Wedding Advice & Photography

Two things we are confident in: Wedding Planning & photography. Van Elk & Co is made up of a team of photographers who love to create portraits of love & happiness and share advice for wedding couples.

This isn't your typical photography blog. We share useful info for couples who are getting married and those who are heading that direction. Let us show you pretty things while you fill your head with all things wedding planning.

June 27, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

groom in blue suit dips bride in white dress and kisses her at sunset at their Indianapolis Hawaiian Jewish wedding

The setting sun reflected off the windows of buildings in downtown Indianapolis. Standing on the terrace of Regions Tower, Riane and Jacob and were backlit by the light. They danced and Jacob dipped Riane, practicing for when they would do their first dance later in the evening. They kissed while dipping and it was magical. […]

June 24, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom dance under overhang after their first look at their sand creek wedding

The overhand outside the Sand Creek Country Club provided a nice respite from the sun on a hot day. Under that overhang, Shanelle walked toward Phil as they prepared to see each other for the first time on their wedding day. After lots of hugs and few kisses and some chatting, Phil took Shanelle by […]

June 22, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom under chuppah at their charming coxhall gardens wedding

The leaves of the weeping willow were blown slowly back and forth by a light breeze, adding a little movement behind the Chuppah during the ceremony. Under the Chuppah, Shayna and Aaron stood holding hands as Aaron prepared to break the glass. When the time came, he stomped so hard his yarmulke flew off his […]

June 6, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom hold hands and walk through West Clay with their wedding party before their Carmel backyard wedding

June 3, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom dancing in black and white photo during their charming regions tower wedding with someone dressed as uncle sam behind them

The guests made a circle around the dance floor and lit sparklers. As the sparklers caught fire, one of the bride and groom’s relatives came out of Regions Tower dressed as Uncle Sam. As the bride and groom danced through their guests who were waving sparklers, Uncle Sam also danced around them and made their […]

June 2, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

beautiful blonde bride standing in front of steps of building for her unique wedding photos

A soft breeze blew across the quad at Ball State University, lifting the lace of Sara’s dress and tousling her blonde hair. She lifted the skirt of her wedding dress and spun in the breeze taking in the day. Her groom Adam stood watching, a smile on his face, as he watched Sara having her […]

May 17, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

wide shot of first kiss in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart during a University of Notre Dame wedding

We had so much fun shooting this University of Notre Dame wedding with Emily and Adam! We love visiting the University of Notre Dame and shooting there is so much fun. The campus is beautiful and provides so many gorgeous backdrops for photography. With this wedding we got to shoot at Saint Mary’s Lake, the […]

April 2, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

sullivans steakhouse captured at an angle on a cloudy day during a sullivans steakhouse wedding

On a lovely day in autumn last year we traveled down to Sullivan’s Steakhouse to capture a wedding. This is the first wedding that I’ve captured at Sullivan’s Steakhouse, and I loved this place. It had a cool old fashioned feel to it with modern flairs. It felt classic yet current at the same time. […]

March 24, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom kiss on balcony of alexander hotel with puffy clouds in the background before a Newfields Garden Wedding

White cumulus clouds hung in the air over Indianapolis. Rashad stood on the balcony of the Alexander Hotel looking out at the city as Kathleen walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around to see her, a smile crossing his face. They embraced and kissed as the a gentle breeze […]

March 14, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

solar flare at sunset with bride and groom at the Willows Ballroom after their holy spirit parish wedding

The setting sun shone through a small gap in the leaves. It backlit Madelynn and Justin as they stood embracing, about to kiss. They had stepped outside of their reception at the Willows Ballroom for a brief moment alone at sunset. The fading rays of light warmed their skin on a cool spring day. Hannah […]