lynchburg va wedding photo

Beyond the Lens: Danielle Wallace with The Crimson Magpie Rentals & Design

I am SO excited to be sharing with you a new series while I'm out on maternity leave! I've asked some friends in the wedding and creative industry to write about a topic they're passionate about- whether that be tips helping brides while planning a wedding, what they've learned in their business, balancing life and owning a small business, plus so much more! Let me tell you- there's some amazing stuff coming up and I can't wait to share! 

Photo by Crystal George

Photo by Crystal George

Today, Danielle Wallace with The Crimson Magpie Rentals & Design is going personal today, and talking to us about how she survives as an Introvert, in an extremely extroverted field- the wedding industry! As an extrovert, when she told me what she was thinking about talking about, I was super excited! I love hearing and learning how I can love on others well- and knowing not to take things personally when my introverted friends just need to have a night off, or some alone time! 

 

Beyond the Lens: Introvert in a Creative, Extrovert Industry || Danielle Wallace with the Crimson Magpie

Surviving being an Introvert in an Extrovert Centered Career

Reading an entire book in a day. Gardening in warm morning sunshine. Journaling in the stillness of night. Those moments are my idea of a good time. More often than not, though my reality is quite different. Imagine the hubbub of Grand Central Station combined with the blistering pace of the Indie 500 and the drama of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Picture that and you have an idea of what it’s like to build a business in the wedding industry.

The wedding industry is bright and full of joy, creativity, passion and collaboration. It’s full of opportunities to solve problems both big and small. But as an introvert the continual need to be “on” socially exhausts me to the deepest part of my being. Add a very busy one-year old to the mix and some days I want to crawl into a closet with the aforementioned book and stay there forever. For the introverts reading this, you know what I mean. If you’re an introvert, well hopefully this helps you understand why your introverted friend canceled plans to go out Friday night. Here are a few of the things that help balance my introvert neurosis with my love for this crazy awesome wedding gig.

Photo by Adam Mullins

Photo by Adam Mullins

Behind the scenes. The song is coming to a close. The DJ is about to direct guests’ attention towards four tiers of buttercream perfection. Aunt June leans over and whispers she forgot to bring the heirloom cake knife. I make a dash to my kit and grab my spare cake server, and dash back to lay it calmly (don’t let me kid you, my heart is pounding out of my chest) on the table seconds before the bride and groom arrive to cut the cake. Okay, maybe not a super hero move in the same category as Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne, but I love filling in the numerous gapes so the wedding dreams of very special people go off without a hitch.

Organizational routines. The fuel of a successful event is organization, and lucky for me I love spreadsheets, timelines, calendars, bullet points, anything that smacks of a plan or a to do list. Que the entrance of my daughter (pride goes before a fall, anyone?)  last year making it almost impossible to be as organized as I would like to be. My latest comprise: I let her unwind an entire roll of toilet paper so that I can update my spreadsheet while doing calf raises because that counts as a workout, right? All you mamas who run a business while raising kids, you are my heroes.

Photo by Mixed Creative Company 

Photo by Mixed Creative Company 

Intentional recharging. For me that means being completely alone. Alone isn’t really a thing when you have a child, so I’ve had to get creative. To be perfectly honest I have a way to go with this part of my life. There are days when I feel like I’m scrapping the bottom of the barrel. Sometimes my car is my sanctuary for half an hour while I write or read, which is not as depressing as it sounds! A big one is turning off my phone. A reprieve from digital human is a must, so instead (if I’m not working at night) I journal, or bake a treat to share with my husband while we binge on Stranger Things or The Office after our baby girl is in bed.

Really cool people. This one seems to contradict everything I’ve said previously, but I’ve met some amazing people in this industry. Many of my brides and grooms, their family members, and fellow vendors have impacted my life the past three years. My bride that hand-painted wall hangings for the nursery when my baby was born.  My bride that checks up on me regularly to see how I’m doing and ask about my life. Fellow stay-at-home vendor moms who reached out to me the first difficult months after my daughter was born. The former bride and groom turned friends who used their trailer to help me pick up rental stock and then wouldn’t let me pay them. My coworkers who have become best friends and yell at me when I’m not taking care of myself…I could go on.

Photo by Sherry Congrad

Photo by Sherry Congrad

And I do go on! Let me have my quiet place to recharge, and I’m ready to hit the road again. The joy, the romance, the beauty, and the opportunities of the wedding world adds a depth and breadth to my world that I didn’t know was possible. I can’t wait to see what new adventures the 2018 season has in store.

 


Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer || www.ashleyeiban.com

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving the Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, and surrounding areas. Available for travel world-wide.  Ashley is passionate about cultivating genuine relationships built on mutual understanding, trust and lasting friendship.  

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!

Favorite Wedding Details || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

It was SO much fun looking through my 2017 weddings last week when I shared some of my favorite photos from the season, I wanted to continue the fun and share some of my favorite details from those weddings! I've been so incredibly blessed with the best couples ranging from Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, Roanoke, and Virginia Beach! I love photographing the details that my Bride's pick out! These details do set the tone for the entire wedding- and it's just There are so many special details from wearing your Grandma's wedding rings, your invitations, or a special family Bible, sparkly Kate Spades, or sewing something into your dress. 

How to have FUN at your wedding! || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

It’s SO important to me that my wedding couples are able to let go of the planning stress on the day of their wedding and actually enjoy the moments- big and small- and have FUN on their wedding day! It sounds like common sense, but sometimes it really can be difficult to let go after you’ve been planning for so long. Your wedding day should be so much more than a pretty event- but something that you look back on forever!

