August Wedding At The Pavilion At Sandy Pines

August 28, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom on the golf course at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana.

We had an incredible day at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines capturing the summer wedding of Bethany and Keenin. From non stop laughter during getting ready at the bridal house to romantic photos on the golf course, the outdoor ceremony and of course, the open air reception. Let me take you through the day....

I started out in the bridal suite capturing hair and make up from the girls as well as details. Second photographer Bridget captured the guys as we counted down to the early afternoon reveal.

Bridal prep at the bridal house at Sandy Pines.

I had two wedding dresses to capture as Bethany shared the day with her sister Valerie. Dad surprised the bride with a quick visit as mom tended to the dress. Once the Converse All Stars were snug on her feet, it was time for some quick portraits of the gorgeous bride.

Bride getting ready at the bridal house at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

The bride in her wonderful dress at Sandy Pines bridal house.

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Keenin pulled up in his green Ford Mustang and of course we took some photos with him and his Mach 1 hot rod along with his wedding clothes.

The first look was very emotional and exciting as I took the couple to a shady spot on the golf course. Beth approached Keenin who was facing the opposite way and they slowly came together with smiles, tears and a kiss.

First look bride and groom reveal at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

We explored the entirety of the sprawling golf course taking romantic wedding photos and Beth even got a ride on a golf cart courtesy of one of the club members!!

Bride and groom wedding photos on the golf course.

The bride and groom stand amidst the wildflowers.

All of us were very excited to take some photos with Keenin's classic car and the groomsmen had it decorated while I had the couple away on the golf course. We had a fun time posing them with the green Mustang as well as taking it for a quick ride.

Classic car wedding photos in Demotte, Indiana.

Bride and groom getaway drive in a classic Ford Mustang.

A few more wedding party photos and then guests started arriving for the late afternoon outdoor ceremony.

Bridesmaid and groomsmen photos at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

Bride and groom looking fashionable underneath the tall trees at Sandy Pines Pavilion.

The outdoor wedding ceremony at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana had lots of emotion as the groom's mom teared up after being walked down the aisle by her son. Bethany and her Dad came down the aisle with sister Valerie as the SRO crowd of friends and family looked on.

The outdoor wedding ceremony area at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines.

Dad walks his two daughters down the aisle.

Outdoor summer wedding ceremony at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

The wedding receptions at Sandy Pines are lovely open air events under a roof. Guests ate dinner and danced the night away while enjoying the fruits of summer. Of course a trip to the photo booth for some goofy fun was in the plan as well.

Open air wedding reception at Sandy Pines.

The bride and groom dance underneath the stars at their summer wedding.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Bethany and Keenin's outdoor wedding at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana. To inquire about your big day, please fill out the Contact Form to set up a meeting.

Famous First Looks

December 5, 2016 Steve Vansak

First look under the old covered bridge at Lake County Fairgrounds.

Okay, so these couples aren't celebrities, but I'm calling them "famous first looks" anyway!! The purpose of today's post is to show you some of the many "first looks" or "reveals" that I've done over the years and why I think they are important.

Breaking with certain wedding traditions are difficult to do. Your mom had a totally different wedding in a different era with different styles. To her, this whole "reveal" thing will probably be very foreign. Back then wedding photography didn't have different locations with creative, magazine style imagery. It was "look at the camera and smile" and that may have been it. You may have friends who have warned about superstitions they have heard about or seen on wedding websites, etc. While I will definitely respect your wishes, keep an open mind about doing a first look and taking some of the stress out of your big day.

An emotional first look of the bride and groom at Holy Spirit Church before the ceremony.

I have shot countless numbers of weddings where the bride and groom have not seen each other before the ceremony and we have found time to make beautiful images for them. However, that sometimes requires a lot of discipline from family, wedding party and the bride and groom themselves on wedding day. This is especially an issue if you are having a ceremony that is close in time to the start of your reception. In an early afternoon wedding for example, there is usually no need as we have plenty of time for family photos, wedding party and couple's shots.

Here are some scenarios where it really helps:

Ceremonies in the 5pm range means very little time for post ceremony congratulations, family pictures, wedding party and bride and groom. Within no time you are required to be at the reception for introductions. At church ceremonies, often another event is occurring right afterwards that restricts time even more so.
Late Fall, winter weddings as well as early Spring weddings often see night come in the late afternoon. I can shoot terrific wedding photos at night for you, but is this the look you want? If beautiful Autumn color is what you are going for, consider an earlier ceremony or a first look.

