Castaways wedding: Robert and Pei {Auckland couples - family photographer}

Castaways is a perfect location for a wedding! Thats what Robert and Pei chose for their celebration with close friends: ceremony on top of a stunning hill above the beach and reception in a restaurant with amazing views, one of the best in Auckland! Its such a pleasure to see couples and their family and capture all important moments for years to come, to be their wedding photographer!

We met with this beautiful people on their engagement session {check out their pre-wedding photo shoot highlights in our Blog!}.

Couple shared their story: “We met at work and bonded over several on call shifts together, team dinners/events and mutual friends/colleagues hangs. We eventually really got to spend some quality time together at a close mutual friend's birthday party and really bonded over our shared culture, interests, faith and upbringing. It just felt so organic and simple from the get go and we really hit it off from there. We would have been together just over 2 years by the time of our wedding.” The proposal: “I had very elaborate plans I was contemplating but the ring I bought was made available to me much much earlier than anticipated and I just couldn't wait to start our lives together and I knew we both felt ready for it. We have a joint day off on Waitangi day and the weather was great, Pei planned a day of hiking, beaches and cafes and I figured this would be the best way to catch her by surprise. We eventually spent the afternoon lying on the sand at Castor Bay in a secluded part of the beach and I knew this was the place. There were some minor highjinks but we got there in the end”. :)

Great creative team: Wedding Dress: bought second-hand from Stillwhite by Maggie Sottero Wedding dress alterations: Shirley at I Sew 4 U Bride's shoes: Merchant Bride's make-up: Face by Chelsea Bride's hair: Yu Yu Celebrant: Pastor Michael Huffman MC: Patrick Cho and Auckland best wedding photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}

Enjoy highlights of this perfect day at Castaways Resort {Waiuku, South Auckland}:

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Best of 2017 | 2018 {Auckland wedding photographers}

Its time to reflect and look back at our amazing season when winter is a half way through and say Thank you to our awesome couples for constant love and support, we treasure every moment with you and so glad you choose us to capture so special for you moments.

Enjoy this Best of 2017 | 2018 {from yours L & L - Auckland wedding photographers}. We cant even count amount of epic weddings and engagement photo shoots, publications in prestigious magazines and awards. We been included in many top lists of best wedding photographers worldwide, such a big honour and such a pleasure to make all dreams come true. Thank you our awesome couples for this experience, it is impossible without you!

Can't wait and see what 2018 | 2019 season will bring {we booked up for most popular dates, but there still some chance your date is still available, don't hesitate to contact us}.

It was amazing year and we also have such amazing news - our big educational project that we worked on during one year!!! goes live - "Tales of the Moment: Your Secret Formula for Picture Perfect" BY OLGA LEVIEN with Click Photo School. Check it out if you want to improve your photography, find your sweet spot!

This photo gallery even can't fit all our fantastic engagement and wedding photo shoots!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

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20 Top Wedding Photographers by Hongkiat: TOP 12 Wedding Photographer Society 2017; 100 Photographers to Watch in 2018 by Click & Company; Rangefinder Contest Winner, TOP 100 photographers Shoot & Share contest wedding couple category; NZIPP Iris Awards {9 awards}, Top 60 Elopement Blogs; Lemonade & Lenses International Contest Winner, Editor's Choice 2016-2018

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Hilton - Fish Restaurant wedding: Jennifer and Steven {Auckland City - New Zealand weddings photographer}

Each couple is so unique and different, and I as wedding photographer genuinely enjoy to see all these unique details, locations, venue choices that reflect couple's personalities, spirit and vision for their weddings. This time we had an honour to capture such special moments for Jennifer & Steven in Fish Restaurant {Hilton Hotel} - Auckland City, such a unique place in New Zealand.

The couple had one wedding celebration in Korea and another one - with close friends in NZ, with intimate atmosphere with 20 guests in total. We as wedding photographers been pleased to share with a couple and their friend's dinner table and capture so many beautiful and emotional moments. 

{Jennifer & Steven met each other in the church, the proposal did at a fantastic place: "Went to Waiheke Island with my sister's couple and Steven to take some nice pictures, and Steven proposed to me at a winery. It was a huge surprise!" Such a romantic story!}

These people are so lovely, caring and kind - they make sure every guest and us, photographers took from the reception a craft box with piece of their wedding cake. Such incredible gesture! 

