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.

October 17, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

a man and woman in wedding clothes kiss at sunset during their mustard seed wedding

The setting sun bathed Analisa and Charles in golden light. They were newly married and just minutes away from their reception in the barn at Mustard Seed Gardens. They danced slowly in the sunlight, Charles dipping and kissing Analisa while the wind blew her veil. This portrait session after Analisa and Charle’s Mustard Seed wedding […]

September 29, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom dance under a ton of stringlights during their mavris reception

String lights and chandeliers provided mood lighting as the guests took their seats at the Mavris. Then, from the stairwell, Maggie and Tyler entered the reception space to massive applause from their friends and family. Immediately after they entered the space, music swelled and they danced their first dance in the middle of the tables […]

August 28, 2022

FILED IN: Engagements

a man and a woman kiss outside a glass building during their newfields greenhouse engagement photos

The soft sunlight filtered through the overcast sky and reflected off the glass of the greenhouse. In front of the greenhouse, Kathleen and Albert embraced. As they hugged, they brought their heads together and briefly kissed. This was just one of the lovely moments from their Newfields greenhouse engagement session. Scroll down to see many […]

August 13, 2022

FILED IN: Engagements

man and woman stand in front of fountain about to kiss with their dog on a leash next to them during their carmel city center engagement session

The last rays of sunlight were catching droplets of water flowing from the cascading pools of the fountain. Kyle and Ali stood n front of the fountain, a slight mist from the falling water dampening their clothes. They hugged and kissed, oblivious to the rest of the world. This was just one of the fantastic […]

August 12, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

two brides take a shot with their officiant during their martinsville wedding ceremony

The sun shone down between the leaves, creating a dappled pattern of highlights on the grass below. In this grassy area in the woods, Danielle and Erin stood with their backs to each other. Then they turned to see each other for the first look. It was a stunning moment. We hope you loved this […]

August 11, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

Sarah and Jeffrey wanted to make sure they got some photos of Sarah at the Bottleworks Hotel, where she was getting ready. So, the first thing we did the morning of the wedding was we took Sarah out to do some portraits. Bottleworks is absolutely gorgeous and made for a lovely backdrop. After a few […]

August 10, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

a couple dressed in white laugh at sunset at their Ritz Charles wedding

The setting sun turned the sky orange, casting the world into an orange haze. Kristen and Rob stood on a sidewalk outside the chapel at the Ritz Charles and kissed in front of this lovely orange backdrop. Then they laughed and smiled. It was a beautiful moment and we loved the way Hannah captured it. […]

August 9, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

a bride and groom eat hot dogs from a hot dog cart before their scottish rite cathedral wedding

A hot dog stand stood in the middle of White River State Park, next to the canal. When Ali and Eric saw the stand, Ali immediately asked if we had time to get hot dogs. For the bride, of course. We loved the spontaneity and also we just love when couples do something they enjoy […]

August 8, 2022

FILED IN: Engagements

man in blue checked suit jacket hugs blonde woman while they both smile and laugh in front of a pond during their West Clay Engagement Session

The sun was just starting to dip below the trees and the earth was starting to cool off. In a cool space in the shade, next to a pond, Austin hugged MacKenzie She looked up, over her shoulder at him and the both smiled and laughed. Then he kissed her on top of the head. […]

August 5, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

man and woman dance at night for their first dance at their Richmond Indiana wedding.

The sun had set and the air was just starting to cool off on this hot summer day. The dance floor was cleared, and Miranda and Wade stepped out into the center. They held each other close and danced slow, as their friends and family made a circle around them to watch. We loved this […]