Valerie and Tyler | Wedding Photography | Valparaiso University Chapel of the Ressurrection | Duneland Falls

Tyler and Valerie planned the perfect wedding, and by planned I don't mean put together casually-- I mean drew up floor plans in AutoCAD. Their itinerary was feirce yet flexible. Their entire wedding day was fun and smooth! I salute your organization!

Here's a quick preview before you leave for Costa Rica! Enjoy!
























Register to view Val and Tyler's photos before they go online and you receive a FREE 4x6! Plus, I e-mail you when they are ready!

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ps. I feel the need to mention that this amazing bride was ON WHEEL OF FORTUNE! How amazing is that!

Bill and Becca | Wedding Photography | Spring Valley Presbyterian & Sergio's | Itasca, Illinois

Becca and Bill had a fantastic wedding! I'm working on the rest of the photos now, but here is an adorable preview of how they didn't let the rain get them down!

slideshow coming soon!

View all of the photos here!
Register before I get them up and you get a $5 gift credit!

The Voegeles | Family Portrait | Beachwalk | Sherdian Beach | Michigan City, Indiana

This is the first time the Voegeles have been to the fabulous beaches of Indiana! Welcome!

They stayed with friends at the Beachwalk Family Resort, a totally cute vacation neighborhood in Sheridan Beach, right here in Michigan City!















Cynthia has a photo just like this with her mom, so she wanted to get one with Lauren, adorable!



View all of the photos here!

The Tolmans | Family Portrait | Beachwalk | Sheridan Beach | Michigan City, Indiana

The Tolman's have been coming out to Beachwalk every summer for the past few years, how fun! The kids are definitely at home at the beach.

This photo happened while the above photo was taken. He was on the run!







Love the wagon!





View all of the photos here!

Cassie and Mike | Engagement Session | Michigan City, Indiana | Stop 2 Beach & Downtown

It was fate for me to shoot Cassie and Mike's Wedding!

When she called, I had just booked her date. She wanted to do an engagement session anyway because she loved my photography, and the more I heard about her wedding, the more I was sad I couldn't do it!

Then, my other bride called and had to reschedule her wedding date. She was worried I would not be able to change dates, but sure enough, I was able to do that PLUS shoot Cassie's wedding!
















August is going to be an amazing month!



View all of the photos here!

Melissa and John | Engagement Photos | Michigan City | Washington Park

It was so nice to finally meet Melissa and John in person!

We met today at Countryside Church, where John is a pastor. Their wedding will be there in August. They wanted to take a walk around Creek Ridge County Park and it was a fantastic idea! It could not have been a more beautiful day, especially after the icky cold rain yesterday.






Next we went to Washington Park, which was packed with people for the first time since I started doing sessions this spring. Summer is truly here!








View all of the photos here!

Meghan and Stephen | Long Beach Country Club | Wedding Photography | Michigan City

Stephen and Meghan truly know how to throw a party! Their wedding was stunning, and so fun! I'm so glad my friend from high school, Devon, introduced us!

The ladies got ready at Elle Salon on 8th street. I LOVE AVEDA. I definitely suggest this salon to anyone looking for somewhere chic and professional in Michigan City.

Raising up a junior diva!


Meghan waiting...



They finished dressing at Meghan's uncle's house in Long Beach. Eight bridesmaids and countless other ladies packed together for mimosas and mirror space. Adorable!





The ceremony was at St. Mary's, one of the cutest churches in Michigan City. Loved it! And check these flowers, another fantastic job by Jonas from Flowers with Jazz.











Stephen's sisters sang during the ceremony, amazing!



The Bishop that performed the service also busted some Coldplay, as well as a hockey story or two. He was fantastic, and their family friend.



Fantastic kiss!





We dipped onto the golf course before the reception began at Long Beach Country Club. This location was special to Meghan's family; they spent countless summers there. The light showers couldn't stop us from snapping just a few!





They also had a fantastic idea, put photos of family members' weddings on display! I love this! I can't wait for one of my photos to show up at the next wedding. After all, Meghan and Stephen are both from families of five children. So you know it's coming! I hope I'm blessed enough to spend another wedding with the McCarthy or Dix family. Thanks guys!



Not only were the first and parent dances incredible, everyone at this wedding was an amazing dancer!



The dance floor was so packed I got ZERO photos of anyone in the middle. It was dangerous out there!







View all of the photos here!

Liz, Benjamin, and Rafael | Family Portrait | Michigan City | Tryon Farm

Liz and Benjamin decided to take a trip to Indiana to celebrate their marriage and Benjamin's adoption of Rafael. They stayed at the fantastic Tryon Farm Guesthouse, which is an adorable B&B on an old farm. Behind the guesthouse is the progressive conservation-oriented development, Tryon Farm. Before moving back to Chicago, Liz lived in Tryon Farm. How fabulous! I have always loved this development! Learn more here.

