Wedding Venue Spotlight - Lighthouse Restaurant

February 10, 2020 Steve Vansak

Sunset on the pier at Lighthouse Restaurant.

Today’s Northwest Indiana Wedding Venue spotlight is Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana. If you love water, sunsets, a beach / boating vibe and delicious food, then Lighthouse Restaurant may be the right venue for you.

I always love when a venue has its own bridal suite and I often take portraits in there in addition to bridal prep photos and dress details. The mirror inside the suite gave me some interesting views of Jessica and her dress right after she got into it.

The beautiful bride in the mirror inside the bridal suite at Lighthouse Restaurant.

The beachfront adjacent to the building can provide a gorgeous backdrop for romantic wedding photos with sun reflecting off the water as well as the classic shots of couples on the pier.

Kelly and Wendy in a romantic moment as the sun reflects off the lake.

Bride and groom take a stroll along the pier at Lighthouse Restaurant at an October wedding.

Wedding ceremonies take place on the back deck overlooking the lake (a favorite spot for reception guests to get some fresh air after dinner) or inside the clear, covered gazebo.

The sun is high in the sky during an outdoor wedding ceremony overlooking the lake.

Wedding ceremony inside the covered gazebo at Lighthouse Restaurant.

If you love sunset photos, Lighthouse Restaurant is one of the best Northwest Indiana wedding venues for that gold hour look. The venue faces west with no obstructions. We may have to run outside in the middle of dinner to get these shots, but it’s definitely worth it.

Newlyweds take a stroll at golden hour before the start of their reception at Lighthouse Restaurant.

The dance floor can fit quite a few people and the room never seems too crowded. I think this is due to the back deck, as a number of people (even on a chilly Fall day) will go outside to chat.

First dance at Lighthouse Restaurant as colored lights illuminate the room.

From time to time I like to do a Northwest Indiana Wedding Venue spotlight article and I realized I had not showcased Lighthouse Restaurant despite photographing many weddings there. I hope it helps if you are still searching for a venue. Perhaps you are already booked there but wondering what it may look like for your big day. Well, here you go.

For wedding photography, please do fill out the Contact Form here to inquire about availability. Happy planning!!

5 Unique Wedding Reception Ideas

January 20, 2020 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom sprint into the reception ballroom during introductions.

One of the most interesting things about being a wedding photographer is seeing the unique flavors clients tend to bring to their weddings and especially their receptions. I know after I publish this article another 5 memories from weddings I’ve shot will pop into my head. However, here are a few that come to mind based upon some recent Chicago and Northwest Indiana wedding receptions.

Caricature Artist

Image of caricature courtesy of Matthew Hutchinson. Drawing by Colm Campbell and Nuffinc.

Recently I’ve been seeing caricature artists at wedding receptions such as Lauren and Mark’s Chicago wedding at Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. Guests sat down for these drawings at cocktail hour and appeared to have a good time posing and quite a few laughs were had when they received one of these exaggerated drawings of themselves to take home.

A caricature artist sketches out drawings of wedding guests.

Check out the Instagram feed of Nathan Biancardi of Nate “Can Do” Caricatures and reach out to him for your reception fun.

Bride and groom take a stroll along State Street in Chicago.

Live Band / Karaoke

The bride rocks out some air guitar at her wedding reception.

This is a bit of a two for one as simply having a live band is quite unique for wedding entertainment. Although, I am seeing it more and more.

The Karaoke part does have the potential to go off kilter as guests grab the microphone. However, it can be quite successful if it is worked out with the band to be a small set of songs you know your guests will like or know and also limiting the time period for this. Perhaps when you are making the rounds to greet guests at their tables and pre-first dance would be the time to bring out the mic.

Live bands playing music at wedding receptions.

Cocktail hour music at wedding receptions.

Live music during cocktail hour with a DJ following later that night is another great option.

Some of the live acts in the area who perform at weddings are:

Final Say - My friend Robbie Celestin will entertain your crowd with dance music all night.

Angelo Cicco - My old music scene friend has been at many weddings I’ve shot.

The Crawpuppies - If guitar based, danceable classic rock is your bag, do check out my buddies in Crawpuppies.

Sky Lanterns / Open Air Venues

Sky lanterns head toward the night sky at a wedding reception celebration.

I occasionally go outside to photograph the bride and groom as well as guests let sky lanterns loose into the sky. This happens a lot at open air venues, but occasionally we step out of the building for this. Sometimes it’s only the newlyweds and is sentimental and other times it’s with guests to stir the celebration.

To send your sky lanterns into the sky without them careening off into a light pole you will need a fairly calm night wind wise, a long tool to light them and of course permission from your venue.

