding photo fun at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

Kevin said he was ready to dip his bride and he did not disappoint. Soon it would be time for introductions and dinner underneath the pavilion.

The groom dips his bride on the golf course at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

The reception started off with the father of the bride teaching the groom a new language - "Ashley speak" as the toast became more of a roast to his "sweet pea". It was a lot of fun as was dancing, a sorority photo and more.

Wedding reception at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

The bride and groom slow dance under the night sky at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Ashley and Kevin's summer wedding. More to follow on the Region Weddings Instagram feed. Please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about availability for your date.

Outdoor Wedding At County Line Orchard

August 16, 2016 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom embrace deep within the apple orchards at County Line Orchard.

From gala apples to apple cider to the explosive entrance of the bride and groom at their reception all the way to the sparkler send off in the rain - Valoree and Taylor's outdoor wedding at County Line Orchard in Hobart did not disappoint.

Our day started off with plenty of laughs as I covered the bridal prep. Valoree and her girls were in great spirits (ahem), as they sipped champagne from their vanity glasses. I learned what 'chambong' means and a good time was had by all.

The bridesmaids get ready for the big day at County Line Orchard.

The County Line Orchard bridal suite is located within the grain silo and is the prefect location for getting into the dress. The wonderful light illuminating through the curtains really showed off Valoree's beauty as she posed in front of the large mirror.

Tending to the wedding dress at the bridal suite inside County Line Orchard.

The bride opens the doors to the bridal suite at County Line Orchard after getting into her dress.

The bride stands on the balcony of the grain silo at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

I then took the girls out to the apple orchards for some fun wedding party photos. The guys arrived soon after and I did the same for them. Soon it would be ceremony time!!

Fun bridesmaid photos at County Line Orchard.

The groomsmen looking GQ at a barn wedding in Hobart, Indiana.

The ceremony saw guests nestled between the apple orchards and fields of corn. The signature lemonade stand was available to quench one's thirst along with personalized fans to tame the summer heat. Little Taylor let everyone know that the bride would be walking down the aisle with her Uncle in a few moments.

Wedding ceremony moments at County Line Orchard.

The bride walks down the aisle in an outdoor wedding at County Line Orchard.

A summer wedding ceremony at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

The "tractor limousines" took guests back to the barn for cocktail hour as I took family pictures and then photos of the couple. Rain had been on and off all day, but that played to our favor with some great dramatic cloud cover as the newlyweds kissed in the apple fields.

A newly married couple kisses in the apple fields of County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

The bride and groom in front of the big red barn of County Line Orchard.

Valoree and Taylor exploded out of the gate at introductions and then cut their cake. Apple cider was at every table and the couple had their very own Snapchat filter for tech savvy guests along with a whole bunch of rustic decor. The groom was a lucky man as the bride and her female friends serenaded him on the dance floor.

Wedding reception photos from County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

The rain was back for the sparkler send off, but nothing could deny the incredible spirits of Valoree and Taylor and their friends and family. What a great day and night it was!!

If you enjoyed this sneak peek, be sure to follow the Region Weddings Instagram page for more images. To inquire about your wedding date, please fill out the Contact Form today.

The bride and groom pose with sparklers at their wedding reception.

Cute Engagement Photos At Taltree Arboretum

August 9, 2016 Steve Vansak

Two Chicago Cubs fans kiss in a field at Taltree Arboretum for their engagement photos.

Shane and Tiffany's big request for their engagement photos at Taltree Arboretum was to show off their jerseys for their beloved Chicago Cubs. No problem!!

We started off the engagement session with this cute couple strolling around the beautiful nature park with it's many colorful flowers and picturesque lake.

A cute couple takes a stroll besides the lake at Taltree Arboretum with a big ball of sun in the sky.

We photographed in the nearby woods as well as the garden area before Tiffany and Shane displayed their Cubs fandom and promoted their upcoming 2016 wedding. Tiffany's ring looked spectacular and we definitely needed to show that off for a few shots.

Cute engagement photos at Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Engagement photo at the nature retreat of Taltree Arboretum.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Tiffany and Shane's engagement session at Taltree Arboretum. At this writing the Chicago Cubs lead the National League in wins. Later this year we will be celebrating this couple's wedding, but I have a feeling a pennant celebration will also be in order!! World series win? This will be an October wedding!! :)

Wedding Ceremony At St. Casimir Church

August 8, 2016 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom embrace at the fountain of Centennial Park as the blue sky reflects off the water.

Karina and Abimael had a wonderful summer day for their Catholic wedding ceremony at St. Casimir Church in Hammond, Indiana. My morning was spent at the bride's Aunt's home for prep for the big day while second photographer Lauren was at the couple's home capturing the guys.

The groom had his best man deliver a box of flowers and a card for his bride to be and the happy tears flowed. Karina almost held it together for the sake of her make up, but not really. :)

Bridal prep for a summer wedding in Hammond, Indiana.

The early afternoon wedding at St. Casimir Church saw the groom getting a pep talk from his groomsmen and one of the flower girl's watched in awe as Karina came down the aisle with her father. The bride and groom carried on the tradition of the Spanish lasso rosary signifying the unifying of the couple together in marriage for their entire lives. They exited to bubbles and a BRIGHT summer sun.

Catholic wedding ceremony at St. Casimir Church in Hammond, Indiana.

The spectacular architecture of St. Casimir Church during a wedding ceremony.

One of the things I like to do on super bright sunny days is to utilize the sun to my advantage in different ways. At times I might create a sun star for a dramatic wedding photo with sun flare shooting toward the bride and groom. Other times, a more dreamy bride and groom wedding picture is in order. For Karina and Abimael's wedding photos, we went all around Centennial Park getting a little bit of both.

A sun star in the blue sky for this summer wedding photo of the bride and groom.

Summer wedding photos at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

The wedding party just rocked it as we went all around the park in the heat and blistering sun. I can tell that these are really good friends of the bride and groom and their love for the happy couple really showed.

A big group hug for the wedding party on the bridge at Centennial Park.

The love-fest continued as we took the party to St. Elijah Serbian American Hall in Merrillville, Indiana. Sister of the bride shed a few tears as Karina danced with her Dad. The groomsmen celebrated with shots at the bar and the happy couple sliced up the biggest chunk of wedding cake I've seen yet!! The groom has good reflexes and didn't lose any of it. :)

Father and daughter dance at St. Elijah Serbian American Hall in Merrillville, Indiana.

Wedding reception fun at St. Elijah Hall.

We had a blast capturing Karina and Abimael's big day. This is merely a sneak peek so do tune in to the Region Weddings Instagram feed for more images. Don't forget to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day.