Here are a few of my favorites

Stephanie and Nick | Engagement Photos | Michigan City

I really COULD NOT WAIT to meet Stephanie. We have been myspace buddies for a long time, and after our last session got rained out, I prayed for great weather today. When a few drops hit the ground this afternoon I was horrified, but the sun poked out and the ground was dry (enough) for everything to go through as planned!

Their wedding in October definitely tops my list of can't wait to photograph events. You guys are awesome, perfect for each other, and so cute!


Here are a few more favorites in slideshow form...

coming soon!


View all of the photos here!

Sarah and Ken | Wedding Photography | Heston Hills | LaPorte, Indiana

I didn't photograph this one, but Jose did! This is his last wedding working with me since he started his own company. I wish I could be at two places at once, I'd have loved to attend this wedding. Not only was every detail perfect, Sarah and Ken are great! Good thing I'll get a chance to hang out with them a little more in August when one of their bridesmaids, Natalie, gets married! In fact, three of the ladies in the photo have been photographed by me before! You probably recognize Jen most recently from her two sessions last week! I love it. I can't wait to photograph these ladies again! Stunning!







I love the ring inscription. My bride last weekend was a Latin teacher, so I suppose I could have asked her what this meant. I looked it up instead, FOREVER LOVE. I was close. Sarah just emailed and told me, OUR LOVE IS FOREVER.





These are just a few of my favorites. The rest should be up shortly, so pre-register and receive a $5 credit!

Sandra and Jim | Wedding Photography | Merrillville and Portage

Sandy and Jim are great! They had a beautiful wedding at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church in Merrillville. In fact, Jim's father is a Deacon there. The church has a little biography on their website about him. How special that he could marry them!

Here are a couple of my favorite photos from the day!

slideshow coming soon!

View all of the photos here!

Stacy and Rob | Wedding Photography | Millcreek Barns | Michigan

I love Millcreek Barns! It's brand new and I am so thrilled to shoot on of the first weddings there. I have to say, this is probably my favorite wedding venue to date. So rural chic!

Look at Rob! He is so happy he can't keep a straight face for our take on American Gothic. How funny, for my engagement session, we did something similar. Stacy and Rob suggested it without even knowing that. That's how I know they are awesome.

Check out this stunning dress hanging outside the bridal cottage! Again, LOVE this location.



Speaking of dresses, the maid of honor, Amy, had an awesome dress! I loved how they really personalized every detail of the wedding.



Check out a few more favorites:













Stacy and Rob, your family and friends are amazing fun! I almost typed families, but you are all one family now!

The coordinator, Jolene from Delicate Creature, was fantastic! All of the details came together perfectly. Brides without a coordinator, consider it! Especially for the day-of. It was a breeze! Check her out at work...



One last thing before the slideshow... if someone from Mill Creek Barns is looking at this blog, we DID NOT use fireworks on the property! We left to do some awesome sparkler photos!






View all of the photos here!

Josh & Jen | Portrait Photography | Washington Park in Michigan City

Josh and Jen had such a great time doing the family photos that we decided to go out, sans sons, and do some couple photos! Josh and Jen have been married for a few years and were eager to have some new photos.

All of Josh and Jen's friends, please have my shoot your fantastic Florida wedding so I can visit them!













View all of the photos here!

Josh, Jen, Jacob, and Colin | Silko Family Portrait | Michigan City

What a great family! We had a fantastic time with these photos! They are in town from Florida for Josh's sister Sarah's wedding. Look out for them soon! My assistant Jose, who recently started his own business, is doing their wedding on May 30! He's lucky he gets to see my favorite family again.

This is when we knew it was time to stop!





View all of the photos here!

Stacy and Rob | Engagement Session at Willow Harbor Vineyard, New Buffalo Beach, and LaLumiere School

Stacy and Rob are SO FUN!

I can't wait for their wedding because they are awesome. I also can't wait because they are having their wedding at my absolute dream location, as a photographer, and a bride. I know I just got married, but honestly, had I known about this venue, I'd have been married there!

Check out Mill Creek Barns! Their site doesn't have much yet, but I googled them and found sound exciting images. This place is BRAND NEW and I can't wait to shoot there!



For the engagement session, we did a little tour of southwest Michigan, starting at one of my other favorite weddings venues, Willow Harbor Vineyard and Polo Club. I shot one of their first weddings last June with my own wedding photographer, Nichole Frank.





After we left Three Oaks, we went to New Buffalo Beach and recreated some photos these two tried to take of themselves with the timer on their camera on their last trip to Michigan! Stacy's grandma lives in a condo right across from the beach, so they knew it well.












Then we went to LaLumiere, my high school! Anyone that knows me knows I am obsessed with this school. I loved it, and I love showing it off! It was beautiful!








As if this post hadn't been full of enough shout outs, I also wanted to mention that my friend Jose Vela from VelaFoto came along for the shoot and had some fun stuff to contribute! He was my assistant last year, but started his own business! Check him out on myspace!

Check out some more of my favorites in the slideshow and keep watch for their fabulous wedding photos in just two weeks!



View all of the photos here