Summer Wedding At Saint Mary's Church In Crown Point, Indiana

August 14, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss in front of the Old Courthouse in Crown Point, Indiana

Ashlee and Ryan had a beautiful summer day for their wedding at Saint Mary's Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Our day started at State of Mind Salon and Spa with Ashlee getting all glamoured up for her big day. Her mom was on hand to tie her lovely dress and soon we were off to meet up with the groom for the ceremony.

Bridal prep at State of Mind Salon in Crown Point, IN

Vintage glamour wedding day accessories.

As Ashlee's Father walked her down the aisle, friends and family were crying. I loved the fist pump that Ashlee gave after Father pronounced them married. Right after the ceremony we took family photos as well as wedding party and church bride and groom pictures. Then we walked to the Crown Point square for some small town flavor.

Bride and groom pray in front of the statue of Mary.

Summer wedding ceremony at Saint Mary's Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride and groom photos inside Saint Mary's Church.

It was such a lovely day that we walked from the church and all around the downtown square of Crown Point. We took photos outside and inside the old courthouse as well as near the old jail.

Passionate moment for the bride and groom.

Wedding photos in downtown Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride and groom slow dance on the vintage lobby floor of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

The bride and her bridesmaids have fun in in downtown Crown Point.

We strolled by the Halls of Justice on the Square for this silhouette in the lobby. The vintage piano also made for nice backdrop for Ashlee and Ryan's elegant wedding theme.

Bride and groom at the entrance to The Halls of Justice in Crown Point, Indiana.

The groom relaxes next to the vintage piano at The Halls of Justice.

The last of our downtown Crown Point wedding photos was this dipping shot in the middle of the intersection.

The groom dips his bride in downtown Crown Point, Indiana.

The reception took place at Villa Cesare with photo booth, kissing bells and some eager single ladies on the dance floor!! A very touching moment came with Ryan brought his mom out during the father daughter dance,

Parent dances at Villa Cesare during a wedding reception.

This sneak peek look at Ashlee and Ryan's summer wedding is only the tip of the iceberg with many more images to come. To inquire about your own wedding be sure to fill out the Contact Form and I will let you know if your day is available. Enjoy!!

Wedding at Aberdeen Chapel and The Market in Valparaiso

August 7, 2017 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom share a laugh among the yellow flowers at Taltree Arboretum

Samantha and Tyler had a gorgeous summer day for their wedding at Aberdeen Chapel and The Market in Valparaiso. We also stopped by Taltree Arboretum for wedding party and couples photos.

Our day started in Crown Point at Thomas William Salon with beverages courtesy of Coopers Hawk, laughter and friendship from the bridesmaids and loving advice from mom.

Sammy got into her dress in the wonderful bridal suite at Aberdeen Manor just before her first look with Tyler in the garden.

Bridal prep at the bridal suite at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso.

Dad received a special tie courtesy of the bride while mom looked on.

Tyler is in the United States Navy and is stationed out in San Diego, CA right now. He and his guys celebrated with a pre-ceremony game of pool as second photographer Lauren captured the moments.

Groomsmen prep for a summer wedding in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Samantha and Tyler's first look was a wonderfully private moment in the garden of Aberdeen Manor. We placed the groom under a shaded trellis as Sammy walked toward him.

First look for the bride and groom in the garden at Aberdeen Manor.

Portraits of the bride and groom at their summer wedding in Valparaiso, IN.

The summer ceremony inside of the picturesque Aberdeen Chapel had lots of laughs with Reverend Doug Klukken presiding. Sammy and Tyler exited into the bright midday sun and soon we were back inside for family photos.

Wedding ceremony at the Wedding Chapel at Aberdeen Manor.

Congregation attend a wedding ceremony at Aberdeen Chapel in Valparaiso.

The bride and groom kiss as they exit the Chapel at Aberdeen Manor.

Family and wedding party portraits inside the Aberdeen Chapel.

We spent the late afternoon at Taltree Arboretum taking wedding party and couple's photos at the beautiful nature preserve.

Bridesmaid and groomsmen group photos at Taltree Arboretum.

The wedding party stars in a sequel of The Sopranos TV show.

Taltree Arboretum is a great location for romantic wedding photos and we definitely used the gorgeous colors to our advantage.

Bride and groom share in a kiss amidst the nature of Taltree Arboretum.

Romantic couples photos at Taltree Arboretum in Valparaiso.

Wedding days can be a real whirlwind, so if possible I like to have my couples take a break from pictures and just sit and talk for awhile. Of course, I am sneaking in some shots (as was the video crew at Whole Hearted Wedding Films) and these are often the most natural expressions.

