Summer Wedding At Signature Banquets In Lowell, Indiana

July 3, 2017 Steve Vansak

Romantic wedding photo on the pier at Lemon Lake County Park.

Jill and Johnny were married on a sunny summer day at Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana. Our day started in downtown Crown Point with bridal prep at The Hair Saloon with a little bubbly for the bridesmaids and some refreshing strawberries for the flowgirls. Soon we were off to Signature Banquets for getting into the dress.

Bridal prep at The Hair Saloon on Crown Point, Indiana.

The bride and groom prepare for their summer wedding at Signature Banquets.

The indoor ceremony saw a lot of laughter as Reverend Doug oversaw the nuptials. Friends and family cheered as Jill and Johnny exited the ceremony room. We took family photos and then we were off to Lemon Lake County Park for wedding party pictures.

Wedding ceremony at Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana.

Lemon Lake County Park saw sun rays streaming through the tall trees which we took advantage of for some romantic bride and groom images. The wedding party was in great spirits and we even got a surprise proposal during the photos!! ;)

Rays of sun stream through the tall trees at Lemon Lake Park as the bride and groom kiss.

Wedding party photos at Lemon Lake County Park.

Mock proposal from the groom to his groomsman.

The sun really was blazing down but we really wanted to photograph on the pier and capture some great clouds that had formed above us. More rays of sun shining down upon the bride and groom was an extra bonus.

Relaxing on the pier at Lemon Lake County Park.

A romantic kiss on the pier at Lemon Lake County Park.

Jill and Johnny got all giggly on me in the woods and they looked happy as could be taking a nature stroll beneath the tall trees of the mini forest.

A walk in the woods at Lemon Lake County Park in Crown Point, Indiana.

To all who entered Signature Banquets that night, a jar of sweet honey awaited them. Apparently these two soul mates had "finally" tied the knot according to one guest's best wishes. The dance floor was packed throughout the night as friends and family celebrated this much loved couple.

Wedding reception decorations at Signature Banquets.

Wedding reception celebration at Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at Jill and Johnny's summer wedding at Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana. As always, be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day.

June Wedding At St. Michael's Parish In Schererville, Indiana

June 19, 2017 Steve Vansak

In the Centennial Park Garden after their June wedding ceremony.

Josh and Amanda had a beautiful June wedding at St. Michael's Parish and I could not have been happier to be there. Six years ago I photographed her sister Jackie's wedding and Josh was the best man. Jackie's husband Brandon was the best man this time around. If you are lost now, no problem - let's just say it was great for me to see everyone again as well as the new additions to the family.

This summer wedding started with bridal prep at Amanda's mom's house. I joined Chop Shop who was doing hair along with Sta Glam on make up. The flower girls assisted me with their Instax cameras. We even re-created a fave photo of Amanda's that I did with her brother in 2011.

Bridal prep for a June wedding at St. Michael's Parish.

Flower girls hide underneath bride's veil.

Josh paid tribute to Amanda's father Greg before joining his groomsmen and arriving at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville.

St. Michael's Parish was filled with friends and family of Amanda and Josh. As Amanda walked down the aisle with her brother Jake and mom Mary, the smile on Josh's face grew wider. Soon they would be husband and wife and off to celebrate in the summer sun.

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

Bride comes down the aisle during a Catholic wedding ceremony at St. Michael's Parish.

Bride and groom listen to Father during mass of their Catholic wedding.

Bride and groom pray to the Virgin Mary in the sanctuary of St. Michael's Parish.

We immediately photographed family and wedding party after the ceremony with a few bride and groom photos inside the church. Then we were off to Centennial Park for some June wedding photos in the sun.

Wedding party photos at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville.

Bride and groom exit the darkened St. Michael's Church.

I photographed the wedding party groups pictures looking across the lake at Centennial Park and then second photographer Bridget took the guys for their images and I photographed the bridesmaids.

Wedding party group photos overlooking the lake fountain at Centennial Park.

The bride and her sisters at Centennial Park.

The groomsmen on the stage at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

Amanda had an incredibly long veil and we had to make sure we took advantage of the wind and let it fly for a few portraits. She was gorgeous wearing it outside as well as when she walked down the aisle.

Image of a bride and her veil flying in the wind.

As I took Amanda and Josh around Centennial Park I was amazed at all of the leaves on the ground. We took some kissing shots with them and I also had the happy couple chill in the shade of the garden for awhile for some candid moments.

Kissing photos at the Centennial Park gardens.

The fashion forward bride and groom on the Centennial Park stage.

Josh and Amanda were quite anxious for a dipping shot and I obliged them in front of the lake fountains. They looked as though they had been practicing!!

Summer wedding photos at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

During our last few photos, Josh lifted Amanda off of her feet and soon we were on our way to the party at Villa Cesare.

The groom lifts his bride off of her feet at their summer wedding.

The reception at Centennial Park had some raucous intros of the wedding party along with a roasting of the groom via best man Brandon. Summer sandals were handed out to all those who hit the dance floor and there were many!! DJ Shaun Kelly from Spinnin' Productions kept it live all night.

June wedding reception at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

A crowded dance floor at Villa Cesare for a June wedding reception.

Summer wedding reception photos at Villa Cesare.

