Proposal Photography At Adler Planetarium In Chicago

March 27, 2017 Steve Vansak

Fog engulfs the Chicago Skyline as a newly engaged couple embraces.

Dhara said that Amar was "acting funny" earlier in the day and that she knew something was up, but wasn't sure what. What she didn't know was that her soon to be fiancé and I had been plotting his surprise proposal at Adler Planetarium for a couple of weeks.

When they arrived at the scene, I was perched up on the stairs going up to the Planetarium. Amar had texted me a selfie and told me they'd be arriving with a blue umbrella on this rainy and foggy Spring day in downtown Chicago. I aimed my lens toward the city (like a tourist) and I noticed Dhara look right up at me as they arrived. I hoped she wasn't on to me and I immediately pointed my camera elsewhere. You can see her curiosity in the first image below. Within seconds though, Amar was down on one knee and popped the question. I will let the photographs tell you her answer...

Surprise proposal at Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

I let Amar and Dhara have their moment alone for awhile and then I introduced myself. We then went on a portrait session around Adler Planetarium. It was raining and the fog obscured the city in places, but we used it to our advantage. The excitement of this special day got us through the chilly temperatures and we got some really unique images.

Fog engulfs a newly engaged couple on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Chicago.

Dhara admired her engagement ring as they walked along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. I asked them to sit down on a bench for a little while away from the camera to discuss this momentous and happy occasion. I took a number of candid images while they cuddled on the park bench.

Engagement session in the rain in downtown Chicago.

A newly engaged couple celebrates with Lake Michigan in the background in Chicago.

The Windy City lived up to it's name as it brought waves crashing onto Amar and Dhara with the Chicago skyline in the background.

Waves from Lake Michigan crash onto the boardwalk during a Chicago engagement session.

This has been a sneak peek look at Amar and Dhara's surprise proposal photography session at Adler Planetarium in Chicago. Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to schedule your engagement session. If you are planning a surprise proposal, let's talk and plan something special. I can be discreet when I need to be!! :)

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
Online Photo Gallery & Ordering

A young couple walks along the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago.

Top Wedding Venues In Northwest Indiana

March 26, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom in silhouette at White Hawk Country Club.

Before we get going on the Top Wedding Venues In Northwest Indiana, let me define what that is for me. As a professional wedding photographer in Northwest Indiana, I do this article at the beginning of every year and I showcase venues that I have shot at in the previous year. Here is what you won't see listed and why:

No churches - I love photographing inside churches, but these are more personal and not really "venues".
No homes or backyard weddings, etc. - I love these intimate locations, but again - not a venue.
No "photo locations" are listed such as local parks, lakes, etc.

NOTE: If your favorite venue is not listed, it probably means I just didn't shoot there in the past year. With as many weddings as I photograph, chances are I've been there at some point and will be there again. When you schedule a meeting, just ask.

What I have included is many reception halls, barns, golf courses and where appropriate - the area surrounding them where we took pictures. Settle in and feel free to bookmark this page as this is going to be a long one with tons of images. In no particular order...

White Hawk Country Club

A beautiful golf course venue in Crown Point surrounded by beautiful homes. The big draw is the lovely outdoor wedding area along with a spacious bridal suite, reception room with an outdoor deck and of course picturesque scenery for photos.

Bride and groom strolling along the golf course at White Hawk Country Club.

Black and white photo of bride and groom kissing on a hill at White Hawk Country Club.

The Pavilion At Sandy Pines

Speaking of spacious bridal suites, Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana has one that is simply phenomenal. You will want to live there!! Full kitchen, hair and make up stations, a man cave and much more. Oh, and a grand outdoor ceremony area and open air reception room.

Wedding photos at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

Wedding reception photos at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

Wicker Park Social Center

I visited Wicker Park Social Center three times last year, so I know how popular this Munster, Indiana wedding venue is. There is a huge gazebo next to a lake for outdoor ceremonies as well as a wooded area for pictures and of course the magnificent ballroom with a deck.

Newlyweds take a walk through Wicker Park in Munster, Indiana.

Wedding photos from Wicker Park Social Center in Munster, Indiana.

County Line Orchard

Barn weddings are quite popular and I photographed several of them last year. County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana is known for their rustic reception venue as well as their outdoor weddings in the apple orchards out back. You also have the option to have an indoor wedding in their red barn loft.

Bride opens the doors on the balcony of the bridal suite at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

Aberdeen Manor

Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso, Indiana is a spectacularly decorated reception venue (ask about the floating cake option) that also offers outdoor ceremonies as well as a chapel where you can bring your own officiant.

