Parnell Rose Garden - Orakei Bay Venue: Laura and Raj {Auckland wedding photographers}

Amazing celebration in Parnell Rose Gardena and Orakei Bay Venue with Laura and Raj and their family and close friends. Couple made their way from Melbourne, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand after 2 long years of lockdowns, waiting for this moments to happened, rescheduling their wedding and anticipating the moments with us, their photographers.

Finally it happen, as mean to be! Such a beautiful, emotional and real moments! Pleasure to photograph!

Couple shared their story - they met in Las Vegas and been together for 3.5 years. He proposed “on one knee in our beautiful home on a sunny Sunday afternoon”. Such a romantic story!

Enjoy highlights of this amazing day and contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Auckland city wedding: Frances & Chris

Third time lucky! Great celebration Auckland City wedding of Frances & Chrisat Old St Mary's Chapel and Non Solo Pizza after few rescheduling during pandemic. It finally happened, with close friends and family, such a special and intimate event! We had a great time at couples engagement photo shoot before the wedding.

Couple shared their story: “We met 7 years ago when we worked as Baristas at Starbucks together.” The proposal was at mission bay where couple had first date.

Enjoy highlights of couples wedding gallery!

By the way, if you like to push your photography to another level, my online photography workshop with Click Photo School starts 11 April. Contact me for more details!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

The Officers Mess - Takapuna {Auckland weddings}

Third time lucky! This wedding been rescheduled three times during pandemic and finally took place in The Officers Mess {Takapuna}, one of the most beautiful North Shore Auckland weddings venue with stunning views to Rangitoto Island. Enjoy a quick sneak peek of this beautiful wedding gallery created by my amazing team, associate photographers - Tashina and Matt {who I always shoot with}

Congratulations to Lisa & Adam get married at The Officers Mess at Fort Takapuna

Amazing day full of love, light and laughter!

Great creative team:

Flowers: Miss Monday Flowers

Rings: Naveya and Sloane; The Village Goldsmith (Groom)

Makeup: Freckle & Blush

Hair: Inspired Hair

Celebrant: Jill Findlay and Jill Rangeley

MC: Keith Ward; Coordinator (venue): Flo Orsi - Officer's Mess

Band: Whitewash

Photos by Tashina and Matt, thank you for amazing work!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Mantells summer wedding: Julia & Michael {Auckland photographers}

Im so excited to share with you recent Mantells summer wedding, when Julia and Michael celebrated their special day with their close friends and family. It was a honour for us Auckland wedding photographers to document special for couple moments with getting ready, church ceremony, photos at Cornwall park and reception at Mantells {Mt Eden}, place to be!

Couple shared their story: “We've known each other since Year 9 in high school and had a lot of mutual friends, but we never actually got together until third year of uni when we reconnected through our mutual friends. That was almost 7 years ago, and we've been together ever since :)”. Proposal: “Julia proposed - we were reminiscing one night while parked by our high school, then she proposed with a paper fortune cookie (alluding to an old inside joke) which said "Will you marry me?"

Great creative team:

Flowers: Poppies in May Florist Makeup and hair: Shine by Jessica Dress: Hayes Bridal Bridal shoes: Forever New Jewellery: Gracious and Auckland wedding photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}.

Enjoy highlights in wedding gallery:

• {BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Rainy day wedding in Mantells {weddings photography in Auckland}

It was a rainy day, but weather cant stand on the way of this beautiful celebration - Alyssa & Josh get married in Mantells surrounded by close friends and family. I shot many weddings this season, but doing photography in this rustic venue with character in Auckland is something special!

Everything been just gorgeous on this day! It was a pleasure for me to document the story of the day and capture all beautiful, emotional, real and natural moments with lots of love and laughter.

Couple shared their story: “Met at a bar in Ponsonby. Been together 10 years! Josh proposed in Vietnam while we were on holiday. After dinner at the resort we walked down to the water where he ordered 2 glasses of champagne at the outdoor bar which had been closed for a few days because of bad weather. They only had enough for one glass (which was flat and murky). We strolled down the beach with my flat champagne and Josh with his beer to a sun lounger where he proposed under the stars.” SO beautiful story!

Enjoy highlights of couple’s wedding day!

Great creative team:

Dress - Jessica Bridal Suit - Rembrandt Flowers - Twig & Twine Celebrant - Suzanne Teague DJ - Murray Sweetpants Cake - The Caker and your Auckland wedding photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Everybody's - Auckland City {New Zealand wedding photographer}

I’m so excited to share with you highlights of recent gallery: Claire & Scott get married at Everybody’s - industrial venue in the heart of Auckland City {New Zealand}. Im so glad to be their wedding photographer and capture so many beautiful, emotional and real moments!

