Old Pate Chapel & The Bottling Company Wedding in Lynchburg, Virginia || Brad & Kaitlyn

Brad & Kaitlyn's Old Pate Chapel & The Bottling Company wedding was seriously SO unique and fun! They truly did make their wedding so unique! At our final consult, Kaitlyn said they made sure to look at each and every tradition to decide if they wanted to do that at their wedding and if they wanted to incorporate it at their wedding as well! They truly pulled it off- down to the morning ceremony and brunch themed reception food!  In our very first chat, she wanted to make sure they had a sweet & simple wedding to celebrate with their friends and family in unique ways. 

Brad and Kaitlyn met at Liberty University here in Lynchburg, Virginia their freshman year of college! They instantly became friends and were constantly hanging out! After some time, they started dating in their Sophomore year, and they've now been dating for four years! They're both adorable- we did their engagement photos over the summer at Sweet Briar College in Central Virginia! 

Brad & Kaitlyn did a morning first look at the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg. I know it sounds strange to hear about photos in a cemetery, but this place is more like a historical park! It's gorgeous! Their first look moment was super sweet and really started the entire day on the sweetest note! Then, after their reception, they headed out to Sweet Briar College for some photos with the mountains in view. What a unique approach- but it was so perfect! 

I am SO excited to be sharing the photos from this gorgeous wedding!! A big thank you to my associate photographers Rhiannon & Leah for photographing Brad & Kaitlyn's big day! 

After their ceremony, reception, and fun bubble exit- they headed to Sweet Briar for some more Bride & Groom portraits! I LOVE this and hope more couples do this!! 

Thanks to everyone that made Brad & Kaitlyn's day SO perfect! 

First Look: Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia

Hair: Body Works Spa in Lynchburg, Virginia

Florals: Bloom by Doyle's in Lynchburg, Virginia

Ceremony Venue: Old Pate Chapel in Lynchburg, Virginia

Gown Alterations: The Gilded Thimble in Bedford, Virginia

Groom & Groomsmen: Miller's in Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Reception Venue: The Bottling Company in Lynchburg, Virginia

Wedding Cake: Donuts from Mama Crockett's Donuts in Lynchburg, Virginia

After Reception photos: Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia

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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!

Stress-free Wedding Series || Getting Ready

I'm so excited to be continuing my 'stress-free wedding series' today! This is a topic I am super passionate about, and I truly spend extra time with each of my couples in the planning period of their big day to ensure they feel confident and at ease on their wedding day! When a bride is stressed out, it truly can affect her entire day, which always shows up in the photos. I never want a bride to look back at her wedding photos and just see how stressed out she was! This is supposed to be the happiest day of your life- don't you want to remember that joy and happiness forever?! 

Today, I want to talk about the getting ready portion of the day! This part can really make or break how a bride feels for the rest of the day, so in my opinion, this is the most important part of the day to truly get right! 

1- Do a trial run of your hair and make-up, and take special note of how long each took during your trial run! If you only budget for 30 minutes to do your make-up, but it your makeup artist really needs 45 minutes, you are going to be starting out the day feeling rushed and behind.  Allow for extra time during this time of day, so you can truly relax and enjoy the moments with your bridesmaids! 

2- Have your Mom and Bridesmaids come over and get you fully dressed into your wedding dress. Once again, I've seen brides allow for 5 minutes to step into their dress, but it ended up taking 15 minutes to get everything on and secured.  Along these same lines, make sure that your girls practice your dress bustle as well! These are little things that really can take up too much time if not planned accordingly.  

3- As your packing up the week before your wedding make sure to create a box/bag for your wedding day details that your wedding photographer is going to need. Things that are included in this are your invitations, jewelry, shoes, garter, all sets of rings, and anything else your photographer mentions or you think is special, like your Grandfathers Bible.  

4- Set expectations on who YOU want in the bridal room and what their duties are going to be.  When everyone feels like they can pop in and say hi, you will feel constantly interrupted and not really able to enjoy getting ready and the morning with your closest friends and family members.  If you have envisioned your Mom zipping you up in your dress, make sure that you communicate to her that you want her there so she doesn't disappear to check on something just before you're stepping into your dress! 

5- Remember, sometimes things don't happen exactly as we planned and you may be running a little late.  Your photographer and planner should help you with creating buffer times and being able to make necessary adjustments. Trust the vendors that you hand-picked to know what they are doing! You're going to be getting married in just a few hours- so enjoy this time! 

