Jardines De San Juan - San Juan Bautista, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Janet + Manny's Wedding

Every wedding holds its own unique charm, but some love stories have a way of touching your heart in profound ways. Janet + Manny's wedding at Jardines De San Juan was not just a celebration of their love but a priceless moment that just had to be documented.

It was such a privilege to be there for Janet + Manny’s wedding, and I can’t wait to show you all of the amazing photos from their extraordinary day! These two were such a romantic couple.

Love has a beautiful way of unfolding in the quiet moments, away from the grandeur of the ceremony. As Janet + Manny prepared for their big day, we captured all of the emotions, from nerves to excitement! Something that really helped the couple relax was taking first look portraits together.

Hacienda de Leal served as the perfect backdrop for their first look portraits, and it was a moment so pure that time seemed to stand still. The emotion in their eyes as they locked gazes for the first time that day gave us chills!

Despite some harsh lighting during the ceremony, we were determined to preserve the magic of their day, working tirelessly to position them in the most flattering angles. Their love definitely shone through in every frame.

Photography freezes moments, but videography breathes life into them. Janet + Manny recognized the value of both mediums, and we were honored to provide them with the opportunity to relive their wedding day in both photos and video. Check out their highlight video!

Manny + Janet - Teaser from Drew Zavala Media on Vimeo.

The blend of photographs and video footage allowed us to capture their love story in its entirety, unveiling the subtleties and emotions that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. One of my favorite moments of the entire day was getting a drone shot of Janet walking down the aisle. It was priceless!

Janet + Manny were so overjoyed that they purchased this package, and they did not regret spending more for both. That said, I highly encourage clients to follow their own path.

Thank you both so much for the honor of documenting your special day! As these two start their new life together, Janet + Manny invited us to go mountain biking with them in Utah, where they will be living from now on! We’ll definitely have to take them up on it soon.

Janet + Manny's wedding was such a beautiful day. From their intimate first look portraits to the breathtaking ceremony, we were humbled to document their journey at Jardines De San Juan. Thanks again for choosing us, and see you in Utah!

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.