Couple shared their love story: “We met up for a drink at Shanghai Lil’s. Scott was the only person in the bar so it was easy to spot him despite him not wearing the party hat he had promised. The bar was odd. It eventually filled up with urban hipsters and lost tourists in sensible hiking boots. About 10pm a 70 year old piano singer came out wearing every string of beads she owned. The date was fun. Scott was chatty and friendly and I was struck by how normal he was. Scott proposed on a weekend away in Taupo. We were having the most beautiful dinner in a private dining room with an open fire. We were a little tipsy and started chatting initially about nothing much but it progressed to how lucky and happy we were to have each other and then Scott got down on one knee and proposed. I burst into tears and instantly said yes. Scott didn’t have the ring on him. It was in the room. He had everything planned to propose the following day.” Such a romantic story!

Great Creative Team:

Becks - Envy Events dress: Anna Schimmel suit: Ted Baker from Life for Men, Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna flowers: Becks shoes: Badgley Mischka jewellery: Diamonds on Richmond; Fifth Avenue makeup: Beauty by Alexandra hair: Amanda Peston Peirce celebrant: Penny Ashton - Hot pink celebrant coordinator: Becks - Envy Events MC: Andrew Reding band: The Gramaphones Dessert table: The Shamrock Cottage

and New Zealand wedding photographer - Olga Levien at Levien & Lens photography {L & L}

Enjoy these photos - highlights of couple wedding day:

5 Five Knots + Domain: Amanda & Tim {Auckland wedding photographer}

SO excited to share with you a recent wedding at 5 Knots and Domain where Amanda and Tim celebrated their special day with close friends and family in Auckland. It was such a honour to be their wedding photographer. Such amazing romantic, warm and cosy atmosphere!

Couple shared their proposal story: “He preposed to be outside the water fountian infront of the Belliago in Las Vegas at night.” So beautiful!

Enjoy highlights of this wedding:

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

L & L {LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY} - YOUR AUCKLAND BASED WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Auckland City Engagement Photo Shoot: Anne-Marie and Oliver {New Zealand wedding photographer}

Im so excited to share with you a recent Auckland City Engagement Photo shoot with Anne-Marie & Oliver, such amazing couple that choose to celebrate their special day away from New Zealand, in Rarotonga and asked me, Auckland wedding photographer to capture so beautiful and real moments in the heart of the city.

We walk and talk and explore around the beauty of modern and industrial feel of our city.

Enjoy this pre-wedding session highlights in photo gallery. Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

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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Auckland Art Gallery: Mojo cafe {Wedding-elopement photographer in New Zealand} Night weddings

This wedding in Auckland Art Gallery - Mojo Cafe was exceptional. Anita & Jay decided to get married at night time when evening come up. My wedding coverage as their photographer started at 6 pm! That is a unique wedding with such a special vibe. 

We started from getting ready at Hotel DeBrett in Auckland City. Such amazing two-level room with a just gorgeous staircase. I love to photograph there whenever I'm shooting in this stunning venue.

Couple get married under the arch and had a quiet celebration with their close friends and family {around 20 people in total!!!} with canapé and Indian sweets {I tried it and can confirm, so delicious}. The atmosphere in this place was so fabulous!

The love story and proposal: "We first met on my first day of work where I was starting a new at the Auckland City Hospital as it's new liver transplant team pharmacist. We worked in very different departments so the only time we managed to interact each other was via mutual friends or after work we'd stop and have a chat with each other before going home. It was before Christmas in 2016 that we were invited by mutual friends out for a kayak trip (Helen and Ricky, who are present today) out at Puhoi. I had thought about asking her out before this but wasn't quite sure of the circumstances, so this kayak trip was an excellent opportunity to get to know each other better and see if anything could eventuate... And here we are... So we started dating on the 17th of December 2016, where we had brunch and went back to Puhoi.

