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I'm only going to list my favorite wedding venues in Northwest Indiana that I photographed in 2010. There are many other great spots that I shot at in 2009 and others that I haven't gotten to quite yet. I'm certainly anxiously awaiting White Hawk Country Club in Crown Point this coming year.

Best Venue for Scenic Formals

Marquette Park Pavilion is a fantastic location if you like scenic wedding pictures. I had my first opportunity to photograph there for Rebecca and Jack's wedding. Besides the beautiful lagoon behind the building, the beach is within walking distance and they have a wonderful area for outdoor weddings and the building has three levels and could easily host an indoor wedding as well as reception. It's a great all in one location for any Northwest Indiana wedding.

Above is the scenic lagoon behind the Marquette Park Pavilion and a great location for formal wedding pictures.

The building is big enough to have a large area for bride and bridesmaids to get ready without being bothered or seen. At the same time, the banquet room can be set up as well as the ceremony area.

A photo from the wedding reception room at Marquette Park Pavilion....

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Best Value for Outdoor Wedding

The Revelli Bandshell in Hobart, Indiana is a great value for an outdoor wedding. Heather and Flo had their ceremony there this past Fall. It does invite onlookers who are taking a stroll around Lake George, but people are very considerate and tend to not get noisy until the bride and groom are pronounced man and wife. Then it is only natural to cheer them on. Brides tell me they choose this spot for the great value and also the scenic background of the lake and the large Gazebo.

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Best Place for an Intimate Wedding Reception

If you are considering a smaller venue for your reception with great food, a small town attitude with a classy atmosphere, then take a look at Amore Restaurant in Crown Point, Indiana. Andrew and Megan had a small, but packed dance floor with a live band. It's a great place to be able to constantly and easily interact with your guests. So, if the big ballrooms aren't your style then give them a call. I especially like the idea of the grande piano overlooking the room with jazz music playing during dinner.

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Best Place for a Large Reception

The Patrician in Schererville continues to be a great place for a wedding reception. The ballrooms are beautiful and well kept. Austin and Megan had a spectacular celebration there in October. The huge dance floor was packed all night long.

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Best Church for Large Dramatic Wedding Ceremony Images

The Chapel of The Resurrection is part of Valparaiso University. It will knock your socks off with it's large size and incredible stained glass windows that burst with color. The woodgrain of the seating and the choir loft also make for wonderful indoor wedding formals as well.

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These are just a few of the venues I have photographed at this past year. Many more are deserving of mentions - Avalon Manor in Merrillville for Receptions, Ellendale Farms for nice wedding Gazebo pictures - and many more. If you search the Wedding Photographer Journal you will find images and commentary.

I can't wait to start compiling my list for 2011. If you are just beginning your search for venues in Northwest Indiana I hope this helps. Feel free to call if you have any questions about wedding photography in any of these or other venues you are considering.

Okay, so this post is a little bit tongue in cheek. However, I have met leery clients who tell me about some of the strange encounters and behavior they have seen from everyone from caterers to videographers to yes, it's true - wedding photographers. I too have met some odd people along the way. I'm all for a unique approach and I do like to joke with my clients throughout the day. This is why it is so important to meet the actual person who will be with you throughout the biggest day of your life.

I'm definitely NOT the guy pictured here today (lol), but if you are a potential client, let's meet and talk and get to know each other a little bit. Our photographs will be that much better for it. While it would be nice to just pick up the phone and book clients right on the spot, it's certainly worth the time and effort in the long run to have one if not several meetings before the big day. Engagement pictures can play a big role as well. By the time the wedding rolls around, it's like we are old friends.

Wedding photographers as a whole work real hard. These are men and women who want the best for you on your big day. After the wedding reception and the last notes of the Electric Slide have faded, our work is just beginning - with tons of editing, designing, etc. - to get your images just right. Do not be taken in by the "shoot and burn" folks who will have everything on CD for you before the weeks end.

I also promise to not leer at your maid of honor all day and my female assistant will adjust your dress and hair should anything not be right. Again, I'm trying to humorous here, but you get the idea - we are going to be professionals.

A good wedding photographer is going to expect the unexpected. We are in Northwest Indiana and Chicago where the weather changes every 5 minutes. Don't worry if something like this threatens to ruin your day. Let's just turn it into something useful and get some special and unique photographs out of it. Ask Thomas and Joanne about the mini monsoon we encountered in Chicago a few weeks ago while shooting their engagement pictures!!

Finally, when I call you for your Premiere Night to view all of your wedding images - I plan for you to be smiling during the presentation. My business is mostly word of mouth and I want you to run to all of your friends to tell them about me. I want us both to have a happy face on that day.

In closing, this post is for all of you just coming upon the site and just beginning your search for a wedding photographer. Let's chat about your day, let me show you samples of my work and have you get to know me a little bit. Hopefully this "creepy wedding photographer" has also given you a few laughs as well as things to consider as you do your planning.