Themed Reception

A 1920’s era look for the bride and groom at the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Some do not want to carry on a theme for the entire wedding day so they simply reserve this for the reception. Kelly and Matt did a 1920’s themed wedding at the old Crown Point Courthouse and really got into character. Others have also gone retro at the reception only with period clothing and decorations as well as modern movie themes.

Vintage themed events in Indiana, Chicago and Michigan.

Blindfold The Groom Game

The groom gets blindfolded and has to guess which person is his bride.

I’m not sure what this wedding game is actually called, but it had to be one of the funniest I’ve ever seen. We know about the shoes game and that can definitely bring some good natured laughs, but after this Molly and Ahsan took it a step further.

The groom was blindfolded and experienced a soft kiss from various handpicked guest and also the bride. His job was to pick out his bride from the bunch. Well, he made his pick and the last image shows just who it was!! Oops…

I hope you have enjoyed my 5 Unique Wedding Reception Ideas article. To inquire about wedding photography for your day so I can capture your unique wedding fun, please fill out the Contact Form right here.

The bride dances with her father at an afternoon wedding reception at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

Weddings In Indiana, Chicago and Michigan - The 2019 Year In Review

December 30, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride in Converse All Star shoes in front of a red door in Chicago.

It was another action packed year of wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southwest Michigan. There are a TON of images from February weddings all the way through November so let’s get started.

I had two winter weddings in 2019 with Sarah + Robert and Erin + Mason. Yep, we had some snow and even the Village People showed up to rock the reception.

Black and white winter wedding photo in the snow.

Early Spring saw torrential rain almost every single weekend. Like the postal service though, we deliver in ice, rain, sleet or snow. For Beth + Chad we had that all in one day!! Cherise + Thomas had some sunshine for their big day at Sand Creek Country Club and for a bridal portrait session in Chicago we had to dodge some puddles for sure.

Rain and wind and fog surround the bride and groom in a wedding photo at Sand Creek Country Club.

Bridal portraits on the streets of Chicago.

The wet Spring continued for Breana + Kevin’s Chicago wedding and Sarah + Billy’s hometown wedding in Crown Point, Indiana. Both had wonderful church ceremonies.

Bride and groom walk back down the aisle after their wedding ceremony at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.

May weddings in Chicago and Crown Point, Indiana.

The month of May was very busy with Northwest Indiana weddings of Tessa + Luis as well as Dan + Tea.

Vintage bridal portraits in Northwest Indiana.

June saw Gabby + Matt at Briar Ridge Country Club and Becky + Chuck along with the summer weddings of Rachel + Brandon at County Line Orchard and back to the Crown Point Courthouse with Robyn and Stacey.

First dance at Briar Ridge Country Club.

June wedding photos at Briar Ridge Country Club and Centennial Park.

Weddings in late June in Crown Point and County Line Orchard.

July saw me at the height of summer and back at County Line Orchard for an outdoor wedding with Emily + Tyler and Whiting Lakefront Park for the beach wedding of Maureen + Carlos.

July summer weddings at County Line Orchard and Whiting Lakefront Park.

Newlyweds kiss between two Golden Delicious sign in the apple orchards.

July also saw me heading east to Heston Hill wedding venue for Maggie + Eric and staying close to home for Cynthia + Zachary at Avalon Manor wedding venue.

Summer weddings at Heston Hills and Avalon Manor.

Bride and groom share a moment at Heston Hills wedding venue in Laporte, Indiana.

August began with a themed wedding from Isela + Thomas and Jackie + Kevin for the first time a bride has ever arrived via boat at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Early August weddings in Northwest Indiana.

Wedding photo with a sunset over the lake.

Mid to late August saw the 4 day Indian wedding of Molly + Ahsan in Chicago and the church wedding of Brie + Ryan at St. Michael’s Parish and reception at Sand Creek golf course.

Mid to late August weddings in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

A candid moment underneath the willow tree at Sand Creek Country Club.

Early September saw the first of two weddings at Four Corners Winery with Holly + Ethan and then it was onto The Allure in Laporte, Indiana with Mary + Jeff.

Wedding photos at Four Corners Winery and The Allure.

Photo at the rustic wedding venue Four Corners Winery in Valparaiso, Indiana.

I’d always wanted to photograph at the Naperville Riverwalk in Illinois for a wedding and did just that with Vilda + Brandon and weddings at Aberdeen Manor are some of the most elegant and the nuptials of Kristen and Zach did not disappoint.

September weddings in Naperville, Illinois Riverwalk and Aberdeen Manor.

