Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of photographing nearly 300 weddings. And although we’ve stepped away from traditional wedding photography, our appreciation for capturing life’s important moments hasn’t changed.
We still enjoy engagement sessions, intimate wedding celebrations, and those special occasions when couples choose to marry somewhere far from home but return to celebrate with family and friends. These are meaningful moments, and we’re always honored when someone invites us to be part of them.
Such was the case on Friday, October 9, when we spent a wonderful afternoon with Alayna and Ryan.
The young couple had recently married in Canada, surrounded by a small group of family members. Back home in Northwest Indiana, they wanted to celebrate the occasion with more of their loved ones, and naturally, photographs were an important part of that celebration.
Our afternoon began at the beautiful Grand Gardner Hotel in downtown Valparaiso. This remarkable boutique hotel occupies the former Gardner School, a historic building dating back to 1899 that most recently served as home to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana.
The thoughtfully restored building offered an incredible variety of photographic settings. We spent our first hour with Alayna and Ryan exploring its elegant rooms, inviting seating areas, hallways, and staircases. Around nearly every corner was another opportunity to create something special.
From there, we traveled to Four Corners Winery and Wedding Venue, also in Valparaiso, where family and friends gathered for photographs with the newlyweds.
The rustic charm of Four Corners provided a wonderful contrast to the sophisticated surroundings of the Grand Gardner. More importantly, it gave us the opportunity to photograph the people who mean the most to Alayna and Ryan, celebrating not just their marriage, but the joining of two families.
In just three hours, we created hundreds of images documenting this special occasion. From intimate portraits of the newlyweds to family groupings and the smiles shared along the way, each photograph became another piece of their story.
Years from now, the celebration will be a cherished memory. But the photographs will still be there, bringing those moments back to life.
Congratulations, Alayna and Ryan! Thank you for trusting us to capture this wonderful milestone in your lives. It was truly an honor.
Enjoy the memories!
— Rick Bella, for Bella Photography
