Johnny & Ashton's Murray Hill Wedding || Leesburg, VA Wedding Photographer

Johnny & Ashton's Wedding was the perfect day of celebration! They got married the day before in the Temple in Baltimore, VA and then had their celebration with family and friends on Saturday at Murray Hill Events in Leesburg, Virginia. 

This venue is amazing! You would never know you were in the middle of Northern Virginia as you pull into the driveway of the estate. The house overlooks the Potomac River, and everything is surrounded in the most gorgeous greenery and just perfectly tucked away in the trees! The open-air barn has a touch of elegance mixed in with the rustic- it was perfect as Johnny & Ashton dined and celebrated with their friends and family members! 

Everything had a much more laid-back feel to it for Johnny & Ashton's wedding day. Because they were already married, we got to mix up the timeline a little and do Bride and Groom portraits first, then wedding party, and family last, before heading over their reception site for dinner and dancing! 

Thank you to the vendors that made this day so special! 

Hair & Makeup: Radiance Salon in Landsowne, Virginia 

Wedding Gown: Jeanette's Bridal in Manassas, Virginia

Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie Online

Groom & Groomsmen: Men's Warehouse Online

Florist: Fantasy Floral in Chantilly, Virginia

Venue: Murray Hill Events in Leesburg, Virginia

DJ: DiscJockeysNow.com

Cake: Bride's Mom, Pamela Fair 

Catering: Zesty Gourmet in Leesburg, Virginia 

---

Ross & Shelley: A Trivium Estate Wedding in Goode, Virginia

Shelley is one of those brides that I wish I could clone! She's so sweet & laid back, absolutely gorgeous and cannot take a bad picture! Walking into the bridal suite that morning, her and her friends were getting ready together, laughing and so joyful for their friends! There wasn't any tension or nervousness in the room, at all! Even as she stepped into her elegant gown and the clouds started rolling in, she took it in stride and made the call to move the ceremony to the backup plan. One of the great things about The Trivium Estate is that their ballroom is so beautiful, even with having to move to an indoor ceremony, you're getting a gorgeous setting! 

After the ceremony, we grabbed some clear umbrellas and headed outside. Luckily, the rain ended up stopping and we laughed and enjoyed our portrait time together. After dinner, we ducked quickly outside for a few minutes and were greeted with a gorgeous sunset overlooking the Peaks of Otter Mountains. 

The AMAZING Vendors from Ross & Shelley's Wedding! 

Venue: The Trivium Estate in Goode, Virginia

Coordinator: Victoria with The Trivium Estate in Central Virginia 

Hair: Tracie Palmer with Made You Look Hair Studio 

Makeup: Asya at Studio Style & Spa in Forest, Virginia 

Florals: Love Blooms by Doyle's in Lynchburg, Virginia 

Bridal Gown & Accessories: Tiffany's Bridal in Richmond, Virginia

Groom & Groomsmen: Jos. A. Bank

Catering: Avenue Foods Catering in Lynchburg, Virginia

Cake: Angela Hudson Cakes in Lynchburg, Virginia

DJ: Josh with RSP Entertainment in Roanoke, Virginia 

Favors: American Meadows Online

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! 

James & Tresa: A Knights Gambit Vineyard Summer Wedding in Charlottesville, Virginia

When I first chatted with James & Tresa last year about their Knight's Gambit Vineyard wedding in Charlottesville, Virginia, I knew it was going to be an amazing day! And then after we took their engagement session last fall (view their Sweet Briar Autumn engagement session here!) I had been counting down the days! They initially fell in love with Knight's Gambit from the gorgeous location (OMG the views there!!) and after talking with the owners they knew they wanted to get married there! They really wanted a wedding location that was in nature, and had a laid back and family friendly feel- they found the perfect fit! 

James & Tresa initially met on Match.Com! Their first meeting they went on a short walk, that turned into over 3 hours talking and walking about Lake Elkhorn. They absolutely love going on adventures together, from hiking and camping, boating, biking, and even making adventures out of laying grass seed or making dinner. They really know how to have a blast together, out of the big and little moments! 

They were so excited to include all of their family in the wedding- including all of their nieces and nephews (10 kids in the wedding party alone!!) Their outdoor ceremony overlooked the vineyard and mountains, and their tent reception made everything feel intimate! This wedding was so gorgeous, fun and I'm so excited for these two!! 

