Harry Potter Wedding At The Grand CP

June 29, 2021 Steve Vansak

A romantic moment on the lower floor of The Grand CP in downtown Crown Point, IN.

Luis and Cara went all out for the decoration at their Harry Potter themed wedding. More images from the reception down below, but even the invitations and paper flowers I saw during bridal prep were exquisitely done.

Bridal prep decor at a Harry Potter themed wedding.

Bridal prep in the new bridal suite of The Grand CP.

Photographer Kerrie was with the guys while I handled bride and bridesmaid getting ready images. This all lead up to our wonderful first look on the third floor of the Old Crown Point Courthouse.

Make up artist Myra Crawford was on hand as was Under the Veil for hair.

Groom and groomsmen get ready for the harry potter themed wedding in downtown Crown Point.

The First Look…

Cara and Luis chose to have a first look so they could enjoy their day and not rush around for photos after the ceremony. It was a beautiful moment as they came together. We then snuck outside before thunderstorms hit and we also went back inside the historic wedding venue for more romantic wedding pictures of the happy couple.

First look for the bride and groom at The Grand CP.

A romantic gaze in the courtyard of the old Crown Point Courthouse.

The bride and groom share a laugh on the lower floor of The Grand.

The bride and groom practice their first dance on the marble floor of the Grand CP.

A loving gaze for the bride and groom at a downtown Crown Point wedding.

The ceremony was held in the old courtroom on the third floor. Cara was all smiles being escorted down the aisle and the groom celebrated with her as they exited.

A wedding ceremony in the vintage courtroom of The Grand CP.

This is just a small sampling of the Harry Potter themed decor of the wedding reception inside Maki Ballroom. We did our usual candid wedding photography coverage for the cocktail hour and reception - capturing real moments as guests interacted.

Harry Potter decor at wedding reception at The Grand CP.

Candid wedding photography at a reception in Crown Point, Indiana.

A fun and heartfelt wedding reception inside Maki Ballroom in downtown Crown Point.

First dance for the bride and groom underneath the chandeliers of The Grand CP’s Maki Balllroom.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Luis and Cara’s Harry Potter themed wedding at The Grand CP. Do inquire right here for wedding photography for your Northwest Indiana, Chicago or Michigan wedding.

Summer Wedding In Monee, Illinois

June 22, 2021 Steve Vansak

Elizabeth and James’ summer wedding in Monee, Illinois was a family affair all the way as it was held on a relative’s property overlooking farmland. It was a wonderfully, close knit experience as guests arrived and the hugs and laughter came forth.

I handled the bridal prep at the house while Michelle captured the guys at a nearby hotel.

We knew we had threatening storms for this outdoor wedding and indeed the skies darkened and rain and thunder hit forcing the ceremony inside the large reception tent. No matter as it was clear before and after. We even snuck in a sunset portrait!

Bridal prep at a wedding in Monee, Illinois.

Guests were seated at their reception tables as the wedding party and bride and groom entered. With rain and thunder outside it got pretty dark in the tent. However, the bride and groom illuminated the proceedings with their incredibly sincere vows. Soon after, we had sunshine again for wedding party and newlywed photos.

A wedding photo on Illinois farmland with swirling clouds over the horizon.

Wedding photos on farmland in Monee, Illinois.

The bride and groom entered via a laser sparkler entrance at their reception. Then it was on to cake cutting, speeches and dancing the night away.

A tent wedding reception in Monee, Illinois.

The sun sets as the bride and groom embrace.

I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peek look at Elizabeth and Jame’s summer wedding in Monee, Illinois. To inquire about your big day, please fill out the contact form right here. Stay tuned to social media channels below for more images from this and other weddings.

Summer Outdoor Wedding At Aberdeen Manor

September 2, 2020 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom have a laugh at the fountain in Aberdeen.

Jacob and Jasmine had a wonderful summer day for their outdoor wedding in the garden at Aberdeen Manor Ballroom in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Our day began at the historic Aberdeen Inn, a wonderful bed and breakfast down the street from the ballroom. So many moments and laughs were unfolding with the bride and her family and friends inside the picturesque bridal suite. I certainly was busy and on high alert with everything from opening gifts, reading love letter, dance parties on the bed and yes, hair and make up for the big day ahead!

Getting into the dress on wedding day at Aberdeen Inn.

While I was capturing the bridal prep, photographer Doug was with the groom as he prepped and read his love letter from his bride to be.

Flowers by: Blossom Shoppe

Dress: Elegance

Bridal portrait at Aberdeen Inn in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Outdoor portraits of the bride and groom.