Enjoy these highlights in video slideshow and photo gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

Great Creative Team:
Venue - FISH
Dress: Kellylin Couture
Suit: Calvin Klein 
Flowers : Scarecrow
Hair: @Meemin
Makeup: @Eden Jung
Rings: The Diamond Shop
and Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland wedding photographers

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Auckland City - Sails wedding: Ellie and Craig {New Zealand weddings photographers} Hilton

Congratulations to Mrs & Mr Leonard! Another amazing wedding is up in our Blog:
Ellie & Craig celebrated their special day in   St Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland and Sails Restaurant {Westhaven} with their close friends and families. Such a great romantic, fun and cosy atmosphere!
Great Creative Team:

Getting ready - Hilton Hotel
Dress - CocoMelody Flowers - Blossom Wedding Flowers, 
Suit - Marc New York Rings - Seventy six design
Band: Whitewash
Hair and Make up:  Alison Brewer Hair and Makeup Artist and Dry and Tea
MC - Matty Sheehan
and Olga & Matt - Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland wedding photographers

Couple shared their love story, Ellie: "Craig and I meet at the gym, 7 years ago.. He was my personal trainer for about a year and I thought he was a good looking man! Lol.. He dumped me as a client and we started dating.. To this day, we still can't train together as either of us don't like been told what to do!" The proposal was "kinda mutual decision! We discussed it, and thought; heck we have been together for this long... Might as well get married!"

Enjoy this video slideshow and highlights in the gallery!

Contact us with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Auckland City - Hotel DeBrett Wedding-Elopement {New Zealand weddings photographer} Bree and Victoria

Bree & Victoria

Excited to share with you beautiful and emotional wedding-elopement in Auckland City {Hotel DeBrett and Domain}. Victoria & Bree made all way over from Australia to New Zealand to get officially married in our country as same-sex weddings there not fully allowed yet. Luckily they had fantastic opportunity to make their dreams come true - elope in Auckland.

Our wedding story started in such gorgeous location as Hotel DeBrett with so many photo opportunities and emotional moments, then walk through the City to the registry office and get some beautiful photographs in Auckland Domain. This wedding was just gorgeous with so unique, romantic and real atmosphere. I loved every candid and natural moment of this celebration of love. LOVE IS LOVE!

Victoria shared couple's story, they met at work and been together for four years. Proposal details:"Away for the weekend in the Hunter Valley. Bree took me out for lunch at Bistro Molini. She arranged for my ring to come out on a plate with dessert, the proposal was written around the ring in chocolate sauce surrounded by strawberries and other fruit." Such a romantic story!

Creative Team: Make-Up - Olga Gill , Flowers - Floral Stylist {Sue Cameron}

Enjoy these video slideshow and highlights of couple's wedding gallery:

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Wedding timeline - Planning 101 {Auckland weddings photographers}

Wedding timeline is one of the most important things on the wedding day and many clients ask us how better to plan photography events and how many hours of coverage do they need for capture all important moments. As wedding photogpraher who captured many weddings around New Zealand & International Im happy to share my experience and give some time frames for orientation.

Of course each wedding and their timelines are unique. Following information just something what can be considered for make your wedding day more enjoyable and create perfect conditions for stunning photos. Take on only those points what suits your situation!

Getting ready

Getting ready: Maya

1. Getting ready - 1.5-2 hours. Minimum time for getting ready photos is 1 hour {we usually start shooting when make-up, hair half way through. If you would like us to capture some special events as first look with dad, family portraits, lots of pictures with bridesmaids, many details shots etc you need to add on time. Better prepared beforehand all special for you items what you want us to capture {it will save the time and make morning less stressful for you}. Groom getting ready photos usually faster ones {as there no make-up and hair done :)}, but if groom planned something special with his groomsmen {as play golf on the morning, fishing, shooting etc.} definitely let us know, we would love to capture a complete story of your wedding day.

First look

First look: Madeline & Barry

2. First look - 30 min - 1.5 hours. First look is a special event which became more popular lately {not for traditional couples}. Its a moment when groom seen his bride before the ceremony {turn back to her walking towards him and then turn around}. First look is emotional moment and flow into the bridal party and couples photo shoot {thats why its up to 1.5 hours long}. This event allow to save some time between ceremony and reception when couple traditionally doing photo shoot on location, or add on extra location and variety for images.

Wedding Ceremony

Wedding ceremony: Ilinke & Shaun

3. Ceremony - 30 min {outdoor} to 1 hour {traditional church ceremony}. Ceremony usually take between 30 min and 1 hour. We need to arrive on site 20-30 min before ceremony starts to capture details, guests arriving, groom waiting etc. Also allow yourself at least 10-15 min after ceremony for greetings, relax and hug your family and friends.

