Real Weddings In Northwest Indiana

April 21, 2020 Steve Vansak

First look at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

With the world in chaos and gripped by a pandemic (that is still shocking to write), I thought it was time for a feel good post. I want you to view these Real Wedding episodes as not only a look at the past, but also a glimpse into the future.

If you follow me on the Region Weddings Instagram Channel, you will know I have an IGTV series call Real Weddings. Every episode features highlights from one wedding set to music. They are all weddings from Northwest Indiana, Chicago area and southwest Michigan. Here are the first five:

Real Weddings - Episode 1: Tessa + Luis

A Spring wedding with a church ceremony and a reception at Villa Cesare. Portraits taken at Centennial Park. Press play and enjoy!

Real Weddings - Episode 1

Real Weddings - Episode 2: Josie + Victor

A bohemian style outdoor wedding at Friendship Botanical Gardens and a reception at The Market.

Real Weddings - Episode 2

Real Weddings - Episode 3: Nikki + Johnny

A church wedding at St. Michael’s Parish in Schererville, Indiana with a wonderful, tight knit family.

Real Weddings - Episode 3

Real Weddings - Episode 4: Christina + Melvin

An epic wedding at The Uptown Center in Michigan City, Indiana.

Real Weddings - Episode 4

Real Weddings - Episode 5: Beth + Keenin

Roar along in the groom’s vintage car for an outdoor golf course wedding at The Pavilion at Sandy Pines.

Real Weddings - Episode 5

I hope you enjoyed these videos of Real Weddings from Northwest Indiana. Stay tuned for more episodes from Chicago and Michigan and some winter and Fall weddings too.

As always, please do fill out the Contact Form to inquire about wedding photography for your big day.

And remember, weddings will be back, hugging will begin again and love will be celebrated!!

Wedding Venue Spotlight - Sand Creek Country Club

February 19, 2020 Steve Vansak

Today’s Northwest Indiana wedding venue spotlight is the absolutely beautiful Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana. This classy venue can be your all in one location for a wedding with its bridal suite, elegant ceremony area, spacious ballroom and scenic outdoor photo opportunities.

I’ve photographed there in many different seasons, from Fall weddings to Winter weddings to glorious sun filled Spring and Summer nuptials. See Jessica and Mitchell’s Fall wedding at Sand Creek right here.

Fall wedding photo from Sand Creek Country Club.

Winter wedding photo at Sand Creek Country Club.

A bride and groom kiss on the golf course at Sand Creek Country Club.

The indoor ceremony area is separate from the reception ballroom so guests can go directly to cocktail hour or lounge on the back deck overlooking the golf course.

Wedding ceremony at Sand Creek Country Club.

Besides the “clock garden” directly behind the building, some of my favorite locations for photos at the venue include the weeping willow tree and the nearby lake. I also love casual group shots on the patio.

An intimate moment among the vines of a tall willow tree at Sand Creek Country Club.

Fog and rain over the lake as the bride and groom kiss at Sand Creek Country Club.

The wedding party chills on the patio chairs at Sand Creek golf course.

The ballroom is surrounded by windows but when night falls it can become quite the dance club. Sometimes it even snows inside!!

Snow falls upon the dance floor at Sand Creek Country Club during first dance at a wedding.

I hope you have enjoyed this spotlight article on one of the premiere Northwest Indiana wedding venues located in Chesterton, Indiana - Sand Creek Country Club.

For wedding photography, do fill out the Contact Form here to inquire about availability for your big day.

The happy couple takes a walk in the clock garden on Sand Creek golf course.

Wedding Venue Spotlight - Lighthouse Restaurant

February 10, 2020 Steve Vansak

Sunset on the pier at Lighthouse Restaurant.

Today’s Northwest Indiana Wedding Venue spotlight is Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, Indiana. If you love water, sunsets, a beach / boating vibe and delicious food, then Lighthouse Restaurant may be the right venue for you.

I always love when a venue has its own bridal suite and I often take portraits in there in addition to bridal prep photos and dress details. The mirror inside the suite gave me some interesting views of Jessica and her dress right after she got into it.

The beautiful bride in the mirror inside the bridal suite at Lighthouse Restaurant.

The beachfront adjacent to the building can provide a gorgeous backdrop for romantic wedding photos with sun reflecting off the water as well as the classic shots of couples on the pier.

Kelly and Wendy in a romantic moment as the sun reflects off the lake.

Bride and groom take a stroll along the pier at Lighthouse Restaurant at an October wedding.

Wedding ceremonies take place on the back deck overlooking the lake (a favorite spot for reception guests to get some fresh air after dinner) or inside the clear, covered gazebo.