Bride and groom read each other’s love letters on wedding day.

We took bridesmaid and groomsmen group photos separately and then it was time for an impromptu first look as Dad crashed the girls’ party over in the fountain area.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen take a walk in the Aberdeen neighborhood.

The garden wedding ceremony saw a nervous Jacob with friends and family watching as Jasmine was escorted down the aisle by her Father. The sun peeked out over the garden as the two exchanged vows.

A summer outdoor wedding ceremony at Aberdeen Manor.

Wedding ceremony in the garden at Aberdeen Manor and Ballroom.

Family photos were next along with wedding party and then off I went with the newlyweds to some nearby scenic locations for natural, candid and elegant wedding pictures. We even stopped at Family Express for some slurpees.

The groom twirls his bride for a romantic moment at Aberdeen.

Newlyweds surrounded by beautiful greenery after their summer wedding ceremony.

The slurpee machine was “out of order” at Family Express, so we settled for some Jones Cola and some very cute moments between the bride and groom.

Fun moments with the bride and groom at their summer wedding at Aberdeen Manor.

The reception inside the elegant ballroom of Aberdeen Manor saw performances during the introductions, roasting during the many speeches and of course plenty of dancing. Our last shot of the evening was a barefoot dip in front of the lit up chapel across the street.

Sounds: 27 Entertainment

Photo Booth: Laugh Booth

Wedding reception at Aberdeen Manor Ballroom.

A snowfall during the first dance at Aberdeen Manor Ballroom.

Party time on the dance floor at Aberdeen.

This is merely a sneak peek with many more images to come so please do check out the social media channels below. Also, fill out my Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography for your big day.

Summer Wedding At Ravisloe Country Club

August 31, 2020 Steve Vansak

The bride’s veil flies as the groom kisses her at Ravisloe Golf Course.

See, when you first meet and take a ride on a golf cart and then crash and get admitted to the hospital together - you have your wedding at a golf course! That’s how it goes…. for Jessica and Matt.

Ravisloe Country Club has a very scenic golf course, ballroom and a lovely courtyard for outdoor wedding ceremonies.

We started our day in their bridal suite with Make Up by Krissy V. and Maddie Rasp on hair, Flower Cottage on florals. While Jessica sat diligently in her various chairs, I captured details shots along with fun with champagne corks and other fun.

Details on wedding day at Ravisloe Weddings.

Bride and bridesmaids get ready for the big day.

The rain of the dress gets tended to in the bridal suite.

I have to say that wedding season 2020 has shown some incredible wedding dresses. Jessica’s very elegant dress came courtesy of Something Blue Bridal Boutique. I decided to take her to the equally elegant Ravisloe ballroom to show it off.

The bride shows off her elegant wedding dress in the ballroom at Ravisloe Country Club.

Bridal portraits at Ravisloe Country Club.

While in the ballroom we snuck in a fist look with Dad and photographer Bridget covered the guys getting ready. I then took the girls out onto the golf course for their photos.

Groom and groomsmen get ready for the big day.

Groomsmen and bridesmaids photos on the golf course at Ravisloe in Homewood, Illinois.

The outdoor ceremony took place in the fantastic courtyard and of course featured the bride being brought in via golf cart and then exiting the same way with her new husband.

Summer outdoor wedding ceremony at Ravisloe Country Club.

Outside courtyard wedding ceremony at Ravisloe Country Club.

Getting married outside at Chicagoland wedding venue Ravisloe Country Club.

After the ceremony we completed family photos and then went around the property, including the golf course for wedding photos in the afternoon sun.

The bride and groom kiss as the afternoon sun engulfs them.

Wedding party photos at Ravisloe Country Club.

Wedding photos on the golf course at Ravisloe in Homewood, Illinois.

Underneath the veil on the Ravisloe golf course with sun and flare.

Jessica and Matt had their wedding reception at Signature Banquets in Lowell, Indiana where the dancing started even before Precision Sound cranked up the music. You may have noticed the groom’s cast in some of the pictures and I presume this is why some power tools ended up for cutting the cake from Beck’s Crown Bakery.

Luckily, no injuries to report on or off the dance floor despite a golf cart being nearby!!

Reception details at Signature Banquets.

Summer wedding reception with cake, dancing and miter saws.

If you enjoyed this sneak peek look at Jessica and Matt’s summer wedding at Chicagoland wedding venue Ravisloe Country Club, do follow the social media sites below for more images from this and other weddings.

To inquire about your big day, please fill out the Contact Form right here.