Winter Wedding At Bethel Church In Crown Point, Indiana

January 2, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom as photographed through a Christmas tree at Bethel Church.

Kelli and Franz's winter wedding at Bethel Church in Crown Point, Indiana took place after Christmas and just before New Years, with festive tree lights everywhere. I knew I had to use them for some photos and in a wedding first, I actually stuck myself (mostly my camera lens) inside a Christmas tree. The newlyweds were all too happy to gaze at each other, but probably wondering what in the world I was doing. :)

The morning ceremony took place at 9am so we got an early start with bridal prep and the groom snuck in some basketball in the game room before a group prayer and emerging for a peekaboo picture with his bride to be.

Bridemaids getting ready at Bethel Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

Groomsmen wedding prep at Bethel Church.

As guests awaited, Franz snuck down a hallway of the church where he and his bride to be said a prayer together on opposite sides of a wall as sunlight streamed in.

A pre ceremony photo of the bride and groom on opposite sides of a wall.

The bride and groom at their December wedding.

The morning ceremony began with Kelli being walked down the aisle by her Dad. She was greeted at the front of the stage by her future husband as grandma gave her well wishes.

The bride walks down the aisle at Bethel Church.

Wedding ceremony at Bethel Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

As the wedding party and guests looked on, vows were exchanged and the happy couple celebrated.

Exchanging wedding vows at Bethel Church.

Bride and groom kiss on the stage at Bethel Church.

During family photos, the brother of the bride paid back his sister with a faux sock to the jaw like she did at his wedding last year. After family pictures, wedding party and couple's photos inside Bethel, it was time for us to step outside into the frozen tundra for some winter wedding photos in the snow.

Wedding pictures with parents and the best man and MOH.

Wedding party group photos at Bethel Church and Ministries.

Wedding pictures using the holiday lights at Bethel Church.

A walk in the snow for the bride and groom at their winter wedding in Crown Point, Indiana.

The reception decor on display at Avalon Manor showcased the couple's faith with a highlight of bible verses as well as the always fun Fuji Instamatic Camera. The afternoon reception also featured the bread dance, a staple of Macedonian weddings. An Anniversary dance was also played with the longest married couple celebrating their big win.

Wedding reception decor at Avalon Manor.

The first dances saw the couple dancing with father and mother respectively before their own dance as the afternoon light streamed through the windows at Avalon manor.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Kelli and Franz's winter wedding at Bethel Church. Please follow the social media channels below to see more. Also, be sure to check out the 2017 Year In Weddings with highlights from an entire year of weddings. To inquire about your own big day, please fill out the Contact Form. Happy Holidays!!

The bride and groom next to Christmas tree lights at Bethel Church.

The 2017 Northwest Indiana Wedding Photography Year In Review

December 26, 2017 Steve Vansak

Bride applies lipstick at Barker Mansion in Michigan City, Indiana.

Welcome once again to the Region Weddings Year In Review for wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southern Michigan. Settle in as it was another full year of weddings and this my longest article of the year with lots of images. To see a video slideshow of this post, check out The 2017 Year In Review video.

The 2017 wedding season saw me photograph for the first time at the historic Barker Mansion in Michigan City. My goal with this series of bridal portraits was to showcase the vintage history of the iconic building with a very modern bride. This resulted in some glorious color right next to sepia tones.

Bride on red staircase at Barker Mansion in Michigan City, IN.

There were quite a few winter wedding this year starting with Annie and Paul at Fair Oaks Farmhouse and then Lynne and Dale with a church ceremony at a stop at One Trick Pony brewery. Samantha and Dale were married at Saint Maria Goretti Church with a very chilly stop by Centennial Park.

As winter gave way to Spring (very begrudgingly), Sam and Alex and Amanda and Mike were on board for a pair of church weddings along with stops at Buckley Homestead.

Spring wedding photos in Northwest Indiana.

Bride and groom strike a magazine style pose at Centennial Park.

Late summer and early Spring saw Emily and Zach with an outdoor ceremony at Villa Cesare and Amanda and Josh at St. Michael's Church.

High fives, neon love, sisters / bridesmaids and church wedding ceremonies.

