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.

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 9, 2021

FILED IN: Weddings

groom dips bride and kisses her at sunset on an overcast day at a Franklin Barn Wedding

The first words I heard after walking into the bridal suite were, “You know he’s an amazing photographer, because I’m a photographer and I picked him to shoot my wedding.” It was one of the nicest things I’ve ever heard a bride say, especially within moments of first meeting in person. Charrie is a great […]

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 […]

March 4, 2021

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom under weeping willow trees in white river state park before their 1899 wedding reception

The leaves of the weeping willows hung down low to the earth, idly swaying in the breeze. Underneath the trees, Kara and Nick stood hugging each other. Nick lifted his head and kissed Kara on the side of the cheek. This was just one amazing moment from our portrait session with Kara and Nick before […]

January 26, 2021

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom hold hands and walk away from the Indiana Statehouse during their Indiana Roof Ballroom wedding

The sunlight streamed in a slant across the grass of the Indiana Statehouse. Some of the higher rays bounced off the glass face of a nearby building and reflected back down across the grass from the opposite direction. Grace and Nathan walked across the grass, holding hands, showered in the warm sunlight streaming from two […]

January 14, 2021

FILED IN: Weddings

man and woman in wedding attire hold hands and walk along edge of building during their regions tower wedding celebration

The warm glow of the setting sun illuminated the sky at dusk in downtown Indy. Katelyn and Nick, holding hands, walked along the edge of Regions Tower with the setting sun behind them. This was just one of the beautiful moments from this gorgeous wedding day that Hannah and Monette captured, and we loved the […]

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 […]

August 28, 2020

FILED IN: Weddings

bride and groom dance in front of wooden circle and guests at a Bash wedding

Earlier this summer Jenn and I had the privilege of capturing our first wedding after the pandemic started. It was such a relief to get back to some sort of normalcy. Nicole and Jon were married at Bash in Carmel. This wedding meant a lot to us, because Jon is a close friend of mine […]

July 27, 2020

FILED IN: Weddings

sunset in front of the Indiana Statehouse during an Indiana Roof Ballroom wedding

What a roller coaster the week leading up to Grace and Nathan’s wedding was with the new restrictions set by Indianapolis’ mayor. But luckily, things worked out in their favor and they didn’t have to move location or make massive cuts to their guest list a day before their wedding. Also, thankfully the thing that […]