Bright and colorful wedding at Zaca Mesa Winery

Weddings

Jan 22

Bride and groom kiss in a field of wild flowers at Zaca Mesa Winery.

Jenny and Ben's wedding at Zaca Mesa Winery in Los Olivos, California was absolutely beautiful. These two self-described awkward dorks met at work during the pandemic (they were the only two people left in the building). During their breaks and lunches, they would spend time together and it quickly felt like going on little dates every day!

For their wedding, Jenny and Ben wanted something authentic that truly represented who they are as individuals and as a couple. They planned to incorporate elements that they loved, like pizza and beer pong, to bring everyone together for a fun and laid-back celebration. Jenny was particularly excited about the florals, and they planned on having a vibrant and colorful palette with lavenders, yellows, and oranges. Ben, on the other hand, was thrilled about the venue. Growing up in the South Bay with rolling hills and vineyards, he wanted to share that beauty with Jenny and all of their loved ones on their wedding day. Both of them wanted their photos to capture their love and to feel natural and candid.

Their wedding day: A mix of color, personality, and authenticity

Their wedding day perfectly embodied everything they hoped for. The florals were bright and colorful, they hired Lucca Truck for wood fired pizzas, and they added a personal touches throughout, like their lego cake toppers, temporary tattoos, and guest book made out of playing cards with their engagement photos on them. Everything about their day was beautiful, thoughtful, and truly them.

The day started with an intimate and silly first look, filled with jokes and laughter, followed by wedding party photos and family formals - that way they could relax and celebrate after their ceremony. During their family photos, Jenny's dad had a sweet, simple request for me. When her sister got married, there was a photo of him hugging her at the end of the aisle and he wanted the same with Jenny. How could I resist an ask like that? I made it a priority to capture that heartfelt moment as Jenny walked down the aisle. With my second shooter, we were able to capture the sweet moment between father and daughter from two different angles.

During the ceremony, everyone laughed and shed a few happy tears, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere. While they didn’t share personal vows in front of everyone during the ceremony, they did incorporate a little tradition into their day by breaking glass before ending the ceremony with a kiss and celebratory walk back down their floral-adorned aisle.

Since we had taken care of all the formal photos before the ceremony, Jenny and Ben were able to relax and spend quality time with their loved ones during cocktail hour. Their adorable dog Penny even made a special guest appearance! And at the end of cocktail hour, I pulled them aside to capture some stunning golden hour portraits in the wildflower garden next to the venue’s entrance. Jenny's bouquet perfectly matched the wildflowers in the field, as if she had planned it that way!

After dinner, the real party began. They tore up the dance floor with their friends and family, singing, drinking, and having glow stick battles. They even had some quirky moments, like dramatic saxophone miming and a request for the Law & Order theme song at the end of the night. It was a fun and lively celebration that truly represented their goofiness and love for each other.

Being able to help Jenny and Ben capture these precious memories was an honor and I loved every second of being their wedding photographer. Their wedding was flawless and will be one of my favorites for years to come. The combination of the beautiful wine country setting, personal touches, and goofy personalities truly made it a uniquely special and timeless celebration.