My Favorite Things || 5 things I cannot live without!

Taking a break from sharing photo sessions and sharing 5 things I cannot live without! I always love hearing about what other people are loving, and I have some things I seriously loved the heck out of in 2019, so why not share! I use these each at least every single day!

Disclaimer: A few of these have discounts with my links, and others are just things I legit love!

1- Rothy’s

Oh my gosh- I freaking am obsessed with my Rothy’s. What started out as a single pair of shoes to help my poor feet at weddings has now turned into multiple pairs, different styles, and colors, and I am still just as in love with them! They are a sustainable shoe made from recycled plastic water bottles. I know- it sounds bizarre and no way they can be comfortable… but they’re magic and super comfortable- plus- THEY ARE WASHABLE. No more stinky flats after a long, hot summer wedding!

A few tips… I size up half a size, make sure to NEVER dry them, and prepare to be obsessed! (I love the loafer style the very best!)!

For $20 off, you can use my link here: https://share.rothys.com/x/ck0mYr

2- Ice Roller

I know, I know, this is so ridiculous. But I love using my ice roller! Every morning, after I make my cup of coffee, I pull it out of the freezer and it feels sooooo good! Plus, I can use as much help as possible to try to depuff my face and look less tired! ;) I got mine on Amazon, and bought one for all the people I love this year for Christmas!

The link for the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/Teenitor-Muti-Purpose-Preventing-Migraine-Puffiness/dp/B07PFG7GNJ/ref=sr_1_14?keywords=ice+roller&qid=1578363952&sr=8-14

3- Chat Books

My family LOVES these little books so much! They print automatically from your camera roll, your instagram account, or you can manually upload and have them printed! They’re super affordable, have a replacement policy if your crazy kids accidentally destroy them, and are a great way to look through your memories and photos! I’m such a fan of printing your photos and love that the kids can look through them over and over again and I don’t have to worry about them!

To get started & get $10 off, you can use my link here: http://invite.chatbooks.com/ashleyeiban21k

4- Honeybook

I’ve talked about Honeybook before, but it’s worth bringing up again and again! It’s the program I use to keep track of my current clients and projects, invoices, payment reminders, contracts, calendar, and more! It’s helped streamline my booking and contract process SO MUCH! If you are dealing with client projects, this is a must have!!

Use my link here for 50% off! http://share.honeybook.com/gNBpM

5- Ninja Foodi

Guys. This is probably my most favorite purchase of 2019. I am not exaggerating when I say that this has completely changed our dinner game. The Foodi is an instant pot, air fryer, crock pot, steamer, and more in one! I have wanted an instant pot and an air fryer, but do not want all the machines. This is AMAZING! I cook in this at least once a day, even usually every meal! We love brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes, pork chops with green beans, soups and chilis. Literally. EVERY single meal!

We got ours at Target on Black Friday, because #redcard for an extra % off! https://www.target.com/p/ninja-foodi-tendercrisp-pressure-cooker-op301/-/A-53653982

The Wedding Day Timeline || Lynchburg, VA Wedding Photographer

There’s a lot of big decisions you’ll have to make for your wedding day- from caterers and bakers, to what dress you’re wearing, and who you want in your wedding party, etc. Yet, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is your wedding day timeline. You want to make sure you have enough time to ensure that you have the time set aside to get those wedding day photographs, to be able to capture the memories of your Dad seeing his little girl in her wedding dress, your Grandparents dancing together, or your groom seeing you for the first time!

Here are a few tips when prepping your wedding day time:

1- Remember, everything always takes longer than you expect. You may be expecting your ceremony to be 10-15 minutes, but also counting in the time it takes for everyone to say hi to each other, and walk over to the cocktail hour, it will most likely be closer to 30 minutes.

2- Check the time of sunset! Especially if you aren’t planning on doing a first look! I recommend scheduling the end time of your ceremony an hour before sunset so you have time for family portraits, photos with your wedding party, and of course time for pictures with your new hubby!

3- Make a list for family photos. Talk with your Mom, and your future mother-in-law so everyone is on the same page, and create a list of about 10 groupings for family photos. I recommend immediate family, grandparents, parents, siblings, etc! Then anything else can be captured at the reception!

