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. 

What to expect: Engagement Sessions || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Spring here in Central Virginia is just around the corner- which means Engagement Session season is going to be here before we know it! I LOVE engagement sessions because we truly get to know each other, laugh with each other (okay, sometimes the laughs are directed at me) and my couples get to learn how to overcome the camera anxiety!

I know the planning process can really seem super overwhelming- most people do have a fear of being in front of the camera- even in the day and age of the selfie! ;) I cannot even tell you how many couples tell me at the beginning of the our engagement sessions that they are not photogenic, but I make it my mission to change their minds on that!

When your prepping for your engagement session, remember that this is supposed to be FUN! This is the shoot with no pressure! On the wedding day, we'll be tight on time, have to worry about your dress, your guests, and we won't have extra time to chat and get to know each other. This is exactly why I include a complimentary engagement session with each wedding package! This is a time for us to get to know each other, feel comfortable with how I work, and have fun cuddling up in front of the camera!

*When trying to decide on your outfits- try to choose outfits you feel amazing in! Some couples choose one outfit, and others decide to do two! It's completely up to you guys! If you do decide to do two, I recommend having one casual and one dressier outfit. Just know, there may or may not be a private place to change clothes depending on the location we choose! Try to avoid super bright/neon colors, or very small/busy patterns.  Try not to match too much- instead of both of you wearing the same color tops, selecting complementary colors and patterns looks best for photos! Think coordinating instead of matching. The key to what to wear is to make sure that you look like YOU and you feel comfortable! 

*Relax & Trust me! I do NOT expect you to be a pro at this! I don't work with models, but everyday couples just like you guys all the time! I will remind you again on the day of, but it does take about 15-20 minutes to stop overthinking everything and really feel comfortable in front of the camera.  But you can relax because I will help you with exactly what to do and where to put your hands!

*I like to schedule engagement sessions about an hour and a half before sunset- any time of year. The light is gorgeous this time of day! Make sure you are on time. We schedule your engagement session for the best time of day for natural light.  

*I highly recommend considering getting your makeup professionally done! Makeup artists are really good at doing a natural look, so don't worry about looking overdone! If you do your own makeup, make sure you apply your eye makeup a little heavier than normal for your photos.  

I hope this helps you feel more relaxed and ready for your engagement photos! I cannot wait for this super fun experience with you guys!!

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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 and 2019.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!

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!)

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!

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!

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!! 

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.  

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!

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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 and 2019.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!

Happy Valentine's Day! || Lynchburg Wedding Photographer

You have to know, being in this wedding industry, and being so passionate about couples and their lasting love stories, I love Valentine's Day! Yes, of course you can look at it like it's just a way for businesses to make more money, but I'll take any day where you can intentionally celebrate your own loves! 

We don't do a big thing around here, but intentionally slow down a little and spend some time together. We'll make and eat dinner together at home, maybe make a dessert like chocolate covered strawberries- if I can get my act together! It's the little things- like the heart shaped pancake I made for Emmie for breakfast! But, before you get too impressed there- I made it last night because we had pancakes for dinner. ;) It's amazing how some little things like that make such a lasting impression on Emmie! All week she's been talking about what we did last Valentine's Day, while I don't remember any of it! ha! 

I never did an overview of my favorite images from 2017, I blame the craziness of motherhood and the pregnancy ;)..  so I thought it'd be a great time to do that now! Celebrating with all these amazing couples from last year! Cheers to another amazing year celebrating love! 

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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!

Details to make your wedding special & unique || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

Hey gorgeous bride!! Are you stressing about your wedding planning & all of the details from your big day? Last week, I talked about the first steps after you get engaged! Once you get a lot of the big details down, you get to start thinking and making decisions that may seem smaller, but can also make a big difference in making your wedding special and unique!

The amazing thing about wedding these days is that it’s less about formal & stuffy traditions, and more about the two of you as a couple! This means you guys get to make fun choices on some of your favorite things! You shouldn’t- and can’t please everyone and your wedding should be about you!!

1- Choose some Save the Date cards full of personality! These don’t have to be as formal as wedding invitations, so choose a style that describes you guys, the theme of your wedding, a favorite photo, or hobby that you like to do together!

2- Pick a wedding venue that has special meaning! A lot of brides choose to have a back yard wedding, or their ceremony at a spot that they like to enjoy together, like a vineyard! Some brides have done a vacation spot they love, a campground they visit often! Even just choosing something that you guys both fully love makes a huge difference in your big day!

3- Select your favorite foods for the cocktail hour or the reception! Gone are the days of “wedding chicken” but instead you can choose exactly what you want! I’ve seen brides do a brunch theme, nachos and tacos, coffee bars, etc!

4- Create your own cocktails! Do you have a favorite drink you order always? Talk with your bartender about serving signature cocktails for the Bride and the Groom!

5- Wedding Cake Flavors you actually like! I’ve seen snickers, coffee, all sorts of things! At my own wedding, I had lemon poppy seed with cream cheese and strawberries because I don’t like cake! And hey, who says you HAVE to have a cake? Instead, you can do cookie bars, assorted candies, pies, etc! Choose something that reflects you guys as a couple!

6- Include your Pet! Oh my goodness, I LOVE when a Bride and Groom have their furry friend come along for engagement photos and wedding photos! These pets are such a big part of your life- include them in your big day!

7- Make sure you’re including your friends on your invite list! It can be insane once you start collecting names from both sides of the families, but be sure you’re able to include your friends as well! You’ll forget the decorations, the food, and so much more about the wedding, but you won’t forget the fun time you had with your friends!

8- Utilizing social media! I truly encourage an unplugged wedding ceremony, but invite your friends and family to use their phones during the reception! Have a snapchat filter, a unique hashtag, etc. can help keep everything organized and you and your hubby can look through everyone’s photos and videos when you get back from your honeymoon!

9- You don’t have to do sparklers for your exit! While they can be beautiful in photos, other things can be gorgeous and super fun! Flower petals, bubbles, confetti, even lavender, etc. can be special and different than every other wedding exit!

10- A unique guest book! I can’t tell you the last time I looked at my guest book from my wedding, but I’ve seen some super unique guest book ideas instead! Choose something that can also serve as an art piece for your new home together, or an art piece you can enjoy instead of something that will be tucked away on a shelf or in a box forever.

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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!