Summer weddings saw the flowers of Northwest Indiana in full bloom at Hans and Karla's outdoor ceremony at The Inn At Aberdeen with lakeside photos for Jill and Johnny.

July wedding photos in Northwest Indiana.

Bride and groom kiss in front of the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Ashlee and Ryan took a tour of downtown Crown Point for their wedding photos while Samantha and Tyler stayed in Valparaiso for their Aberdeen Chapel ceremony with pictures at Taltree Arboretum and a reception at The Market.

August weddings in Crown Point and Valparaiso.

Post ceremony kiss at The Chapel at Aberdeen Manor.

The groom spins his bride near the cornfields of Indiana.

Late summer say another new venue, Meadow Springs Manor with Karlie and Corey and a spectacular day at The Pavilion At Sandy Pines with Bethany and Keenin and their classic Mustang.

Late summer weddings at Meadow Springs Manor and Sandy Pines.

Bride and groom ride away in a classic Mustang.

September and October were definitely the busiest for weddings as well as engagement sessions. This part of the season saw Christina and Melvin at the incredible Uptown Center and Emily and Todd who were married at the final event at the bride's (soon to be torn down) childhood church next to her parent's home.

Bride on stage at The Uptown Center in Michigan City.

Bride and groom kiss in front an old chapel in Hebron, Indiana.

Romantic wedding photo in downtown Michigan City.

I photographed two Serbian weddings in 2017 with Jessica and Marinko at St. Simeon Church in Chicago and Tanja and Kevin at St. George in Schererville. The circle dances never stopped on either day.

Serbian weddings in Chicago and Schererville, Indiana.

The sun sets as the bride and groom gaze at each other beneath the tall trees in the forest.

As Fall kicked in, I photographed two weddings on opposite ends of the region both in style and geography - Katie and Mike at Lighthouse Restaurant with it's nautical vibe and The Allure in South Bend with Morganne and Chris.

Fall weddings at Lighthouse Restaurant and The Allure.

Bride and groom on the pier at Lighthouse Restaurant.

Bride and groom on a leaf filled bridge near Coffee Creek in Chesterton, Indiana.

The Autumn weddings also saw stops at Sand Creek Country Club with Jessica and Mitchell and The Spa in Porter, Indiana with Julia and Evan. Both weddings featured a deluge of leaves and Fall color.

Autumn leaves at wedding venues Sand Creek Country Club and The Spa.

The bride and groom share a kiss surrounded by Fall color at The Inn At Aberdeen.

November saw a pair of church weddings with Gina and Marcus at The Chapel At Avalon Manor and Emily and Jeff at Holy Name Catholic Church and reception at The Center For Performing Arts. Both had an abundance of unique Fall colors.

Bride in mirror before walking down the aisle.

I certainly can't forget Jeremiah and Kevin with their big Christmas wedding at The Uptown Center or Whinchester and Whinchester (aka Jennifer and David) - my first ever bride and groom with the same last name.

Christmas red and a bride and groom in blue.

Thank you so much for a terrific 2017 in weddings!! I have one more on December 30th so be sure to stay tuned here for the final wedding of 2017. To inquire about your big day, as always please complete the Contact Form. I hope you have a terrific New Year and let's hope for a 2018 filled with love.

Bride inside the "red room" at Barker Mansion.

Winter Wedding Ceremony At St. Maria Goretti Church

February 27, 2017 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom share a moment at St. Maria Goretti Church.

Samantha and Dale's February wedding at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana was full of great moments - lots of laughs and mimosas during getting ready, to nervous giggles during the exchange of rings all the way to the emotional speeches and first dances. Let me take you through the story of their big day...

When I arrived, the Mimosa Bar was open for business and everyone was in great spirits, including the dog!! Krissy V. tended to make up while Katelyn Pruitt styled hair.

The Pink Pajama Crew (aka Sam's bridesmaids) actually laughed at whatever joke I happened to say and soon it was time for Samantha to get into her dress.

The bridesmaids have a pajama party on the morning of the wedding.

Samantha looked stunning in the backlit room as her MOH helped her with the veil.

The MOH assists the bride with her veil.

