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 28, 2019

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom danced in the woods at sunset at this charming willows wedding

The sun was setting over the pond. In a copse of trees next to the pond, Ben took Kristin’s hand and gave her a twirl. They danced amongst the trees as the sun set behind them. We had so much fun capturing this charming Willows wedding with Kristin and Ben! There were so many amazing […]

April 9, 2019

FILED IN: Weddings

a bride in a white dress taps a groom in a suit on the shoulder under a bunch of hanging glass lamps in a bar in this mavris wedding photography

Multicolored glass lamps hung from the ceiling of the bar at the Alexander. Under the lamps, and next to the bar, Jonathan waited to see his bride for the first time on their wedding day. He had the biggest smile on his face as he anticipated seeing her. Carly walked up slowly behind him and […]

December 13, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

dapper groom and beautiful bride kiss at sunset with beautiful flares in frame at their indianapolis art center wedding

As the sun set, the trees surrounding the Indianapolis Art Center cast long shadows across the garden. Seeing how dark it was getting, there was some tangible fear that we could miss sunset. So, we ran over to Margaret and Timo to see if they wanted sunset photos. We just needed five minutes. Luckily, not […]

December 12, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

a blonde bride looks up at her bespectacled blonde groom at sunset at their rathskeller wedding

The sunlight was fading. We only had a few minutes before it would be gone completely. I spoke with the bride and groom to see if they wanted to do sunset photos, and they did. We only had about a five minute window to get them done though. We rushed downstairs from the Athenaeum Theater […]

December 10, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

sunset over the pond at this willows wedding in broad ripple

The sun was setting over the pond next to the Willows on Westfield and the soft, yellow light was reflecting off the placid surface of the water. Flowers grew next to the water, adding little pops of color to the greenery on the banks. Standing in front of a patch of red flowers, Mike held […]

September 19, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom under umbrella backlit by warm light on a rainy Neidhammer wedding day

The rain was coming down in sheets, and there wasn’t a break in the clouds. Victoria and Mike stepped outside for a break from their wedding festivities. While outside, they huddled together under a transparent umbrella. It was quiet outside. It was one of the few places they could have a moment alone during their […]

September 17, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom dance in barn while guests on dance floor and in balcony look on at this Lindley Farmstead wedding

The guests in the balcony all stood up from their tables and crowded along the railing, looking down at the dance floor below. Since there wasn’t enough room along the railing, some of the guests walked over to the stairs and stood on the stairs so they could have a better view of what was […]

September 6, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

The water from the brief rain hadn’t yet evaporated and clung to the slats of the deck in little pools. Hope had to raise her dress as she walked out onto the deck to keep her train from getting wet. Once out in the middle of the deck, in an unusually dry patch, Hope and […]

August 9, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

a bride and groom with black hair stand in the middle of evergreen boughs at sunset at this Avon Gardens Wedding

The golden light of the setting sun settled onto the Avon Gardens at dusk. Like a light blanket of orange and yellow, the light covered the green leaves of the plants and trees. Standing in between the boughs of some evergreen trees, Gauri and Om held hands as they stood next to each other looking […]

August 7, 2018

FILED IN: Weddings

a brown haired man in a suit and a blonde woman in a white wedding dress with a braid like elsa from frozen hug at the sycamore at mallow run at sunset with a fake sun that's really an off camera flash

Standing behind the Sycamore at Mallow Run, Ashley and Geoff hugged each other in the golden glow of the setting sun. Their wedding had just ended a few minutes earlier, and they were enjoying a little private time away from their guests and their ceremony. They hugged and kissed and danced in those few moments […]