June Wedding At St. Michael's Parish In Schererville, Indiana

June 19, 2017 Steve Vansak

In the Centennial Park Garden after their June wedding ceremony.

Josh and Amanda had a beautiful June wedding at St. Michael's Parish and I could not have been happier to be there. Six years ago I photographed her sister Jackie's wedding and Josh was the best man. Jackie's husband Brandon was the best man this time around. If you are lost now, no problem - let's just say it was great for me to see everyone again as well as the new additions to the family.

This summer wedding started with bridal prep at Amanda's mom's house. I joined Chop Shop who was doing hair along with Sta Glam on make up. The flower girls assisted me with their Instax cameras. We even re-created a fave photo of Amanda's that I did with her brother in 2011.

Bridal prep for a June wedding at St. Michael's Parish.

Flower girls hide underneath bride's veil.

Josh paid tribute to Amanda's father Greg before joining his groomsmen and arriving at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville.

St. Michael's Parish was filled with friends and family of Amanda and Josh. As Amanda walked down the aisle with her brother Jake and mom Mary, the smile on Josh's face grew wider. Soon they would be husband and wife and off to celebrate in the summer sun.

June wedding ceremony at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville, Indiana.

Bride comes down the aisle during a Catholic wedding ceremony at St. Michael's Parish.

Bride and groom listen to Father during mass of their Catholic wedding.

Bride and groom pray to the Virgin Mary in the sanctuary of St. Michael's Parish.

We immediately photographed family and wedding party after the ceremony with a few bride and groom photos inside the church. Then we were off to Centennial Park for some June wedding photos in the sun.

Wedding party photos at St. Michael's Parish in Schererville.

Bride and groom exit the darkened St. Michael's Church.

I photographed the wedding party groups pictures looking across the lake at Centennial Park and then second photographer Bridget took the guys for their images and I photographed the bridesmaids.

Wedding party group photos overlooking the lake fountain at Centennial Park.

The bride and her sisters at Centennial Park.

The groomsmen on the stage at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

Amanda had an incredibly long veil and we had to make sure we took advantage of the wind and let it fly for a few portraits. She was gorgeous wearing it outside as well as when she walked down the aisle.

Image of a bride and her veil flying in the wind.

As I took Amanda and Josh around Centennial Park I was amazed at all of the leaves on the ground. We took some kissing shots with them and I also had the happy couple chill in the shade of the garden for awhile for some candid moments.

Kissing photos at the Centennial Park gardens.

The fashion forward bride and groom on the Centennial Park stage.

Josh and Amanda were quite anxious for a dipping shot and I obliged them in front of the lake fountains. They looked as though they had been practicing!!

Summer wedding photos at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.

During our last few photos, Josh lifted Amanda off of her feet and soon we were on our way to the party at Villa Cesare.

The groom lifts his bride off of her feet at their summer wedding.

The reception at Centennial Park had some raucous intros of the wedding party along with a roasting of the groom via best man Brandon. Summer sandals were handed out to all those who hit the dance floor and there were many!! DJ Shaun Kelly from Spinnin' Productions kept it live all night.

June wedding reception at Villa Cesare in Schererville, Indiana.

A crowded dance floor at Villa Cesare for a June wedding reception.

Summer wedding reception photos at Villa Cesare.

Bouquet toss at Villa Cesare during a June wedding reception.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I could not have been more thrilled to photograph Amanda and Josh's big day and also get the chance to see Jackie and Brandon, Samantha and Dale and Rachel and Dustin - all former clients whose weddings I have shot. thanks! This is merely a sneak peek, so stay tuned for more images.

As always, please fill out the Contact Form to inquire about your big day!!

Literary Themed Wedding at Centennial Park

July 6, 2015 Steve Vansak

Shadow of a heart with a wedding ring placed inside a book.

Katie and Kurt are fans of the Harry Potter series of books and avid readers. It made perfect sense for them to have a literary themed wedding complete with books on every table at their reception at Centennial Park in Munster.

The day began at Hampton Inn where the girls got ready. It was there amongst all the laughter and hairspray that I first spotted the library due date cards that would be serving as table placards later in the night.

The bride puts on earrings as window light shines upon her.

Katie looked resplendent in her veil and we definitely showed it off in pictures. I took the girls into the hotel lobby for posed as well as goof off photos and I took Katie outside for a walk.

Bridesmaids wedding photos in Munster, Indiana.

The ceremony took place at Ridge United Methodist Church with Father Steve as officiant. The tall building gave me opportunity to get some nice wide shots of the altar and the center aisle was perfect for up close shots as Katie and Kurt were married.

Wedding ceremony at Ridge United Methodist Church.

We were concerned about storms as the couple exited the church with bubbles surrounding them. However, I put in a text to Mother Nature and the rain held off!!

