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Crown Point, Indiana 46307
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Winter Wedding At Aberdeen Manor

February 17, 2022 Steve Vansak

Snow falls upon the dance floor at Aberdeen Manor.

Carrie and Brandon had been planning their winter wedding at Aberdeen Manor Ballroom in Valparaiso, Indiana for quite sometime. The day had finally come and snow was falling when I arrived for bridal prep photos.

I found non-stop laughter and plenty of moments to capture. I even got to pop over to see the groom and his crew as they were nearby.

*click or tap on images to enlarge and advance*

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Carrie had two first looks / reveals. The first was a great moment with her sons who had looks of amazement as they saw mom in her dress. This all lead up to the big reveal with Brandon.

View fullsize  First look with the bride and her sons at a winter wedding at Aberdeen Manor.
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View fullsize  First look for the bride and groom at Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso, Indiana.
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After coming down from the emotional moments of the reveals we realized - it’s cold outside! It was time for portraits of the bride and groom and the wedding party as began arriving for the chapel ceremony.

Flowers by La Petite Fleursite.

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View fullsize  Bridal portrait inside the Aberdeen Manor Ballroom.
View fullsize  Black and white winter portrait of a bride and groom at the Aberdeen Manor Ballroom wedding venue.
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The wedding ceremony took place inside warm confines of the Aberdeen Chapel. Carrie’s eldest son walked her down the aisle as friends and family looked on. There were plenty of laughs during the proceedings but also some emotional moments that required a few tissues.

Soon we were walking across the street for the rocking reception.

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The Aberdeen Manor Ballroom looked elegant as ever and introductions lead into the cake cutting and some spirited speeches. Then it was time for first dances and the opportunity for everyone to celebrate the winter wedding of Carrie and Brandon.

Backdrop and props by Laughbooth Photo Booth.

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I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Carrie and Brandon’s winter wedding at Aberdeen Manor Ballroom. This is merely a fraction of the images taken on their big day. Stay tuned to the social media channels below for more images from this and other weddings.

As always, Contact me here to inquire about wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southwest Michigan.

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In Winter Wedding, Church Wedding, Ballroom Weddings Tags Aberdeen Manor, The Chapel at Aberdeen Manor, winter wedding

Top 5 Wedding Planning Podcasts

January 19, 2022 Steve Vansak

I love listening to Podcasts and as a wedding photographer I gravitate toward camera gear shows. I also have a backlog of episodes to get to about music and current events. January is the slow season for weddings here in the Midwest so I’m definitely in a podcast listening mood as I hibernate.

This month is also known for its wedding planning as many couples get engaged during the preceding holidays.

I’ve found 5 wedding planning podcasts that may be very helpful to you no matter what stage of planning you are in. A few of them are downright entertaining as well. Save time and get wedding planning ideas during your commute to and from work!

You can listen to them on various different platforms. Copy the show names into your favorite podcast app or follow the links for more options. My podcast app of choice is the fantastic Overcast.

  • The Big Wedding Planning Podcast - hosted by Michelle Martinez

  • Till Stress Do Us Part - hosted by Riannan

  • Toni Time / Wedding Planning Podcast - hosted by Toni Darcy

  • The Unconventional Wedding Planning Podcast - hosted by Ashley C.

  • Wedding Planning Collective Podcast - hosted by Kate McClellan

Of course, as your wedding photographer I will help guide you through the day at our pre-wedding meeting where I provide you with online forms such as family group shot list and more.

In the meantime, happy podcasts listening and happy planning!! As always, you can Contact me here.

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In Wedding Planning, Wedding tips Tags wedding planning

2021 Year In Review - Midwest Wedding Photography

December 29, 2021 Steve Vansak

Welcome to my 2021 Year in Review! What a year it has been for wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, southwest Michigan and the Chicago area.

Above is a short video slideshow to give you an overview of the entire year in pictures. Turn up the volume and enjoy.

Of course, scrolling through this blog / journal you will find the stories of the weddings days (with lots of images) of many of my clients dating all the way back to 2010. This post will concentrate on the images from 2021 (also check out Sarah + Brents’s Short Film embedded at the end) with a few comments from me.

As always, inquire on my Contact Form about openings for your big day for photography as well as Short Films.

Happy New Year!

I had one lone wedding in March at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana and then the season kicked off in earnest in late May. After that, WEDDINGS DID NOT STOP! In late June I recall 5 weddings in one 10 day period. This wedding season saw many weekday weddings.

Some of the early Spring wedding venues as seen above were Sand Creek Country Club, The Grand CP and Journeyman Distillery.

Wedding photo in the garden at Centennial Park.

June turned out to be the busiest month of the year for Midwest weddings in 2021. The Fall season usually takes that crown but this year was more traditional.

The beginning of Summer saw weddings in Monee, Illinois as well as Meyer’s Castle, Tying the Knot wedding venue in Michigan, Whiting Lakefront Park and The Lighthouse Lodge in Monticello, Indiana.

The bride’s veil flies in the air as she kisses her groom at a summer wedding in Northwest Indiana.

As summer rolled on, I photographed such diverse Northwest Indiana wedding venues such as County Line Orchard, The Pavilion at Sandy Pines as well as church weddings in downtown Chicago.

