Wedding Coverage: How many hours do you actually need your photographer?

Let's chat wedding coverage This is one of the most common questions I get asked- how many hours do you actually need your wedding photographer to be there? I know, 8 hours seems like a really long time when you're looking from the outside. Before I was doing weddings full-time, I would have told you the same thing. But- the more experience I've had with shooting weddings, the more I am adamant that you need at least 8 hours of wedding day coverage.  

There's so much that goes into your wedding- people say it all the time- but it really is true- this is going to be one of the most important days of your life- if not the most important! Don't you want those special moments before the ceremony of your Mom helping you into your dress, your Dad seeing you all dolled up for the first time, and your best friend toasting you with all of your very best friends around? The photos of your whole family in one place for the first time in 5 years? From the start of the day with getting ready photos, to the reception and the exit as you leave the party as a married couple! 

If you want all of those photos- from the getting ready room to the goodbye hugs to your best friends, you are going to need 8 hours of photography time.  I've offered 6 hour packages in the past and found that something has to give.  There may be times that you need to add in extra coverage- especially if your ceremony venue is different from your reception venue and more than 20 minutes away from each other.  

I work with each of my wedding clients to make a custom time-line to make sure that all of the important moments are captured and have adequate time without feeling rushed or stressed.  

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Ashley Eiban is a wedding and portrait photographerbased in Central Virginia. Serving Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Farmville, Richmond, Roanoke, and surrounding areas. Currently booking a limited number of weddings and portrait sessions for 2017.  Available for travel world-wide.  

Ashley is passionate about capturing moments as they authentically happen to ensure a successful session that gives you time to enjoy each other and savor the wedding day moments.  Contact me today for additional information! 

Mountain view Ceremony at The Glen at The Boxtree Lodge and Braeloch Wedding Venue || Vinton, VA Wedding Photographer

Looking through the trees and seeing those gorgeous mountain views, you completely forgot about the heat of the August afternoon for Jake & Casey's wedding ceremony.  The Glen is a new location at the Boxtree Lodge and the Braeloch, and goodness it's so pretty! Walking through the venue, you're greeted with the tall ceilings and the walls of windows overlooking the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains.  We were all so thankful that the rain missed the Vinton area- even though it rained in both Bedford and Lynchburg! 

It's been so much fun getting to know Casey and her family more over the last few months! I was able to document their engagement session last Fall, Casey's Bridal Portraits earlier this summer, so being there on their wedding day, I felt like a part of the family! I may have even cried during the Father/Daughter dance, but I totally blame her Mom for that one! ;)  

Thanks so much for choosing me for your special day Jake & Casey!! I am so so so happy for you guys- hope you enjoy the beaches of Grenada this week and are able to fully relax & enjoy being married!! Hooray!! 

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Thank you to all the sweet vendors that made this event so successful! 

Venue: The Glen at The Boxtree Lodge/ Braeloch in Vinton, Virginia 

Make-Up: In your face makeup art in Lynchburg, Virginia

Hair Stylist: Jennifer Ferris at Salon Virtue in Lynchburg, Virginia 

Bridal Gown: Mori Lee purchased at Bridal Mart in Burlington, Virginia

Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal

Groom & Groomsmen: Belk

Bowties: Custom Made by Elegant & Royal Collections 

Flowers: Irvington Spring Farms, designed by Trish Davis

DJ: Music, Music & More Music

Photo-booth: Sanders Family Photobooth in Lynchburg, Virginia 

Catering: Country Kitchen in Christiansburg, Virginia 

Cake: Billies Cakes in Lynchburg, Virginia 

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Ashley Eiban is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Central Virginia. Serving Vinton, Bedford, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Farmville, Richmond, Roanoke and surrounding areas.  Available for travel world-wide.  Currently booking a limited number of weddings for 2016 and 2017. Contact us today for additional information! 

Our Snow Weekend- A personal post || Central VA Photographer

I had some seriously excited people in my house this weekend.  Michael & Emmie have been watching & praying for snow so they were THRILLED to see a storm on the radar last week. Meanwhile, I was stressing about the wedding planned for the weekend, but that all turned out okay! ;) 

Emmie COULD NOT wait to get outside, and as soon as we bundled her up (in every single shade of hot pink that exists!! haha!) she ran outside and plopped down into the snow to make snow angels! Her and Manning chased each other around and laughed a little too hard. No, seriously, too hard- it sucks to take all those layers for a potty break! hhahahaha! 

Ashley Eiban Photography is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central Virginia- serving Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, and surrounding areas.  Contact Us today for more information! 

John & Shannon: Snow Day Maternity Photos || Lynchburg, Virginia Photographer

I hope you aren't tired of seeing snow pictures yet, because well, I've got a lot more coming! We don't get snow often here, and when we do, well we've got to take advantage of it. On Friday once the snow started I was so anxious to get out of the house and get some photos in the snow! Little did I know, I'd be pretty much in the snow Saturday evening for Mike & Emilee's snowy elopement, and all day Sunday for their wedding ceremony, and Macklin & Shannon's engagement session! I wouldn't trade any of it- even though I do hate the cold- I love the snow!  (well, other than getting stuck Sunday evening and needing a lot of shovels and man-power to get me unstuck! oops!) 

Friday afternoon I put out an alert on Facebook for anyone that could make it to me (regretting that decision to not buy 4wd right about now...) for a quick session in the snow! John & Shannon reached out and met me at a church right across the street from my house! They were one of my very first weddings I shot solo, and are expecting a baby boy soon! I was so excited to get some photo of them and her adorable baby bump!! It was freeeeeezing, and of course it started to sleet right when we got out there, but they were seriously troopers!! 

Ashley Eiban Photography is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Lynchburg, Virginia- available for travel world-wide! In fact, I'd be so so so very happy to escape this winter and head somewhere tropical right about now! ;)  Contact us for more information! 

Richmond, Virginia Maternity Photographer: Don & Michelle

There is such a special excitement and joy when working with first-time parents, and this was especially true with Don & Michelle! It was so much fun getting to meet them and take some maternity photos for them! Michelle is seriously just glowing and has such a cute little bump!! 

We met up at the gorgeous Forest Hill Park, in Richmond, Virginia! There were so many beautiful backdrops for photos- we could have walked around all day... except Michelle probably would have killed me since she's pregnant and all! ;)