I would not be exaggerating if I were to say that Dustin and Melissa had an EPIC wedding at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. During the ceremony classic movie themes played and you could imagine the orchestra in the room. Everything about the day was done in a big and glorious way. Let me take you through hair and make up, a "shaving of the groom", complete with medieval tools and outdoor formals that experienced three seasons within 30 minutes time. Oh, and there was a pig and bread dance at the reception as well. I will never forget the emotional first look, one of my favorites that I have photographed. Let's go...
The bridesmaids prepare for the day at His and Hers Salon in Hebron, Indiana.
The morning began with me at His and Hers Salon with Melissa and her bridesmaids while second photographer Kerrie was with the groomsmen at their breakfast at George's Restaurant in Lowell. We all peered out the window at the snowflakes falling in April. Our weather apps told us "flurries ending soon". :)
Mother and bride on the morning of the big day.
As hair and make up was winding down, Kerrie and I flip flopped and I went to photograph the traditional Macedonian "shaving of the groom". This particular shaving had a bit of a twist though. It was more of a trimming and the instruments kept getting larger and larger...
The groom undergoes the traditional Macedonian "shaving of the groom" ritual.
Groomsmen and the father of the groom drink a shot after the shaving of the groom.
Soon we were back at the church where the wedding party got dressed. Our wonderful first look / reveal would be coming up soon.
The mother of the groom secures the boutonniere.
After some coaching from me and a brief false start, our first look was underway. I could see the nervous excitement start to build for the groom as his beautiful bride walked down the aisle toward him.
First look for the bride and groom at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Emotion overcomes the bride and groom during their reveal.
Melissa looked stunning in her wedding dress. We took this time to photograph her and Dustin together and alone in the glorious architecture of their church.
The bride shows off her dress at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
The bride gazes out while holding her bouquet of spring flowers.
The ceremony saw the mothers of Dustin and Melissa as featured singers. The newlyweds are movie buffs and theme songs from films played throughout. Even the flower girl approved with a big thumbs up!!
Wedding ceremony at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana.
We did family wedding photos at the church along with the wedding party at the altar. Then it was off to the downtown Crown Point Square.
The wedding party at the church.
The weather had been like a faucet all day long - snow, sleet, rain, you name it. We made a game time decision to stay with our plan of outdoor photos in downtown Crown Point. The joke in Northwest Indiana is that if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change. Well, that could not have been more true as we visited the Old Courthouse. In the end though, we had a lot of fun...
The bridesmaids muscle their way into the groomsmen coats in exchange for flowers.
Fun wedding photos at the downtown Crown Point Square.
The bride's veil flies in the wind as the newlyweds take a stroll in downtown Crown Point.
So where is this ever changing Northwest Indiana weather that I speak of? Here you go...
A sudden snow blizzard engulfs the bride and groom during their wedding photos.
The wedding reception took place at Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana. The non stop party featured popcorn and a movie soundtrack picked by the couple. We also saw a few more Macedonian wedding traditions such as the pig dance and bread dance.
Wedding reception fun at Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana.
The mother of the groom and father of the bride dance with their children.
First dance for the bride and groom at Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana.
I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Dustin and Melissa's epic wedding at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Stay tuned to the social media sites below for more images.