Winter Wedding At Maki Ballroom

December 7, 2020 Steve Vansak

Christmas tree lights surround the bride and groom outside the Old Lake County Courthouse.

Tori and Steve had originally planned to have a Spring wedding but this is the year 2020 and well, we all know that plans for this year had to be flexible to put it mildly.

So a winter wedding it ended up being and what a beautiful day it was.

I started off with bridal prep at the Old Lake County Courthouse inside the spacious Accessor’s Room on the third floor while Kay covered guy’s prep at the couple’s home.

Bridal details at the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

The bride and her bridesmaid’s get ready for the big day in Crown Point, Indiana.

In between taking details photos of fun moments, mementos and the flowers provided by Kathy’s Florist I also snuck down to the Maki Ballroom as was amazed at how Stacey and crew of The Grand CP had created a winter wonderland for the reception later that night. Stay tuned for those images down below.

Bridal prep at the Old Crown Point Courthouse

The ceremony took place just down the street at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Crown Point. Before we left the downtown Square to see Tori walk down the aisle, we had a first look with Dad and Kay took some portraits of the groom outside the venerable church while I shot the girls in the downtown area.

First look with Dad on the 3rd floor of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Portraits of the bride inside the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Bride and bridesmaids outside the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Groom and groomsmen prep at a Crown Point winter wedding.

Groom and groomsmen photos outside St. Mary’s Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

The bride escorted down the aisle by her parents.

Winter wedding ceremony at St. Mary’s Church in Crown Point.

After the ceremony we took family photos and bride and groom photos inside the church. Then we made our way to downtown Crown Point for some unique, night time bride and groom pictures outside and inside the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Bride and groom portraits on the altar at St. Mary’s Church.

The bride and groom take a stroll down the center aisle of St. Mary’s Church in Crown Point, Indiana.

The newlyweds before they exit the church parking lot.

A nighttime wedding photo during the holiday season in front of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Under the veil wedding photo in downtown Crown Point during a December wedding.

Bride and groom on the stairs leading to the 3rd floor of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

As I explained earlier, Maki Ballroom truly was a winter wonderland. Musician Denny B. entertained guest before and after dinner. Spotlight was on the bride and groom for the first dance and the father of the bride got a bit emotional during the dance with his daughter.

Winter wedding decorations at Maki Ballroom.

A winter themed wedding inside Maki Ballroom.

First dance for a winter themed wedding at Maki Ballroom.

Winter wedding reception at Maki Ballroom inside the old Crown Point Courthouse.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Tori and Steve’s winter wedding at Maki Ballroom inside the Old Crown Point Courthouse. Be sure to fill out the contact form to inquire about your big day right here. Stay tuned for more wedding photographer here and on the social media channels below.

November Wedding At County Line Orchard

November 16, 2020 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom among the apple orchards in early Winter / late Fall.

Daniel and Sofia had cool temperatures, but warm hearts for their mid November wedding at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana.

I covered bridal prep inside the bridal suite while second photographer Kerrie photographed the guys at the couple’s home. True Beauty by Dana handled make up duties and the pajama party was sponsored by the bridesmaids themselves!

Gifts between bride and groom as well as letters from the bridesmaids and mom brought on happy tears.

Gift opening and letter reading for the bride on her big day.

Groom prep for a wedding at County Line Orchard.

Bride inside the grain silo at County Line Orchard.

Bride and groom in a vintage tone on their wedding day.

The wedding ceremony was held indoors in the south barn with the bride and Dad making their entrance down the wooden stairs. Right after the ceremony we went outside for group photos around the barn as well as portraits of the newlyweds. Then it was back inside for family pictures and the reception.

Indoor wedding ceremony in the south barn.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen at County Line Orchard.

The newlyweds and a vintage truck outside the big red barn.

Late Fall wedding photos at County Line Orchard.

