February Wedding At Sand Creek Country Club

February 5, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom eskimo kiss at their winter wedding in a snow covered field.

Prior to Sarah and Robert’s winter wedding at Sand Creek Country Club the polar vortex landed here in the Midwest. This plunged temperatures to record lows to the point of it being dangerous to be outside. I’m happy to report that a few days later we got back to “normal winter” and we snuck in some outdoor snowy shots of the bride and groom as seen above. No one lost an arm to frostbite! :)

The day began in the Sand Creek bridal suite with Krissy V. on make up and Jennalee from Identity Hair Design with the bridesmaids and moms of the bride and groom telling funny stories and opening gifts.

Bridal prep fun inside the Sand Creek Bridal Suite.

The bride and groom open each other’s wedding day gifts.

Second photographer Bridget covered the guys prep as we made out way towards the first look of Sarah and Robert.

The groom preps for his big day at Sand Creek Country Club.

Groomsmen portraits outside in the winter snow.

The bridesmaids stay warm around the piano during a winter wedding at Sand Creek golf course.

Robert diligently waited for Sarah outside under the canopy at the entrance of the Sand Creek clubhouse. He closed his eyes as she approached and when she touched his hand they came together for a wonderful moment.

Bride and groom see each other for the first time on wedding day.

We then ventured off into the snow laden area surrounding the clubhouse for winter wedding portraits. While i love to turn snow scenes black and white, I did notice a bit of texture and blue in the sky so we took a few portrait of the bride and groom with the winter sky as a backdrop.

Winter wedding portrait at Sand Creek Country Club.

Winter wedding photos at Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, Indiana.

We then ventured inside for family pictures before the ceremony started with Reverend Doug on officiant duties.

Indoor winter wedding ceremony at Sand Creek Country Club.

Reverend Doug presides over a wedding ceremony at Sand Creek in Chesterton.

The wedding reception decor saw a selfie backdrop and a hint of Disney. The dance floor itself was packed all night with 27 Entertainment providing the soundtrack for the evening.

Winter wedding reception at Sand Creek golf course.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Sarah and Robert’s February wedding at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana. Don’t forget to visit the Region Weddings Instagram page for more images from this and other weddings and do fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day.

Winter Wedding At Sand Creek Country Club

January 3, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom portrait at Kapitan Nursery tree farm.

Sarah was hoping for snow on her wedding day. We kinda / sorta got it - outside and inside. Follow me as we go through the highlights of Sarah and Nick’s winter wedding at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana with a church ceremony at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

Our day started with bridal prep at Sarah’s parents home where the first signs of a Disney themed wedding were spotted within the bridesmaid’s slippers. Make up by Maria Blanco with hair by Lauren Phillips.

Bridal prep for a winter and Disney themed wedding.

Bridesmaid fun during getting ready on wedding day.

Second photographer Kerrie was with the guys at their hotel while I captured Sarah, her bridesmaids and her lovable dog Madden. Then we all convened upon St. Michael’s Parish to see Sarah walk down the aisle on the arms of her Dad. Flowers by: Kristina Lynn Floral

St. Michel’s Parish looked very festive with Christmas decorations in every corner including behind the altar for all of our photographs. After the ceremony we took family pictures, wedding party and bride and groom photos and then we were off in the search for snow.

Winter wedding ceremony at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

Bride and groom pray inside the sanctuary at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

Wedding party group photo at St. Michael’s Parish.

The bride shows off her pretty wedding dress at St. Michael’s Parish.

Bride and groom church portraits with Christmas decorations.

We began our search for snow at Kapitan Nursery tree farm in Merrillville, Indiana where we set the wedding party and bride and groom up against a picturesque backdrop with frost on the ground and freezing but happy faces walking along the baby evergreen trees.

Wedding party group photo at Kapitan Nursery tree farm.

Fog surrounds the bride and groom in this outdoor winter wedding photo.

Winter wedding photos at Kapitan Nursery tree farm.

As we made our way toward Sand Creek Country Club we found that in Chesterton, Indiana quite a bit more snow had fallen. This meant some snow covered bride and groom portraits at the beautifully lit entrance to the Sand Creek ballroom.

Outdoor winter wedding photos at Sand Creek Country Club.

Upon entering the reception room at Sand Creek Country Club for Sarah and Nick’s winter wedding, the Disney theme took hold alongside winter. By the time first dances arrived, snow was now falling indoors. Music: 27 Entertainment / Snow: Ever After Events / Cake: Beck’s Crown Bakery

Disney and winter themed wedding decorations.

Winter wedding reception at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana.

First dance for the bride and groom as snow falls upon them.