Bride and groom sit and chat on a bench surrounded by greenery at Taltree Arboretum.

We had a few puffy clouds in the eastern sky so made sure we got Tyler and Sammy up on the rolling hills at Taltree Arboretum where two clouds were nice enough to hover on each side of the newlyweds. Thanks Mother Nature!!

The bride and groom slow dance on the rolling hills of Taltree Arboretum nature preserve.

The Market in Valparaiso is a relatively new wedding venue and Samantha and Tyler had it decorated to the nines. The candles were beuatiful and the tribute to deceased grandparents (along with their wedding photos) was very touching.

Wedding decorations at The Market in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The introductions featured a "flower toss" and the speeches were funny and emotional all at once. Soon it was cake cutting time, dinner and on to first dances.

Wedding reception at The Market in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Parent dances and first dance at The Market.

I forgot to mention the delicious desserts and 27 Entertainment brought the noise...

Party time at a wedding reception at The Market in Valparaiso, IN.

First dance for the bride and groom at The Market.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Sammy and Tyler's summer wedding at The Chapel at Aberdeen and The Market in Valparaiso, Indiana. As always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day. More images to come on Instagram and other social media listed below. Enjoy!!

Summer Engagement Photos At Whiting Lakefront Park

August 4, 2017 Steve Vansak

A romantic kiss at sunset at Whiting Lakefront Park.

Katie and Pat spent part of their Saturday strolling around Whiting Lakefront Park and Whihala Beach in Whiting, Indiana taking romantic engagement photos. We had the Northwest Indiana Symphony and a regional football game as our soundtrack. It was a lot of fun!

Engagement photos during the summer at Whiting Lakefront Park.

Katie and Pat live a few blocks from the picturesque park and I envy them as it is a beautiful location to visit. We made sure to start our session during golden hour for some lovely light and we waiting for a sunset over lake Michigan.

Romantic engagement photo in the park near Whihala Beach.

Hidden away along one of the walkways in the park is a gorgeous waterfall with beautiful landscaping. Katie and Pat and I spent quite a bit of time in this area capturing them from many different angles.

The picturesque waterfall at Whiting Lakefront Park.

If you go to the beach, sometimes you have to put on some beach wear. This is exactly what these guys did to showcase some Chicago pride and take some fun photos along the pier. And no, Pat did NOT throw her in the water!!

A wonderful orange and yellow glow took over as the sun began to set over Whihala Beach. Some silhouette pictures were in order as well as sunset portraits. We took many more images for Katie and Pat's summer engagement session at Whiting Lakefront Park with much more to come. Happy summer!!

Sunset portraits at Whihala Beach in Whiting, Indiana.

To inquire about engagement photos or to see if your own wedding date is available, please fill out the Contact Form and I will get back with you in short order. Also, please enjoy the social media channels listed below.

Wedding At The Inn At Aberdeen

July 10, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom at the garden entrance of The Inn At Aberdeen in Valparaiso, IN

Kara and Hans had a lovely summer day for their outdoor wedding at The Inn At Aberdeen in Valparaiso, Indiana. This venerable bed and breakfast is a great spot for bridal prep as well as an intimate wedding. We started our day with Kara getting ready with the help of her daughter and friends.

Bridal prep at The Inn At Aberdeen in Valparaiso, Indiana.

I photographed Kara in the lovely halls of The Inn while Hans awaited his bride outside in front of the gazebo. Soon Kara would be walking down the aisle with a beaming groom to greet her and adoring friends and family.

Bride on the staircase at The Inn At Aberdeen in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The gazebo garden area is where outdoor weddings take place and it is tucked away below in a little valley. Kara was able to stand atop of the hill and look out at the scene before she came down the cobblestone pathway. The flower girl lined her path before she descended down the aisle.

Flower girls fills the pathway with petals at The Inn At Aberdeen.

The bride makes her entrance at The Inn At Aberdeen in Valparaiso, IN.

The ceremony was quite the family affair, including the performing musicians who then made their way to light the unity candles with their parents.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at The Inn At Aberdeen in Valparaiso, Indiana.

After family pictures Hans and Kara strolled around the garden with me for romantic photos. Then we headed in for cocktails, cake cutting and dinner.

Bride and groom kiss on the gazebo walkway after their summer wedding ceremony.

Summer wedding photos at The Inn At Aberdeen.

The reception soon came outside again where the bride and groom had their first dance as Angelo Cicco performed acoustically. Guests chatted as the sun came down and danced inside the gazebo. It was a wonderful summer night.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Hans and Kara's summer wedding at The Inn At Aberdeen in Valparaiso, Indiana. To inquire about your big day, please fill out the Contact Form. Happy Summer!!