4- Build in extra time. I usually recommend 30-45 minutes before the ceremony of “extra” time in case your hair or makeup is running late, a groomsmen forgets his tie and has to run back out to get it, etc!

5- Make sure you prioritize Bride and Groom portrait time! The day goes by in a blink and it’s easy to rush through these, but these are the photos that you’ll want to remember the day by!

Hope these tips helped you! I believe creating a great timeline is crucial to a successful wedding day that is stress free! Because of this, I include a custom timeline creation meeting with each and everyone of my couples!

Just got engaged.... Now what?! Creating a Wedding Inspiration Board

Did you just get engaged?! Congrats!! I know you’re feeling so excited… but maybe also a little overwhelmed and don’t even know where to begin with planning your wedding?! Trust me, I totally understand! There are so many big decisions to be made, which can seem impossible when you aren’t even sure what direction you want to go in! Which is why, I think the very first step that can be SO helpful is to create an inspiration board for your wedding! A mood board is simply a tool to help you visually create your wedding day. Creating a wedding mood board will help you to zero in on your wedding aesthetic, nail down your details, and even your style!

This isn’t where you are making all of your final decisions, so don’t worry about stressing about the perfect bridesmaids dresses, but instead draw inspiration from other weddings and images that you love. From here, you’ll be able to discover your palette, style, and design details! This should be not only how you want your wedding to look, but also how you want it to feel!

Help everyone be on the same page. Wether you’re creating a tangible mood board or electronic, being able to share and show friends, family, planners, and wedding vendors, will help everyone see your vision and help you to execute it!

2019 Weddings in Review

This is one of my most favorite blog posts to put together each year! Because I get to look over every single wedding from the year and truly remember the joyful days of each and every one of my amazing couples! It’s just a reminder of how quickly time passes and how much of a blessing it is to be able to celebrate with these couples on one of the biggest days of their lives!

2019 was an amazing year! I was able to schedule all of my weddings within Lynchburg and the surrounding areas, which was very needed with a little one at home! I loved shooting at venues from The Trivium Estate, The Virginian Hotel, Wintergreen Resort, Sorella Farms, The Glass Hill Venue, and more!

Thank you to each and everyone of my amazing couples that trusts me with something as important as their wedding photography! I do not take this job lightly and am so appreciative of you!

Getting Married?! I would LOVE to talk to you about your wedding day! I am currently booking a limited number of weddings for 2020 and 2021. Let’s chat!!

Sorella Farms Wedding in Lynchburg, Virginia || Gabe & Meghan's Central Virginia Wedding

Gabe & Meghan's Sorella Farms wedding day was so beautiful! It was a GORGEOUS fall day, the colors were starting to turn on the trees and their ceremony location overlooked the gorgeous mountains! Meghan is one of those brides that I wish I could clone. She's so sweet, super laid back, and truly lived in the joyful moments of her wedding day! 

Sorella Farms in Evington- right outside of Lynchburg- is such a gorgeous venue! Their Bridal Suite and getting ready room is the perfect space to hang out with your wedding party and get ready! Gabe & Meg's ceremony was STUNNING overlooking the Blue Ridge Parkway! Right after the ceremony, the sky started turning dark gray and we quickly changed the timeline to get some photos of them together before it started to downpour. We moved SO fast and got through all of their couple portraits- just in time for the sun to come back out for family and wedding party portraits AND sunset photos with Gabe & Meg.  

Their reception in the Sorella Farms barn is gorgeous! Their reception space is so elegant and classy with draped white fabric, twinkle lights, and gold mirrors on the barn doors. It's gorgeous! 

Congratulations Gabe & Meg! We're so excited for you guys as you begin life together! 

Thank you to the amazing vendors that helped make this wedding so perfect!

Venue: Sorella Farms in Evington, Virginia

Coordination: A Little Party Events in Lynchburg, Virginia

Officiant: Paster John Williamson from Crosspoint Church in Lynchburg, VA

Florals: Foraged & Cut in Lynchburg, Virginia

Catering: Magnolia Foods in Lynchburg, Virginia

Rentals: Aztec Rentals in Lynchburg, Virginia

DJ: Barry Tosh in Lynchburg, Virginia

Cake: Magnolia Foods in Lynchburg, Virginia

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