Halloween Wedding

November 4, 2020 Steve Vansak

The groom and his bride during their October 31st wedding.

“I was working in the lab, late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab, began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise
He did the mash, he did the monster mash
The monster mash, it was a graveyard smash
He did the mash, it caught on in a flash
He did the mash, he did the monster mash”

— Bobby Pickett

“It will all work out in the end” is what Kinsey’s Dad said he had been telling her all year. “And look around, here we are” he said as he motioned to all gathered during the Halloween wedding reception at Andorra Banquets.

Having your wedding on Halloween complete with guests in costumes, means you are seeking something different and non-traditional for your big day but I’m sure a worldwide pandemic wasn’t on Kinsey and Kevin’s mind when they chose the date.

We were supposed to be in Illinois for the entire day but we ended up going to Indiana for the ceremony and reception. We did start in the Land of Lincoln for getting ready and first looks and then crossed the state line for portraits at Centennial Park and onto the venue.

The bride and her bridesmaids get ready for the big day.

Bridal decor a Halloween styled wedding.

Bridal portrait in window light on her wedding day.

We had two first looks in a row. First up was with Dad at his home and then it was bride and groom at their favorite hang out Teehans in Tinley Park, Illinois.

First look for the bride and groom outside Teehan’s Bar in Tinley Park, Illinois.

While this may have been a Halloween styled wedding on October 31st, I’d say “pizza and beer” was another theme of the day with pictures at Village Pizza as well as Teehan’s where the couple eats and drinks quite often.

We went into Teehan’s Bar so the happy couple could read cards to each other. Kevin played a few tunes on guitar as well.

Kevin and Kinsey did one last monstrous dip before we jetted off to Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana for pictures. Oh, and word has it a pizza was delivered to the wedding party for a mid-day snack!

Happy Halloween from the bride and groom.

The bride and groom before their ceremony.

A sun star looms over the lake at Centennial Park.

The bridesmaids practice social distancing.

The ceremony took place at Andorra Banquets and was immediately followed by cocktail hour into the reception where ghouls and goblins roamed the dance floor. The bride and groom also had their traditional cake, excuse me - pizza cutting..

Halloween wedding ceremony at Andorra Banquets in Schererville, Indiana.

This has merely been a sneak peek look at Kinsey and Kevin’s Halloween wedding with many more images to come. To inquire about your big day, Halloween or not - please fill out the Contact Form right here.

Wedding At Tanglewood Hills Pavilion In Bettendorf, Iowa

October 23, 2020 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom portrait in the yellow brush outside Tanglewood Hills Pavilion.

It was simply a thrill to travel to the Davenport, Iowa area to capture Allison and Nathan’s big day. These two Valparaiso University graduates originally planned to have their wedding on campus, but moved it to their home state of Iowa.

This Fall wedding started with bridal prep in Davenport and then made it’s way to the Tanglewood Hills Pavilion chapel in nearby Bettendorf. Everybody chipped in on bridal prep, including Dad on the curling iron!!

We had two first looks for this Autumn wedding and both were outside the chapel doors at Tanglewood Hills with Dad and of course, the groom Nathan.

First look with Dad at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion.

First look with the groom at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion.

Fall color engulfs the bride and groom as they embrace during their wedding in Davenport, Iowa.

A romantic walk outside Tanglewood Hills Pavilion.

Of course, we had to sneak in some thumb wrestling, mean girl and cheerleader poses along with some obsessive texting and finger pointing for the wedding party group photos. And yes, we had some beautifully yellow Fall color while doing so.

Oh, and did I mention the 25MPH winds?!!

Wedding party photos at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion.

October wedding photos in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Bride and groom photos outside Tanglewood Hills Pavilion.

The chapel at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion is a non-denominational facility that is perfect for a church wedding. The balcony also houses a bridal suite and the Evergreen Reception room downstairs makes this a great all in one wedding venue for the Davenport, Iowa area.

After the ceremony we did family pictures along with a few more bride and groom images and then it was time for cake and dinner.

Wedding ceremony in the chapel at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion.

A view from the chapel balcony during a wedding at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion.

A sweet kiss down the center aisle of the chapel.

While the desserts and dinner were all terrific, the real highlight of the reception inside the Evergreen Room at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion was the emotional bond between the bride and groom and their families and friends.

Wedding reception decor inside the Evergreen Room.

Family and friends during a wedding reception in Bettendorf, Iowa.