Wedding photo on the staircase at Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Candid wedding moment at a lake in Aberdeen neighborhood in Valparaiso, Indiana.

A photo at night in front of the chapel at Aberdeen Manor.

September is still the most popular month for weddings and I was back at Avalon Manor for Violet + Jeremiah and an epic wedding with Jordan + Matt at Centennial Park where it snowed on the dance floor.

Late September weddings in Northwest Indiana.

It snows on the dance floor at the Centennial Park clubhouse for a wedding reception.

October is football season and we celebrated that with Francesca + Zane at Wicker Park and also wine tasting season at Four Corners Winery with Ammie + Matt.

Reema + Corey donned two wedding dresses and two suits at their Meyer’s Castle wedding in Dyer, Indiana and Mary + Ben braved the rain at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana for their late Fall weddings.

Late Fall weddings in Northwest Indiana.

Rain falls at night in this wedding photo at Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

I certainly can’t forget about Annie + Michael at Aberdeen Manor as well as the 2019 wedding season finale of Kim + Dustin at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Late November weddings in Northwest Indiana.

I’m looking forward to next year’s weddings in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please do fill out the Contact Form on this website and set up a meeting so I can show you more of my work. Happy New Year to all!!

A bride in front of graffiti art in the Bucktown area of Chicago, Illinois.

Indian Wedding in Skokie, Illinois: Nikah and Reception

December 26, 2019 Steve Vansak

The newlyweds on stage at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.

Day 3 - Nikah

If you missed Day 1 and Day 2 of Ahsan and Molly’s traditional Indian wedding please follow this link right here. Of course, don’t forget to come back here for the Nikah ceremony and reception.

It was a very bright day and the sun made Molly’s white dress glow as Ahsan awaited her tap on the shoulder for their first look. Associate photographers Jaime and Bridget captured the moment from all angles before heading inside of His Highness Prince Karim Worship Center for the formal ceremony.

Once again, many thanks to Raag and Isha of Paraagon Films for being so welcoming as we worked together during this epic wedding.

First look for the bride and groom at His Highness Prince Karim Worship Center.

Portraits of the bride and groom at their Nikah.

Ahsan and Molly officially became married with traditional rituals and friends and family gathered behind them. They then headed to the Koba Kobi with traditional marriage games played as the bride and groom sat opposite one another. The living room of the home was packed with people but wide angle lenses to the rescue!!

Ahsan and Molly are officially married following time honored religious traditions.

Koba Kobi marriage games after the ceremony.

Day 4 - Reception

The reception day began with the bride and her bridesmaids prepping for their big celebration. Bangles and soirees and hair and jewelry were all precisely placed. I asked Molly if I could take some extreme close ups of her during this time and she obliged. Associate photographer Jaime captured the groom and his guys.

Bridal prep for an Indian wedding at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.

The bride shows off her incredible red dress on Day 4 of her traditional Indian wedding.

Groomsmen prep on Day 4 of an Indian wedding.

The groom all suited up for the reception.

Just before introductions I was able to steal a few minutes of the bride and groom’s time for some portraits inside and outside of their ballroom. We did some family group photos and wedding party group shots as well. Then it was on to the party!

The bride and groom before their big entrance at their wedding reception.

Bride and groom portraits on stage in the North Shore Ballroom at Holiday Inn Skokie.

The beautiful bride in her reception dress.

Before introductions we made a sweep of the room to capture all of the wonderfully colorful decor. Then the lights went down and introductions began going right into the cake cutting and first dance.

Decorations for an Indian wedding reception at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.

Ahsan and Molly did their take on the shoe game. Then it was time for something really unique as the groom had to guess which kiss came from his wife. He was blindfolded of course. I’m not going to say whom he chose, but I will say that those whiskers from the best man’s beard MUST HAVE been a giveaway. It was one of those times where I had to remind myself to stop laughing and start shooting. It was truly a good time!!

The best man, maid of honor and friends roast the bride and groom during their reception.

The rest of the night was pure dance floor fun with one surprise pause where the groom showed videos of friends and family talking about how much they loved Molly, his bride. It made her tear up before once again hitting the dance floor.

A fun reception of an Indian wedding at Skokie Banquet & Conference Center.

It was an incredible 4 days just north of Chicago capturing Ahsan and Molly’s traditional Indian wedding. The rituals kept us on our toes, the colors were beautiful, but most of all every moment was heartfelt and authentic.

There are SO MANY more images from this wedding that I can’t possibly fit here. Please do follow Region Weddings on Instagram for more from this wedding and others. As always, Contact Me right here to inquire about your big day. To view Day 1 - Mehndi Party and Day 2 - Nikah, click over to this link. Enjoy!!