Winter Wedding At Fair Oaks Farmhouse

January 17, 2017 Steve Vansak

Evening stroll for the bride and groom at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Annie and Paul had an epic winter wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse with a country theme provided by the bride and her western boots and the incredible Americana band at the reception. Oh, and hearty macaroni and cheese to go along with your choice of steak, chicken or salmon. You can't beat that!!

Things started out in the morning with Annie and her girls prepping for the day ahead. Her dress was beautiful and the remembrance charm attached to her bouquet was a nice touch.

Bridal prep for a wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

I gathered the bridesmaids together for a slumber party shot, but something wasn't quite right. One of the "bridesmaids" looked a little bit.... out of place.....

A groomsman photobombs the bridesmaids and gets paid back with a tickle attack.

In another room the guys were prepping for the big day. Their red vests and ties really popped.

The groomsmen prep for the big day at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Second photographer Kerrie took the guys out in back of the big red barn while I was in front with the girls.

The bridesmaids attack the bride with their winter shawls.

The bridesmaids visit a cow at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Keep in mind that is was pretty cold out at this point, but that did not bother Annie as she ditched her shawl for a few pictures showing off the big barn.

The bride in front of Fair Oaks Farmhouse at her winter wedding.

Soon it was ceremony time with the Fair Oaks ballroom packed with family and friends from all over. The bride and groom were serenaded with Your Song by Elton John in a live vocal from a friend in a ceremony filled with love and laughter.

Indoor wedding ceremony at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Winter wedding ceremony at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Immediately following the ceremony we took family photos as well as a wedding party group shot and some night time bride and groom pictures. Then it was time for introductions, dinner and getting the band tuned up for the big party.

Wedding party group photo at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

The bride and groom share a kiss in the ballroom at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Bride and groom at their winter wedding in Fair Oaks, Indiana.

The mighty WheelHouse band is an Americana and Bluegrass band from Madison, Wisconsin. They were the perfect soundtrack for Annie and Paul's epic reception. They had the dance floor full all night. They have their own brand of Wheelhouse Whiskey, but I'm unclear if any was being served up this night. :)

The WheelHouse Band on stage during a wedding.

After the incredible dinner - desserts were served up, drinks were flowing and the dancing began. It may still be going on! :)

Wedding reception at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Annie and Paul's winter wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse. Stay tuned to social media below for more images and as always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day. Stay warm!

Engagement Photos - 2016 Year In Review

January 10, 2017 Steve Vansak

Two Chicago Cubs fans take a stroll at Taltree Arboretum.

Last week I posted my very long, but very fun 2016 Weddings Year In Review - it was a GIGANTIC article, so I'm going to keep this one brief. Definitely check it out to see a whole bunch of different venues as well as images and stories from the entire year.

This past year saw me trekking out to some of my usual locations - Taltree Arboretum (of which I have a photography permit to shoot at) as well as Lemon Lake Park (a local favorite) and the beach as well as Chicago. It also saw my first ever shoot at an airport for an aviation themed engagement session.

Engagement photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

A couple shares a kiss next to a vintage airplane.

If you are considering an engagement session for yourself, but aren't sure where to go or what it's like, definitely head over to my Guide To Great Engagement Photos for lots of ideas and locations. I also have the various package options listed.

Engagement photos in Northwest Indiana and Chicago in 2016.

While most of my engagement sessions occur in the Spring, Summer and Fall - winter sessions can make for some crisp and unique images.

Winter kiss during a snowstorm in Chicago.

Fall engagement session at Taltree Arboretum.

To inquire about your own engagement session or to check availability for your wedding date, please fill out the Contact Form and I will get back with you right away. I hope the New Year is treating you well. Cheers to another great year in photographs in 2017!!

Winter Wedding At Cloister In The Woods

December 20, 2016 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom at Lake County Fairgrounds among snow covered trees.

Matt and Mallory, aka Lord and Lady Seip had a true winter wedding with snow on the ground for their first look at Lake County Fairgrounds. Harry Potter sorcery and some Game of Thrones decor also took its place among Christmas lights at Free Spirit Church as well as the reception at Cloister in the Woods.

Our day started at Mallory's parents' home where I found spirits flowing along with flowers made from an actual Harry Potter novel. We had a fun first look with the bridesmaids and we were off to the old covered bridge at Lake County Fairgrounds.

Bridal prep for a winter wedding during the Christmas season.

Second photographer Kerrie covered the guys prep at House Lannister which consisted of securing the bowties, drinking beer and admiring the leg lamp from A Christmas Story. Soon these groomsmen would be abandoned at the snowy bridge as the limo went to pick up the bridesmaids.

Groomsmen wedding prep at House Lannister.

