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Anna and Marko had a spirited Serbian-American wedding at St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church in Lansing, Illinois, with a reception at Chetnik Memorial Hall this past weekend.
Bridal prep started at the couple’s home, with groom prep at his parent’s place.
Read moreRobert and Ivana chose Thornton Distillery for their winter wedding in Thornton, Illinois. It is one of the most unique Midwest wedding venues I’ve been in.
Thornton Distilling Company was built in 1857 as a brick and limestone brewery and grain tower by John S. Bielfeldt Brewing Company on the west bank of Thorn Creek.
The bridal suite is very spacious with adjacent rooms available for groomsmen and guests. I was greeted by a fun group with lots of laughter and wedding moments galore.
Venue: Thornton Distillery
Coordinators: Ginger Peach
Live Music: The Jolly Ringwalds
***Click or tap on images to enlarge and advance***
We had a series of first looks before we did portraits of the bride and groom. First up was the groom and his daughter and then Robert got to see his bride for the first time.
We had a first look with their young sons as well and then an “accidental first look” with Dad as he arrived just as Ivana was making her way toward the ballroom. It was a sweet wedding moment with tears from the father of the bride.
Father of the bride starts crying after seeing his daughter on her wedding day.
For the couples creative portraits, we explored the entire building from the billiard room to the actual distillery where the spirits are made.
We surely appreciated the venue allowing us into the room where they make the spirits and also use of the bar area. It made for some unique wedding photos while also showing off this historic venue.
Bride and groom gaze at each other inside the well of Thornton Distillery.
The ceremony took place just off the dance floor of Coopers Hall (the main event room) as guests sat in their seats.
The bride was walked out by her brother and her father. She flexed a bit of muscle before the sand ceremony and they all danced and exited as a happy family.
The reception saw live band The Jolly Ringwalds provide the soundtrack with the couple’s daughter Mila showing that she is ready to compete on Dancing with the Stars!
The dancing, the decor and especially the candid moments were all captured as everyone celebrated a wonderful wedding.
Oh, and we can’t forget to mention our special guest singer - the bride!!
The bride sings with the band at her wedding reception.
As usual, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography and Short Films for your own wedding day.
This has merely been a sneak peek of images from Ivana and Robert’s big day at Thornton Distillery. Stay tuned to the Region Weddings social channels below for more images from this and other weddings.
Bride applies lipstick at Barker Mansion in Michigan City, Indiana.
Welcome once again to the Region Weddings Year In Review for wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southern Michigan. Settle in as it was another full year of weddings and this my longest article of the year with lots of images. To see a video slideshow of this post, check out The 2017 Year In Review video.
The 2017 wedding season saw me photograph for the first time at the historic Barker Mansion in Michigan City. My goal with this series of bridal portraits was to showcase the vintage history of the iconic building with a very modern bride. This resulted in some glorious color right next to sepia tones.
Bridal portraits at Barker Mansion.
Bride on red staircase at Barker Mansion in Michigan City, IN.
There were quite a few winter wedding this year starting with Annie and Paul at Fair Oaks Farmhouse and then Lynne and Dale with a church ceremony at a stop at One Trick Pony brewery. Samantha and Dale were married at Saint Maria Goretti Church with a very chilly stop by Centennial Park.
Winter weddings in 2017.
As winter gave way to Spring (very begrudgingly), Sam and Alex and Amanda and Mike were on board for a pair of church weddings along with stops at Buckley Homestead.
Spring wedding photos in Northwest Indiana.
Bride and groom strike a magazine style pose at Centennial Park.
Late summer and early Spring saw Emily and Zach with an outdoor ceremony at Villa Cesare and Amanda and Josh at St. Michael's Church.
High fives, neon love, sisters / bridesmaids and church wedding ceremonies.
Summer weddings saw the flowers of Northwest Indiana in full bloom at Hans and Karla's outdoor ceremony at The Inn At Aberdeen with lakeside photos for Jill and Johnny.
July wedding photos in Northwest Indiana.
Bride and groom kiss in front of the old Crown Point Courthouse.
Ashlee and Ryan took a tour of downtown Crown Point for their wedding photos while Samantha and Tyler stayed in Valparaiso for their Aberdeen Chapel ceremony with pictures at Taltree Arboretum and a reception at The Market.
August weddings in Crown Point and Valparaiso.
Post ceremony kiss at The Chapel at Aberdeen Manor.
The groom spins his bride near the cornfields of Indiana.