Family Formals

Family formals: Kara & David's wedding

4. Family photos - 20-40 min {depending on amount of groups}. Something to consider: big group with all guests can take up to 10 min, each small group up to 3 min. We usually recommend to have up to 10 groupings as its can be exhausting for couple to wait for everyone and keep tuned {they are usually starving and thirsty at this moment {needed provide some drinks and snacks}. Also good idea to have a shepherd - a person who know well the family and can gather people together {which save a time}. Good to have a little breath after family photos {drink and snacks} to refresh.

Bridal party + Bride & Groom session

Bridal party: Kathleen & Steve wedding

Bridal party: Hana & Aidan wedding

5. Bridal party and Bride & Groom intimate session - 1.5-2 hours. Minimum time for photo shoot is one hour {20 min - tidal party photos and minimum 30 min bride & groom photos with basic amount of photos}. Extra time give more opportunity to be creative, walk and talk, relax and go with the flow. Also allow extra time if there few locations or travelling involved. Many couples worried about their guests waiting for them, but believe me your guests are fine, they talking, enjoying outdoor games and other activities, snacks and drinks. If you would like to mix & mingle with your guests its a good idea to arrive to reception 30 min before its starts and have a good chat with all family members and guests.

Bride & Groom session: Georjarna & Gareth

Best time for photos: morning or during two hours before the sunset. Placing couple photo shoot in this time frame can be ideal but often impossible at the wedding day. We used to work with different lighting conditions. Solutions can be: moving ceremony to later time during summer as 3.30-5 pm {later is better for outdoor ceremonies, otherwise there can be tricky lighting situation with light and shade and hot spots on the faces}. Winter weddings usually scheduled with 1-3 pm ceremonies. 

Sunset Bride & Groom intimate session: Jenny & Andrew

Other option: have a separate photo shoot just before the sunset during summer time - sneak out of reception while guests eating their dinner, relaxing, chatting.

One more option for night lovers - get creative photos when sun go down, at late evening with dark and moody atmosphere:

Night time photos: Ellise & Wasim

Reception

Reception: Megan & Chris wedding

6. Reception {coverage depending on amount of events planned, usually its around 3-4 hours, including speeches, dinner, cake cutting, first dance, father-daughter dance, mother-son, guests dancing + any more cultural traditions}. You can move these events around to suit your needs and what you like to do, its your time to enjoy rest of the day.

First dance: Chauntelle & Jayden

Full day coverage {from getting ready till guests dancing usually around 9-10 hours {if there late evening events planned its comes to 11-12 hours which is rare}. Small weddings, elopements usually take around 3-5 hours. 

Hope this orientation and tips with wedding timeline will help your planning. Let me know if you have any questions! As I said each situation is unique, just allow yourself time to breath and move from one part of the day to another without rush and enjoy every moment!

Sony & Ryan

Its your time, time of your life!

{Other thing to consider - having a wedding planner can make you life so much easier and save lots of hours planning, putting things together, looking for wedding vendors and communicating with everyone. Experienced wedding planners know exactly how make your day run smoothly and allow you fully enjoy your time}.

Wedding reception

We will help you with everything run smoothly!

x Warmly, 

Olga & Matt

Guests dancing {Langham}

Best of 2016 | 17 {New Zealand wedding photographer | Auckland weddings photography|

Time goes so fast, one more wedding season in New Zealand just fly away. Its a great time to reflect, look back and say Thank you to my awesome clients for amazing time and support! Its not even possible without you!

We shot over 20 weddings in Auckland, Kerikeri {Northland}, Russell {Bay of Islands}, Leigh, Kumeu, Tauranga, Lake Taupo, Gisborne, Wellington; we been all around New Zealand, on South Island as well {Queenstown, Wanaka}. Also there was many beautiful and emotional engagement sessions {pre-wedding photo shoot} which made our hearts sing.

Matt, my second photographer and husband been always next to me in the wedding team. We work as a clock - understanding each other without words, support each other and share creative ideas. Its made our journey easy, flawless and more exciting. Our two little ones stayed at home well looked after by nana. Thank you so much all these amazing people for help.

