Dayton & Cara: A classic, backyard Cullen, Virginia Wedding

GUYS! I am so excited to share Dayton & Cara’s backyard wedding in Cullen, Virginia! Their day was SO perfect! I’m not even exaggerating when I say that! Usually there are some bumps along the way on the wedding day that we help guide and navigate through, but not yesterday! It was AMAZING!

I knew it was going to be an amazing day when we walked into the cutest getting ready Farm House, that was built by Dayton’s Great Grandparents, AND was recently perfectly renovated by his amazing parents— and was greeted with hugs, excitement, and all of the bridesmaids singing to each and every song that played! Cara had a pretty big wedding party- but oh my goodness- they all seemed like the best of friends and just so much fun!

Their ceremony overlooked the gorgeous pond between his parents and grandparents house. It was STUNNING. Every little detail was thought of! Their reception was set up in a tent in the hay field and guys- this group loved to dance! It was seriously such a FUN wedding day!

Congratulations Dayton & Cara! We had THE BEST TIME ever and I am not even joking when I’m forcing myself into your friends and having your Momma adopt me! <3

A BIG BIG BIG thanks to the amazing vendors that made this day so great!

Venue: Dunnavant Family Farm in Charlotte Court House, Virginia

Hair & Makeup: Bobbypins Bridals in Central Virginia

Wedding Coordinator: Family Friend, Cathy Paschal

Flowers: Sams Club Online

Officiant: Reverend Tony Reeves

Brides Dress: Simply Blush Bridal in Zebulon, North Carolina

Bridesmaids: Azazie Online

Groom & Groomsmen: Mens’s Warehouse Online

Tent: Overstreet Hardware in Lynchburg, Virginia

Catering: Cooper’s Landing in Clarksville, VA

Cake: Vicki Bailey

Facilities: Royal Restrooms in Lynchburg, Virginia

Photographer: Ashley Eiban Photography in Lynchburg, Virginia

Videographer: Farmer Visuals in Raleigh, North Carolina

DJ: Glory Days Events in Wendell, North Carolina

Early Mountain Vineyard Wedding || Romantic, Sunset winery Wedding || Robert & Shannon

It's not a secret that I love taking a couple out for extra portrait time during sunset, but oh my goodness- this wedding was an amazing exception! They had a sunset ceremony overlooking the Vineyard at Early Mountain Winery in Madison, Virginia.  

The Charlottesville area has some amazingly gorgeous vineyards- and the Early Mountain Vineyard is no exception! The views, open skies, and vineyard is the perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony! The reception hall is unreal- especially for a wedding taking place in the fall! Those fireplaces! 

Robert & Shannon and their friends and family all traveled from all over the United States to the Charlottesville area for this event! It really seemed to add to the celebration and joyfulness of the day seeing everyone step away from their crazy lives to celebrate with these two! 

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Thanks to the vendors that made this day so awesome! 

Venue: Early Mountain Vineyard in Madison, Virginia

Hair & Makeup: A More Beautiful You in Charlottesville, Virginia

Invitations: Exclusively Weddings Online 

Florist: Designs by Janice in Midlothian, Virginia

Ceremony Music: Perfect Harmony String Ensemble in Charlottesville, Virginia

Coordinator: Rachel Shamey with Roadside Chive in Orange, Virginia

Bridal Gown & Bridesmaids: David's Bridal

Groom & Groomsmen: Men's Wearhouse

Catering: Roadside Chive in Orange, Virginia

Baker: Carytown Cupcakes in Richmond, Virginia 

DJ: Wes Suitt with Bow Tied Weddings in Richmond, Virginia

And a huge thank you to my 2nd shooter and associate Rhiannon! 

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Office Hours || Why having set office hours are so important for small businesses

What is it about owning your own business that makes us think we should work ALL the time? Always be on call-- someone has a question, and feel guilty about sitting down at the end of the night to catch up on the last This is Us, etc. Maybe it's just me, but I have a feeling I'm not the only one that feels so guilty for unplugging and not living and breathing my business.  

What ends up happening, is I am constantly in 'work brain' and feel that constant pulling of my to-do list back to my desk. But then I feel guilty for missing out of spending down-time with Emerson & Michael. The laundry and housework starts building up, which also takes space in my brain, I have the hardest time being productive in a messy environment, and I'm not able to give anything in my life the full attention that it needs.  

We should, in no way, ever feel guilty about our work hours having a beginning and ending time.  In order to do something really well, we have to be able to get other things done as well.  Trust me, I've tried doing this 'work until all the list is crossed off' thing, and let me tell you, there is ALWAYS more to be added to that list.  (Now, there will be busier seasons, where your office hours may be extended, and that's okay- but that should not be you're entire life!) 

I didn't come to this conclusion the easy way. Let me tell you, I never come to conclusions the easy way. It seems I always have to learn the hard way.  ;) But, I'm tired of being burnt out, anxious, and stressed because I don't have enough time. One of my main desires is to do less and be more present and intentional with my time and my family, and working ALL the time is not the way to accomplish that.  

I've started having set and hard boundaries with my business- which will look different for different seasons- but I will only be working on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am until 12pm, when Emerson is at school.  With her switching schools, she is going from 5 full days to 3 half days, and I am going to be using her school time as my work time, and her home time, and the time we can do things together, read about fairies, make dinner together, and even fold that pile of laundry that has been sitting in the clean basket for way too long.  At this season in my business, I am expecting to actually be more productive by limited my working hours so I can truly focus on one thing at a time.  I am still able to answer emails, edit, and blog without being a slave to my to-do list.  My clients are given my cell phone number, so if it's urgent, they know how to get ahold of me.  

One of the key benefits to owning my own business is that I get to set up my work hours- I am not having to answer to someone else who wants me in front of my computer for the sake of my salary.  I'm saying goodbye to the guilt of that and knowing that I will be blessed by putting my family first- even though I do love this job so much- my family comes first.  If you struggle with this as well, I hope this helps put some perspective on things and you're able to unplug and enjoy your family as well. 

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

Ashley is a firm believer in chasing your dreams and doing what you love! 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! 

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! 

Happy New Year! || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

It's been a little quiet around here, but for good reason! I've been taking some time off- completely off- to recharge and enjoy this down time with my family! 

We had such a great break- we headed to visit family in Virginia Beach for Christmas, and then came back to Lynchburg for some quality down time! As a small business owner, it's so difficult to truly unplug, but the longer I do this full-time, the more important I realize this time is! 

2016 was a hard year for many, but for us, it truly was a fantastic year! My word for 2016 was 'intentional' as I wanted to be super intentional about my time with my family, my clients, and my friends.  I rebranded my business in 2016- something that was a lot of work, stress, and brain power, but it was worth every little bit of the struggle.  Having my heart written out for my clients has allowed me to connect more with my brides and grooms, and truly have had the best quality and sweetest couples ever this year! 

We're super excited for 2017- I've been working on my word and goals for the year and I think I've finally got them nailed down! I'm excited to share later this week! I've got some amazing blog posts planned for the month, and I am so excited to share them over the next few days and weeks! If there's a topic that you'd love to hear about- feel free to shoot me an email and let me know! 

Happy New Year friends! I am so thankful for each of you and so excited for this upcoming year! 

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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!