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.

November 15, 2022

FILED IN: Engagements

Yalana and BG’s Carmel City Center photography session was a romantic and picturesque affair. The City Center’s beautiful architecture provided the perfect backdrop for the couple’s engagement photos. The brick-paved streets and beautiful fountains added to the charm of the day, making it truly memorable. Yalana and BG’s chemistry was evident in the photos, and […]

September 29, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom dance under a ton of stringlights during their mavris reception

String lights and chandeliers provided mood lighting as the guests took their seats at the Mavris. Then, from the stairwell, Maggie and Tyler entered the reception space to massive applause from their friends and family. Immediately after they entered the space, music swelled and they danced their first dance in the middle of the tables […]

August 9, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

a bride and groom eat hot dogs from a hot dog cart before their scottish rite cathedral wedding

A hot dog stand stood in the middle of White River State Park, next to the canal. When Ali and Eric saw the stand, Ali immediately asked if we had time to get hot dogs. For the bride, of course. We loved the spontaneity and also we just love when couples do something they enjoy […]

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 […]

March 14, 2022

FILED IN: Weddings

solar flare at sunset with bride and groom at the Willows Ballroom after their holy spirit parish wedding

The setting sun shone through a small gap in the leaves. It backlit Madelynn and Justin as they stood embracing, about to kiss. They had stepped outside of their reception at the Willows Ballroom for a brief moment alone at sunset. The fading rays of light warmed their skin on a cool spring day. Hannah […]

December 3, 2021

FILED IN: Engagements

man hugs woman in front of autumnal background during their downtown zionsville engagement session

Orange leaves were spread on the sidewalk. A gentle breeze sent more leaves fluttering from the tree branches above. The breeze blew some of the leaves on the sidewalk, sending them skittering in a white picket fence which held them still. Hannah and Cole held hands and walked down the side walk through the fallen […]

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 […]

July 17, 2021

FILED IN: Weddings

fairy lights wrapped around the bride and groom at their bluffs wedding at conner prairie

In the middle of a dark road through the woods, a little bit of moonlight broke through the tree leaves. On the road, wrapped in fairy lights were Kelsey and Kevin. Embracing and looking deep into each other’s eyes, it was a magical moment to behold. Of course, we had to use a flash behind […]

July 15, 2021

FILED IN: Weddings

summerhouse wedding

Standing in front of short hedge, Holly and Alex hugged. They leaned in to kiss, as the sun was setting behind them. It was a fantastic moment. This wedding is from last year, a week before Halloween. It was so much fun to get to shoot this Summerhouse Wedding at Summer Lake. Holly and Alex’s […]

March 8, 2021

FILED IN: Weddings

first dance with lots of bokeh at this woolery mill wedding

String lights hung overhead, casting a little illumination on the ground below but mostly creating a beautiful ambience in the venue. Under the lights, Evan and Megan swayed back and forth to the sound of Dave Matthews Band. Their first dance was lovely and magical. We hope you love this Woolery Mill wedding with Megan […]