Dayton & Cara: A classic, backyard Cullen, Virginia Wedding

GUYS! I am so excited to share Dayton & Cara’s backyard wedding in Cullen, Virginia! Their day was SO perfect! I’m not even exaggerating when I say that! Usually there are some bumps along the way on the wedding day that we help guide and navigate through, but not yesterday! It was AMAZING!

I knew it was going to be an amazing day when we walked into the cutest getting ready Farm House, that was built by Dayton’s Great Grandparents, AND was recently perfectly renovated by his amazing parents— and was greeted with hugs, excitement, and all of the bridesmaids singing to each and every song that played! Cara had a pretty big wedding party- but oh my goodness- they all seemed like the best of friends and just so much fun!

Their ceremony overlooked the gorgeous pond between his parents and grandparents house. It was STUNNING. Every little detail was thought of! Their reception was set up in a tent in the hay field and guys- this group loved to dance! It was seriously such a FUN wedding day!

Congratulations Dayton & Cara! We had THE BEST TIME ever and I am not even joking when I’m forcing myself into your friends and having your Momma adopt me! <3

A BIG BIG BIG thanks to the amazing vendors that made this day so great!

Venue: Dunnavant Family Farm in Charlotte Court House, Virginia

Hair & Makeup: Bobbypins Bridals in Central Virginia

Wedding Coordinator: Family Friend, Cathy Paschal

Flowers: Sams Club Online

Officiant: Reverend Tony Reeves

Brides Dress: Simply Blush Bridal in Zebulon, North Carolina

Bridesmaids: Azazie Online

Groom & Groomsmen: Mens’s Warehouse Online

Tent: Overstreet Hardware in Lynchburg, Virginia

Catering: Cooper’s Landing in Clarksville, VA

Cake: Vicki Bailey

Facilities: Royal Restrooms in Lynchburg, Virginia

Photographer: Ashley Eiban Photography in Lynchburg, Virginia

Videographer: Farmer Visuals in Raleigh, North Carolina

DJ: Glory Days Events in Wendell, North Carolina

Behind the Camera: Planning for the Year || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

I know, I'm a little bit weird (please tell me I’m not alone in this! ha!) because I LOVE the process of planning and especially love getting a new planner and starting to organize my year. I get out my pens (of course, you know I color-code my planner!)

When I’m first plugging in dates, it seems like I have tons of free time. Everything I’m writing in are big, important dates- like weddings I’ve booked, birthdays & anniversaries, school start dates, etc.  But I learned if I don’t plan days off ahead of time, I can so easily over-book myself and feel the burnout.

One of the most important things I do when I’m first planning out my year, or when I book a new wedding, is I will, of course, block out the actual wedding day, but I will also schedule a work day AND a day off.

With a new baby on the way, this year is going to be totally different and face a whole bunch of new challenges, so setting myself up for success is going to be so important! I have a whole list of my wedding and event workflow, and know how much time I need to block off for my workflow steps- from uploading cards, culling, editing for my blog, and outsourcing steps, which is so helpful when planning ahead. I know that I most likely won’t have super long stretches of time to get everything done in one day, at least at first, so having that time set aside is super helpful.

I also schedule a day off for each wedding that I shoot. I learned quickly that if I don’t go ahead and block it off on my calendar, I will try to squeeze some things in on that day & end up not getting the day off. This is especially important for months like June, September and October- the super busy wedding and engagement photo sessions.  Also, taking time off for important dates, like Birthdays, Anniversaries, and planning vacation and time away with my family. It can be SO difficult to take a day off when you work for yourself, but please, take it from me, the burn out you’ll feel if you don’t is not worth it!

So tell me, am I alone in LOVING the “school supplies” and fresh starts of new calendars, planners, and color coding.  Do you schedule your work days and off days ahead of time as well?

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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.  Contact Ashley today for additional information! 

Staunton, Virginia Church Wedding || Central Virginia Wedding Photographer

It's difficult to even know where to start for this sweet wedding! Ryan & Rachel were seriously super sweet, and their gorgeous Fall wedding day was so perfect! The leaves were just starting to change colors, I was so excited to find a few spots perfect for photos with those golden yellows and oranges! All of their friends and family were so sweet, loving, and excited for these two! I love being at a wedding and feeling like a part of the family by the time I go home! 

Ryan and Rachel chose to do a "no peek" instead of a first look, and it was so sweet. They held hands around the corner and prayed together before walking down the aisle.  For our bride and groom portraits, these two walked through a field, through some trees, and even across the street to the rows of corn! I love when couples trust me and are up for anything and everything! And their photos turned out so well because of it! 

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

Blue Ridge Mountain Wedding || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

When I dream of a gorgeous backyard wedding, THIS is exactly what I dream of! A backyard on a mountaintop, overlooking the entire city of Lynchburg, surrounded by gorgeous greenery, friends and family! Such a beautiful day from start to finish! Barrett & Isabelle's wedding was gorgeous! They got married at their childhood home nestled in Lynchburg, Virginia with THE most amazing views of the city that you've ever seen! 

One of the things that Isabelle loves most about Barrett is that he can always make her laugh- and goodness could you tell on their wedding day.  They were both so happy and carefree, it was such a blast! 

Thanks so all the amazing vendors that helped so much with this gorgeous wedding! 

Hair: Carol at Classic Hair & Tan in Lynchburg, Virginia 

Florist: Meg Laughon 

Venue: Basten family home

Bridal Gown: Celebration Bridal in Lynchburg, Virginia 

Bridesmaids Dresses: Celebration Bridal

Band: Dragonfly in Central Virginia

Catering: Avenue Foods in Lynchburg, Virginia

Cake: Kissed Cupcakes

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

Ashley is passionate about serving her couples, creating genuine relationships built on mutual understanding, trust and lasting friendship.  Currently booking a limited number of weddings and portraits for 2016 and 2017.  Contact us today for additional information! 

Weekend Update || Central Virginia Backyard Wedding, cooler weather, and reconnecting time

Happy Monday! I know, I'm in the minority here, but I actually like Monday's because they are my "get things done" day! Emerson is back in school, and I get to start the new week with my cup of coffee, my to do list written out and diving into the wedding photos from over the weekend! 

I couldn't wait until Wednesday's wedding post to share some photos from Hunter & Robyn's wedding! Their day was so sweet- and the weather cooled off and stayed shady for their full ceremony! They had a beautiful first look moment, and so many friends and family there to celebrate with them! 

Sunday was a fun, relaxing day where we welcomed the cooler weather, extra cups of coffee, and even made chili and salted caramel cookies together! I love those slower days where we're able to prepare for the week and reconnect! 

How was your weekend! Is it finally cooling off there? 

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

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