The sun is high in the sky during an outdoor wedding ceremony overlooking the lake.

Wedding ceremony inside the covered gazebo at Lighthouse Restaurant.

If you love sunset photos, Lighthouse Restaurant is one of the best Northwest Indiana wedding venues for that gold hour look. The venue faces west with no obstructions. We may have to run outside in the middle of dinner to get these shots, but it’s definitely worth it.

Newlyweds take a stroll at golden hour before the start of their reception at Lighthouse Restaurant.

The dance floor can fit quite a few people and the room never seems too crowded. I think this is due to the back deck, as a number of people (even on a chilly Fall day) will go outside to chat.

First dance at Lighthouse Restaurant as colored lights illuminate the room.

From time to time I like to do a Northwest Indiana Wedding Venue spotlight article and I realized I had not showcased Lighthouse Restaurant despite photographing many weddings there. I hope it helps if you are still searching for a venue. Perhaps you are already booked there but wondering what it may look like for your big day. Well, here you go.

For wedding photography, please do fill out the Contact Form here to inquire about availability. Happy planning!!

5 Unique Wedding Reception Ideas

January 20, 2020 Steve Vansak

Bride and groom sprint into the reception ballroom during introductions.

One of the most interesting things about being a wedding photographer is seeing the unique flavors clients tend to bring to their weddings and especially their receptions. I know after I publish this article another 5 memories from weddings I’ve shot will pop into my head. However, here are a few that come to mind based upon some recent Chicago and Northwest Indiana wedding receptions.

Caricature Artist

Image of caricature courtesy of Matthew Hutchinson. Drawing by Colm Campbell and Nuffinc.

Recently I’ve been seeing caricature artists at wedding receptions such as Lauren and Mark’s Chicago wedding at Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. Guests sat down for these drawings at cocktail hour and appeared to have a good time posing and quite a few laughs were had when they received one of these exaggerated drawings of themselves to take home.

A caricature artist sketches out drawings of wedding guests.

Check out the Instagram feed of Nathan Biancardi of Nate “Can Do” Caricatures and reach out to him for your reception fun.

Bride and groom take a stroll along State Street in Chicago.

Live Band / Karaoke

The bride rocks out some air guitar at her wedding reception.

This is a bit of a two for one as simply having a live band is quite unique for wedding entertainment. Although, I am seeing it more and more.

The Karaoke part does have the potential to go off kilter as guests grab the microphone. However, it can be quite successful if it is worked out with the band to be a small set of songs you know your guests will like or know and also limiting the time period for this. Perhaps when you are making the rounds to greet guests at their tables and pre-first dance would be the time to bring out the mic.

Live bands playing music at wedding receptions.

Cocktail hour music at wedding receptions.

Live music during cocktail hour with a DJ following later that night is another great option.

Some of the live acts in the area who perform at weddings are:

Final Say - My friend Robbie Celestin will entertain your crowd with dance music all night.

Angelo Cicco - My old music scene friend has been at many weddings I’ve shot.

The Crawpuppies - If guitar based, danceable classic rock is your bag, do check out my buddies in Crawpuppies.

Sky Lanterns / Open Air Venues

Sky lanterns head toward the night sky at a wedding reception celebration.

I occasionally go outside to photograph the bride and groom as well as guests let sky lanterns loose into the sky. This happens a lot at open air venues, but occasionally we step out of the building for this. Sometimes it’s only the newlyweds and is sentimental and other times it’s with guests to stir the celebration.

To send your sky lanterns into the sky without them careening off into a light pole you will need a fairly calm night wind wise, a long tool to light them and of course permission from your venue.

Themed Reception

A 1920’s era look for the bride and groom at the old Crown Point Courthouse.

Some do not want to carry on a theme for the entire wedding day so they simply reserve this for the reception. Kelly and Matt did a 1920’s themed wedding at the old Crown Point Courthouse and really got into character. Others have also gone retro at the reception only with period clothing and decorations as well as modern movie themes.

Vintage themed events in Indiana, Chicago and Michigan.

Blindfold The Groom Game

The groom gets blindfolded and has to guess which person is his bride.

I’m not sure what this wedding game is actually called, but it had to be one of the funniest I’ve ever seen. We know about the shoes game and that can definitely bring some good natured laughs, but after this Molly and Ahsan took it a step further.

The groom was blindfolded and experienced a soft kiss from various handpicked guest and also the bride. His job was to pick out his bride from the bunch. Well, he made his pick and the last image shows just who it was!! Oops…

I hope you have enjoyed my 5 Unique Wedding Reception Ideas article. To inquire about wedding photography for your day so I can capture your unique wedding fun, please fill out the Contact Form right here.