Wedding At Lighthouse Lodge

September 8, 2020 Steve Vansak

A setting sun engulfs the bride and groom on the edge of Lake Shafer.

Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana has always been an annual destination for Taylor and Jesus since they first met. So having their wedding at Lighthouse Lodge off the lake was always in the cards.

The day started off with bridal prep in the sun room off the deck where the reception would be held later. It was a family affair with many visitors, including their furry friends. I took the details outside to continue the theme of this beach wedding.

Bridal details with Lake Shafer in the background.

Bridal prep in the sun room of Lighthouse Lodge.

Taylor got into her dress and jewelry in one of the lodge’s rooms while photographer Kerrie captured the guy’s prep in a nearby lodge.

Bridal prep at a summer wedding at Lighthouse Lodge.

Bridal portraits inside Lighthouse Lodge in Monticello, Indiana.

Groom and bride ready for their lakeside wedding in Monticello, Indiana.

Groom prep at Lighthouse Lodge in Monticello, Indiana.

The outdoor wedding took place just off the edge of the lake as boaters passed by honking their approval on occasion. It was a beautiful, but extremely windy day and the bride’s long veil needed attending to during the ceremony as well as the two flower girls who walked beneath it during the exit.

Entrances for a beach wedding at Lake Shafer.

Beach wedding ceremony at Shafer Lake in Monticello.

After family photos it was time for wedding party and images of the newlyweds along the shore. The late afternoon reception and dinner would start soon and then we were off for sunset photos as well as a few night shots.

Wedding party photos besides the lighthouse.

The newlyweds share a real and candid moment surrounded by greenery.

Bride and groom kiss underneath the lighthouse as a sunstar shines over the scene.

Wedding photos along Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana.

Romantic wedding photos at Lighthouse Lodge.

The reception saw some spirited entrances and many heartfelt speeches from friends and family. In the middle of dancing I snuck out with the bride and groom twice for our golden hour sunset images as as some night shots along the lake.

Wedding reception at Lighthouse Lodge at Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana.

Wedding photo at night in front of the lit up lighthouse on Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at this outdoor wedding in Monticello. This is only a portion fo the images from the big day. Please tune in to this blog or the social media channels below for images from this and many other weddings.

To inquire about wedding or elopement photography for your big day, please fill out the Contact Form here and I will get back with you ASAP on availability.

The Lighthouse Lodge is a great spot for a beach wedding or elopement. I’m so glad Jesus and Taylor were able to fulfill their dream of a wedding lakeside in the area they visited during their entire relationship. Here’s looking forward to many Anniversaries spent on the beach in future Septembers.

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!!

Lake Michigan Beach Wedding

July 25, 2016 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom embrace on the beach after their summer wedding ceremony.

Ashley and Justin were married in a beach wedding ceremony in the garden at Whiting Lakefront Park. This beautiful location is right off the shores of Lake Michigan with the Chicago skyline able to be seen on clear days.

This beautiful summer wedding began at an area hotel with bridal prep. One of our flower girls was prepared for this sunny day with her Hollywood sunglasses!! Second photographer Bridget captured the guy's getting ready along with their superhero shirts exploding from their suits while I captured the bride and her mom illuminated by window light.

Bridal and groom prep for a summer wedding.

The bride and her mom share an emotional moment on wedding day.

The groom shows off his Batman tee shirt as his bride looks on.

Before taking off for the shores of Lake Michigan and the beach wedding ceremony, the bride and groom had their first look / reveal at the hotel.

The bride and groom first look / reveal.

Whiting Lakefront Park has a beautiful garden area that overlooks the lake. The stone sidewalk enables the wedding party to elegantly walk out with full view of all of the guests. Just beyond the gazebo, the skyline of Chicago can be seen.

Beach wedding ceremony at Whiting Lakefront Park.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Whiting Lakefront Park.

We took family wedding photos in the shade of the gazebo and of course then made our way all along the beach for wedding pictures with the entire wedding party and then romantic bride and groom pictures all along the shore of Lake Michigan.

Wedding party on the shores of Lake Michigan with skyline of Chicago in the background.

Wedding photos of the bride and groom on the shore of Lake Michigan.

The bride and groom on a Lake Michigan beach as waves roll onto the shore.

Ashley and Justin's summer, beach themed wedding continued with dinner and dancing at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana. The room had a wonderful beach colored glow to it as guests sang songs to the bride and groom to encourage them to kiss. The photo booth saw children of all ages getting into costume and a future Olympic gymnast took over the dance floor...

Beach themed wedding reception at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Ashley and Justin's beach wedding. Be sure to fill out the Contact Form to inquire about availability for your big day. Stay tuned to the Region Weddings Instagram feed for more images.