Bridal Portraits

Getting Ready Rooms || What to look for in your getting ready room for your photos!

I think you would be surprised to hear that one of the most overlooked, but important aspects of a wedding day, is the getting ready time. This time with your closest friends and family is something to truly cherish, and most likely, important moments that you want to have documented. But, often times, the getting ready room is not the perfect place for taking priceless photos!

Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

As you are touring venues, keep a special eye out for the Bridal Getting Ready Space! Aim for a space that has at least one window, as well as plenty of room for you and your bridesmaids to not only hang out, but also to get ready! These rooms can fill up pretty quickly when everyone has their clothes, makeup, hair, snacks, etc!

Know that I will ask your bridesmaids to do a quick clean up before getting you in your dress- you don’t want to see reminders of old water bottles or snack bags in the background of you getting zipped up in your dress by your Mom, but a teeny tiny room can make that very difficult.

So, what happens if you fall in love with a venue, but the getting ready room isn’t anything to be excited about? It’s okay- I’ll just ask you to be a little flexible! Often times, especially for church weddings, the bridal room is a preschool classroom, filled with bight colors and plastic toys, so for this, I will actually have you do those final getting ready moments outside. I often look for a porch, a pretty doorway, or space outside that will help us get those gorgeous photos without the clutter and distraction!

Lynchburg, VA Wedding and Portrait Photographer || Charlottesville Wedding Photographer

Have questions about your getting ready space? Let me know & I’d love to help you get those dreamy photos you’re dying for!



The Virginian Hotel Wedding || Emily's Bridal Portraits

Oh I have been so excited to share Emily’s bridal portraits with you guys! We took these back when hurricane Florence was hitting the east coast, and everyone’s wedding and portrait plans got thrown for a loop! So we last minute changed up some plans and took her bridal portraits at The Virginian Hotel in downtown Lynchburg.

It was THE perfect place for her portraits- Emily made such a classy bride- the marble staircase at The Virginian was just the perfect backdrop! AND the rain held off so we were able to head outside for a few, and explore some of the other rooms in Virginian (how cool is their library?!)

Thanks again Emily for trusting me with these portraits for you! You are such a stunning bride!


Cat's Bridal: Bedford, Virginia Bridal Portraits

It was POURING as I drove out to meet Cat and her Mom at The Historic Avenel in Bedford, Virginia. Is there a word for more than pouring? Because that's exactly what it felt like! I was certain I was going to make it to the venue and we would have to reschedule, or do all the photos inside. The Avenel is beautiful inside, so we could have totally made it work, but the outside is beyond gorgeous! But, oh my goodness, it was meant to be because as I pulled onto Avenel Avenue, the rain stopped and the sun started shining! It turned into a beautiful evening- not too warm, the light! It was a night meant to be photographed! I loved it! Cat looked absolutely gorgeous in her bridal gown, and we had so much fun around the gorgeous property! 


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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 2019. Interested in learning more? Inquire here! 


What to expect: Bridal Portraits || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

I get questions on Bridal Portrait sessions ALL the time, so why not go ahead and write a blog about them! I, personally, LOVE Bridal Portraits! I know, it's more of a Southern Tradition, but this Southern girl loves it! It's a preview time for you to see the entire look together!  

It's the perfect time to do your trial run for hair and makeup- giving you a full dress rehearsal of what you're wedding day look will be! I've had tons of brides realize that what they were expecting wasn't what they saw when they put it all together, so they were able to make that change before the wedding day! Bridal Portraits are the perfect time to see your hair, makeup, dress, shoes, jewelry, everything all together!

Bridal Portrait sessions are very different than wedding day photos! Wedding images are all about the moments as they're happening- capturing the emotions and intimacy of the day. Bridal Portrait sessions are to celebrate you and how gorgeous you look! There's something so magical about a Bride all dolled up!  

What to expect for your bridal portraits || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

For your Bridal Portraits, I recommend bringing one or two people that you're really close with! Someone that will help you relax, laugh and be comfortable. This should NOT be someone that is critical or overly fussy.  For Bridal Portraits, we do a combination of more formal and posed shots, and then some fun, relaxed ones as well. Bridal portraits should be a relaxed, stress-free experience where you feel even more comfortable in front of the camera!

I usually schedule bridal portraits two months or so before a wedding day. Usually, we need to do these on a weekday so we can ensure that your hair and make-up artists are available and your location doesn't already have a wedding booked! Typically, I like to shoot bridal portraits in the early evening for the gorgeous glowy light and to beat the summer heat as well! 

What to expect for your bridal portraits || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Don't worry- we keep the dress totally clean- I have clear shower curtains, sheets, and an eye on the weather for at least the week before your session! Some brides still like to have their dress steamed once more before the wedding for everything to be perfect, but you do not have to stress about the dress getting messed up! I do recommend bringing some comfy flats to walk around in so your heels don't get messed up before the big day, but also bring your wedding shoes for some photos!   

What to expect for your Bridal Portraits || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

What are you waiting for, let's get your Bridal Portrait Session scheduled!! 


What to expect with your Bridal Portrait Session || Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding and Portrait Photographer

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!

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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.



Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding and Portrait 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.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!