Late summer say another new venue, Meadow Springs Manor with Karlie and Corey and a spectacular day at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines with Bethany and Keenin and their classic Mustang.
Late summer weddings at Meadow Springs Manor and Sandy Pines.
Bride and groom ride away in a classic Mustang.
September and October were definitely the busiest for weddings as well as engagement sessions. This part of the season saw Christina and Melvin at the incredible Uptown Center and Emily and Todd who were married at the final event at the bride's (soon to be torn down) childhood church next to her parent's home.
Two heartfelt September weddings.
Bride on stage at The Uptown Center in Michigan City.
Bride and groom kiss in front an old chapel in Hebron, Indiana.
Romantic wedding photo in downtown Michigan City.
I photographed two Serbian weddings in 2017 with Jessica and Marinko at St. Simeon Church in Chicago and Tanja and Kevin at St. George in Schererville. The circle dances never stopped on either day.
Serbian weddings in Chicago and Schererville, Indiana.
The sun sets as the bride and groom gaze at each other beneath the tall trees in the forest.
As Fall kicked in, I photographed two weddings on opposite ends of the region both in style and geography - Katie and Mike at Lighthouse Restaurant with it's nautical vibe and The Allure in South Bend with Morganne and Chris.
Fall weddings at Lighthouse Restaurant and The Allure.
Bride and groom on the pier at Lighthouse Restaurant.
Bride and groom on a leaf filled bridge near Coffee Creek in Chesterton, Indiana.
The Autumn weddings also saw stops at Sand Creek Country Club with Jessica and Mitchell and The Spa in Porter, Indiana with Julia and Evan. Both weddings featured a deluge of leaves and Fall color.
Autumn leaves at wedding venues Sand Creek Country Club and The Spa.
The bride and groom share a kiss surrounded by Fall color at The Inn At Aberdeen.
November saw a pair of church weddings with Gina and Marcus at The Chapel At Avalon Manor and Emily and Jeff at Holy Name Catholic Church and reception at The Center For Performing Arts. Both had an abundance of unique Fall colors.
November wedding photos.
Bride in mirror before walking down the aisle.
I certainly can't forget Jeremiah and Kevin with their big Christmas wedding at The Uptown Center or Whinchester and Whinchester (aka Jennifer and David) - my first ever bride and groom with the same last name.
Christmas red and a bride and groom in blue.
Thank you so much for a terrific 2017 in weddings!! I have one more on December 30th so be sure to stay tuned here for the final wedding of 2017. To inquire about your big day, as always please complete the Contact Form. I hope you have a terrific New Year and let's hope for a 2018 filled with love.
Bride inside the "red room" at Barker Mansion.
Bride and groom illuminated by the sun outside St. George's Church
When I arrived for Tanja's bridal preparation / getting ready photos I did indeed photograph her dress, jewelry and bridesmaid camaraderie. However, it didn't take long for me to be in full "reception mode" as the band started playing at 11am and the dancing was on. Oh, and delicious food was in abundance along with a little moonshine!!
Bridal prep at a Fall Serbian wedding.
The bride illuminated by window light.
Pre-ceremony celebration at a Serbian wedding.
After the introduction of the bride, a circle of life dance broke out in the street across from their home. Soon we would be off to St. George's Church in Schererville, Indiana for the traditional ceremony.
Circle of life celebration dance at a Serbian wedding.
Traditional Serbian wedding ceremony.
Wedding ceremony at Saint George's Church.
Once all of the rituals were completed, the ceremony ended and then it was outside into the sun for more celebrations in dance.
Post ceremony celebration at a Serbian wedding.
We then went inside the church for family photos and then I took the bride and groom outside in the wooded area between the church and the hall for some bride and groom wedding photos.
Family pictures inside of St. George's Church.
Bride at the altar at St. George's Church in Schererville, Indiana.
Golden sun flare surrounds the bride and groom.
The bride and groom on their wedding day.
Bride and groom Fall wedding photos at St. George's Church.
We finished up with some wedding party photos at Halls of St. George and then it was back inside for introductions, a meal and non stop dancing.
Wedding party at Halls of St. George.
The Dollar Band kept the music going for first dances as well as a whole bunch of circle dances.
First dances at Halls of St. George in Schererville, Indiana.
Serbian wedding reception celebration at Halls of St. George.
I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Tanja and Kevin's Fall wedding at St. George's Church in Schererville, Indiana. Please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your day and stay tuned to social media below for more images.
