Skip to main content
Weddings
x8 Award winner
Award winner thanks to recommendations from couples on WeddingWire.com.
  • 2026
  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2016

Loose Tie Photography

Video
Additional Hours
Second Shooter
One Event / Day
Shannon
Tony
Francine
Matt
Jeanne

Recommended by 100% of couples

About this vendor

Loose Tie Photography & Videography is a professional wedding photography service serving Monterey, California, and surrounding areas. This team of professionals uses a cinematic style with dramatic natural and professional lighting to capture images with dramatic mood and beauty. Loose Tie Photography & Videography also creates stunning, imaginative wedding videos that you will enjoy for years to come.


Experience
Rueben, owner and principal photographer of Loose Tie, picked up photography as a hobby while studying International Business and Management in college. Photography offered him a creative release from the stresses of college life, and eventually he changed his career path to become a photographer full time.

Services Offered
Loose Tie Photography & Videography offers affordable and flexible wedding packages. Rueben provides a variety of high resolution images, available as print albums and digital slideshows.
Loose Tie Photography & Videography also offers full feature and highlight videos, which are sent in digital download format. You can add optional drone and raw footage to your package.

Features

Asian-owned

Pacific Islander-owned

Small team (2-10 members)

Experience

  • 16 years in business

  • We speak English

Links

Visit website

FAQ

Which of the following are included in the starting price?

High-Res Images
Digital Files
Negatives
Proofs

Which of the following are included in the price of your most popular wedding package?

2nd Shooter
High-Res Images
Digital Files
Negatives
Proofs

What primary photographic style do you identify with?

Contemporary
Photojournalism
Traditional

What photography services do you offer?

Additional Hours
Destination / Travel
Engagement Shoot
High-Res Images
One Event / Day
Second Shooter
Video
Wedding Portraits

What photography items do you offer?

Albums
Canvas
Digital Files
Flush Mount
Matted Prints
Negatives
Prints

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of Loose Tie Photography

This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

Powered by AI

Loose Tie Photography is praised for a calm, professional presence that puts couples at ease. Reviewers emphasize excellent communication, meticulous preparation, and a seamless, unobtrusive team that captures both candid and posed moments. Photos and videos are consistently described as stunning, well-edited, and promptly delivered, offering great value. Highly recommended.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Loose Tie Photography is praised for a calm, professional presence that puts couples at ease. Reviewers emphasize excellent communication, meticulous preparation, and a seamless, unobtrusive team that captures both candid and posed moments. Photos and videos are consistently described as stunning, well-edited, and promptly delivered, offering great value. Highly recommended.

K
Kayla Sent on 10/15/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Look no further for the best wedding photographer!

Rueben was an absolute dream wedding photographer! I could not be happier with our wedding day photos, and working with Rueben and his team was such a pleasure from start to finish. From the get-go, Rueben was incredibly communicative, professional, and easy to work with. He was attentive to what I was looking for and came more than prepared for our big day with a clear plan and timeline.

I think what truly sets Rueben apart is his calming presence and ability to make you feel completely at ease. Rueben made my husband and I feel so comfortable and confident—every pose felt natural, and he captured all the emotion and joy without anything ever feeling staged or forced.

The quality of the photos is amazing. Rueben has an incredible eye for light, composition, and detail, and he managed to catch so many beautiful candid moments that we’ll treasure forever.

His turnaround time was fast, and the final gallery was thoughtfully curated and beautifully edited. You can tell he genuinely cares about his couples and takes pride in his work.

If you’re searching for someone who is talented, kind, dependable, and truly invested in making your day unforgettable—look no further. I could not recommend a better photographer.
D
Dennis Sent on 06/01/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Comfort, Laughter, and Stunning Photos — Rueben Delivered It All

Working with Rueben from Loose Tie Photography was one of the best decisions we made for Cassie and Andres’s wedding. From the moment he arrived, he made the bride and groom feel special, comfortable, and completely at ease. He brought such a calm, positive energy that turned the day into something carefree and relaxing, exactly what every couple hopes for.