Also need to mentioned great wedding photographers community, many meetings with creative minds for tea/coffee, its so great to share common passion, share ideas and recharge with positive vibe. Not forgetting an amazing vendors {venues, make-up artists, hair stylists, wedding dresses designers {we having amazing partnership with talented designer Trish Peng}, flowers, suits, and all wedding suppliers, the list is endless!}.

Also need to mention two wedding workshops what I visited {yes, learning never stops and they are a great way to get some inspiration and learn a new tool box}: Two Mann {amazing husband and wife team from Canada, Erika and Lanny a true inspiration!} and Free the Bird {Jai from Australia is a creative mastermind}. So good to met them and other inspiring photographers!

As you see past season been productive, positive and full on! We are so excited to recharge {not so we have much free time at this winter months} and looking forward to our next season 2017 | 18 {fully booked, but there always a spot for epic wedding :)} and even 2018 | 19 {as bookings are already open and filling up fast}. Its can be hard to imagine we plan so far in advance but its world of weddings :)

Enjoy this video slide show with highlights and our favourite photographs. Let me know if you have any questions!

x Warmly, Olga {Levien & Lens Photography} - Auckland, New Zealand wedding photographers.

Contact me with any questions!

Trish Peng Christmas Bridal High Tea - Sofitel Viaduct Hotel {Auckland wedding photographer}

it was a great pleasure took part second time in amazing event organised by talented wedding dresses designer Trish Peng and Co. - Bridal High Tea in Sofitel Viaduct Hotel, which took place just before the Christmas. Brides with their grooms, friends and families had a chance to visit great venue with beautiful atmosphere, try wedding dress on, or suits for men, mingle around and   get help and advice about their weddings planning, ideas and inspiration from different wedding vendors: photographer, event planner, flowers etc., get make-up and hair done as well and much more!

Great creative team:

HareandHatter Grandeur Events Tomuri & Co. Flowers Levien & Lens Photography Jetmo Project Mildred&Co Wedding Travel OnepureMaraca MIX it DJ New Zealand Weddings Working Style Select Management Sweet Bites Cakes North Shore School of Dance Grayson Coutts Makeup Artistry

Enjoy this atmosphere through the photographs what I took around on the day between having a chat with beautiful brides to be and their grooms, friends and families. Such a great memories!

Im really excited about their upcoming weddings and look forward to document so special for them moments!

Contact me with any questions!

The Duke of Marlborough Hotel - Russell wedding {Northland-New Zealand weddings photographer} Hana and Aidan

Its been amazing weekend Up North in Paihia - Russell {Northland, New Zealand} with shooting beautiful destination classical wedding in The Duke of Marlborough Hotel and Pampallier Mission Gardens where Hana & Aidan celebrated their special day with close friends and family who come all the way up from other places around NZ to have enjoyable and peaceful weekend with so much positive emotions! Everything been just in walking distance on the Strand, really handy.

We started with groom getting ready photos, reception entails, bride getting ready, follow through the ceremony, family formals in the gardens and bride and groom session around the gardens and on the Long beach at Oneroa Bay, such a beautiful, romantic and special atmosphere, full of love and tender moments!

Couple story start at the blind date 4 years ago with proposal made on surprised holiday in Queenstown, Aidan proposed at the edge of the Milford Sound!

Great Creative team:

Grooms suit - Barkers; Groomsmen suits - Hallensteins
Wedding gown- Secret Lace Bridal; Bridesmaid dresses- Made by Julie Smith; Wedding bands and engagement ring- John Franich Jewellers
Hair- Laurel Stratford Wedding Hair Stylist
Make Up - W.I.X Makeup; Flowers - Donna Nicholas

Celebrant - Ida Birch MC - Andrew Brees

Videographers - MATA Films {check out their amazing videography - highlights from the full wedding day coverage}

and New Zealand destination wedding photographer {Hamilton based} - Levien & Lens Photography

Enjoy this video and gallery:

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

First Look - Bride and Groom pre-ceremony photo session {Auckland NZ wedding photographer}

You know a lot of couples prefer to not spend much time away from the guests between ceremony and reception as they want to have a quality time with friends and family. First Look is a great solution for have pre-ceremony photo session right after getting ready moments and save the time in between of important for newly weds events. As an Auckland wedding photographer I captured a lot of traditional weddings when bride and groom prefer to see each other at the ceremony site when bride walking down the aisle and groom waiting to meet her. I understand this special tradition and meaning behind it.

