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.

May 9, 2019

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom in dark and moody window light at their willow lake wedding

A high window in the bridal suite let in a sparse amount of sunlight. The light shined through the window and left a triangle shape on the wall. While waiting for their wedding to start, Amber and Patrik took a moment to themselves in the bridal suite. We’re so happy we were able to document […]

September 5, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

backlit photo of bride and groom in front of tea house at inn at irwin gardens at night

While their guests danced on the brick porch of the Inn at Irwin Gardens, Rachel and Rudy walked across the garden to spend a little time away alone, away from their guests. In front of the tea house, its tungsten lights glowing faintly at the darkness of a still August night, Rachel and Rudy held […]

December 5, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

a bride with black hair a bejeweled earrings dances with a red haired man while backlight by off camera flash causing lens flares on the image at their the inn at irwin gardens wedding

The clouds began to gather over the Inn at Irwin Gardens. It was just minutes before Hillary and Nate’s wedding ceremony, and everyone was hoping the rain would hold off for just another hour. As Hillary and Nate stood in front of their family and friends to declare their commitment to one another, the clouds […]

November 28, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

a bride and groom stand amongst lush greenery at the inn at irwin gardens

The ivy hung down over the the top of the trellis, vines creeping back down toward earth, reaching to where Jessica and Pat stood underneath with their bridal party. This small bridal party looked ensconced in the greenery of the Inn at Irwin Gardens. Behind them, behind the brick wall that the ivy grew over, […]

September 6, 2017

I was fortunate enough to work with some of the most creative wedding industry leaders this summer. I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to work with people who understood my vision and over delivered. They completely exceeded my expectations. Coming away from seasons of blush, glamour, and sequins, it was time to explore new eras. […]

March 10, 2017

FILED IN: Weddings

The window shades were pulled shut on the western side of the loft, but the light of the setting sun was still seeplng through the cracks. Margo and Will stood next to one of the windows, highlighted by the glowing light behind them. Margo wrapped her arms around Will, and he in turn hugged her […]

October 11, 2016

FILED IN: Weddings

A fountain ran down the side of a small hill that lead to the tea house at Irwin Garden. Two sets of steps led up either side of the fountain to the tea house. At the top of the steps, in the doorway to the tea house, Taylor and Mikey stood looking out over the Irwin […]

November 4, 2015

FILED IN: Weddings

As the sun began to set in Columbus, Indiana, the Inn at Irwin Gardens’s shadow began to stretch like a cat waking up from a nap. Moments later, before the wedding was set to start, that shadow would stretch out over the sunken garden and start climbing its way up the steps toward the tea […]