Yes, you are seeing an actual rainbow in the image above! After a rain delay of an outdoor ceremony at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana a rainbow appeared in the sky. I can honestly that was a wedding first for me and no photoshop was involved.

Weddings at County Line Orchard and Marquette Park Pavilion.

A Harry Potter themed wedding took place this year at The Grand CP in Crown Point, Indiana along with receptions at Maggiano’s, a Chicago wedding venue in River North area as well as a beautiful outdoor wedding at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Early Fall saw me back at Gabis Arboretum for another outdoor wedding at the scenic Northwest Indiana wedding venue as well as the venerable Avalon Manor.

Bride and groom in a candid moment at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

Fall is always busy for weddings in Northwest Indiana and throughout the Midwest. This year I had many church weddings in the Autumn with photos at locations such at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Centennial Park.

The Fall wedding season also saw me return to Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City along with photos at the gorgeous Friendship Botanic Gardens.

Silver Lake Country Club and Georgio’s Banquets in Orland Park, Illinois were two of my Illinois wedding venue destinations this year.

Midwest wedding photos taken in the Fall season.

The end of October into early November gave us some intense Fall color at a Briar Ridge Country Club as well as a return to County Line Orchard along with church nuptials.

Early winter weddings often mean it gets dark early. For an early December wedding at Four Season’s Clubhouse we ventured outside for blue hour in this winter wedding photo below.

Winter weddings at The Grand CP and Center For The Visual and Performing Arts.

Wedding Season 2021 ended with a December wedding at Center For Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana in mid December and a Christmas Eve wedding in Wilmington, Illinois.

Bride and bridesmaids on the staircase during a December wedding at Center For Visual and Performing Arts.

It was a glorious year for weddings in 2021!!

As a bonus for making it this far down in my Year in Review post, press play below on the Short Film video that Sarah and Brent added to the wedding package of their winter wedding.

In case you didn’t know that there was an option to add video to your wedding photography package, more info can be found at this link.

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In Chicago Weddings, Candid Wedding Photos, Church Wedding, Creative Wedding Images, Micro Weddings, Modern Wedding Photography, Northwest Indiana Wedding, Wedding Planning Tags northwest indiana wedding venues, northwest indiana wedding video, candid wedding photos, modern wedding photography

Winter Wedding At Center For Visual & Performing Arts

December 13, 2021 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss under string lights at Center For Visual & Performing Arts.

It had been a long time coming! Sarah and Brent have been my wedding client for 3 years now as they planned their winter wedding at Center For Visual & Performing Arts only to have the health crisis of 2020 delay them to this year.

The day finally came where they could celebrate with friends and family and they did so in a big way!!

Our day started with bridal prep inside the bridal suite at the Arts Center and the groomsmen getting ready for the day at home.

Bridal prep details at the Center For Visual & Performing Arts

Bride and bridesmaid prep.

Bridal portraits at Center For Visual & Performing Arts.

Groom and groomsmen prep.

Solo portraits of the bride and groom at a December wedding.

Soon it was time for our mid-afternoon first look on the patio of the Center For Visual & Performing Arts. Although it was a bit chilly, Sarah loved the patio area with the brick flooring and greenery. They had fun as they came together for the first time on wedding day.

We took some romantic wedding photos outside before moving inside for photos on the staircase and then back out again for some fun shenanigans with the entire wedding party.

First look on the patio of Center For Visual & Performing Arts.

Romantic and candid moments of the bride and groom.

Bride and her bridesmaids on the staircase at Center For Visual & Performing Arts.

Groomsmen at the entrance to Center For Visual & Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana.

Wedding party on a spiral staircase at Northwest Indiana wedding venue Center For Visual & Performing Arts.

At my winter weddings I always try to be aware that my subjects are going to be cold so we need to do things quickly and find ways to keep them warm. These bridesmaids were lucky recipients of groomsmen jackets and unfortunately the guys got stuck with bouquets of flowers. As always, having fun trounces cold temperatures!!

Bridesmaids wear suit jackets and the groomsmen hold flowers.

Wedding party celebrating on the patio at Center For Visual & Performing Arts.

The wedding ceremony took place on the ballroom floor. The newlyweds broke bread and drank wine as well as they literally tied the knock. Soon the first kiss was underway and then it was family group photos straight into cocktail hour.

Wedding ceremony in the ballroom of Center For Visual & Performing Arts.

The wedding reception had some terrific speeches - funny, emotional and celebratory. The first dances were lovely moments and the dancing was simply off the hook. Our groom was hoisted into the air several times and I don’t think our bride left the floor much at all. Good times…

Winter wedding decorations at Center For Visual & Performing Arts.

First dances at a December wedding.

The groomsmen airlift the groom on the dance floor.

A winter wedding reception at Center For Visual & Performing Arts.

It was a terrific day and night with Sarah and Brent for their winter wedding at Center For Visual & Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana. Be sure to monitor the Region Weddings IG channel for more images from this and other weddings. Please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about photography and photo / video hybrid coverage for your own wedding.

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In Ballroom Weddings, Winter Wedding Tags winter wedding, December wedding, Christmas wedding, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts
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