On paper it may even look like you have plenty of time, but from experience I can tell you that you will be in a constant state of "celebrity" on your wedding day. Your friends and family want to wish you well and you will want to accommodate them and give them some of your time. It's tough to get away, especially after the ceremony. i do work very quickly, but gathering family for pictures does takes time.

First look overlooking farmland at the couple's home.

Father of the bride delivers his daughter to the groom on the Centennial Park bridge.

So how does all of this work? Often times we have the groom meet the second photographer at a pre-determined location and then the bride arrives to find him facing away. Sometimes we even put a twist on it like in the shot above with the father of the bride delivering his daughter across the bridge.

I often choose a location with a bit of room as I like to focus back and forth from the bride to the groom and back, capturing the emotions and excitement. These reveals have the added benefit of real, non-staged moments. These are often very cherished images in the wedding book. The image below is the summer wedding and reveal for Wendy and Kelly at Lighthouse Restaurant.

First look for the soon to be Mrs. and Mrs. on the pier of Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Not convinced? That's okay, I will come up with a plan for you. If you want to see each other for the first time when walking down the aisle, here is what I suggest.

Get into your dress a little bit sooner and have your side of the family visit where you are getting ready. We will then take your side of the family's photos at this time.
Have your partner's side of the family meet me or my second photographer at the ceremony site about one hour before everything begins. We will take their solo and wedding party pictures and their family at this time.
After the ceremony we simply take photos of both sides together - families, wedding party and then take couple's shots before heading off to the reception.

So there you have it, "famous first looks" from this past year as well as from the archives.

I always like to give my client's real world advice about their wedding day. I don't want you to look back and think "wow, the photos are great, but what a chore they were to get". I don't want to convince you to go against your principles either. So, no matter how you choose to plan your day, let's work together to make it a great experience and get you those great images - candid moments, important family photos and also art to hang on the wall of your new home.

Be sure to fill out the Contact Form if you have any questions.

Breaking Wedding Traditions

May 12, 2014 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom dance toward Grace Lutheran Church in Hobart, Indiana.

Today's post was inspired by a review I received from from my 2012 wedding client Candy Isom. It also is inspired by a conversation with a new client who is trying to decide whether or not to do a first look. I can make your wedding photos work either way, but I do love a first look and I'm going to explain why in this article.

First off, here is the message that Candy posted on the Region Weddings Facebook Page...

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Breaking with wedding traditions are a difficult thing to do. We have moms who did it a different way. There are friends who have warned about superstitions they have heard about or seen on wedding websites, etc. I have shot countless numbers of weddings where the bride and groom have not seen each other before the ceremony and we have found time to make beautiful images for them. However, that sometimes requires a lot of discipline from family, wedding party and the bride and groom themselves on wedding day. This is especially an issue if you are having a ceremony that is close in time to the start of your reception.

Bride and groom have a first look, aka "the reveal" at Hobart Lakefront Park in Northwest Indiana.

One of the reasons I think Candy and Chris are so thrilled with their wedding photos is that we had a good amount of time to take them. We started out with a first look at Hobart Lakefront where we positioned Chris with his back against a tree and I gave him the play by play of Candy slowly approaching as I clicked away and we built up great excitement. Family watched from afar at this tender moment.

Afterwards we simply went on a photo shoot in the Hobart area and slowly made our way toward the ceremony and reception site of Avalon Manor. The bride and groom were super relaxed and not pressed for time. I think it really shows in their faces and in the looseness of their actions. It was a great experience for all of us as we took fun wedding photos along with wall portrait art pieces.

The bride and groom dance their way over the bridge at Deep River County Park.

A bride alone in silhouette with a sunburst at an Indiana farm.

We drank lots of water and Candy even took a short nap along our travels... :)

The bride takes a short nap during her wedding photo session in Hobart, Indiana.

Here are my top three reasons why I think a first look is a great idea:

The pressure is off for photographs. We usually take wedding party and couples shots right after the first look. After the ceremony we take family photos and then it's party time.
First looks or reveals are sweet moments. Truly - nothing but happy tears, laughter and joy ensues. I'd love to show you more of these at our initial consultation.
The bride and groom look more relaxed and family doesn't feel like they were rushed and often this approach results in more photographs of the day.

Bride and groom kiss at the entrance to Grace Lutheran Church in Hobart, Indiana.

If you want to see each other for the first time when she comes walking down the aisle, here is what I suggest.