Thank you to the amazing vendors that worked so well together to make this wedding perfect! 

Ceremony: Knight's Gambit Vineyard in Charlottesville, Virginia

Coordinator: Angelica & Co Weddings in Washington DC, Virginia 

Hair & Makeup:  Joy Pfister with FBJ Weddings in Ashland, Virginia

Florals: M. Henry Designs in Cartersville, Virginia

Bridal Dress, Alterations & Accessories: Bridals by Elena in Gambrills, Maryland

Catering: Thrill of the Grill Food Truck in Crozet, Virginia

Cake: Sweethaus Cakes in Charlottesville, Virginia

DJ: Acme DJs of VA in Hampton Roads, Virginia

Favors: Donations to Health & Education for Haiti and Puppies behind bars

Bus: Easy Riders Bus Company in Charlottesville, Virginia

---

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! 

Beyond the Lens: Lauren McQuillan from Max & Dexter Event Design

I am SO excited to be sharing with you a new series while I'm out on maternity leave! I've asked some friends in the wedding and creative industry to write about a topic they're passionate about- whether that be tips helping brides while planning a wedding, what they've learned in their business, balancing life and owning a small business, plus so much more! Let me tell you- there's some amazing stuff coming up and I can't wait to share! 

Photo by Lindsey Hinkley

Guys! This is a GOOD one today! Lauren McQuillan, with Max & Dexter Event Design is speaking to Brides (and photographers, really!) about why you should consider hiring an event designer for your big day! I'll be honest, when I first heard about event designers, I totally thought this was something that only Brides with super big budgets did- but I'll be the first to admit I was SUPER wrong!

Lauren is amazing at what she does- she works hand-in-hand with her clients to create a unique vision and gorgeous day! I'm so excited to have her sharing with us today!! 

Why Hire an Event Designer?

As an event designer I assist my brides in so many ways that it's difficult to condense it into just a few paragraphs.  A consultation is usually the most efficient way to identify needs, wants, and dreams and determine how I can make these things a reality for my clients.  If you find yourself dreaming about a beautiful, branded, budget friendly event that celebrates your love but don't know how to make it a reality I'd love to take you out for coffee and help you bring that vision to life!  Otherwise, here are just a few ways that a designer can help you on your big day...

Photo by Katie Nesbitt Photography

Photo by Katie Nesbitt Photography

1. Conceptualization

Do you have a Pinterest board full of disjointed elements that you love with no idea how to bring them all together to be uniquely yours?  I can help!  I love to walk alongside a client in curating a wedding brand that feels so intimately theirs.  Detail photos should reflect the quirks and qualities that make you and your fiancé two of a kind.  Even if I do not participate in the wedding day at all, I am thrilled to help brides organize their thoughts into achievable, budget friendly concepts that they will cherish via their photo albums for decades to come. I am passionate about investing in home goods that play a roll in your day and then live in your house forever.  I love to shop for my brides and find practical, beautiful treasures that highlight a couple's love. 

Photo by Katie Barfield Photography

Photo by Sam Stroud

2. Set Up

Often DIY venues allow for set up early on the day of your wedding.  This can induce serious anxiety as you must then either do work or recruit others to work on your big day.  If you'd prefer to be sipping a mimosa in hair and makeup just before you walk down the aisle, then a designer can be incredibly valuable in ensuring that your set up is achieved to your aesthetic standards. Instead, use that time to get physically and mentally ready for the some of the most important moments of your life.  

Photo by Sam Stroud

Photo by Katie Barfield Photography

3. Tear Down

If you prefer that your family and friends have the freedom to celebrate the evening with you to the fullest, then outsource the responsibility of breakdown and hire a professional.  So many Mothers of the Bride are left to clean up and remove personal items and as a result, can't fully decompress throughout their daughter's wedding.  I love to assist a family by creating a detailed inventory, securing all items after your event, and delivering them to your door so that all you have to handle is your purse on the way out the door.  Wedding days are exhausting both physically and emotionally and the kindness of hiring out the late night clean up will allow your family and friends to truly enjoy you and your day.  

Photo by Katie Nesbitt Photography

Thank you for taking the time to read about how I can be of service to you.  I wish you the best of luck in your future planning and health and happiness in your marriage!  Cheers!

Lauren McQuillan

Max & Dexter Event Design

maxanddexter.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 and 2019.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!

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.