Rueben was thoughtful and intentional with every shot. He found beautiful locations, guided everyone naturally, and made the entire experience feel effortless. You could tell he genuinely cared, not just about the photos, but about the day itself, the couple, and the families and friends who were part of it.

That care shines through in his work. He captured the emotion, the joy, and the little moments that made the day unforgettable. Rueben doesn’t just take photos he tells the story of the day in a way that feels real, warm, and full of heart.

We couldn’t be more grateful for him and would recommend Rueben and Loose Tie Photography without hesitation.
Shannon
Shannon Sent on 11/17/2025
5 out of 5 rating

A Masterful Blend of Quality, Professionalism and Friendship

Hiring Rueben and his team at Loose Tie Photography was hands down the best decision we made for our wedding. We hired his team for both photography and videography. From our engagement shoot through to the last dance of our wedding day, the quality of our photos and videos is absolutely stunning and we've received countless compliments. But what truly set Loose Tie apart was the experience.
Rueben immediately made us feel comfortable, which was so refreshing as we were worried we'd look awkward during posed photos. He has this rare ability to be incredibly sharp and calculated in his craft, while also being the most laid-back person in the room. He listened intently to our vision, provided advice where we needed help, and effortlessly guided us into natural, fun, and genuine poses, making the entire process feel less like a chore and more like hanging out with a friend. We were also thrilled with how seamlessly Rueben and his team worked with our dog, who was a big part of both the engagement and wedding photos!
The preparation leading up to the wedding was exceptional. Rueben and Melissa took the time to visit our family property (our wedding shoot location) twice just to carefully scout locations, map out specific shots, and track where the sun would hit at the perfect time of day. He mirrored this level of diligence at our main venue as well. This calculated approach ensured every moment was captured beautifully and perfectly timed, yet on the wedding day itself, we never once felt stressed about the timeline or logistics.
On the day of the wedding, Rueben and his team were a seamless, nearly invisible presence. They managed to capture every key moment without ever being disruptive. Our bridal party and family constantly commented on how awesome, professional, and friendly the whole team was.
We wholeheartedly recommend Loose Tie Photography for anyone seeking beautiful, high-quality documentation of their special day, delivered by a team that feels like family. We will absolutely be calling Rueben for all future milestones we hope to capture!
Tony
Tony Sent on 09/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Rueben was Great

Rueben Cruz-Tokar was the photographer for my daughter's wedding just two days ago (Sept 7th). Rueben was outstanding. What an amazing photographer he is - he didn't miss a thing. Plus, very creative with his angles and his approach. We loved him. And want anyone reading this that we would recommend Rueben 100% for a wedding event. Thank you Rueben for everything that you did. The kids, our daughter and new son-in-law, will LOVE seeing the final product.
Francine
Francine Sent on 08/25/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Best Decision Ever!

We recently had the pleasure of working with Rueben for our June wedding in Mission San Juan Bautista, and we can't express how thrilled we are with our experience! From the moment we met him, we felt an incredible sense of warmth and professionalism. Rueben took the time to get to know us, making us feel at home and truly important throughout the entire process.

The photos and video turned out absolutely stunning! Each shot perfectly reflected the emotions of the day, from the laughter to the joyful tears. We’ve received countless compliments from our family and friends on how beautiful everything turned out.

We wholeheartedly recommend Rueben and his team to anyone looking for a wedding photographer and videographer. Their talent, attention to detail, and ability to make you feel cherished truly set them apart. Thank you for making our special day unforgettable!
S
Symantha Sent on 08/19/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Wedding photographer

When you are getting married and require an exceptional photographer, look no further than Ruben and his team, who were outstanding!!!! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with him; it was effortless and felt as though we had known him for years. Our photographs were stunning; I could hardly believe it, as I felt transported back to my special day with the incredible images we received. If you are in search of someone to document your special occasion, this is the team to choose. I assure you, you will not hesitate for a moment.
Matt
Matt Sent on 08/18/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Everything you could want

