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.

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 […]

July 20, 2021

FILED IN: Engagements

couple silhouetted and dancing at sunset during their coxhall gardens engagement session

The light of the setting sun filled the sky with oranges and yellows and blues. The color faded from one end of the spectrum to the other making dusk seem magical and full of wonder. The pond at the park lay still and peaceful, like mirror reflecting the beauty of the sunset up above. In […]

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 […]

September 3, 2020

FILED IN: Engagements

man and woman dance at coxhall gardens engagement session

Last fall when the air was cooler and it was okay to wear pants and jackets, Katelyn and Nick had the most adorable engagement photos! They met with Hannah in front of the Coxhall Mansion and started shooting. We just love the way Hannah captured them laughing and dancing in front of the gates at […]

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 […]

February 3, 2020

FILED IN: Engagements

Can anyone believe we are already into month 2 of 2020! How is this possible? I’ve been going through galleries of 2019 the past few days and I can’t tell you how hard it was to narrow it down to a reasonable amount. We just adore our couples and everything they do is just photo […]

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 […]

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 […]

May 20, 2016

FILED IN: Engagements

The bridge at Coxhall Gardens had an easy three-centered arch, with a spacious sidewalk along the thin waterway at the center of the lake. The light of the sun reflected off the surface of the water and off the smooth, polished intrados of the archway underneath the bridge. Grace and Jordan paused on the walkway, […]