Lighthouse Restaurant

This wonderful restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana has a great upstairs reception room that overlooks the lake as well as outdoor ceremony locations and plenty of photo opportunities via the large pier and the sandy shoreline. There is also a bridal suite.

Wedding photos from Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Sunset on the pier at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Signature Banquet Hall

Signature Banquets is a fairly new hall in Lowell, Indiana that is gaining in popularity. The rooms are always super clean and the dinner biscuits are delicious (trust me - I've had a few). I've photographed an indoor ceremony here as well as a number of receptions now. Two thumbs up for sure!

Wedding photos from Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana.

Briar Ridge Country Club

This luxurious golf course venue is located in Dyer, Indiana. I've done receptions there in the past and the ballroom is exquisite. This past year I photographed an outdoor wedding there with a cocktail hour in the ballroom. The golf course is beautiful and a great backdrop for photos.

Bride and groom under a tree at Briar Ridge Country Club in Dyer, Indiana.

Center For The Performing Arts

The Center For The Performing Arts is located in Munster and features art exhibits, concerts and more. I've shot a number of weddings there over the years and got to go back in 2016 where I covered getting ready in the bridal suite and the super fun reception with a live band.

Bridal suite at The Center for Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana.

Wedding photos from The Center For The Performing Arts.

The Patrician

I've run out of fingers and hands to count how many times I've shot weddings at The Patrician in Schererville, Indiana. They do a terrific job and can handle many events in the large ballrooms as well as outdoor ceremonies.

Wedding photos at The Patrician in Schererville, Indiana.

Centennial Park

I don't think a year has passed since I've been shooting weddings where I haven't photographed at Centennial Park in Munster via either a ceremony or reception or just plain stopping by for photos with my wedding party. I love the wood floors there as well as the outdoor terrace and of course, huge grounds in which to explore - gardens, lakes, bridges and more. Be on the look out for Pokemon Go players!! :)

The bride and groom are illuminated by sun on the bridge at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

In my 2016 Year In Review post you can see the many other locations my wedding photography clients took me to last year - churches, old barns, local parks, the beach, Chicago and more. Too much for one article, so follow that link and also scroll through this blog.

What other Top Wedding Venues In Northwest Indiana did I photograph at this year? We made stops at The Allure, Cloister in the Woods, Sand Creek Country Club, Meyers Castle, Trinity Hall, Villa Cesare and Avalon Manor. See the images below and happy planning!!

The Northwest Indiana Wedding Photography Year In Review 2016

March 13, 2017 Steve Vansak

Wow - going through wedding photos from 2016 has simply been overwhelming!! So many moments - fun, serious, emotional, unexpected - the list goes on. The year started with winter weddings and freezing temperatures and ended like that as well. There is so much to share and not enough space, so I'm going to dive right into it.

My year started off photographing a winter wedding at Meyer's Castle with an indoor ceremony. However, I had to venture outside with Lisa and Mandeep for a few shots. Our next stop was in Crown Point with the winter wedding of Marissa and Dennis.

Winter wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

Spring weddings in Northwest Indiana can vary from 75 degree days to snow. Our April wedding saw all 4 seasons in a span of 8 hours!!

Spring wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

A sudden snowstorm breaks out during wedding photos in Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride alone at Holy Spirit Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

Late Spring saw stops at Notre Dame Basilica as well slightly warming temperatures. From Harley Davidson boots for the bride to a groom getting serenaded at church - the 2016 wedding fun was just beginning.

Spring weddings in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

Bride and groom take a stroll at Wicker Park in Munster, Indiana.

June is traditionally a busy month for weddings in Northwest Indiana as the temperatures tend to settle in, although it can get quite warm. June weddings in 2016 saw more Harley Davidson motorcycles along with stops at County Line Orchard, The Patrician as well as a church wedding at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville.

The bride and groom roar away on their Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Summer wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

I was very proud to capture the new Mrs. and Mrs. Wendy and Kelly at Lighthouse Restaurant in June 2016. We had a blast covering their big day and I'm so glad mother nature gave us a nice sunset overlooking the pier.

Summer 2016 wedding at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Sunset wedding photo at Lighthouse Restaurant.

June continued on with many stops at the beach and an epic Chicago church wedding with a reception at The Halls of St. George.

June wedding photos in Northwest Indiana during 2016.

July saw stops at Sand Creek Country Club for Kelly and John's big day as well as a Catholic wedding ceremony at St, Kasmir Church in Hammond. We stopped by Centennial Park a few times as well.