First dance for the newlyweds at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Allison and Nathan’s wedding at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion in the Davenport, Iowa area. Be sure to Contact Me on this website to inquire about your wedding photography.

Wedding At Shultz Chapel

October 21, 2020 Steve Vansak

Austin and Bianca had a lovely brunch wedding at Shultz Chapel which is part of Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, Indiana. This intimate wedding featured fall leaves, close friends and family as well as the couple’s two doggies.

Schultz Chapel is a unique, open air wedding chapel that gives a lake view to guests. The stained glass windows are a nice accent to the surrounding brick. This Eastern Indiana wedding venue really does evoke the old song Going To The Chapel.

Bride is escorted down the aisle by her Father at Shultz Chapel.

Intimate micro wedding at Schultz Chapel in Milford, Indiana.

Fall wedding photos in Milford, Indiana.

Bride and groom walks amongst the Fall leaves at Camp Alexander Mack.

Bride and groom kiss lakeside in Milford, Indiana.

The afternoon reception featured some heartfelt speeches as well as first dances and parent dances. If the decor is any indication, Austin and Bianca love family time with their two dogs in front of the TV for some Netflix and chill.

Wedding reception in Milford, Indiana at Camp Alexander Mack.

This has merely been a sneak peek of Bianca and Austin’s wedding at Shultz Chapel with many more images to come. To inquire about wedding photography for your big day, please contact me here.

Look at those grins! My Tuesday afternoon newlyweds after their #microwedding @meyerscastle

Together Stronger, Together Better, Together As One. Thanks @chicagotheatre , it’s as though you knew we were coming!

A 1950’s themed wedding at Hall of Justice.

Wedding At St. George Greek Orthodox Church

October 12, 2020 Steve Vansak

Wedding ceremony at St. George Greek Orthodox Church

Maggie and Ben had a lovely day for their Fall wedding at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Schererville, Indiana. We started the day at the home of the bride’s parents where in addition to hair and make up by Melissa Marshall - on location shoulder massages were being given courtesy of the father of the bride.

A swarm of bees attacked the flower girl and “please turn on the blue tooth” means the sister of the bride and maid of honor can and will break into dance.

Oh, and another photographer showed up to try and upstage me!! :)

Getting ready for a Fall wedding in October.

I photographed some at home portraits of the bride while second photographer Jaime captured the guys who were right next door. Then it was off to the church for the ceremony.

Bridal portraits at the bride’s parent’s home.

Let it be known that if it wasn’t for You Tube, no groomsmen’s ties in all of America would be properly placed and secured.

The groom and his guys get ready for the big day.

The bride walked down the aisle escorted by her Dad as friends and family looked on. St. George Greek Orthodox Church has some incredible architecture so I made sure to take some wide shots to show it off along with getting in close to see the happy expressions of these newlyweds.

Scenes of a wedding ceremony at St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Schererville, Indiana.

Exchanging vows at St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

The celebration begins outside St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

After family photos at the altar it was time for wedding party and bride and groom pictures. A few in the church and then we went to Lake Hills Park in St. John to capture some Fall color.

Wedding party on the altar of St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

Bride and groom on the altar at St. George Church in Schererville, Indiana.

The newlyweds with Fall leaves behind them.

Fall color surrounds the bride and groom as they kiss.

Chillin’ at the pier at Lake Hills Park in St. John, Indiana.

Fall wedding photos in Northwest Indiana.

Clouds fill the sky after a Fall wedding ceremony.

We met up with the wedding party for group photos and then it was off to the reception at The Patrician.

Bridesmaids group photos at Lake Hills Park.

The bridesmaids battle with the bride on her big day.

Groom and groomsmen photos at a Fall wedding.

Wedding reception guests at The Patrician Banquets were treated to some sweet treats and lovely decorations when they arrived. The bride and groom were introduced and immediately went into their first dance and cake cutting. After dinner it was parent dances and then the dance floor opened up.

Decorations and sweet treats at a Fall wedding reception at The Patrician.

If dancing wasn’t your thing, you could always grab your coloring books for entertainment. And yes, that is REAL MONEY all over the dance floor!

Wedding reception fun at The Patrician Banquets in Schererville, Indiana.

The Father of the bride dances with his daughter.

This is merely a sneak peek look at Maggie and Ben’s wedding at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Schererville, Indiana with many more images to come. Please follow the social media channels below for more from this and other weddings. Also, fill out the Contact Form right here to schedule a meeting about your wedding photography.