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 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 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 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. […]

March 11, 2022

FILED IN: Engagements

man and woman hug in front of blue restaurant during their West Clay Engagement Session

Flowers and shrubs in clay planters sprouted in front of a wonderful little restaurant. The warmth of spring had coaxed them above ground. They stood in front of a building with large buildings framed with white trim and blue walls. Kate and Jordan hugged in front of the doorway, touching their foreheads as they embraced. […]

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 […]

October 25, 2016

FILED IN: Engagements

The first leaves were beginning to change color from a dark green to a bright orange. A few had even blown off the trees already. It was the time of year when the slow transition from summer temperatures to fall temperatures suddenly accelerates, and people wander out their front door in shorts and sandals only […]

October 3, 2016

FILED IN: Engagements

The rays of the setting sun reflected off the pavement of the street, creating a beautiful yellow glare as Margo and Will walked down the sidewalk in Carmel. They paused for a moment next to one of the street lamps, the leaves from plant hanging off a crook in the metal reaching down toward the […]

September 13, 2016

FILED IN: Weddings

Lights were strung up on the balcony of the River Glen Country Club overlooking the golf course. The warm glow of their tungsten bulbs looked beautiful under the shadow of the overhang. Wendy stepped out of her reception and onto the long wood planks of the balcony. As she stood looking out at the rain soaked […]

July 11, 2016

FILED IN: Engagements

On top of the bridge in the middle of Coxhall Gardens, Wendy and Deson paused on their walk. They looked out over the water, Deson holding Wendy with one arm around her waist. A gentle breeze tousled Wendy’s long hair as she moved her head till it was touching Deson’s head. She looked over her […]

June 1, 2015

You just had the best night of your life. Your significant other took you out on a magical date and at the end of it, they proposed. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for since you were five. Since you saw your aunt and uncle get married in your grandparent’s church, that rigid, conservative building […]