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.

November 12, 2022

FILED IN: Video, Weddings

man in gray suit hugs woman in white dress with faux fur shawl from behind in meadow in autumn during their charming carmel wedding

The air was cool and crisp in the middle of a meadow. A slight breeze moved through the stalks of the wildflowers, still standing after having lost their flowers in fall. In the middle of the grass and plants, David hugged Allison and kept her warm. Behind them the red leaves still clinging to a […]

October 21, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

a man in a tux hugs a woman in a white dress holding a clear umbrella on a rainy day during their Artisan Acres Estate wedding

The sky was overcast with a sheet of light gray clouds. A slight drizzle escaped the clouds and sprinkled down on the earth below. Little beads of water formed on Molly’s clear umbrella as she held it over her head while kissing her groom, Jordan, in front of the Artisan Acres flower garden. After kissing […]

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. […]

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

December 29, 2020

FILED IN: Video, Weddings

bride and groom hug and kiss in open field at sunset during their Carmel Backyard Wedding

The sun was slowly dipping below the tree line. In the last few minutes before it winked out of site, its dim rays seemed to be traveling across the earth instead shining down on it. In a field of grass, Katie and Aaron danced in the light and their shadows seemed to grow and move […]

August 28, 2020

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom dance in front of wooden circle and guests at a Bash wedding

Earlier this summer Jenn and I had the privilege of capturing our first wedding after the pandemic started. It was such a relief to get back to some sort of normalcy. Nicole and Jon were married at Bash in Carmel. This wedding meant a lot to us, because Jon is a close friend of mine […]

August 25, 2020

FILED IN: Weddings

man in red turban and woman in jewels at their Coxhall Gardens wedding

The tan bricks of the Caxhall Mansion provided some shade as evening drew near. Behnam stood in the shade, his back to the mansion. Hira hugged Behnam from behind, looking lovingly at him. Behnam turned his head slightly toward her and they both smiled. Last week I had the pure joy of capturing this amazing […]

November 17, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

On the balcony of the Palladium, Laura and John stood overlooking Carmel. The sun was setting, and its last fading rays provided a lovely romantic glow. They stood there, holding each other snug. The care and affection the two of them had for one another was amazing. I just loved watching the way they doted […]

February 4, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

The guests at the wedding not already on the dance floor all stood up from their tables and rushed to the dance floor, confetti in hand and Happy New Year hats on their heads. 10… 9… 8… Aly and Andy met each other on the dance floor and turned to watch the clock as it counted […]