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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! 

It's my Birthday || Celebrate with me!

Hooray! It's my birthday & I'm so excited to allow my amazing clients in to celebrate with me! Read through for information about my month-long birthday discount!! 

It sounds so cliche, but this past year has been such a whirlwind! My first year in my 30's was so awesome, and turning 30 last year was a lot easier than I was expecting! I feel like I've learned so much over the last year- specifically about setting boundaries, guarding my family time, and truly loving people. I did a lot of traveling this last year- from Denver, Albuquerque, Outer Banks, Pensacola, Milwaukee, and learned from all of that to set limits for myself.  I've learned to have set work hours means I get more things done, and spend less time working. 

I'm so thankful for each and every one of my brides and couples that allow me to follow my dreams and make it my reality.  My couples are such a blessing to my life & I am just so honored that I have their trust! For my sweet friends & family that help watch Emmie, encourage me, and make me take breaks when I'm feeling overwhelmed. Having community in Lynchburg truly has made the biggest difference for me! And of course, to Michael & Emmie, I don't even know how to say thank you enough for fighting for me, encouraging me when life gets hard, and pushing me to always follow my dreams and work for my business. I know that it's not always easy when I'm gone for multiple weekends and evenings in a row, when I've got meetings and a never-ending to-do list. You don't complain, instead you love me and my business.  I'm so so so thankful!! 

So, cheers to turning 31 & loving this stage!! 

To celebrate my birthday, I am SO excited to be offering $50.00 off all full portrait sessions, for an hour or longer sessions! I LOVE mixing up my wedding seasons with families, seniors, and head shots! I'm going to be offering this discount for the entire month of April 2017! You can find out more information about my portrait sessions here! Email me today at ashley@ashleyeiban.com to book your session today! 

*Discount does not apply for mini-sessions, events, or weddings* 

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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! 

Weekend Update

Y'all, I am loving these off-season weekends! I think in the midst of crazy season, I forgot how 'normal' people do weekends. Being able to have slow mornings, drink coffee in bed, and eat breakfast together as a family before running errands, or getting on with our day is always such a treat for us! Don't get me wrong, I do absolutely love wedding season, but there's something so refreshing and rejuvenating about these slower weekends, even if they are filled up with house projects! We are working hard to finish up the last of the house projects and will hopefully be listing our house here shortly! 

While I do really, really hate the cold, I am fully embracing the slower days, where I am getting used to shorter office hours, and getting caught up on those extra projects I always mean to get done, but don't take priority. I absolutely love crossing these things off my to-do list! Let's be real, I love crossing anything of my to-do list! ;) 

Some iPhone photos to overview the weekend: 

Emerson loved celebrating St. Patricks Day (mostly at school, cuz even with the best of intentions, I don't do these fun and extra things very well).  She picked out her own outfit and rocked her feathered head band. 

As always, follow along our crazy journey through Instagram Stories! 

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Ashley Eiban is a wedding and portrait photographer based 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 Mom to 5 year old, Emerson and is passionate about balancing Motherhood and your chasing your dreams and providing for your family.   Contact me today for additional information! 

Travels || Catching up and Enjoying HOME!

Typically, January & February in Virginia are my slowest months, but this year has been a totally different story! The month started with traveling home from Christmas break in Virginia Beach to flying to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for Jason & Lindsay's wedding. It sure was cold, but their wedding was so much fun, and I got to visit with family that live out in New Mexcio!  

While we were out there, we visited the domes, which have different natural environments set up, so we got to see the dessert and the rain forest while we were out there! So much fun, plus it was so nice and warm in there! My heart was so happy! ;) 

Then came a trip to Fort Walton Beach, Florida for Charlie's 1st birthday and Rachel's promotion. This was such an honor- I first met Dave & Rachel at their engagement session a few years ago, and since then, I've photographed their wedding, pregnancy, and family photos. But even better, formed an amazing friendship with them both. Spending a few days celebrating with them was so special! And, anytime I get to spend at the beach, even if it's chilly, is so refreshing and encouraging for me!

So, I'm home now, so thrilled to be with my family, even though I was welcomed home to take care of two with the flu, and then I caught a bug myself. If that isn't a reason for Spring to hurry up, I don't know what is! 

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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!