Bouquet toss at Villa Cesare during a June wedding reception.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I could not have been more thrilled to photograph Amanda and Josh's big day and also get the chance to see Jackie and Brandon, Samantha and Dale and Rachel and Dustin - all former clients whose weddings I have shot. thanks! This is merely a sneak peek, so stay tuned for more images.

As always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day!!

Romantic Engagement Photos In Milwaukee, Wisconsin

June 12, 2017 Steve Vansak

The moon rises over Lake Michigan at Atwater Beach.

It was a great thrill to photograph Lauren and Eddie's engagement session in downtown Milwaukee. I had visited there many times and I knew how scenic it was. From the Art Museum to the Riverwalk and ending at the beach, we had a great time in Brew City for this romantic engagement session.

We started at the Milwaukee Art Museum in late afternoon with the wonderful architecture as our backdrop. I love the reflective windows as Lauren and Eddie took a stroll and of course the "wings" of the building had to be captured for our first dip of the day.

Romantic walk near the Milwaukee Art Museum.

A romantic dip at the entrance of the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Eddie mentioned that he loved the view of the city from a bridge near Pritzker Pavilion that he discovered while jogging one day. It was a great spot and these two soaked up the sun with the city in the background.

A couple in love embraces on a bridge overlooking the city of Milwaukee.

For a more urban flavor we visited the Riverwalk area for awhile with some romantic strolls on the boardwalk and some downtown city life photos. The sun reflected off the water as Lauren and Eddie shared a kiss on the pier.

Engagement photos along the Milwaukee Riverwalk.

A sun burst over the river in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

We had quite the full sun on this pleasant summer day in Milwaukee and when we arrived at McKinley Marina it was still in full force. We used it to our full advantage as it gave a warm glow through all the wonderful trees in the park as well as nice reflection of our couples as they shared a laugh on the bed of rocks at the shoreline.

Romantic engagement photos at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee.

Our last stop was during golden hour at Atwater Beach where the couple brought out a sign for their Save the Date Card pictures.

Engagement photos at Atwater Beach in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Romantic engagement photos along the hills at Atwater Beach.

We had to take the classic photo of a barefoot couple walking in the sand along Lake Michigan. It was very peaceful as the water lazily washed up onto the shore.

A barefoot walk on the sands of Atwater Beach.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Lauren and Eddie's romantic engagement photos in Milwaukee. To inquire about your own session or availability of your wedding date, please fill out the Contact Form.

See you at the beach!!

Spring Wedding At Villa Cesare In Schererville, Indiana

May 22, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss at the fountain at Centennial Park.

It was a day of great emotion at Emily and Zach's Spring wedding at Villa Cesare. It may hold the record for the most amount of hugs being passed around and certainly the most high fives!!

Our day started with me covering the girls getting ready. I got to see all of the emotion around the entire room as Melissa Marshall did make up and Toby the puppy brought the laughs.

Bridal prep for a Spring wedding at Villa Cesare.

Emily could not have asked for a better group of bridesmaids. They offered up hugs, mimosa's, laughter and general fawning over the bride on her big day.

Wedding day bridal prep served up fresh with morning mimosa's.

After Emily got into her dress and received visits from mom, dad and other family - the emotional moments started coming a mile a minute.

We were then off for a bridesmaids lunch at Houlihan's Restaurant while second photographer Kerrie captured Zach and the guys "working out".

Bridesmaids and groomsmen on wedding day.

Groom and bride just before their first look.

We were keeping a close eye on the weather and I have to admit that I was concerned that the first look at Centennial Park would get rained out. We had a back up plan, but we didn't need it as the skies opened up and we only got purple rain in the form of Emily's wedding colors.

So much emotion poured forth as Zach awaited Emily on the bridge at Centennial Park as the wedding party looked on.

First look on the lake bridge at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

Bride and groom eskimo kiss during their first look.

Pure emotion as bride and groom embrace on the bridge at Centennial Park.

The entire wedding party then joined us on the bridge and then off we went for couple's photos all around the park.

Wedding party photo on the lake bridge at Centennial Park.

Lean On Me - the groomsmen at Centennial Park.

The garden at Centennial Park is beautiful this time of year and colors really popped due to the rain that morning.

Bride and groom in the colorful garden at Centennial Park.

Tender moment for the bride and groom at their Spring wedding.

I had been clued in that there would be a high five after the ceremony, but I wanted to capture one at the park too. Also, Zach wanted to show off the grape soda bottle caps that they would be wearing as they said their vows a bit later.

A few more fun shots with the girls and then we were off to Villa Cesare for the ceremony.

Fun bridesmaids photos at Centennial Park.

The beautiful bride and her purple flowers.

The outdoor ceremony took place at the gazebo of Villa Cesare where friends and family gathered as Emily came down the aisle. I captured their first kiss, but then waited for my favorite moment - the second or two after the first kiss - pure joy!

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Villa Cesare.

The bride and groom go for a high five as they exit the gazebo at Villa Cesare.

Villa Cesare was decorated in a purple hue as guests dined, danced and prayed to the gods of 1970's disco songs. The first dances were beautiful.

Spring wedding reception at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

First dance of bride and groom at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Emily and Zach's Spring wedding at Villa Cesare. Be sure to follow Region Weddings on Instagram and fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day.