Get into your dress a little bit sooner and have your side of the family visit where you are getting ready. We will then take your side of the family's photos at this time.
Have the groom's side of the family meet me or my second photographer at the ceremony site about one hour before everything begins. We will take groomsmen pictures and groom's family at this time.
After the ceremony we simply take photos of both sides together - families, wedding party and then take couple's shots before heading off to the reception.

The bride and groom chase geese at the Hobart Lakefront in this fun wedding photo.

I always like to give my client's real world advice about their wedding day. I don't want you to look back and think "wow, the photos are great, but what a chore they were". I don't want to convince you to go against your principles either. No matter how you choose to plan your day, let's work together to make it a great experience and get you those great images - candid moments, important family photos and also art to hang on the wall of your new home.

Much love.... Steve (photographer / owner of Region Weddings)

The bride and groom underneath a summer sunburst at an Indiana farm on their wedding day.

First Look at Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point

July 4, 2013 Steve Vansak

I met with Justin and Stephanie several times to plan out the photographs for their big day. We settled on bringing a little Crown Point hometown flavor to their wedding day with a first look at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

I positioned Stephanie deep inside The Old Covered Bridge with Justin facing out. We would have her slowly make her way to him and let the anticipation build. The groomsmen and bridesmaids were cheering them on behind me.

The bride and groom's first look at The Old Covered Bridge at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point, Indiana.

Bride and groom see each other for the first time at The Old Covered Bridge at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point, Indiana.

This was my second day in a row with a first look involving a bridge. They were both special moments and I think we got some really unique wedding photos from both days.

Stephanie's day started with getting ready at her parent's home in Schererville, Indiana. I spent the morning with her family taking detail shots and documentary style wedding photography.

The bride gets make up applied at her parent's home in Northwest Indiana.

The bride's wedding bracelet sits upon her purple wedding shoes.

Her family was very welcoming to myself and my assistant. We had a great time interacting with everyone and could have hung around all day, but soon it was time for Stephanie to get into her wedding dress and we would then meet the wedding party in Crown Point.

The bride's sister helps tie the wedding dress.

The bride shows off her dress on her wedding day in Schererville, Indiana.

The bride's mom and sister help her into her wedding dress.

After the first look we gathered up the wedding party for some group shots in front of The Old Covered Bridge and all around the Lake County Fairgrounds.

The entire wedding party has their photo taken in front of the the Old Covered Bridge at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point.

Stephanie is an avid runner and often would use the fairgrounds for her workouts. She wanted to use the various piers and gazebos within the grounds. This one overlooking the lake is one of my favorites.

The bride and groom kiss at the edge of a pier inside the Lake County Fairgrounds.

Our final stop before going to the ceremony was the downtown Crown Point Square where we took this beautiful portrait of the bride in front of the old courthouse.

Portrait of a beautiful bride in downtown Crown Point at the old courthouse.

The outdoor wedding ceremony took place at the Halls of St. George in Schererville, Indiana. Rain was threatening, but stayed away as Stephanie and her Dad walked down the aisle with friends and family looking on.

Bride walks down the aisle with her Dad at an outdoor wedding ceremony at the Halls of St. George.

Family sits in chairs at an outdoor wedding in Schererville, Indiana.

The outdoor ceremony had many fun moments with the Reverend Doug Kluuken once again presiding over the nuptials. One of my favorite moments was when the bride and groom were walking out and the music kicked in with Crazy Little Thing Called Love from Queen. The newly married couple were bouncing their way back down the aisle.

A fun moment at an outdoor wedding at the Halls of St. George.

A newly married couple celebrates as they walks down the aisle at their outdoor summer wedding at Halls of St. George.

Dancing in the spacious reception hall had the guests and the bride and groom moving all night long.

The bride and groom take their first dance at The Halls of St. George in Schererville, Indiana.

Line dancing during a wedding reception at the Halls of St. George.

A great impromptu wedding moment was when Stephanie's grandfather surprised her with a dance out on the floor. She rewarded him with a kiss...

The bride gives her grandfather a kiss after he surprises her on the dance floor.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek detailing Justin and Stephanie's first look at Lake County Fairgrounds as well as their outdoor wedding at the Halls of St. George. Stay tuned here and at the SBV Photography Facebook Page for more images and updates.

The last image I will leave you with goes along with our 4th of July celebrations today. We struggled to get the sparklers lit and the bridesmaids worked like crazy against the wind, but we ended up with the word love written out in sparklers anyway...