Snow falls on the dance floor at a winter wedding reception at Sand Creek Country Club.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Sarah and nick’s winter wedding at Sand Creek Country Club with a church ceremony at St. Michael’s Parish. Be sure to follow the Instagram feed to see more images and fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography for your big day.

The 2018 Year In Review for Northwest Indiana and Chicago Weddings

December 31, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom steal a kiss on a hilltop at Briar Ridge Golf Course.

I’m typing this blog post on December 31, 2018 on what is supposed to be a slow day in the world of a wedding photographer. It’s not!! With several client meetings today and the final wedding of the year just this past weekend, one of my busiest years in Northwest Indiana and Chicago wedding photography is ending as it began with a very active schedule. No complaints here, but get ready because I have LOTS of images and wedding stories for the year down below. Let’s get to it…

Late winter 2018 weddings in Valparaiso, Indiana and Grant Park, Illinois.

After a busy December the previous year, I photographed Nicole and Luke’s wonderful church wedding in early March in Beecher, Illinois and followed shortly by Ashley and Adam at Aberdeen Manor.

Wedding Ceremony At Faith United Reform Church

In early Spring I found myself at Briar Ridge Country Club quite a few times starting off with Rachel and Matt with Sheri and Ryan the following Saturday. Both couples had some blazing sun for their golf course weddings.

Two Spring weddings at Briar Ridge Country Club in Dyer, Indiana.

The previous Fall I had done Ashley and Michael’s engagement session and they had such a wonderful chemistry together that I was eagerly anticipating their outdoor wedding at the spectacular Sandy Pines Pavilion with it’s beautiful bridal suite and perfectly landscaped scenery. It was a wonderful Sunday wedding.

I was also back for another golf course wedding with a touch of Disney with Abby and Sean at Sand Creek Country Club.

Bride and groom hold hands on the lake pier at Sandy Pines Golf Course.

Weddings at two golf courses - Sandy Pines and Sand Creek.

In mid May it was the first of two weddings at County Line Orchard with Jaime and Tom. The groom’s family came all the way from England for this exquisite barn wedding.

The bride and groom exit the County Line Orchard south barn after their ceremony.

Spring wedding photos at County Line Orchard.

Late in May saw me heading to Chicago for Veronica and Adrian’s church wedding and then it was time for another trip to Valparaiso University and The Chapel of the Resurrection where Lauren and Edward declared victory.

May weddings in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

The groom rings the victory bell at Valparaiso University.

Bride and groom at the bottom of the spiral staircase at Valparaiso University.

The groom and his guys at Valparaiso University.

Also in late May, I made it back to the beach for Nicole and Chad’s Memorial Day weekend wedding at Marquette Park Pavilion. Then it was back to Briar Ridge Country Club for Patty and Stephen’s outdoor nuptials.

Late Spring weddings at Marquette Park Pavilion and Briar Ridge Country Club.

June saw another golf course wedding reception with Jennifer and Carl and a stop by Meyer’s Castle two weekends in a row for Valerie and Anthony and then Mallory and Ryan.

June weddings at Briar Ridge and Meyer’s Castle.

The bride is soaked by sunlight at Meyer’s Castle during a summer wedding.

June wedding at Meyer’s Castle in Dyer, Indiana.

Summer rolled on with another County Line Orchard wedding where Ashley and Zach had their un-plugged wedding ceremony.

Bride and groom smooch in the farm fields behind County Line Orchard.

Gang of bridesmaids stalk the open fields of County Line Orchard.

July saw another Chicago wedding with Lauren and Mark at The Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building and Katie and Patrick’s church wedding at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana with reception at The Munster Center for the Performing Arts.

July weddings in Chicago and Schererville, Indiana.

The groom kisses the bride at the edge of the Centennial Park Lake.

The summer weddings rolled on with Kim and Tim at St. Maria Goretti Church as well as Patti and David and their wonderful backyard wedding in Crown Point.

Summer weddings in Northwest Indiana during August of 2018.

Summer is the height of baseball season of course, so super fans Kaitlyn and Ryan took to the field after their wedding at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Griffith, Indiana. I also shot at the brand new Allure on the Lake for Katie and Arnie’s wedding reception.

August weddings at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Catholic Church and Allure on The Lake.

Labor Day weekend brought an end to summer but the beginning of busy season with Josie and Victor’s bohemian outdoor wedding at Friendship Garden in Michigan City with a stop at The Market for the reception. It also saw another stop at Briar Ridge Country Club with Molly and Chris.

Kissing bridge at Friendship Garden in Michigan City, Indiana.

Outdoor weddings at Friendship Garden and Briar Ridge Country Club.

Boho bride from above during bridal prep for her big day.

A couple in love gazes romantically at each other.