Super professional from start to finish. Everything you would want from a wedding photographer. When looking at our photos and videos, you would have thought we spent hours setting up shots and posing, but on the day we barely noticed they were there. The final shots made us look amazing, and the video really captured the feeling of being there.
Jeanne
Jeanne Sent on 08/07/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Reuben at Loose Tie was great to work with

We used him for our wedding at the Carmel Mission Basilica and he had experience with that venue. Also got some great fun and candid, fly-on-the-wall shots at our reception which made a great album that we look back on frequently.
Danya
Danya Sent on 07/31/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Best Day Ever

Reuben was amazing every photo was perfect, he was prompt, so helpful, he helped us keep everything moving and ensured we had photos of everyone at our wedding. I couldn’t have wished for more in a photographer.
Yareli
Yareli Sent on 12/26/2024
5 out of 5 rating

So much fun! Highly recommend!

Rueben was amazing! He is so kind, professional and great at what he does! He wanted to make sure we got only the Best photos by taking us to breathtaking locations by the beach and he was genuinely happy to capture our wedding with the perfect backgrounds and poses. He has such a fun and bubbly personality, my husband and I are usually a bit shy and introverted but we warmed up to Rueben right away. He was so easy to get along with and made us feel comfortable right away. We thoroughly enjoyed our wedding day and Rueben was a huge part of it! Such a kind and wonderful person/photographer who enjoys and takes pride in his work! I seriously cannot recommend him enough!!! (:
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

67
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2026 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2025 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
illustration message review

Are you interested?

Team

Rueben Cruz-Tokar
Rueben Cruz-Tokar
Owner/Photographer/Videographer

Professional Network & Endorsements

A STARR Events A STARR Events Wedding Planners

Rueben with Loose Tie is awesome! I absolutely love when a client comes to me and says that Loose Tie is doing their photography & Videography package. Just knowing that Rueben is on board gives me the peace of mind that everything having to do with the photos will be perfect for my clients. Rueben (and his talented team) photographed my Niece & Nephew's weddings (one year apart) and I still use his photos to advertise on all of my web sites. Did I mention that he also does videography? Sam & Julie's wedding video is a testimonial to how much of his spirit and love he puts into his work- the music and client character he was able to portray in their video reminds me how much I miss that crazy and fun couple! Ruben, I hope we are able to work together again in 2018- I will be sending clients your way...

A STARR Events
5.0 out of 5 rating , 69 reviews
· Wedding Planners

Map

Location
Travel range
This vendor will travel up to no travel restrictions

Why use Weddingwire to message vendors?

  • Messaging our verified vendors on WeddingWire is complimentary, safe, and secure.
  • Effortlessly manage vendor communications and planning details in one centralized location.
  • Our mobile apps ensure you can stay connected with vendors anytime, anywhere.
  • For customized pricing and package information, messaging the vendor directly is the quickest way to get the details you need.

Loose Tie Photography frequently asked questions

Loose Tie Photography includes the following photography services in the starting price:
  • High-Res Images
  • Digital Files
  • Negatives
  • Proofs
Loose Tie Photography includes the following photography services in their most popular wedding package:
  • 2nd Shooter
  • High-Res Images
  • Digital Files
  • Negatives
  • Proofs
Loose Tie Photography offers the following photography styles:
  • Contemporary
  • Photojournalism
  • Traditional
Loose Tie Photography offers the following photography services for weddings:
  • Additional Hours
  • Destination / Travel
  • Engagement Shoot
  • High-Res Images
  • One Event / Day
  • Second Shooter
  • Video
  • Wedding Portraits
Loose Tie Photography offers the following photography materials for weddings:
  • Albums
  • Canvas
  • Digital Files
  • Flush Mount
  • Matted Prints
  • Negatives
  • Prints
Loose Tie Photography is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.
Loose Tie Photography currently offers 1 discount promotion for wedding services.
View next Wedding Photographers

Other vendors in Monterey for your wedding

Wedding Vendors

Responds within 24 hours