Outdoor Wedding at Wicker Park Gazebo in Munster, Indiana

- click image to enlarge -

Nichole and Nathan's outdoor wedding at the Wicker Park gazebo in Munster, Indiana was an all American affair with the two soldiers tying the knot in front of friends and family at a wonderful summer ceremony.

I lost count of all the smiles as the bride and groom exchanged vows under the roof of the large white gazebo that can be seen from Indianapolis Blvd.

It was a long, glorious walk for the wedding party down the path from the Wicker Park Social Center to the outdoor ceremony area.  So much so, that the flower girl actually turned around to go back at one point!!

We had great temperatures but quite a bit of wind.  Before the ceremony, the happy couple with the wedding party wandered the grounds taking photographs...

The crazy wind gave us some wicked looking clouds, but also gave the bridesmaids fits with their hair....

- click image to enlarge -

We took fun photos of the bridesmaid's zebra print wedding shoes....

....along with photojournalistic wedding photos of the bride and groom along with some classic shots in front of the fountain in black and white.

- click image to enlarge -

For the groomsmen photos, I had the guys follow their soldier groom in tribute to the Quentin Tarantino movie Reservoir Dogs.  They seem to always like the tough guy look of it, especially in black and white.

- click image to enlarge -

I really enjoyed covering Nichole and Nathan's outdoor ceremony as it afforded me a variety of different angles. This closeup of the two soldiers holding hands was given a sepia toned antique look.

Keeping detail in the bride's dress is constantly on mind when shooting weddings.  I was so glad to achieve that in this photo with Nichole smiling toward the camera as her and Nathan exchange their wedding vows.

The first kiss is also on my list of wedding photo must haves...

Here the just married couple shares a kiss down the walkway as they exit the ceremony site with friends and family looking on.

Over on the SBV Photography Facebook Page, I asked for help in captioning this military wedding photo collage i made.  The caption I picked was Love, American Style.  I think it fits perfectly, don't you?  Take a look at it large and see what you think.

- click image to enlarge -

Summer Wedding at Dewey Cannon Winery

Perhaps the red in the sign signifies some of the signature wines at Dewey Cannon winery in Three Oaks, Michigan.  Nonetheless, it's a great wedding venue for southern Michigan as well as Northwest Indiana and beyond.  My clients Kelly and Mat apparently felt the same way.

One of the things I love about this location is the large bridal party room where I can take soft window lit shots of the bride such as the one below.

There is also plenty of room (along with a full kitchen) for a large wedding party or lots of visitors such as family and friends of the bride and groom.

- click image to enlarge - 

The groom and groomsen get their own room right across the hall complete with a kitchen and balcony.  Each room has it's own bathroom as well.

When it comes time for the wedding, the vintage 1970's Rolls Royce escorts the bride and her bridesmaids to Willow Harbor Vineyard.  In the image below, the Father of the bride visit his daughter at the car just before she is to be married.

This wonderful outdoor wedding venue in southern Michigan makes for some great and unique wedding photo opportunities.  Here we have Kelly and Mat blowing kisses in the fields of the vineyard....

Funny story about the next image is how my assistant and I came upon an old ladder laying in the vineyard's tall grass.  It was as if wedding photographers from the past had left it for the future!!  I promptly climbed to the top to get a bird's eye view of the endless fields of greenery and blue skies with puffy white clouds.  Oh yeah, there was a newly married couple there as well, ready for their wedding photos!!  :)

- click image to enlarge - 

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak preview of Mat and Kelly's summer wedding at Dewey Cannon Winery.  

To see more from this Michigan wedding, please subscribe to this blog and also visit the SBV Photography Facebook page for more updates.  Much more to come!!

Military Wedding at Wicker Park

- click image to enlarge -

Today we have another sneak peek.  These are images from Nichole and Nathan's military wedding.  The couple met as fellow soldiers and will be moving soon to Hawaii where the groom will be based.  Let's start with the above image taken in front of the gazebo in Wicker Park where the outdoor ceremony took place last Friday along with the reception.

The day started at Salon Platinum in Schererville for some fun getting ready shots of the bride, her bridesmaids and family...

The bride's sister tended to maid of honor duties along with lot's of hugs...

I couldn't have asked for a nicer bumch of folks who welcomed me into their home for some close up shots of the bride's dress.  Northwest Indiana had the threat of rain all day, but no one panicked and we had a great day of wedding photography.

Our groom and soldier Nathan poses in front of the outdoor ceremony site at Wicker Park.  He was a most gracious gentleman and my photography assistant remarked how well he and his groomsmen treated her throughout the day.

Soon it was time for Nichole to walk down the aisle arm and arm with her Dad toward friends and family and of course, her groom the soldier...

The wind was volatile at this time and Nichole's veil got whipped around quite a bit.  The bride and groom were very laid back and just enjoyed their own ceremony.  I hung on tight to my cameras and we are going to have some terrific wedding photos with dramatic skies and fun moments.

The reception also took place at Wicker Park Banquet hall with the bride and groom dancing their first dance in front of an illuminated American flag...

I look forward to showing this wonderful couple all of their wedding photos.  To see more from Nichole and Nathan's outdoor military wedding, please subscribe to this blog and also visit the SBV Photography Facebook page for more updates.  Much more to come!!

Weddings at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana

- click image to enlarge - 

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.

- click image to enlarge - 

- click image to enlarge -