It was my first “wedding selfie” shot at Tracey and Chris’ outdoor wedding at Peck Farm Park in Geneva, Illinois. The grain silo is just massive and I was so glad to take some images showcasing the bride and groom next to it. Early September also saw a stop at Centennial Park for an outdoor wedding with Julie and Jason.

September weddings in Illinois and Indiana.

The grain silo at Peck Farm Park towers over the bride and groom.

As September drifted into October, we saw the absolutely fun wedding of Emma and Kyle at Croation Center and then it was Nikki and Johnny’s wedding with a church ceremony at St. Michael’s Church in Schererville, Indiana and a rocking reception at St. Elijah Banquet Center in Merrillville.

The bride and groom sport a take no prisoners look for their wedding photo.

Bridal portrait at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

October also saw Captain America and SpiderWoman (Jess and Josh) get married at Lighthouse Restaurant as well as Erika and Mitch with a Great Gatsby themed wedding at The Allure in Laporte, Indiana.

Captain America marries SpiderWoman at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake.

A wedding picture during a hailstorm in Laporte, Indiana.

The bride and groom get mischievous at The Allure.

Karen and Jason had their hometown wedding in Crown point with a St. Mary’s Church ceremony with stops at the fairgrounds and a reception at the old Lake County Courthouse Maki Ballroom.

More October weddings at The Allure and in downtown Crown Point.

Late October and November Fall weddings saw me back at Sand Creek Country Club for Marz and Tom’s big day as well as Krueger Memorial Hall in Michigan City for Ashley and Terry’s beautiful Fall wedding with Autumn leaves everywhere.

Fall weddings at Sand Creek Country Club and Krueger Memorial Hall.

Leaves fall upon the bride and groom for their Autumn wedding.

As winter finally arrived, The Uptown Center got all lit up for Kristen and Patrick’s wedding and last, but certainly not least the grand finale, last wedding of 2018 was Sarah and Nick’s snow filled day at Sand Creek Country Club.

Winter weddings at Uptown Center and Sand Creek Country Club.

Whew, thanks for making it all the way though this long review of weddings in Northwest Indiana and Chicago in 2018. Please contact me here on the website to set up a meeting to discuss the photography for your wedding day. I service Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southern Michigan but I’m also available for travel. 2018 brought me to a few new venues as well as old favorites. I’m looking forward to seeing where you take me next year and beyond. A special Thank You to Kerrie, Bridget, Schylar, Michelle, Lauren, Doug and Jaime for their help in Wedding Season 2018. Happy New Year!!

December Wedding At The Uptown Center

December 3, 2018 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss center stage at The Uptown Center.

Kristen and Patrick’s December wedding took place at The Uptown Center in Michigan City, Indiana. It’s an incredible wedding venue with it’s large performing stage and multi colored “pipe organ” backdrop. It also has a two room bridal suite in it’s loft and this is where I met up with Kristen and her bridesmaids to capture details as well as some fun and tender moments during the getting ready portion of the day. The wedding dress arrived via delivery from Paris House of Bridal.

Wedding dress hangs from the balcony at Uptown Center.

Bridesmaids open their gifts from the bride.

The bride descends from the loft at The Uptown Center in Michigan City, Indiana.

Second photographer Jaime was with the guys in their suite capturing the camaraderie and details. Then it was time for the two first looks - with Dad and then Patrick.

Groom and his guys in the courtyard of Uptown Center.

We had two first looks before the wedding party and family pictures. First up was Dad in the venue lobby and then the dramatic reveal with Patrick on the main stage.

First look with bride and groom on the Uptown Center stage.

Groomsmen in the courtyard of Uptown Center.

Bride and groom embrace inside the ballroom of Uptown Center for Performing Arts.

Bride and groom portraits at a winter wedding at Uptown Center.

Happy moment between the bride and groom.

After family photos it was time for the ceremony to begin. It was a warm day for December, but rain was on and off. The great thing about Uptown Center is it’s a big place with lots of charm and terrific for pictures.

Kristen entered on the arms of her Dad and after the sand ceremony, her and Patrick sealed it with a kiss. Then it was cocktail hour and dance floor time.

Winter wedding ceremony at The Uptown Center for Performing Arts.

Images from a winter wedding reception at Uptown Center in Michigan City.

Dance floor fun at a Michigan City wedding.

Wedding reception at the Uptown Center as viewed from the balcony.

It was great to work once again with 27 Entertainment who took on DJ and videographer duties. The flowers from Lansing Floral were exquisite as was the cake from Val’s Custom Cakes in Chesterton. To view more images from this wedding as well as others be sure to tune in to the social media channels below and as always, please do fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography for your big day.