Top Outdoor Wedding Venues In Northwest Indiana

March 21, 2023 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom plant a garden during their wedding ceremony at wedding venue Circa 1856.

Although Northwest Indiana weather is infamous for being volatile, we actually have quite a few outdoor wedding venues. I’m going to take you on a tour of a few of these in this article.

Keep in mind that many banquet halls in the area such as Avalon Manor, Villa Cesare and more have outdoor gazebos available to you. However, in this article I’m going to concentrate on those that are known for their outdoor beauty and photo opportunities on site.

Some of these venues even have open air reception areas to keep you covered and yet give you the feeling of the outdoors.

Top Wedding Venues In Northwest Indiana

March 26, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom in silhouette at White Hawk Country Club.

Before we get going on the Top Wedding Venues In Northwest Indiana, let me define what that is for me. As a professional wedding photographer in Northwest Indiana, I do this article at the beginning of every year and I showcase venues that I have shot at in the previous year. Here is what you won't see listed and why:

No churches - I love photographing inside churches, but these are more personal and not really "venues".
No homes or backyard weddings, etc. - I love these intimate locations, but again - not a venue.
No "photo locations" are listed such as local parks, lakes, etc.

NOTE: If your favorite venue is not listed, it probably means I just didn't shoot there in the past year. With as many weddings as I photograph, chances are I've been there at some point and will be there again. When you schedule a meeting, just ask.

What I have included is many reception halls, barns, golf courses and where appropriate - the area surrounding them where we took pictures. Settle in and feel free to bookmark this page as this is going to be a long one with tons of images. In no particular order...

White Hawk Country Club

A beautiful golf course venue in Crown Point surrounded by beautiful homes. The big draw is the lovely outdoor wedding area along with a spacious bridal suite, reception room with an outdoor deck and of course picturesque scenery for photos.

Bride and groom strolling along the golf course at White Hawk Country Club.

Black and white photo of bride and groom kissing on a hill at White Hawk Country Club.

The Pavilion At Sandy Pines

Speaking of spacious bridal suites, Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana has one that is simply phenomenal. You will want to live there!! Full kitchen, hair and make up stations, a man cave and much more. Oh, and a grand outdoor ceremony area and open air reception room.

Wedding photos at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

Wedding reception photos at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

Wicker Park Social Center

I visited Wicker Park Social Center three times last year, so I know how popular this Munster, Indiana wedding venue is. There is a huge gazebo next to a lake for outdoor ceremonies as well as a wooded area for pictures and of course the magnificent ballroom with a deck.

Newlyweds take a walk through Wicker Park in Munster, Indiana.

Wedding photos from Wicker Park Social Center in Munster, Indiana.

County Line Orchard

Barn weddings are quite popular and I photographed several of them last year. County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana is known for their rustic reception venue as well as their outdoor weddings in the apple orchards out back. You also have the option to have an indoor wedding in their red barn loft.

Bride opens the doors on the balcony of the bridal suite at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

Aberdeen Manor

Aberdeen Manor in Valparaiso, Indiana is a spectacularly decorated reception venue (ask about the floating cake option) that also offers outdoor ceremonies as well as a chapel where you can bring your own officiant.

Lighthouse Restaurant

This wonderful restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana has a great upstairs reception room that overlooks the lake as well as outdoor ceremony locations and plenty of photo opportunities via the large pier and the sandy shoreline. There is also a bridal suite.

Wedding photos from Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Sunset on the pier at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Signature Banquet Hall

Signature Banquets is a fairly new hall in Lowell, Indiana that is gaining in popularity. The rooms are always super clean and the dinner biscuits are delicious (trust me - I've had a few). I've photographed an indoor ceremony here as well as a number of receptions now. Two thumbs up for sure!

Wedding photos from Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana.

Briar Ridge Country Club

This luxurious golf course venue is located in Dyer, Indiana. I've done receptions there in the past and the ballroom is exquisite. This past year I photographed an outdoor wedding there with a cocktail hour in the ballroom. The golf course is beautiful and a great backdrop for photos.

Bride and groom under a tree at Briar Ridge Country Club in Dyer, Indiana.

Center For The Performing Arts

The Center For The Performing Arts is located in Munster and features art exhibits, concerts and more. I've shot a number of weddings there over the years and got to go back in 2016 where I covered getting ready in the bridal suite and the super fun reception with a live band.

Bridal suite at The Center for Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana.

Wedding photos from The Center For The Performing Arts.

The Patrician

I've run out of fingers and hands to count how many times I've shot weddings at The Patrician in Schererville, Indiana. They do a terrific job and can handle many events in the large ballrooms as well as outdoor ceremonies.

Wedding photos at The Patrician in Schererville, Indiana.

Centennial Park

I don't think a year has passed since I've been shooting weddings where I haven't photographed at Centennial Park in Munster via either a ceremony or reception or just plain stopping by for photos with my wedding party. I love the wood floors there as well as the outdoor terrace and of course, huge grounds in which to explore - gardens, lakes, bridges and more. Be on the look out for Pokemon Go players!! :)

The bride and groom are illuminated by sun on the bridge at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

In my 2016 Year In Review post you can see the many other locations my wedding photography clients took me to last year - churches, old barns, local parks, the beach, Chicago and more. Too much for one article, so follow that link and also scroll through this blog.

What other Top Wedding Venues In Northwest Indiana did I photograph at this year? We made stops at The Allure, Cloister in the Woods, Sand Creek Country Club, Meyers Castle, Trinity Hall, Villa Cesare and Avalon Manor. See the images below and happy planning!!

