Engagement Photos At Coffee Creek Nature Preserve

August 27, 2018 Steve Vansak

A young couple enjoys wine during their picnic at Coffee Creek Park.

Tessa and Luis brought the blanket, they brought the grapes and the breadsticks. Most importantly, they brought the wine!! The photographer did not participate in any wine tasting, but I certainly enjoyed my time capturing their engagement session at Coffee Creek Nature Preserve in Chesterton, Indiana.

Engagement photos in Chesterton, Indiana.

A young couple embraces on the wooden boardwalk at Coffee Creek.

Fun in the park showing off the wedding date.

One of the more iconic backdrops of Coffee Creek Nature Preserve is the fountain. Tessa mentioned Luis picking her up, but I suggested this NOT be the location for that photo as they climbed upon the rocks overlooking the water.

The iconic Coffee Creek fountain spouts in the background of a summer engagement photo.

The classic couple on a park bench portrait.

Tessa mentioned how much she liked the winding boardwalks that flow through Coffee Creek Park. We took a few images in this location just before night hit.

I hope Tessa and Luis finished off that wine for dinner after our engagement session at Coffee Creek Nature Preserve in Chesterton, Indiana. They certainly were all smiles during the session and I look forward to their wedding next May. To inquire about wedding or engagement photography, be sure to fill out the Contact Form here.

“He who clinks his cup with mine,
Adds a glory to the wine.”

— George Sterling

Wedding At Saint Paul Catholic Church In Valparaiso

August 21, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom portrait At Coffee Creek Nature Preserve.

Katie and Arnie had a wondrous day for their summer wedding at St. Paul Catholic Church with the reception at The Allure On The Lake in Chesterton, Indiana. We started our day at Vanis Salon in Valparaiso for bridal prep while second photogrpaher Bridget captured the guys.

Katie's mom helped with her dress and it's flowing train. After some stained glass window shots in one of the church chapel rooms, it was time to her walk down the aisle in her Dad's arms.

The bride at the stained glass window of Saint Paul Catholic Church.

The groom and his guys get ready for the big day.

Saint Paul has wonderful architecture and we definitely wanted to show it off in some wide shots along with all of the emotions on the altar as well. After family photos inside the church, we jetted off to Coffee Creek Nature Preserve for wedding party and couple's pictures.

Wedding ceremony at Saint Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The great architecture of Saint Paul Church.

Bride and groom on the altar of St. Paul.

We had a wedding crasher of sorts with a Great Egret bird making an appearance for the bridesmaid group picture.

Bridesmaids on the rocks of the lake at Coffee Creek.

Bride and groom under a big tree at Coffee Creek Nature Preserve.

After leaving Coffee Creek, we walked around the back area of The Allure On The Lake for some scenic wedding photos before heading inside for the party.

Wedding photos at Coffee Creek and The Allure On The Lake in Chesterton, Indiana.

The Allure On The Lake is a fairly new Northwest Indiana wedding venue that has a great deck overlooking the lake where guests can mingle. They also have a beautiful indoor ceremony area. We photographed Katie and Arnie's decor before some spirited introductions, dinner and then dance floor fun. The circular lighting of the ballroom is especially great for epic first dance pictures.

Wedding reception decor at The Allure On The Lake in Chesterton, Indiana.

Wedding reception fun at The Allure On The Lake in Chesterton, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Katie and Arnie's wedding at St. Paul Catholic Church and The Allure On The Lake. Be sure to follow the social media channels below for more images from this wedding and others. To inquire about your big day, please fill out the Contact Form.

Wedding At St. Patrick Catholic Church In Chesterton, Indiana

October 17, 2016 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom take a break on some logs at Coffee Creek Nature Preserve.

Katie and Chad's Fall wedding at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Chesterton, Indiana began at Katie's parent's home. The kitchen became a make shift hair and beauty salon and I'm sure the resident bulldog was quite puzzled by all of the excitement.

Bridal prep for a Fall wedding in Chesterton, Indiana.

The bride's pet bulldog wears her veil on the morning of her wedding.

While I photographed the girls, second photographer Kerrie was at Coffee Creek Nature Preserve taking the groomsmen pictures. After the ceremony we'd all head back here for photos.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen at Coffee Creek Nature Preserve in Chesterton, Indiana.

The ceremony saw the priest hosting a version of the Anniversary dance as he had all married guests stand up and dismissed them by the length of their marriage. Soon it was time for the first kiss, family photos and then we took a visit to the quaint chapel located behind the main church.

Wedding ceremony at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Chesterton, Indiana.

Wedding photos at the chapel at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

The mild temperatures made the surroundings at Coffee Creek Nature Preserve very serene as we strolled around using the wonderful bridge and the water itself for our backdrops. The wildflowers take on a very golden tone there in the Autumn and it is such a great scene for bride and groom pictures.

A bride and groom portrait in front of the golden wildflowers at Coffee Creek Park.

Wedding photos at Coffee Creek Nature Preserve in Chesterton, Indiana.

I loved capturing the silhouetted reflections of the wedding party on the water...

Wedding party photos at Coffee Creek Nature Preserve in Chesterton, Indiana.

I am never one to turn down a dramatic sky portrait of the bride and groom, so when I saw sunlight peaking through the clouds, we got into position and captured the moment.

Dramatic clouds descend upon Coffee Creek Nature Preserve during wedding pictures.

The reception at Trinity Hall which is part of St. Patrick's Catholic Church saw the room aglow in blue. A mini wedding cake was located on every table.

Wedding reception at Trinity Hall in Chesterton, Indiana.

Bouquet and garter toss at Trinity Hall in Chesterton, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this Autumn wedding sneak peek from St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Coffee Creek Nature Preserve. Be sure to follow the social media channels and fill out the Contact Form for more info on wedding photography.