When Catherine and her mom had a meeting with me to fill me in on all the details of her military wedding to Matt, I knew we would be getting some unique wedding photos. From the Air Force Honor Guard awaiting the happy couple outside St. Mary's Church in Griffith to all of the silly, fun shots and dramatic bride and groom images we took at Oak Ridge Prairie County Park this Fall wedding certainly lived up to expectations. By the way, please don't smart off to the bride or she will crush you with her, blue opened toed wedding shoes. Got that groomsmen!! :)
It was a gorgeous day for a Fall wedding which started off at Studio 4 in downtown Griffith. I played roving reporter as the bridesmaids got their hair and make up done. We also had fun doing some retro, old school photos using the washing station and hair dryers as props.
Catherine had some great wedding photo ideas of her own such as having the rings tucked into the back of her wedding dress and having a first look for her bridesmaids at the Hampton Inn Hotel in Schererville.
Catherine's mom helped lace up her dress and stopped for a nice portrait with her daughter. Soon it would be time to drive to St. Mary's Church for the first look with her soon to be husband Matt and of course, the ceremony itself.
Catherine and Matt chose the sun drenched fountain area on the side of St. Mary's Church for their first look. It was an exciting moment as they turned to see each other.
St. Mary's is located in the heart of Griffith on Broad Street and the scene of many wonderful weddings that I have shot. It had been 2 years since I last photographed there and it was great to be back for this wonderful gathering of friends and family of Catherine and Matt.
It was quite apparent that the emotion from the father and daughter first look that occurred earlier at the hotel would carry on here at the ceremony as well as throughout the day. It was great to see this familial love on display. it warmed my heart to be able to capture it in photos.
When Matt and Catherine were pronounced married, they had an extra long kiss at the altar as all looked on.
We took family photos immediately after the ceremony and then we took advantage of the gorgeous Fall day to everything from beautiful bride and groom photos to fun wedding party pictures. One of Catherine's request was this selective color shot from the back of the church.
Most of our outdoor wedding photos were taken at Oak Ridge Prairie County Park where we had clear skies and the occasional gust of wind. Perfect for a dramatic bride and groom wedding portrait with veil blowing into the air.
Soon we were off to the reception at the Halls of St. George in Schererville, Indiana. Once again, the emotion of the day got the best of the bride and her father as they danced their father daughter dance.
The seemingly mild mannered groom and his mother took us all by surprise when they went from slow dancing to rocking out to AC/DC.
A whole slew of fun moments broke out at the reception at the Halls of St. George such as this sorority sister dance with the bride.
I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at Catherine and Matt's military wedding at St. Mary's in Griffith, Indiana. For more photo updates, please stay tuned here and give the Region Weddings Facebook page a like.