Best Wedding Venues In Northwest Indiana 2015 Edition

December 16, 2015 Steve Vansak

One of my most popular posts every year is my Best Wedding Venues In Northwest Indiana article. It is never meant to be comprehensive as I photograph weddings in a LOT of different locations in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. However, at the end of every wedding season I like to look back at the year and write about a couple of venues I photographed at in that year. I also don't list any venues I recently featured or have shot at in past years. If you'd like to read last year's article, follow the link below:

Best Wedding Venues In Northwest Indiana 2014 Edition

Let's get started. In no particular order....

Trinity Banquet Hall

Trinity Banquet Hall is part of St. Patrick's Parish in Chesterton, Indiana. I photographed two weddings there this year. It's a great spot for an outdoor wedding as well as reception. The gazebo area where the outdoor weddings occur is a hidden garden that can't be seen from the main road. It's surrounded by beautiful landscaping and is very private. The reception hall is a few steps away and has an outdoor balcony overlooking the garden.

Weddings At Trinity Banquet Hall in Chesterton, Indiana.

Old Crown Point Courthouse

Three minutes away from my office is the Old Crown Point courthouse, a terrific and popular location for Northwest Indiana weddings. The downtown Crown Point Square provides a lot of photo opportunities and the staircases and marble floor inside make for some very elegant wedding images. Ceremonies take place in the old court room. This past Spring, one of my clients held a 1920's themed wedding there.

A 1920's Themed bride and groom at the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Weddings at the Grand Old Lady - Courthouse in Crown Point, Indiana.

County Line Orchard

For a rustic wedding, many couples turn to County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana. An old tractor escorts guests to the apple orchard area where refreshments are served. This past year saw string players entertaining guests as the bride came down the aisle. The inside has plenty of room for dancing and displaying all of that rustic wedding decor. I love to shoot down onto the floor from the balcony there. Oh, and the bridal suite is a spectacular area for wedding photos as well.

The bride and groom take a stroll on the grounds at County Line Orchard.

Centennial Park

I shoot at this Munster, Indiana wedding venue quite often, but with such a vast area to shoot I always end up with unique images from each wedding. While the outdoor weddings are often on the open terrace of the clubhouse, we have access to the entire grounds which consists of a large lake, two bridges, two gardens, curved walkways and a golfing area. The hard wood floors give it a very classy look for your reception as well.

Wedding ceremonies at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

Gamba's Ristorante

Gambas is a great spot for a medium to small size wedding reception. Their three course meals are spectacular and the ballroom just oozes class and elegance. There is an outdoor courtyard for cocktail hour and some night dancing shots for the bride groom too.

The Allure

Going in the complete opposite direction, The Allure in Laporte, Indiana is the perfect location for a large wedding. The venerable ballroom has it all - indoor ceremony area, large bridal suite, a wedding party lounge area and of course - a truly spectacular dance floor.

Villa Cesare

A first class banquet hall in Schererville, Indiana - Villa Cesare holds a 20 year tradition of weddings. I've shot there many times in the past, but 2015 was my first visit there in a couple of years. The foyer is as elegant as it ever was and the entire facility has a lushness to it.

A Fall wedding reception at Villa Cesare.

Sand Creek Country Club

For an elegant outdoor wedding ceremony, Sand Creek in Chesterton fits the bill. Even if you were to move your ceremony indoors, the venue is so lovely that it would not be a downgrade to do so. I've shot many indoor as well as outdoor wedding photos at this posh venue.

Wedding photos from Sand Creek Country Club.

I hope you have enjoyed this 2015 look at The Best Wedding Venues in Northwest Indiana. There are many venues that I shot at this past year that I could not fit into this post or I also recently wrote about them. So here are a few more links to check out:

The Farmhouse Restaurant At Fair Oaks Farms - another terrific rustic venue.

The Pavilion At Sandy Pines - a terrific outdoor venue on a golf course.

Duneland Falls - a beautiful banquet hall in Portage, Indiana.

Avalon Manor - the cherished hall of many wedding located in Merrillville, Indiana.

Happy wedding planning!!

Weddings at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana

June 26, 2012 Steve Vansak

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I had a meeting with a 2013 bride last night and she was telling me about her plans for wedding photos at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana and the reception at the banquet facility located on the grounds. It occured to me just how popular a wedding venue this picturesque area has become in such a short time.

For a photographer it can be quite challenging on a sunny day with not much shaded area, but the gorgeous water fountains and bridges and flower gardens make it worth the effort.

There are many shelters that can be rented for outdoor weddings and I've used these areas for formal photographs as well. Here is one behind the stage of the amphitheater on the north side of the park...

I'm still waiting to actually get a bride and groom onto the actual golf course that also sits on the property (will it be you?), but for now I'll settle for the wedding party piling onto the golf carts...

Centennial Park has also been a popular destination for engagement photos too. Last Fall we took Stacey and Steve around the garden area for a stroll.

We were able to get many unique photos in a short amount of time just by walking the park.

The banquet room has a great wood floor for dancing. I also liked that guests could look out at the lake through the huge patio windows and step through the doors for some fresh air as well.

Whether you are casually strolling the park for your wedding photos or jumping for joy, you will definitely come away with some beautiful scenery in your images - great for gallery wraps on your wall. Of course, the focus is always on you, the bride and groom, but these big and wide landscape photos certainly look good in a two page spread in your wedding album. Two thumbs up for the eco-friendly Centennial Park.

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