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! 

Venue: The Historic Avenel in Bedford, Virginia

Makeup: Amanda McCoy in Lynchburg, Virginia

Hair: Jagged Edge in Forest, Virginia

Bridal Gown: Becky's Bridal in Buena Vista, 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 2019. Interested in learning more? Inquire here! 

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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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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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.  Contact Ashley today for additional information!

Elizabeth's Bridal Portraits: Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer

I totally have a love/hate thing going on with bridal portraits! I seriously LOOOOOOOVE so many things about them, like the bride getting another chance to get all dolled up, getting a trial run with hair and make-up, and the fact that they are so much fun. But then after the fact I have to keep them top-secret and that is just straight up torture!! haha! 

Coleton & Elizabeth got married on Saturday and oh my gooooooodness it was such a beautiful day! Elizabeth is the sweetest and made the most beautiful bride!! And that means I finally get to share photos from her bridal portraits!!  Thanks to The Trivium Estates in Forest for allowing the perfect spot for these!! 

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! 

Lynchburg, Virginia Wedding Photographer: Hailey's Bridal Portraits

I looooooooove doing Bridal Portrait Sessions! It is SO much fun getting the Bride all dressed up- without the pressure of the wedding day timeline and the hustle and bustle of friends & family & wedding guests! Plus- who doesn't want another day to wear their beautiful wedding gown! You pay so much money for THE perfect dress, wear it again! Plus, most of my brides end up changing something- it could be as simple as earrings, or lip color- or even as big as changing their hair style! 

Hailey and I got together a few weeks ago for her Bridal Portraits out at the beautiful Trivium Estates in Forest, Virginia! I've been so excited to share these images with you guys! Bailey is so beautiful and makes such a stunning Bride!! And this session is a PERFECT example of how we can still make it work- even in the rain! As soon as we walked outside it started POURING- so we got some photos inside, and on the porch at the Trivium.  The rain cleared just in time for sunset- and we got these AMAZING glowy photos as well! 

Ashley Eiban is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Lynchburg, Virginia and serves Central Virginia, but also available for travel! Contact us today or email me at ashley@ashleyeiban.com for additional information!