I had Matt in the center of the old covered bridge at Lake County Fairgrounds as Mallory made her way down through the snow and ice toward him. Lord Seip slowly turned around and embraced Lady Mallory. It was a wonderful moment...

First look for the bride and groom on a snowy day in December at Lake County Fairgrounds.

I have to admit, Mallory was handling the cold a lot better than I was as my fingers went numb during some of the outdoor portraits!! The snow looked gorgeous clinging to the tall trees of the fairgrounds though. The bridesmaids did a great job too, battling the elements as they all took a stroll down the icy paths of the wooded area.

Winter portraits of the bride and groom.

The bride and her bridesmaids take a walk in the snow filled woods of Lake County Fairgrounds.

I'm unsure if the groomsmen were warming up the bride or if she was doing that for them! The bridesmaids all brought along signs that declared their relationship with Mallory - fun stuff. A few more snow filled winter wedding photos and soon we were off to Free Spirit Church for the ceremony.

Wedding party fun at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

I kept hearing reports from guests arriving to the church that the weather had taken a turn for the worst. Soon we would find out as we stopped by the Crown Point Square after the ceremony. For the moment though, we were nice and toasty as Lord and Lady Seip said "I Do".

December wedding ceremony at Free Spirit Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

After family photos, we made a quick stop to downtown Crown Point for bride and groom pictures and then made our way to Cloister In The Woods in Munster. We stopped by the courtyard there for some images while second photographer Kerrie photographed the Harry Potter themed decor.

Snow fills the air as the bride and groom walk back to their limo in downtown Crown Point.

Alone time for the bride and groom in the courtyard at Cloister In The Woods.

A saber dual broke out during introductions as a bit of Star Wars made it's way into the Harry Potter and Game of Thrones mix.

Harry Potter wedding reception decorations.

This was a dancing crowd for sure and they filled the floor after Matt and Mallory's first dance. No one cared about the ice and snow as they danced the night away in celebration!!

First dance at Cloister In The Woods in Munster, Indiana.

I sure hope your holiday is a wonderful one!! Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day whether it be Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter!! :)

Proposal Photography In Chicago

December 12, 2016 Steve Vansak

Melecio contacted me a few weeks ago about photographing a surprise proposal in Chicago. He was such a sincere guy and I knew he was in love with this mystery woman named Valerie whom I would not meet until after she became his fiance. It's pretty obvious from the image above that her answer was a resounding yes!!

He chose December 11th, 2016 as that is their Anniversary date. He lured her to Chicago to celebrate the occasion with family. Only trouble was, Chicago was in a middle of a snowstorm and I'm sure she was reluctant to trek out to the city. Family persisted and off they went to shop on State Street. I was waiting for them outside a store and Melecio and I played it off like we knew each other and I just happened to be out there taking pictures of holiday lights. I suggested a quick portrait of them at Millennium Park and off we went. The entire family was hiding underneath Cloud Gate (a.k.a. - The Bean) to watch the entire proposal.

A surprise marriage proposal at Millennium Park in Chicago during a snow storm.

I could see the emotiona welling up on Valerie's face as she said yes. Family surrounded them to celebrate before Melecio even had a chance to put the ring on her finger.

Family surprises the bride to be during a marriage proposal in Chicago.

We gathered the group together along with their wonderful signs for a family photo. I then took the freshly engaged couple around Millennium Park for a mini winter portrait session.

Family photo with a newly engaged couple after a marriage proposal.

Winter engagement photo in downtown Chicago.

Valerie couldn't stop eyeing up her ring as we strolled around Millennium Park and the Michigan Avenue area. We even incorporated some holiday lights into some of our pictures.

A newly engaged couple in Chicago during a December snow storm.

Holiday portrait of the newly engaged couple.

Our final destination before the couple met up with family for a late lunch celebration was The Chicago Cultural Center. This stunning landmark building had a wonderful arch that happened to have a Christmas wreath right in the center.

A newly engaged couple kisses by the lighted arch inside The Chicago Cultural Center.

I had Melecio and Valerie take a slow dance of celebration in the middle of the ballroom. You can see the joy as they embraced in the hallways of The Chicago Cultural Center.

A young couple playfully dances at The Chicago Cultural Center.

It was an absolute thrill to capture the proposal photography and winter portrait session for Melo and Val (as the sign says) at Millennium Park in Chicago. I cannot wait to show them the rest of the images. Let it snow, indeed!!

Chicago Proposal Photography

$399.99

Propose to the love of your life in the beautiful city of Chicago and have it captured by a professional photographer and then go on a mini engagement session in the windy city. NOTE: An in person or phone consultation is required to nail down the logistics of this important event.

90 minute photography session in Chicago
Digital Images Via Download + Printing Rights
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