The reception decorations were quintessential County Line Orchard rustic pieces and the donuts we all crave were on hand for all to enjoy along with delicious cupcakes. The instant cameras were put to good use as was the game area in the balcony.

Rustic wedding decorations and desserts.

Fun and games at a barn wedding reception.

I neglected to mention the taco truck that arrived for those who were hungry from dancing as well as one of the most athletic moves I’ve ever seen to snag the bride’s bouquet!!

A bridesmaid tries out for wide receiver for the Chicago Bears.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Daniel and Sofia’s November wedding at County Line orchard. Many more images to come from this wedding as well as others right here and on the Region Weddings Instagram feed.

Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography and short films for your big day.

Weddings In Indiana, Chicago and Michigan - The 2019 Year In Review

December 30, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride in Converse All Star shoes in front of a red door in Chicago.

It was another action packed year of wedding photography in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and southwest Michigan. There are a TON of images from February weddings all the way through November so let’s get started.

I had two winter weddings in 2019 with Sarah + Robert and Erin + Mason. Yep, we had some snow and even the Village People showed up to rock the reception.

Black and white winter wedding photo in the snow.

Early Spring saw torrential rain almost every single weekend. Like the postal service though, we deliver in ice, rain, sleet or snow. For Beth + Chad we had that all in one day!! Cherise + Thomas had some sunshine for their big day at Sand Creek Country Club and for a bridal portrait session in Chicago we had to dodge some puddles for sure.

Rain and wind and fog surround the bride and groom in a wedding photo at Sand Creek Country Club.

Bridal portraits on the streets of Chicago.

The wet Spring continued for Breana + Kevin’s Chicago wedding and Sarah + Billy’s hometown wedding in Crown Point, Indiana. Both had wonderful church ceremonies.

Bride and groom walk back down the aisle after their wedding ceremony at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.

May weddings in Chicago and Crown Point, Indiana.

The month of May was very busy with Northwest Indiana weddings of Tessa + Luis as well as Dan + Tea.

Vintage bridal portraits in Northwest Indiana.

June saw Gabby + Matt at Briar Ridge Country Club and Becky + Chuck along with the summer weddings of Rachel + Brandon at County Line Orchard and back to the Crown Point Courthouse with Robyn and Stacey.

First dance at Briar Ridge Country Club.

June wedding photos at Briar Ridge Country Club and Centennial Park.

Weddings in late June in Crown Point and County Line Orchard.

July saw me at the height of summer and back at County Line Orchard for an outdoor wedding with Emily + Tyler and Whiting Lakefront Park for the beach wedding of Maureen + Carlos.

July summer weddings at County Line Orchard and Whiting Lakefront Park.

Newlyweds kiss between two Golden Delicious sign in the apple orchards.

July also saw me heading east to Heston Hill wedding venue for Maggie + Eric and staying close to home for Cynthia + Zachary at Avalon Manor wedding venue.

Summer weddings at Heston Hills and Avalon Manor.

Bride and groom share a moment at Heston Hills wedding venue in Laporte, Indiana.

August began with a themed wedding from Isela + Thomas and Jackie + Kevin for the first time a bride has ever arrived via boat at Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Early August weddings in Northwest Indiana.

Wedding photo with a sunset over the lake.

Mid to late August saw the 4 day Indian wedding of Molly + Ahsan in Chicago and the church wedding of Brie + Ryan at St. Michael’s Parish and reception at Sand Creek golf course.

Mid to late August weddings in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

A candid moment underneath the willow tree at Sand Creek Country Club.

Early September saw the first of two weddings at Four Corners Winery with Holly + Ethan and then it was onto The Allure in Laporte, Indiana with Mary + Jeff.

Wedding photos at Four Corners Winery and The Allure.

Photo at the rustic wedding venue Four Corners Winery in Valparaiso, Indiana.

I’d always wanted to photograph at the Naperville Riverwalk in Illinois for a wedding and did just that with Vilda + Brandon and weddings at Aberdeen Manor are some of the most elegant and the nuptials of Kristen and Zach did not disappoint.

