Fall Wedding At St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church

October 29, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss on the altar at St. Stanislaus Church in Michigan City, Indiana.

Erika and Mitch brought wind, rain, hail, fog, glam, football, the Great Gatsby and more to their epic wedding at Saint Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church and the incredible The Allure wedding venue.

Our day started with myself capturing getting ready in The Allure bridal suite with Brittany Hennings and Under The Veil handling all of the beauty. Second photographer Doug was with the guys at Blue Chip Casino.

Bridal prep at The Allure in Laporte, Indiana.

Getting ready inside the bridal suite at The Allure.

The bride and groom read each other’s letters on wedding day.

When I arrived at the church, the wind just about took the door off of my car. I knew were were in for some bad weather, but hoped it would just last through the ceremony while we were inside. St. Stan’s is a massive church and i always love to capture some of it’s architecture while there. After the ceremony, rain had stopped enough for an exit then it was back inside for family photos.

Wedding ceremony at St. Stanislaus Church.

Bride and groom solo portraits on the altar at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church.

Erika had an incredible veil so we definitely wanted to show it off. After church pictures we had planned to cruise around downtown Michigan City, but rain foiled that. When we got back to Laporte we had an opportunity for some pictures by the lake. Then…. a hail storm struck with a huge gust of wind!! What to do? Keep taking pictures of course!! Nothing like a stormy sky with some beautiful newlyweds in the foreground.

Storm clouds fill the sky as the bride and groom kiss on the edge of Pine Lake in Laporte, Indiana.

Wedding photos in downtown Laporte, Indiana.

The groom dips his bride in front of The Allure wedding venue in Laporte, Indiana.

Bride and groom chillin’ in downtown Laporte.

After dodging the wind / hail / rain that was off and on, we went inside The Allure for more pictures. Everybody was in a loose mood at this point so shook it up with some fun shots.

The bride says ‘I Do’ at The Allure while surrounded by fog.

How do the bridesmaids know the bride? Just read the signs.

A football game breaks out at The Allure in Laporte, Indiana.

The Allure was especially spectacular with the Great Gatsby theme. 27 Entertainment had the dance floor packed all night and the bride groom celebrated in more fog for their first dance.

Great Gatsby wedding decor at The Allure.

A packed dance floor at The Allure for a Fall wedding.

First dance on The Allure ballroom floor.

Wedding reception fun at The Allure in Laporte, Indiana.

The bride and groom exited to glow sticks as Katy Perry tunes blasted from inside.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Erika and Mitch’s epic wedding at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church with a wedding reception at The Allure. Stay tuned on social media below fore more images from this wedding and others. As always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography for your big day.

Traditional Crown Point Wedding

October 22, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom portrait on the altar at St. Mary’s Church.

Karen and Jason had an uproarious traditional Crown Point wedding complete with a chicken dance, polka band, hokey pokey and more inside the banquet room at the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

However, our day started in St. John with bridal prep while second photographer Kerrie photographed the guys at the couple’s home.

The ceremony was at St. Mary Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Family and friends saw Karen’s mom walk her down the aisle. After the traditional Catholic ceremony we took pictures of family as well as bride and groom photos on the altar.

Catholic wedding ceremony at St. Mary in Crown Point, Indiana.

The bride and groom pray at St. Mary Catholic Church.

Bride and groom on the altar at St. Mary Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

One of our stops for pictures was the Lake County Fairgrounds with the entire wedding party and bride groom. Then it was onto the Grand Old Lady where the reception would take place.

The bride and groom take a stroll in the wood at Lake County Fairgrounds.

Wedding photos near the old covered bridge at Lake County Fairgrounds.

Wedding party group photo on the stairs to the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Romantic kiss in front of The Grand Old Lady in Crown Point, Indiana.

We visited the iconic third floor of the old Crown Point Courthouse as well as the brick basement for photos. Soon it would be time for introductions in the ballroom.

Bride and groom on the historic third floor of the Crown Point Courthouse.

The adventure begins in the the Maki Ballroom.

First dance inside the Maki Ballroom at the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Dance floor fun at the old Crown Point Courthouse.

The entire night was leading up to the sparkler exit for the bride and groom. Smoke filled the air as they exited with one final kiss.

