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.

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 15, 2017

FILED IN: Engagements

Hand in hand, Jessica and Patrick walked under a tangle of vines in Mill Race Park. They couldn’t help but to look at each other and smile lovingly as they walked. In a few places, light broke through the vines, illuminating their smiles and exposing the way they gazed at each other with fondness. It […]

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 […]

June 17, 2015

FILED IN: Weddings

It was hot in Columbus, Indiana. My weather app had the temperature pinged at 85 degrees, but it also said that with the humidity it would feel like 95 degrees. The gardens at the Inn at Irwin Gardens are sunk down a few feet below street level and surrounded by trees, so there was no breeze down in […]

June 12, 2015

FILED IN: Weddings

Lisanne and Jay seemed to glide, arm in arm, into the venerable library at the Inn at Irwin Gardens. They sat on an antique loveseat, next to a wall of lanky windows that afforded a lovely view of the charming gardens outside. Before I had a chance to pose them, Lisanne leaned over and whispered into Jay’s ear. A soft smile broke across his face and lifted […]

May 6, 2015

We were recently featured in an article on Buzzfeed! We had so many wonderful vendors we worked with and I wanted to give them each a shout out! if you are looking for extremely talented people, you must check them out! Lindsey Swanson Hair stylist Lindsey Swanson created wonderful looks for both of our men, the […]

June 4, 2014

FILED IN: Weddings

There are some weddings we shoot that make a positive lasting impression on us, and this is one of them. Emily and Michael are an amazing couple. Although they have gone through quite a bit of hardship between their engagement shoot and their wedding, their sweet personalities did not change one bit. There were three […]