Bride and groom at the fountain at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

July weddings in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

August saw another stop at County Line Orchard along with The Pavilion at Sandy Pines. Lets open the balcony door and take a look...

The bride opens the balcony door at County Line Orchard.

Northwest Indiana wedding photos in August of 2016.

The bride and her bridesmaids take a walk at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines.

September and October have increasingly become the busiest times of the year. The 2016 Fall wedding season was exactly that!! We started things off on Labor Day weekend at White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point with the outdoor golf course wedding of Amanda and Zach and then it was onto The Allure in Laporte, Indiana where BB8 delivered the wedding ring.

Bride and groom on the golf course at White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point, Indiana.

September 2016 wedding photos in Northwest Indiana.

The second half of September saw us at barn weddings, riding tractors and exploring some nearby forests.

Wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in September 2016.

October 2016 was one of the busiest with outdoor weddings at Briar Ridge and church weddings and receptions back at Lighthouse Restaurant and elsewhere.

Bride and groom sit on logs at Coffee Creek Park in Chesterton, Indiana.

October wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

Bride and groom at Briar Ridge Country Club in Dyer, Indiana.

Bride and groom walk in front of the courthouse in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana.

One theme of the Fall weddings here in Northwest Indiana and the surrounding Chicago area in 2016 was the Chicago Cubs playoff games and of course, World Series win!! Almost all of the receptions had updates. As we made our way into November, fall color was at it's peak.

Fall wedding photos in Northwest Indiana in 2016.

A romantic moment between bride and groom during a Fall wedding.

December 2016 saw the train roll in for some winter weddings in Crown Point as well as Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso. Warm hearts melted the falling snow...

Northwest Indiana winter wedding photos in 2016.

A winter wedding photo at Cloister In The Woods in Munster, Indiana.

So there you have it, the Northwest Indiana Wedding Photography Year in Review 2016. So many wedding images to share and simply not enough room here. Please check out the Region Weddings Instagram feed to see even more. To inquire about your date, the Contact Form is the best method.

Happy New Year!!

Winter Wedding Ceremony At St. Maria Goretti Church

February 27, 2017 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom share a moment at St. Maria Goretti Church.

Samantha and Dale's February wedding at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana was full of great moments - lots of laughs and mimosas during getting ready, to nervous giggles during the exchange of rings all the way to the emotional speeches and first dances. Let me take you through the story of their big day...

When I arrived, the Mimosa Bar was open for business and everyone was in great spirits, including the dog!! Krissy V. tended to make up while Katelyn Pruitt styled hair.

The Pink Pajama Crew (aka Sam's bridesmaids) actually laughed at whatever joke I happened to say and soon it was time for Samantha to get into her dress.

The bridesmaids have a pajama party on the morning of the wedding.

Samantha looked stunning in the backlit room as her MOH helped her with the veil.

The MOH assists the bride with her veil.

Second photographer Bridget was with Dale and the groomsmen during this time as they put down a little "robitussin" to help out with the cold temperatures!!

The groom and groomsmen toast to the big day ahead.

Friends and family filled the pews at St. Maria Goretti Church as Sam and her father made their way down the aisle with Dale anxiously looking on. All the candles glistened as they exchanged vows.

Winter wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Church.

A reader speaks at a wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti.

After the ceremony, we did family photos in the church and then set out to Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

Wedding party photo at St. Maria Goretti.

Parents and couples photos at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana.

I remember walking out of the church and saying "these temperatures don't seem too bad". Famous last words!! When we arrived at Centennial Park the 18mph winds kicked in with a drop in temps to somewhere in the mid 20's. Much respect to the wedding party for enduring the madness. And of course, a shout out to our bride Samantha and her lovely veil that took a beating!!

Winter wedding photos at Centennial Park.

The wind carries the bride's veil on the bridge at Centennial Park.

Villa Cesare looked spectacular with the muted gold tones of Samantha and Dale's decor. The cake table was epic and I loved the Fuji Instax film cameras for guests to use.

Wedding decorations at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

The wedding party intros were a lot of fun and we scanned the room to capture the great moments - from the flower girl practicing to be the next Ronda Rowsey to Sam's emotional dance with her Dad while the ring bearer looked on.

Fun and emotional moments at a Villa Cesare wedding reception.

First dances at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

We saw quite the contrast with the single women vying for the bouquet and the look of terror on the men during the garter toss...

The bouquet toss at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

The dance floor was alive all night as Operation Get Down provided the soundtrack...

A full dance floor at Villa Cesare during a winter wedding reception.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at Samantha and Dale's wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana. To inquire about your big day, be sure to fill out the Contact Form. More images to follow at social media channels below.