Bubbles surround the newly married couple at Ridge United Methodist Church in Munster, IN.

Centennial Park was our last stop of the day for photos as well as the literary themed wedding reception. The newly married couple walked alone across the bridge while we loaned out a golf cart for a fun group wedding photo.

The bride and groom walk across the bridge at Centennial Park.

The literary themed wedding really showed at the reception with books adorning each table and the library due date cards for each guests. Boris from Precision Sound kept them dancing all night and handed the microphone off to the groom and the single guys who serenaded the bride just before the garter toss.

Literary themed wedding reception at Centennial Park.

Wedding season is in full swing and this is only a sneak peek look at Katie and Kurt's literary themed wedding at Centennial Park. Stay tuned for more at the social media links below!!

Wedding At United Methodist Church In Hebron, Indiana

July 3, 2015 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom kiss at United Methodist Church in Hebron.

To me, Lauren and Ryan are the perfect "early summer" couple - laid back, breezy, calm and cool. Their June wedding at United Methodist Church in Hebron was just that. The temperature was perfect and we we're able to go to the beautiful Ogden Gardens as well as the rip roaring, open air reception at the Valparaiso YMCA Pavilion.

The day started at His and Hers Salon with lots of laughter and continued to the church where Lauren got into her beautiful dress.

The bride's dress hangs in front of stained glass windows at the church.

The couple had a private first look inside the church before letting in friends and family for the ceremony. It was a great moment as Lauren came down the aisle and Ryan slowly turned to see her for the first time on their wedding day.

First look for the bride and groom at United Methodist Church in Hebron, Indiana.

The church was packed with well wishers as the couple were married. A crowd waited outside afterward to salute the newly married couple and send them off.

Wedding ceremony at United Methodist Church.

After family photos inside the church, we stopped by Ogden Garden in Valparaiso where we took fun wedding photos with the bridesmaids and groomsmen as well as romantic pictures of the bride and groom. Lauren and the girls showed off their "epic swag" while Ryan sheepishly showed the bridesmaids his "bling".

Fun wedding photos at Ogden Garden in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Romantic wedding photos at Ogden Garden in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The wedding reception was held at the open air venue of the YMCA Pavilion in Valparaiso. The couple danced in front of the Mr. and Mrs. sign that was handcrafted by the groom. As night approached, the dance floor heated up. The bride and groom even got in a quick corn toss.

Wedding reception at the YMCA Pavilion in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Summer Wedding At Sand Creek Country Club

June 15, 2015 Steve Vansak

The bride and groom kiss romantically underneath a chandelier at Sand Creek Country Club.

When I first met with Dolores and Erich to discuss their wedding photography we talked about music and the arts about 80% of the time. The bride and groom love music as do I and the groom's Dad is a retired photographer. We had a lot to chat about.

On wedding day it did not surprise me to hear classic Motown playing during Getting Ready. Nothing like music to get your mind off of a rainy day. Yes, that's right, it rained on Dolores and Erich's big day. It doesn't matter. The emotion that played out during the ceremony said it all - love conquers!! They couldn't wait for their wedding day and they both embraced it in every way.

Getting Ready for a summer wedding in Chesterton, Indiana.

Erich gave Dolore's a book of love stories as a gift that she proudly displayed on the table as her friend Heidi did her hair and Cora from Bella G's did make up. You can see the rain through the window in the silhouette above. Friends were also popping in with gifts, including a wonderful heart keepsake that displayed a loving message when turned up.

Our second photographer took guy's shots at Sand Creek out front while I took the girl's onto the golf course for photos. We did a peek-a-boo shot of the bride and groom before the ceremony and brought them together afterwards for couples photos.

Wedding photo collage at Sand Creek Golf Course in Chesterton, Indiana.

As I mentioned, the ceremony was incredibly emotional with happy tears from bride and groom and family as well. It may have been dark outside, but inside the room was lit up with joy, including the wonderful officiant Rebecca Armstrong.

Indoor wedding ceremony at Sand Creek Country Club.

The reception was decorated by Claddaugh Wedding and Events with entertainment by Avant DJ. Erich and Dolores chose to have the Portraits at the Reception add on where we brought out studio lighting and backdrop for portraits. Myself and Lauren Petersen took turns covering the portraits and dance floor action. If you look closely at the photo collage below, you will see the wonderful engagement photos that Erich's Dad, a retired professional photographer, took of the couple. He did an awesome job!!

Wedding reception photo collage from Sand Creek Country Club.

Colored sky balloons overlook the bride and groom's first dance.

Wedding season is in full swing, so please stay tuned for more photos from Erich and Dolore's summer wedding at Sand Creek Golf Course in the weeks ahead. You can check back on this page as well as social media.