Second photographer Bridget was with Dale and the groomsmen during this time as they put down a little "robitussin" to help out with the cold temperatures!!

The groom and groomsmen toast to the big day ahead.

Friends and family filled the pews at St. Maria Goretti Church as Sam and her father made their way down the aisle with Dale anxiously looking on. All the candles glistened as they exchanged vows.

Winter wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Church.

A reader speaks at a wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti.

After the ceremony, we did family photos in the church and then set out to Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

Wedding party photo at St. Maria Goretti.

Parents and couples photos at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana.

I remember walking out of the church and saying "these temperatures don't seem too bad". Famous last words!! When we arrived at Centennial Park the 18mph winds kicked in with a drop in temps to somewhere in the mid 20's. Much respect to the wedding party for enduring the madness. And of course, a shout out to our bride Samantha and her lovely veil that took a beating!!

Winter wedding photos at Centennial Park.

The wind carries the bride's veil on the bridge at Centennial Park.

Villa Cesare looked spectacular with the muted gold tones of Samantha and Dale's decor. The cake table was epic and I loved the Fuji Instax film cameras for guests to use.

Wedding decorations at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

The wedding party intros were a lot of fun and we scanned the room to capture the great moments - from the flower girl practicing to be the next Ronda Rowsey to Sam's emotional dance with her Dad while the ring bearer looked on.

Fun and emotional moments at a Villa Cesare wedding reception.

First dances at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

We saw quite the contrast with the single women vying for the bouquet and the look of terror on the men during the garter toss...

The bouquet toss at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

The dance floor was alive all night as Operation Get Down provided the soundtrack...

A full dance floor at Villa Cesare during a winter wedding reception.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek at Samantha and Dale's wedding ceremony at St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, Indiana. To inquire about your big day, be sure to fill out the Contact Form. More images to follow at social media channels below.

Winter Wedding At Fair Oaks Farmhouse

January 17, 2017 Steve Vansak

Evening stroll for the bride and groom at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Annie and Paul had an epic winter wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse with a country theme provided by the bride and her western boots and the incredible Americana band at the reception. Oh, and hearty macaroni and cheese to go along with your choice of steak, chicken or salmon. You can't beat that!!

Things started out in the morning with Annie and her girls prepping for the day ahead. Her dress was beautiful and the remembrance charm attached to her bouquet was a nice touch.

Bridal prep for a wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

I gathered the bridesmaids together for a slumber party shot, but something wasn't quite right. One of the "bridesmaids" looked a little bit.... out of place.....

A groomsman photobombs the bridesmaids and gets paid back with a tickle attack.

In another room the guys were prepping for the big day. Their red vests and ties really popped.

The groomsmen prep for the big day at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Second photographer Kerrie took the guys out in back of the big red barn while I was in front with the girls.

The bridesmaids attack the bride with their winter shawls.

The bridesmaids visit a cow at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Keep in mind that is was pretty cold out at this point, but that did not bother Annie as she ditched her shawl for a few pictures showing off the big barn.

The bride in front of Fair Oaks Farmhouse at her winter wedding.

Soon it was ceremony time with the Fair Oaks ballroom packed with family and friends from all over. The bride and groom were serenaded with Your Song by Elton John in a live vocal from a friend in a ceremony filled with love and laughter.

Indoor wedding ceremony at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Winter wedding ceremony at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Immediately following the ceremony we took family photos as well as a wedding party group shot and some night time bride and groom pictures. Then it was time for introductions, dinner and getting the band tuned up for the big party.

Wedding party group photo at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

The bride and groom share a kiss in the ballroom at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Bride and groom at their winter wedding in Fair Oaks, Indiana.

The mighty WheelHouse band is an Americana and Bluegrass band from Madison, Wisconsin. They were the perfect soundtrack for Annie and Paul's epic reception. They had the dance floor full all night. They have their own brand of Wheelhouse Whiskey, but I'm unclear if any was being served up this night. :)

The WheelHouse Band on stage during a wedding.

After the incredible dinner - desserts were served up, drinks were flowing and the dancing began. It may still be going on! :)

Wedding reception at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Annie and Paul's winter wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse. Stay tuned to social media below for more images and as always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day. Stay warm!