1- Have a wedding day timeline. This is not something that only Type-A Brides should have- but every single couple!! Your wedding party, vendors, and the bride and groom should know ahead of time where and when they need to be somewhere! We have to make sure we don't miss that gorgeous Lynchburg, Virginia sunset! Make sure you send this timeline out to everyone that needs it about 2 weeks before your wedding and again the week of the wedding- especially if you’ve made any changes to them!  (ps: I love that this is a service I provide with each and every couple because I know how important it is!)

How to have fun at your wedding || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer || www.ashleyeiban.com

2- Hire tried-and-true vendors that have great recommendations from other Bride’s you know that have gotten married and from other vendors as well! By hiring vendors that you trust, you can let go of the stress and know that they are going to get their job done! Especially in the Lynchburg, VA Wedding Market- vendors work with each other often and can give you some amazing recommendations! I even have a list of vendors that I've loved working with over the last 6+ years, so feel free to reach out and ask me for it! 

Also, If your venue doesn’t include a wedding coordinator or planner, see if you can make it work in your budget. Even if it’s just a day-of coordinator, this will be so helpful so you don’t have to worry about answering everyone’s questions!

How to have fun at your wedding || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer || www.ashleyeiban.com

3-Have all your important wedding day details, your dress, shoes, etc. already packed together and see if your venue will let you drop that box off at your rehearsal the night before.  I always recommend that my brides have their getting ready details in the getting ready room and set aside for me as soon as I arrive so we aren’t searching for anything while you’re trying to get ready!

How to have fun at your wedding || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer || www.ashleyeiban.com

4-Bring an extra change of shoes! A comfy pair of flats or even flip flops so you can kick off the heels and change for dancing at the reception! (I also recommend rain boots for if it’s raining & snow boots and socks for if it’s snowing!) I warn my couples that sometimes we do a bit of walking around for their portraits- and you don’t want your fancy shoes to get muddy or anything! You never know what the weather is going to do in Central Virginia, so making sure you're prepared with your shoes will help a ton!! 

How to have fun at your wedding || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer || www.ashleyeiban.com

5- Only allow your best friends and people that you want and do not stress you out in your getting ready room. Sometimes, that includes Mom or your future Mother-in-Law and sometimes that’s just your wedding party.  Be sure to communicate that with your Maid of Honor and your Coordinator and they can help make sure your room is shut down and you don’t have tons of people coming in and out stressing you out.  

How to have fun at your wedding || Getting Ready Room || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

6- Finally, take a step back on the wedding day and allow yourself to relax and have fun! When your wedding party, friends, families and guests see you guys having fun, they are going to be able to have fun as well!

How to have fun at your wedding || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer || Charlottesville Wedding Photographer || www.ashleyeiban.com

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving the Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, and surrounding areas. Available for travel world-wide.  Ashley is passionate about cultivating genuine relationships built on mutual understanding, trust and lasting friendship.  

Currently booking a limited number of wedding and portrait sessions for 2018 and 2019.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!




 

Weekend Update || And that's a wrap for my 2016 Wedding Season!

Guys. This weekend wrapped up my 2016 Wedding Season! My 12th wedding in a row through the Fall weekends, and wedding #25 for 2016! I am so thankful I had a cut off at 25 this year, it really helped me ensure each of my brides got the full wedding experience and my full attention!  This weekend was so much fun and the epitome of balance between family and work balance! I was so thankful to be able to join Emmie and her class for a "play date at the park" on Saturday morning, and spend Sunday with my family talking about our dreams and the future! 

Saturday's wedding was so gorgeous! The temps last week ranged from 86 degrees and dropped down to the 40s over the weekend! We've been waiting for these Fall temps all year, so having them for my last wedding was amazing! We bundled up and enjoyed the day at The Craddock Terry Hotel & Event Center! This couple was so sweet, had such a special no-peek moment before the wedding, cried through their vows, and the reception dances! So basically, this couple made ME cry all day!! 

I cannot wait to share more from their big day this week!!! 


Craddock Terry Wedding in Downtown Lynchburg, Virginia || Central VA Wedding Photographer || Fall Wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Ashley Eiban is a wedding & portrait photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving couples in Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Farmville, Bedford, Richmond, Roanoke, and surrounding areas.  Available for travel world-wide.  Currently booking a limited number of weddings for 2017! Contact us today for additional information! 

A weekend update || Lynchburg, Virginia Photographer

Happy October!! Tis the season- for layers, and open windows, and fall photo sessions! It's no secret that I love summertime and the sunshine, but by the end of September, I can't wait to wrap up in a soft, cozy blanket and photograph that gorgeous glowy light that Fall brings with it! This weekend did not disappoint- the weather was seriously fantastic, the rain held off, and I photographed a gorgeous mountain top wedding and was finally able to meet baby Logan after photographing the Wall family's maternity photos a few short months ago! 

Barrett & Isabelle had a gorgeous, backyard wedding at her family's home in Lynchburg.  These two had us laughing all night! Everything was perfect for their big day- it was so fun celebrating with them! 

On Sunday, it was such an honor to be invited into Mike & Meghan's home to document their sweet little family! I loved photographing their maternity session, and to be invited back again now that little guy is here! So much fun!! 

Can't wait to share more this week!! Hooray! 


Lynchburg Family Photographer || Ashley Eiban Photography || www.ashleyeiban.com

Ashley Eiban is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Central Virginia.  Serving Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Farmville, Richmond, Roanoke, and surrounding areas.  Available for travel world-wide.  

Currently booking a limited number of weddings and portrait sessions for 2016 and 2017.  Contact me today for additional information!