Mike and Danielle were married at the Old Crown Point Courthouse in Crown Point, Indiana as part of the Get Hitched promotion to help preserve the legacy of the historic building. To learn more about this promotion, please visit the Get Hitched website.

Get Hitched at the Old Crown Point Courthouse promotional poster.

Our bride Danielle looks just as striking as Colleen Moore does in the above poster in the is bridal portrait taken at nearby Ellendale Farm.

A pretty bride in a portrait taken at Ellendale Farm near downtown Crown Point.

The wedding took place on July 5th just after Independence Day celebrations. We started out at Glamour Hair Design in Valparaiso. I always try to capture all the laughter and fun that often takes place at the Getting Ready sessions on the wedding day and that was pretty easy with these girls!! They simply couldn't stop laughing and goofing off. I guess they got pretty used to me being there and the cocktails may have played a part too. :)

A bridesmaid sneaks up on the bride to give her a kiss.

Bridesmaids goof off with make up at Glamour Design Salon in Valparaiso.

The flower girl fit right in with this group as she was not camera shy in anyway. Here she is with the bride just before taking off to the Crown Point wedding ceremony.

The bride hugs the flower girl just before her wedding ceremony in Crown Point, Indiana.

Soon we were inside the Grand Old Lady which is the nickname for the old Crown Point courthouse located on Main Street in the downtown square. The father of the bride walked her down the aisle with friends and family looking on.

Father of the bride walks her down the aisle of the old Crown Point courthouse.

The groom gave her a surprise dip during their first kiss as the pastor roared with approving laughter.

The groom dips his bride during the first kiss at their wedding ceremony at the Crown Point courthouse.

Family wedding photos took place outside the building in front of the steps. Well wishers honked their horns as they drove around the shopping square.

Family wedding photos on the steps of the Crown Point Courthouse.

The groom was all smiles on his wedding day...

The groom smiles with joy on his wedding day on the front steps of the Crown Point courthouse.

After family portraits we took a 3 minute drive to the Ellendale Farm neighborhood in Crown Point for romantic wedding photos along the lake.

A sunburst appears in the sky as the bride and groom look toward each other in this romantic wedding photo at Ellendale Farm in Crown point.

The Crown Point flavor continued as guests were treated to a candy bar with swirled lollipops as the bride and groom did their first dance in the courthouse Bali ballroom.

Lollipop wedding decorations at a reception at the Crown Point courthouse.

First dance inside the Bali ballroom during a wedding reception at the Crown Point courthouse.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek as Mike and Danielle "get hitched" at the old Crown Point Courthouse. for more updates, stay tuned to this Journal and like the SBV Photography Facebook Page.

The wedding season is just beginning for me. It's a rare chance for me to look back at some of the best wedding venues I shot at in 2012. This is by no means a rating on wedding halls in the area. This is just my account of interesting wedding venues from Portage to Munster and elsewhere that I shot at in 2012 and early 2013.

I left out some of my Michigan and Illinois wedding venues to concentrate on Northwest Indiana. I have a similar post like this from 2011 and 2010. You can search via the site search box below for "favorite Northwest Indiana Wedding Venues" and those post should come up. In no particular order...

- click images to enlarge -

The Allure in Laporte, Indiana

When you drive up to The Allure in downtown Laporte you will see what appears to be an average building in the downtown area. However, when you walk inside, you will be wowed by the spectacular ballroom along with it's dramatic uplighting.

Bride and groom raise their champagne glasses in a toast at the beautiful Allure ballroom in Laporte, Indiana.

The International Friendship Garden - Portage, Indiana

If outdoor weddings are your style, but you are concerned about rain, you should really check out the hidden away International Friendship Gardens in Portage, Indiana. The picturesque greenery can't be seen from Route 20 at all. The staff ushers in your guests via golf cart or they can walk down a winding path. They will come upon a hidden paradise. A huge white tent houses open air wedding ceremonies.

International Friendship Garden outdoor wedding ceremony in Portage, indiana.

A bridesmaid walks along a path with a waterfall and gorgeous greenery in the background for an outdoor wedding at International Friendship Garden.

First kiss at an outdoor wedding in Portage, Indiana.

Avalon Manor in Hobart, Indiana

I have photographed at Avalon Manor many, many times. However, I never tire of it because it is a great venue. Also, clients always find a way to make it their own. Last Fall, 27 Entertainment was there alongside me to provide some spectacular uplighting and of course, a modern sound.

A party breaks out on the dance floor at a wedding reception at Avalon Manor in Northwest indiana.

In addition to an outdoor gazebo, Avalon Manor can also provide indoor ceremonies as well. I've had clients book these specifically as well as being forced to due to rain. They do a great job of turing their dance halls into elegant ceremony rooms.

An indoor wedding ceremony takes place at Avalon Manor in Hobart, Indiana.

Wicker Park Social Center - Highland, Indiana

I'll never forget the outdoor military wedding of Nathan and Nichole at Wicker Park Social Center. The wind was blowing strong that day as they took their vows underneath the beautiful gazebo.

A military bride and groom exchange their vows at an outdoor wedding at Wicker Park.

The bride smiles during her wedding ceremony at Wicker Park Social Center in Highland, indiana.

It was only fitting that they should dance in front of the American flag during their reception...

A military bride and groom dance in front of the American flag at Wicker Park Social Center.

Cloister in the Woods - Munster, Indiana

Precision Lighting did an amazing job last Fall of turning the Cloister in the Woods banquet hall into a New Years Eve style dance hall. I have a great time capturing bride and groom Jenny and Dustin amongst the spectacular uplighting.

Dancing with the stars style wedding reception at Cloister in the Woods banquet hall in Munster.

The staff is very friendly and accommodating at cloister in the woods. This was very helpful when we set up a backdrop and studio lighting for Portraits at the Reception.

A couple poses for studio style portraits at their friend's wedding reception at Cloister in the Woods.

Center for the Performing Arts - Munster, Indiana

The Center for the Performing Arts is known for art exhibitions and various concerts, but they also put on some great weddings. They offer a very upscale atmosphere for ceremonies as well as receptions.

A bride poses for her wedding photo in a vintage mirror inside the bridal suite at the Center for Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana.

I loved the vintage looking mirror in their bridal room as well as their chandelier laden ballroom.

A bride and her father spin on the dance floor in this wedding photo captured by a Munster wedding photographer at The Center for Performing Arts.

The Halls of St. George - Schererville, Indiana.

The Halls of St. George is a popular wedding venue for it's outdoor wooded area as well as the large reception rooms on the inside.

The groomsmen take their wedding picture outside the Halls of St. George in front of Fall foliage.

The wedding party hams in up in this fun wedding photo taken at The Halls of St. George in Schererville, Indiana.

Centennial Park - Munster, Indiana

One of the hottest Northwest Indiana wedding venues right now is Centennial Park. they feature outdoor weddings at various spots on their vast landscaped park as well as on the patio of their lakefront clubhouse. You can see in this reception photo of the wedding party giving their speeches that the room offers a great view and balcony overlooking the lake.

Wedding party toast the bride and groom at the Centennial Park clubhouse in Munster, Indiana.

I love the wood floor at this venue and I also like that guests can get some fresh air during the reception, not too mention all of the photo opportunities around the park itself.

Mom dances with her son at a wedding reception at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

A bride and groom walk across the greenery of Centennial Park.

I will be sure to post another entry with more wedding venues in Northwest Indiana and the surrounding areas. For now give these options some thought. You can also search for more wedding venues in the box below.