June 8, 2024 - Our Lady of Sorrows, Valparaiso, IN
Venue - Dunes Pavilion, Chesterton, IN
I hadn’t met Annie and Pat before their wedding day. Pat is a Massachusetts native and while Annie was raised in Valparaiso, they now live in Seattle. I arrived at Our Lady of Sorrows in Valparaiso where everyone was gathering. The old monastery had plenty of space to get ready and the most beautiful areas to photograph. Annie slipped into her fitted satin gown with a trail of buttons down the backside. Mom is a seamstress and made sure her dress fit perfectly. Adorned in pearls from her hair pins and earrings to the edges of her veil she was grace and elegance, a classic and beautiful bride.
Surrounded by childhood friends, college crewmates, and family; Pat did not escape the ridicule of his natural and not so natural poses as we walked the grounds. Before the ceremony Pat had a quiet moment with his parents. His mother shed tears looking up at her baby boy ready to take the hand of a woman who will forever hold his heart.
Guests filled the pews as the bridal party prepared their entrance. Annie tucked her arm in her dad’s and held back tears, a moment of anticipation before the doors opened. The groom, with an unbridled smile, shook hands with the most important man in Annie’s life until now. He took her by the hands and they stepped onto the alter and into forever. Cheers erupted as the couple exited through a plume of bubbles.
The clover spotted grass and old stone work made it feel like they were wed in an Irish countryside church paying homage to Annie’s heritage.
We arrived at the Dunes Pavilion in Chesterton to a pocket of rain that cut Bridal Party time short but it also cleared the beaches. Soon after the rain crystal blue water, empty beaches, and gusty winds made an ideal setting for the couple’s portraits.
The Bonne View set tables with bud vases in bright wildflower colors and blue glass votives atop a neutral cheesecloth runner. Each guest was given a bag of Albanese gummi bears treating this room of visiting guests a local and famous candy. The is venue lined with half-moon windows so when the sun began to set guests ate dinner to cotton candy skies and moody clouds just over the water’s edge.
Once the dancefloor opened it stayed packed with the help of 27 Entertainment. Lights and props made their way to the dancefloor and from Abba to Drake all ages danced and sang. In the end guests were escorted home by star studded clear skies, a beautiful end to a beautiful day.
Comments