Fairview Golf Course - Monterey, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Alexis + Jennsy's Wedding

Oh, what a wedding it was! As a Monterey wedding photographer and videographer, I was thrilled to be a part of Alexis and Jennsy's special day on January 28th at the Fairview Golf Course in Laguna Seca, CA.

Let me tell you—this wedding was a great way to kick off the new year, and we were honored to have worked with such an amazing couple and their families as they gathered to celebrate Alexis and Jennsy. Check out their video!

Leading up to the wedding, Alexis and Jennsy went above and beyond to make sure everyone involved, including us, were well taken care of. They were so thoughtful, collaborating well with all of their vendors to ensure we had everything we needed.

They even served us the same delicious food as their guests! That act of generosity really gave us the warm and fuzzies. Thanks so much for making us feel special!

I also appreciated how organized they were. They were so on top of the details, which made it easier for us to photograph them efficiently. Even though we got a little behind schedule, Alexis and Jennsy planned ahead and added a little buffer time so the schedule wasn’t thrown out the window.

My wife Jackie and I were able to work flawlessly together while documenting this fantastic event. She took care of 100% of the photos, while I captured everything on video. As someone who has been in the industry for a while, I would definitely recommend having the same team capture your wedding if you want both photos and video. Jackie and I work hard to make sure that everything looks cohesive, and for a special day like this, you deserve that.

Speaking of everything looking great on camera, the makeup artist, Moruvillal Pando, really knows her stuff! She did a fabulous job on the bride and her bridesmaids, making them look absolutely stunning for photo and video.

The DJ for the night, Sanchezj Nuevaera, kept the dance floor packed and the energy high all night long. And let's not forget the Mariachi band, Mariachi Santacruz, who added to the festive atmosphere and kept the guests entertained throughout the night.

Alexis and Jennsy's wedding was a unforgettable, and we are thrilled that they will be submitting our photos to Wedding Wire for a blog post. We can't wait to see our work featured! It will be so cool to share their love story with the world.

As a wedding photography & videography team, Jackie and I believe that having the right team to capture your special day is crucial. The right team can make all the difference in preserving your treasured memories, so it’s one of the biggest wedding investments you could make. Feel free to contact us for more information about our services! I’d love to see how we can help make your wedding day one to remember.

Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church - Castroville, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Patty + Maurilio

As Patty and Maurilio’s wedding approached, I couldn't help but count down the days until the big event. The couple chose Quail Lodge as the location for their wedding preparations, Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Castroville, CA for their ceremony.

On the day of the wedding, everything ran smoothly and according to schedule. The couple was punctual and easy to work with, which made my job as their wedding photographer that much more enjoyable. They trusted me and my team completely, which allowed us to capture every stunning moment of the day.

As the bridal party got ready, I made sure to take photos of all of their details. From the rings and shoes to the outside of the church, these small details tell the story of the day. I always make sure to include them in my galleries so that the couple can remember the little things, too.

When it was time for the ceremony, my team and I prepared to capture the big moment. Patty and Maurilio were so romantic, and it was a pleasure to photograph their ceremony. You could practically feel the excitement of the guests as they watched the couple say their vows.

These photos look so effortless, however looks can be deceiving. Church lighting can often be a challenge to work with, and that was definitely the case today.

Due to the church's rules, we were not allowed to use flash, which made things a bit tricky. To ensure that the exposure settings were just right and the skin tones came out consistent, we had to work with the limited natural light that was available. By bumping up our ISO, we were able to capture beautiful photographs. Then after the ceremony, we headed outside for some group photos.

Group photos can be a challenge too, but I have a pro tip to share. I always ask everyone to close their eyes and open them on the count of three. This usually gives me around a 98% success rate and ensures that everyone is looking in the same direction and has their eyes open.

After that, we headed to the reception to party our hearts out! The couple chose an elegant white and lavender theme for all of the decorations, flower arrangements, and the cake.

Everyone had a blast while dancing, eating, and celebrating the couple. From the youngest to the oldest, there was not a frown in the entire building!

Overall, it was an amazing experience to photograph Patty and Maurilio's wedding. They were such a wonderful couple to work with and I wish them all the best as they start their married life together. I am confident that the photographs we captured will serve as a beautiful reminder of their special day for years to come. Congratulations!

Wedding at Shadowbrook Restaurant - Capitola, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Adrian + Laura

Last November, I had the privilege of photographing Adrian + Laura’s wedding in Capitola, CA! This wedding was so beautiful, and it was such an honor to be there to capture all of the fun memories! Take a peek at these amazing photos.

This wedding was pretty small and low-key, which helped the guests and the couple relax. With just family and a handful of friends, they all got the chance to know each other before the ceremony.

The couple got ready at Chaminade Resort & Spa in Capitola, which offered a clean, white space to tell the story of the morning.

Adrian’s mom even came to the resort to help Laura get ready! It was so sweet to witness the relationship these two have. I can tell that they love each other very much, and that they’re going to be great in-laws!

Laura’s details were so much fun to take! I snapped photos of the ring, her dress, the stationery, and more!

Adding photos like this adds so much variety to your galleries. I also love the creativity it takes to place all of the elements on a styling mat. The one I used is from chasingstone.com. You need an artistic eye to do it properly, and I’m so proud of these!

The wedding itself happened at the Shadowbrook restaurant. The whole thing was pretty simple, but beautiful all the same. Adrian + Laura took my advice when creating their timeline, which made things go pretty smoothly.

Adrian + Laura opted not to have a first dance or speeches. This goes to show that not every tradition is right for every couple. I’m so proud of them for making this day their own! One tradition they kept, however, was the cake cutting!

We did our very best to tell their story through pictures. After I sent the gallery, I received a text from Adrian that read, “YOU DID A PERFECT JOB! THANK YOU!” As a photographer, that’s one of the best things to hear from my client.

I’m thrilled you love the images, Adrian + Laura! It was such a joy to come and document your wedding. Congratulations on your marriage! I wish you both many happy years together.