September weddings in Naperville, Illinois Riverwalk and Aberdeen Manor.

Wedding photo on the staircase at Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Candid wedding moment at a lake in Aberdeen neighborhood in Valparaiso, Indiana.

A photo at night in front of the chapel at Aberdeen Manor.

September is still the most popular month for weddings and I was back at Avalon Manor for Violet + Jeremiah and an epic wedding with Jordan + Matt at Centennial Park where it snowed on the dance floor.

Late September weddings in Northwest Indiana.

It snows on the dance floor at the Centennial Park clubhouse for a wedding reception.

October is football season and we celebrated that with Francesca + Zane at Wicker Park and also wine tasting season at Four Corners Winery with Ammie + Matt.

Reema + Corey donned two wedding dresses and two suits at their Meyer’s Castle wedding in Dyer, Indiana and Mary + Ben braved the rain at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana for their late Fall weddings.

Late Fall weddings in Northwest Indiana.

Rain falls at night in this wedding photo at Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

I certainly can’t forget about Annie + Michael at Aberdeen Manor as well as the 2019 wedding season finale of Kim + Dustin at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Late November weddings in Northwest Indiana.

I’m looking forward to next year’s weddings in Northwest Indiana, Chicago and Michigan. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please do fill out the Contact Form on this website and set up a meeting so I can show you more of my work. Happy New Year to all!!

A bride in front of graffiti art in the Bucktown area of Chicago, Illinois.

Fall Wedding At Fair Oaks Farmhouse

November 25, 2019 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom take a walk behind Fair Oaks Farmhouse on a chilly November day.

It was all about the orange at Kim and Dusty’s Fall wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse Restaurant. This particular November day had a winter vibe with snow on the ground, yet we still had Fall color to work with. It made for some unique wedding photos on the rustic property. Jello shots were dispersed to all those involved in the wedding and girls gladly played along for a faux passing out picture.

Bridal prep and groom prep was all at the adjacent Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott at Fair Oaks Farms. It has a convenient tunnel that leads to the reception area in case of bad weather.

I covered the girls getting ready while second photographer Lauren was with the guys. Soon it would be time for our first look on the porch of the farmhouse.

Bridal prep at the Fairfield Inn at Fair Oaks Farms.

Sadly, a fight broke out among the bride and her bridesmaids… JUST KIDDING!! These girls were a lot of fun and I encouraged them to have duel with their winter shawls.

Bride has fun with her friend and bridesmaid on her wedding day.

Groom prep for a wedding at Fair Oaks Farms.

It was quite chilly this mid November day so after Dusty bravely waited for Kim to arrive for their first look / reveal, we stepped inside for these guys to warm up a bit. Then we were in and out for pictures all around the property of Fair Oaks Farms.

First look for the bride and groom on the porch at Fair Oaks Farmhouse Restaurant.

A kiss and an embrace with Indiana farmland in the background.

Wedding party photos during a fall / winter wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse.

Bride and groom portraits with fall color at Fair Oaks Farms.

The ceremony was held inside with the couple’s friend as officiant. Family photos followed and then we stepped away for a sunset picture. We then made our way to the reception area where dancers of all ages were awaiting as Trans Audio rocked the ballroom.

Indoor wedding ceremony at Fair Oaks Farms.

Wedding ceremony vows at Fair Oaks Farms.

Bride and groom take a walk at sunset at Fair Oaks Farms.

On the way back to the reception room, my assistant Michelle noticed the tunnel connecting the hotel to the farmhouse was lit and encouraged me to do a photos of the couple and we did just that. Then it was onto the party!!

Bride and groom inside Fair Oaks Farmhouse Restaurant.

Fall wedding reception at Fair Oaks Farmhouse Restaurant.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Kim and Dusty’s Fall wedding at Fair Oaks Farmhouse. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please use the Contact Form right here. As always, more images can be found on the social media channels below.