Sparkler exit for the bride and groom at the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Sparkler kiss in downtown Crown Point, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Karen and Jason’s Crown Point wedding. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please do fill out the Contact Form.

October Wedding At Lighthouse Restaurant

October 15, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss on the Lighthouse Restaurant pier as the fog rolls in.

Jessica and Joshua were married on a fog filled day at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana. This Northwest Indiana venue is known for great food as well as their iconic pier which we utilized for photos as a white mist appeared over the lake.

The day began with Jessica and her girls huddled up for hair and make up from Sta Glam in the bridal suite. Her mom helped her with finishing touches and then it was time for a wonderful first look with Dad.

Bridal decor at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

The beautiful bride on her big day in the bridal suite at Lighthouse Restaurant.

The first look with Dad as mom watched was quickly followed by a first look with the bridesmaids. Second photographer Kerrie took photos of Joshua and his secret agent men while I photographed the bridesmaids.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen at Lighthouse Restaurant.

Bride and groom solo portraits at their Fall wedding.

The entire weekend had on and off rain, so we had to be careful with Jessica’s dress and we did many of her portraits inside. At this point we were still unsure if we would have the ceremony outdoors.

Bride in the mirror in the bridal suite at Lighthouse Restaurant.

All of our weather apps said no more rain until evening, so on with the outdoor ceremony we went with Reverend Doug presiding along with a secret agent ring bearer who handled the ring exchange. And yes, the groom did walk in with his indestructible Captain America shield. And so the adventure begins…

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Lighthouse Restaurant.

Wedding ceremony inside the Lighthouse gazebo in Cedar Lake.

After family pictures, the wedding party of superheroes was ready for crime fighting on the dance floor as Precision Sound provided the soundtrack.

Wedding portraits at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Wedding reception at Lighthouse Restaurant.

First dance for the bride and groom at Lighthouse in Cedar Lake.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Jessica and Joshua’s October wedding at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana. Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day and follow the IG feed below to see more images.

October Wedding At Saint Michael's Parish

October 9, 2018 Steve Vansak

Romantic kiss on the bridge at Centennial Park.

Nikki and Johnny’s October wedding at Saint Michael’s Parish had them surrounded by family and friends the entire day. It brought along some challenges too that only served to prove that the strong bond they have with their friends and family is stronger than anything mother nature can throw at them.

I started the day out at the bride’s childhood home for bridal prep with True Beauty by Dana while Kerrie covered the guys at the groom’s parent’s home. Bridal details, caffeine and Instax cameras ruled the morning.

Future wedding photographer and flower girl captures the moments.

Bride and groom ready for their big day.

Wind blows the long veil during bridal portraits.

Groom in black and white with his guys behind him.

The ceremony took place at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville and many more children were now present and participating since I photographed sisters of the bride - Jackie and Amanda’s weddings.

Family at a wedding ceremony at St. Michael’s Parish.

The bride is escorted down the aisle of St. Michael’s Parish.

Bride and groom in the sanctuary of St. Michael’s Parish.

Formal photos of the bride and groom in church.

Don’t tell Father, but I snuck a peak at my weather app during the ceremony. No rain until night fall!! Let’s do this, Centennial Park here we come…

Bridesmaids and groomsmen at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

Centennial Park is a popular spot for pictures and we ran into several wedding parties there, but the area is so vast that it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. Perfect for romantic walks on the bridge.

Bride and groom take a romantic walk on the bridge at Centennial Park.

Vogueing for the camera at Centennial Park.

The wedding party paired up for a portrait by the lake.

My “tired bride” shot is quite popular and the wall at the Amphitheater is a perfect place to lean. After our trek around the park, the bride and groom had some time to chill with their friends and then it was off to St. Elijah Event Center for the reception.

The bride takes a rest at Centennial Park.

A lakeside portrait of the bride and groom.

Wedding reception at St. Elijah Event Center.

What can I say about the reception? The dance floor was packed all night giving me plenty of fun to capture. I also learned that if you have a spill on the floor, bridesmaid Abby is ready with mop in hand to keep the dancing safe!!

Dance floor fun at St. Elijah Event Center.

A packed dance floor at St. Elijah Event Center.

This is merely a sneak peek of Nikki and Johnny’s October wedding. Be sure to tune into the Instagram feed for more images and fill out the Contact Form here to inquire about photography for your big day.