June Wedding At Old Lake County Courthouse In Crown Point

July 8, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom in the garden area of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

It was a real family affair when I showed up for Robyn and the girl’s bridal prep at their Crown point home. The bridesmaids were her daughters and they were super helpful getting mom ready for her big day.

While I took Robyn and the girls out to a nearby neighborhood fountain for pictures, second photographer Lauren was capturing the guys in their black and pink duds. Then it was off to the old Crown Point Courthouse for more pictures and the ceremony.

Summer wedding photos in Crown Point, Indiana.

If you have never attended a wedding at the Old Crown Point Courthouse on the Square, it essentially is as it sounds - a vintage courtroom untouched from 100 years ago. It has a jury box and everything and has stadium seating for the guests. The third floor has this incredible reflective flooring and I love taking portraits there.

Wedding ceremony in the vintage courtroom in Crown Point.

Wedding ceremony in the 1920’s era courtroom in the historic Lake County Courthouse building.

Bride and groom portrait on the third floor of the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Wedding photo on the lawn of the historic Crown Point Courthouse.

Bride and groom at the entrance of the historic Lake County Courthouse.

The reception was also in the same historic Crown Point building at the Maki Ballroom. Dinner and dancing took us into nightfall and soon Robyn and Stacey took off for their west coast adventure.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Robyn and Stacey’s June wedding at the historic Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point. Many more images to come. To inquire about your own wedding photography, please fill out the Contact Form right here.

Wedding Venue Spotlight - The Old Crown Point Courthouse

March 25, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bridesmaids walk along the cobble stone entrance of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

As a wedding photographer who services Chicago, southwest Michigan as well as Northwest Indiana I see a lot of different wedding venues. Usually a few times a year though I travel a mere 5 minutes to the Old Crown Point Courthouse for everything from Bridal Portrait Sessions to engagement sessions and of course weddings. Today’s post is all about Crown Point weddings, specifically the Old Crown Point Courthouse and Maki Ballroom.

Bride and groom portrait on the third floor balcony of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Bride at the top of the staircase at the old Crown Point Courthouse.

An historic building that was erected in 1878 is going to give a photographer many different opportunities to stretch their creative muscles. The third floor is home to the old city court and is where the ceremonies take place. Just outside in the hall is the vintage floor with it’s balcony as well as wonderful window light with darkened staircase.

I’ve had many couples “go retro” with a vintage styled wedding. Kelly and Matt went all out with a 1920’s theme complete with paperboys, vintage wedding dress and more. Other clients simply let the Romanesque stylings of the landmark property provide the sole backdrop.

A 1920’s themed wedding at the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Wedding ceremony at the Grand Old Lady, aka the downtown Crown Point Courthouse.

The outside area of downtown Crown Point (especially now with all of the aesthetic improvements taking place), is popular for wedding photos no matter where the ceremony. Often when I shoot at nearby St. Mary’s Church we will walk down to the Crown Point Square for pictures.

Bride and groom outside the Hall of Justice in downtown Crown Point, Indiana.

Wedding photos in downtown Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride and groom kiss in front of the Grand Old Lady in downtown Crown Point.

Bride and groom dance within the elegant first floor of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

By booking the Maki Ballroom you will have access to the basement area of the historic building with it’s unique brick and jail cell backdrops. The beautiful chandeliers adorning the ballroom look great in first dance pictures.

Wedding receptions at Maki Ballroom in downtown Crown Point, Indiana.

Whether or not your wedding is taking place at the Old Crown Point Courthouse or not, please do fill out the Contact Form here to inquire about wedding photography for your big day. I hope you have enjoyed this look at various weddings in and around downtown Crown Point.

Traditional Crown Point Wedding

October 22, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom portrait on the altar at St. Mary’s Church.

Karen and Jason had an uproarious traditional Crown Point wedding complete with a chicken dance, polka band, hokey pokey and more inside the banquet room at the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

However, our day started in St. John with bridal prep while second photographer Kerrie photographed the guys at the couple’s home.

The ceremony was at St. Mary Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Family and friends saw Karen’s mom walk her down the aisle. After the traditional Catholic ceremony we took pictures of family as well as bride and groom photos on the altar.

Catholic wedding ceremony at St. Mary in Crown Point, Indiana.

The bride and groom pray at St. Mary Catholic Church.

Bride and groom on the altar at St. Mary Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

One of our stops for pictures was the Lake County Fairgrounds with the entire wedding party and bride groom. Then it was onto the Grand Old Lady where the reception would take place.

The bride and groom take a stroll in the wood at Lake County Fairgrounds.

Wedding photos near the old covered bridge at Lake County Fairgrounds.

Wedding party group photo on the stairs to the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Romantic kiss in front of The Grand Old Lady in Crown Point, Indiana.

We visited the iconic third floor of the old Crown Point Courthouse as well as the brick basement for photos. Soon it would be time for introductions in the ballroom.

Bride and groom on the historic third floor of the Crown Point Courthouse.

The adventure begins in the the Maki Ballroom.

First dance inside the Maki Ballroom at the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Dance floor fun at the old Crown Point Courthouse.

The entire night was leading up to the sparkler exit for the bride and groom. Smoke filled the air as they exited with one final kiss.

Sparkler exit for the bride and groom at the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Sparkler kiss in downtown Crown Point, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Karen and Jason’s Crown Point wedding. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please do fill out the Contact Form.

Summer Wedding At Saint Mary's Church In Crown Point, Indiana

August 14, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss in front of the Old Courthouse in Crown Point, Indiana

Ashlee and Ryan had a beautiful summer day for their wedding at Saint Mary's Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Our day started at State of Mind Salon and Spa with Ashlee getting all glamoured up for her big day. Her mom was on hand to tie her lovely dress and soon we were off to meet up with the groom for the ceremony.

Bridal prep at State of Mind Salon in Crown Point, IN

Vintage glamour wedding day accessories.

As Ashlee's Father walked her down the aisle, friends and family were crying. I loved the fist pump that Ashlee gave after Father pronounced them married. Right after the ceremony we took family photos as well as wedding party and church bride and groom pictures. Then we walked to the Crown Point square for some small town flavor.

Bride and groom pray in front of the statue of Mary.

Summer wedding ceremony at Saint Mary's Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride and groom photos inside Saint Mary's Church.

It was such a lovely day that we walked from the church and all around the downtown square of Crown Point. We took photos outside and inside the old courthouse as well as near the old jail.

Passionate moment for the bride and groom.

Bride and groom slow dance on the vintage lobby floor of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

The bride and her bridesmaids have fun in in downtown Crown Point.

We strolled by the Halls of Justice on the Square for this silhouette in the lobby. The vintage piano also made for nice backdrop for Ashlee and Ryan's elegant wedding theme.

Bride and groom at the entrance to The Halls of Justice in Crown Point, Indiana.

The groom relaxes next to the vintage piano at The Halls of Justice.

The last of our downtown Crown Point wedding photos was this dipping shot in the middle of the intersection.

The groom dips his bride in downtown Crown Point, Indiana.

The reception took place at Villa Cesare with photo booth, kissing bells and some eager single ladies on the dance floor!! A very touching moment came with Ryan brought his mom out during the father daughter dance,

Parent dances at Villa Cesare during a wedding reception.

This sneak peek look at Ashlee and Ryan's summer wedding is only the tip of the iceberg with many more images to come. To inquire about your own wedding be sure to fill out the Contact Form and I will let you know if your day is available. Enjoy!!