Backyard Micro Wedding - Morgan Hill, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Jeff + Holly

The day has finally come! Jeff + Holly’s backyard micro wedding was such a fantastic event. It was such an honor to photograph these lovebirds during their special day. Thanks for picking me as your wedding photographer!

Jeff + Holly kept the event small and intimate, which was absolutely perfect. Everyone got to meet everyone else, and even get know each other throughout the day. With just the closest friends and family, the couple weren’t stressed at all!

It was so cool to see how relaxed they were. They trusted me completely with their photos, letting me do my thing, which allowed them to live in the moment. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

They had their micro wedding right in their backyard, so the lighting was a little split due to the tall trees. Some spots were really bright and others shaded, but with a little post-production magic, these photos turned out so whimsical!

The couple offered a huge charcuterie table for their guests, catered by plattersbyelizabeth. As you can see, she did an amazing job putting these together. They’re beyond stunning!

Jeff + Holly had two dogs, named Wednesday and Kingston. I could tell right from the start  how loved these two dogs were. Sadly, Kingston passed away two weeks after the wedding.

Kingston, the white frenchie, has been with Jeff + Holly for nine amazing years. Holly texted me and asked if I had any photos of him, and thankfully, I did. She said that Kingston passed away peacefully, two weeks after the wedding.

I knew how much Wednesday and Kingston meant to them, so I included as many photos as I could into the final gallery. I’m absolutely heartbroken for them, and I am so grateful to have captured him with my camera.

Kingston held on until the wedding day, which makes me wonder if he knew how special of a day it was going to be. These photos are even more special, knowing that he was there to watch his people tie the knot.

It was such an honor to be there myself, Jeff + Holly. Congratulations on your marriage, and I wish you every good thing in the world.

Coyote Creek Golf Course - Morgan Hill, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Carolina + Vic

Carolina + Vic’s wedding at the Coyote Creek Golf Course was an absolute dream! I can’t imagine a more beautiful place for a wedding in Morgan Hill, CA.

We were a bit worried on the day of the wedding because the weather forecast predicted some rain, but thankfully, it didn’t happen. We did have a cold breeze during the ceremony and portraits, but seeing Carolina + Vic tie the knot was worth it! Their love was definitely warm enough.

When planning the wedding, these two were so eager to get a timeline set in place. That was so helpful, because timelines always help everything run smoothly. There were a bunch of vendors to coordinate with, so we all collaborated to ensure that everything was on time. It was a great team effort!

Carolina + Vic chose great vendors! Working alongside Danny’s Photo Booth and Soiree DJ Entertainment was a breeze. They went above and beyond to make Carolina + Vic’s day as special as possible.

As for my part, I was efficient and quick with family photos. It was pretty cold outside, so everyone was shivering a little bit. Fortunately, family photos happen in groups, so I moved from one group to the next so the free birds could head inside.

I used one of my favorite photography techniques during a quick portrait session with the couple. Keeping my eye on the sun, I waited until it was just a bit behind the mountains. The sun didn’t blare into my lens like it did earlier, instead creating a soft, romantic halo.

Sure enough, magic happened! Needless to say, we got some epic portraits! This technique never fails to give us stunning shots.

I also used a long exposure while shooting photos on the dance floor! This shows a little extra movement, and I love how it makes these photos so lively!

The guests did a traditional Mexican dance with Vic. They even threw him up in the air! He almost hit the ceiling, but fortunately he didn’t. Vic + Carolina also choreographed their first dance, and it was such a precious moment between them.

Your wedding was stunning, Vic + Carolina! It was a real pleasure to photograph this huge next step in your relationship. I hope you cherish the newlywed phase, and I wish you many happy years after that!

Carmel State Beach - Carmel, CA - Drew Zavala Photography - Ben + Allison

On the first of October, I drove out to Carmel State Beach to photograph Ben + Allison’s gorgeous micro-wedding. It was such an amazing event!

It doesn’t matter how big the wedding is when you love someone the way Ben + Allison do! There was something so special about these two celebrating with only their closest family and friends.

The wedding was flawless. They chose the most perfect spot on Carmel State Beach that had a view of the Pebble Beach Golf Course. This made for some absolutely stunning photos! I’m obsessed.

Both Ben + Allison are excellent golf players, and apparently, Ben went semi-pro! He proposed at the Pebble Beach Golf Course, which is why this gorgeous spot on the beach was such a good location for them. It really ties their story together!

We decided last-minute to climb up to the exact spot where he proposed, and took some stunning photos up there. It was a workout to walk across the sand with all my camera gear, but boy, was it worth it!

Ben + Allison were super easy to work with. I swapped between my 35mm and 85mm lenses to get a variation of close and wide shots. Both are so romantic. I’m glad that I brought them!

The 35mm has been my absolute favorite lately because I’ve learned to frame things so artistically that it seems like you’re there at the session when you look at them. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: don’t rob yourself of amazing photos like these! Hire a pro!

Since Ben + Allison drove all the way from Sacramento, which is about 3.5 hours one-way, they spent the weekend here in Carmel. After the wedding, they all headed to Alvarado Brewery to have dinner with their families.

On the way, we passed their favorite house on the coast. They’ve tried looking it up online before, just to see how much it’s worth, but they can never locate it, so they call it their “mystery house.” I hope they do find it one day, because this couple is so sweet!

Ben + Allison, I can’t tell you what an honor it was to be a part of your special day. I’m so happy for both of you, and I wish you all the best as you run forward in this new stage of life together. Congratulations!