Winchester, VA Wedding Photographer: Tim & Mia's Museum of the Shenandoah Valley Wedding

Small, intimate weddings have a special place in my heart! I LOVE walking away from a wedding day feeling like part of the family, and these small weddings make me feel like I've totally grown my extended family! 

Tim & Mia had such a beautiful wedding day at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, Virginia! This place is BEAUTIFUL and there was an amazing place for photos at every single corner!! It was a photographers heaven! I totally want to go back there for more shoots!! 

This couple is SO sweet and I just loved every moment with them! Mia was so calm and collected throughout the wedding day, probably my most calm bride yet! Tim was super laid back, and was so excited to see his bride walk down the aisle! Ahh! It was the sweetest!! 

They had their first dance as Bride & Groom together right after their ceremony- they talked and laughed through the entire thing- it was so sweet! 

Mia!!! The most beautiful and stunning bride!!!! <3

We then headed down to the Downtown Mall and met up with their adorable little puppy! Oh my goodness- the joy from this sweet little thing! <3 SOOOOOOOO  CUTE!!! 

Mia & Tim then had a nice & quiet dinner reception at a local restaurant downtown, where they cut their cake, enjoyed time with their family, and had a delicious dinner! 

Mia & Tim: Thank you guys SO SO SO much for including me in your special day! I had such a great time getting to know you guys, your family, and celebrate your big special day together! I loved being part of your day and it really was so sweet and special! You two are adorable! Hope you are LOVING married life so far! 

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central VA, but available for travel throughout Virginia (including Winchester and Northern VA) as well as world-wide! Contact us today for additional information! 

Winchester, VA Photographer: Dave & Rachael's Maternity Session

I cannot think of a higher honor than having a former bride ask me to do her maternity photos!! I was so ecstatic when I found out that Rachael was pregnant, and even more so when she asked me to take her maternity photos!! Then, her sister contacted me and offered to pay for her session as her baby shower present! Best sister ever, huh!?! 

It worked out perfectly- I was in Winchester for a wedding, and since Rachael is currently living in the DC area, she met me there! Her Uncle lives out in that area, and knew the perfect little mill area- it was such an amazing location, and the awesome Fall colors just made it magical! <3 Plus, Dave & Rachael just have so much fun together, and we laughed our way through the ENTIRE session!! 

Dave & Rach- it was SO awesome to see you guys again and catch up! I am so unbelievably excited for you guys and cannot wait to snuggle that sweet baby boy!!! Thank you so much for the honor of capturing your most important memories in life!! Let's please get together again SOON!! 

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Central VA, but available for travel- including Winchester, VA! I loved my weekend shooting there, and would love to return to the Winchester area soon! Contact me today for additional information! 

Planning Your Wedding: Building your Timeline

I'm back with Part II of my Planning your Wedding to talk about Building your Timeline! This time, to chat about the timeline WITHOUT a first look! (You can read all about creating a timeline with a first look here!) 

I love helping my brides create a timeline that will flow with their special day, without causing extra stress or forgetting something really important! I always meet with my brides a few times before their wedding day and we build a timeline over the course of their engagement through to their wedding day! It is so important to me that my brides & grooms ENJOY their big day and don't feel stressed out or rushed at all! 

Like I mentioned in the last post, it is important to start planning your timeline by looking over the non-negotiable moments, such as when you are allowed to arrive at your venue, what time your ceremony is planned for, and what time you and all of your guests have to be out of the venue.  

Without doing a first look, I will typically try to get photos of the bride individually, her and her bridesmaids, and a few of the bride with her immediate family members- like siblings, and parents, etc.  I will also do this with the groom- anything that we can get before the ceremony, will help us save time! 

If we know these general guidelines, we write this out: 

1:00 Arrive at venue

4:00 Ceremony Begins

4:30 Ceremony Ends/ Cocktail Hour Begins

10:00 Send-off 

Then we add the remaining details! I always build in about 20-30 minutes for touch-ups, water, and so their early guests don't see them.  

2:00 Arrive at venue / Getting Ready Photos / Details, etc. 

4:00 Ceremony Begins

4:30 Extended Formal Photos

5:00 Entire Bridal Party Photos 

5:30 Bride & Groom Photos 

6:00 Reception Begins 

8:15 Bride & Groom Sunset Photos 

10:00 Send-off 

I'll be back with my Planning Your Wedding Series to talk about a Reception Time-Line, Formal Photos, Getting Ready Tips, etc!  Is there anything you would love to know about planning a wedding? 

Elyse & Jonathan: Downtown Winchester, VA Engagement Photographer

Jonathan & Elyse are getting married at the First Baptist Church in downtown Winchester and are going to have their reception at the beautiful George Washington Hotel in May.  I first met Elyse at her brother's wedding (remember the beautiful Missy?!) I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but I remember loving Elyse's gorgeous long hair! She has this way of mastering the perfect natural wave- something I am so jealous of! I was so excited she called me earlier this year for her wedding- I love working with brides and feel so honored to get referrals from my previous clients! 

I fell in LOVE with downtown Winchester when Michael & I headed out to shoot Elyse & Jonathan's engagement session. It was so adorable- even in the middle of winter- with the freezing temps! There were SO many places to stop for adorable pictures! And can I just tell you how much of a trooper Elyse is? It was freeeeeezing out- and she rocked her dresses! Can't even tell she's cold! My hero! We walked down the mall to the church where they will be getting married- it's beeeeautiful by the way! SO excited! And enjoyed Thai dinner and chatting all about their upcoming wedding day! Enough talk... enjoy their beautiful engagement session photos! 

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Engaged!? Congratulations! Be sure to contact me to find out more information about a complimentary engagement session! I'd love to chat! 

Nemec Wedding: Northern Virginia Photographer

Zach and Missy have the sweetest love story! They are high school sweethearts and have been dating for over 7 years.  We had so much fun at their engagement session at Virginia Tech and I was SO excited for their wedding day! They had a beautiful outdoor summer ceremony at the Historic Jordan Springs in the Winchester, Virginia area, and then moved inside for their reception.   

BIG thanks to Sharmila at Sharmila SP Photography for being my second shooter and assistant! She did an amazing job and got some fantastic shots!! 

Thanks again Missy & Zach for the honor of photographing your special day! We loved being a part of your wedding day!