But if you not mind to see each other before the ceremony First Look can be a great option for make your timeline special and flawless. You still get those special emotions as groom will be waiting for you turning back to you {he usually wait for quit a long time, so all emotions became really intense and ready to explored with happy laugh or tears at moment when bride gently touch groom's shoulder or close his eyes, or maybe even give a little kiss - whatever feels more natural to your couple}.

Its amazing moments to captured, so much mystery, intrigue, waiting moments, expectations and then happy positive emotions with smiles and tears in the eyes. Im as photographer and romantic person in love in this tradition {so popular in USA, Canada and Europe}.

Right after the first look we can do a family shots (if they are around}, bridal party and bride and groom intimate session and then with no pressure move to ceremony and reception. 

Some couples also considering to do first look and intimate session between ceremony and reception as they want to do pictures in different location and change atmosphere. Its still save the time between ceremony and reception. 

Usually bride and groom session can take between one and two hours {depends on location), so sometimes guests waiting for couple been back to reception after few hours {including family formals and bridal party shoot}; with first look option with time go down to 30 min - 1 hours {depends on amount of extra images required by couple}.

So as we mentioned first look worth to consider if you want to:

1. save the time between ceremony and reception;

2. not make guests wait for a long time; 

3. get interesting experience with non-traditional wedding timeline;

4. make the best out of such emotional moments along with bride and groom {and their close family, without all ceremony guests}

5. get all intimate photos done before the ceremony and move it out of the way.

Consider:

1. First look not suit traditional couples who prefer to see each other on the ceremony site.

2. Sometimes time before the ceremony not best for pictures as light not so soft as at late afternoon {but if its scheduled at morning you can still get beautiful photographs; and also good photographer can take pictures even at noon bright sunny weather}.

3. you can always entertain the guest with  games on the grass, cocktail hour, snacks and positive things. Most of the time they are enjoying each others compony and happily laughing {if you have a second photographer on site he can capture these happy moments what you are missing being on location bride & groom photo session}.

4. obviously first look will be an intimate moment so all guests can't see bride's and groom's first reaction when they seen each other after getting ready.

So its your call what traditions closer to your couple and what can perfectly fit in your wedding day timeline. Its great to know all options and consider some other ways of wedding planning!

For photographers I would suggest to have a second shooter / assistant who can capture the moments from different angles and with different focal length for give a gallery variety. {thank you Matt and Fengjin for assistance on Langham Hotel wedding!}

Also note: you can make a similar idea first look with bride's dad. Its unforgettable memories!

Less words more images! Have a look at firsts look from our recent wedding in Langham Hotel with Basma and Mohamad. Such amazing and emotional moments! Love is all around :)

Enjoy it and contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Langham Hotel Wedding {Auckland-NZ weddings photographers} Basma and Mohammad

What amazing day in Langham hotel {Auckland, NZ} celebrating Basma & Mohammad's wedding with their families and friends. It was truly special event! {need to say I never before captured any weddings all day long in the hotel environment, truly interesting experience for photographers :)}.

There was so much positive emotions, love, fun and beautiful atmosphere around. Hotel stuff and all wedding vendors worked together for create a stunning weddings atmosphere with bride and groom getting ready, first look at Great Room, family formals, bridal party shoot around and couples intimate session around the hotel and outside {Grey room, lobby etc.} - so many beautiful places. The evening take over with beautiful reception {amazingly decorated tables and stage with chandeliers), hand made chocolate items on each plate, flowers around and much more. Enter the reception, traditional dances, speeches, bride and groom first dance, father and daughter dance, cake cutting, and guests dancing away, so much fun with awesome people around!  

Couples Love story started about 3 years ago at a mutual friends graduation. Funny enough they had mutual friend during 10 years but never seen each other before! There might be a special time for it :)

The Proposal was really romantic:

Basma: "Mohammad surprised me with a beautiful dinner at one of my favourite restaurants, then took me home and there was a path of candles from the door leading into a heart outside in the courtyard. It was sunset and everything was perfect. Then once he got down on one knee and I said yes, the whole family appeared and we celebrated".

Their wedding was just amazing!

Great creative team:

Dress: Sottero and Midgley from Astra Bridal; Suit: Munns; Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Makeup: Sam Hart; Hair: Amelia Motuliki
Flowers: Fadia at Flowerpak - Flower Factory; Cake: Sweet Bites Cakes; 
DJ: DJ BAGHDADY. Light - La Lumiere. Event coordinator in Langham - Anna.
and Auckland-NZ wedding photographers - Levien & Lens Photography {thank you Matt and Fengjin for assistance! You done a great job :)}

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}