It was very clear from the first few dates that she was the one I'd like to spend the rest of my life with, and so I had forward planned multiple trips of time, with hoping that we were on the same boat. By this time I had already thought of three occasions to propose that was already in our calendar, Waiheke for her birthday, June where we would be visiting the Franz Josef Glaciers and August where we would be going to Wellington. I had hinted it would be June with the glaciers as we would be taking a helicopter up and so it would be an exceptional occasion but little did she know I was thinking of the soonest date possible straight after her birthday on Waiheke. We arrived in Waiheke when the weather was less than ideal; I had booked us to stay at the Oyster Inn, one of Anita's favourite places on the island. We started the day by having a small picnic by the beach, I would have done it then, but the wind was just too much, and I would have had to shout my lungs out and she probably still won't hear and I might not even be able to her answer... so that was a no. We went back to the inn and had a bit of tea, I also had brought bottle of our favourite champagne (Perrier Joet, even at our wedding) to have possibly after I have proposed, but Anita suggested we have this with dinner, so I thought okay well I guess I'd have to do it before dinner. Now coming back to after our picnic, we had a bit of tea at the inn and then retired to our room, I just felt it was the right time, we were alone, private and intimate and I decided to get on my knees and asked her to marry me there and then in the room and of course she said yes. Now we get to enjoy the other two activities I had set up earlier." Such a romantic story!

Enjoy highlights in video slideshow and photo gallery:

Great Creative Team:

Getting Ready - Hotel DeBrett
BALENCIAGA bridal top, skirt by Céline Rita
Wedding stylist: @Holly Buckley
Celebrant: Keeley Jenkins, Celebrant
Mojo Supervisor: @Donna Hutchins  
and Olga at Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland based wedding photographer

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

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 + Domain elopement: Bianca and Matt {New Zealand wedding photographer}

Bianca & Matt, such a gorgeous couple, who made their way from Australia to have an intimate wedding | elopement in Auckland city. They have been surrounded by parents and me, of course, New Zealand weddings photographer :). It is a pleasure for me to capture a small wedding coverage with such beautiful people.

Our day started from champaign at SkyCity Hotel, walking on Auckland streets to the registry office and small scroll to the Auckland Domain after the ceremony.

It was such a beautiful event full of love, cry and emotional moments.

Couple shared their love story: " We met in 2007 when Matt's family moved in next door to mine, in the little town of King Creek, NSW. In 2010 we started dating (I was still in high school) and have been together ever since. In 2014 we moved to Newcastle where I commenced, and have just completed, a Bachelor of Biological Science. Matt's a total country guy at heart. He grew up on a farm before his family moved to town and he knew how to pull cars apart before I could properly tie my shoes." The proposal: "Matt took me up to Pappinbarra to show me the farm he grew up on. We were having a picnic on the tray of his giant ute, overlooking the vast, mountainous greenery when he popped the question."

Great Creative Team:

Dress - Review (Australia) Shoes - Sandler (Australia) Suit - Peter Jackson (Australia) Boots - RM Williams (Australia) Rings - Irvines Jewellers (Kempsey, Australia) Hair & makeup - Lisa Marinkovich Flowers - Floral Stylist Co. Cake - Bluebells Cakery and Levien & Lens photography - Auckland based NZ wedding photographers.

Enjoy these highlights in video slideshow and a photo gallery:

{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}

Style Verify - Rooftop Terrace Styled Shoot published in Wedding Blog {Auckland weddings photographer}

I so excited to share with you amazing news: our Urban Styled Shoot on Chancery Chambers rooftop terrace just been published in Style Veryfy - prestigious wedding blog. Its a great pleasure and honour for us, wedding photographers, to see how this beautiful team effort went live.

Models: Natalie Connell and Pietro Sassanelli
Styling by Becks Envy Events; Venue - Rooftop Terrace Chancery Chambers {venue event coordinator Jenna}; Ghada Gown from Vinka Design; Grooms attire by Working Style; Flowers and Honeycomb backdrop - Twig & Twine; Table settings - Envy Events & The Pretty Prop Shop; Engraving - Peg Creative
and Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland wedding photographers.

Enjoy this publication and have a look at more images in our Blog.

Contact me with any questions!

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}

Auckland City Styled Shoot {New Zealand wedding photographers} Chancery Chambers rooftop terrace

Hi everyone! I so excited to share with you amazing styled shoot in Auckland City {New Zealand}  at stunning venue - rooftop terrace of Chancery Chambers with view on Skytower. I honoured to be invited as a photographer to join a team of amazing wedding vendors {stylist, event planning, flower design, wedding gowns and groom attire and much more}. Its been a real treat and such a great way to find inspiration over the winter, off-wedding season.

Enjoy this photo gallery highlights and let me know if you have any questions!

Great creative team:

Models: Natalie Connell and Pietro Sassanelli
Styling by Becks Envy Events; Venue - Rooftop Terrace Chancery Chambers {venue event coordinator Jenna}; Ghada Gown from Vinka Design; Grooms attire by Working Style; Flowers and Honeycomb backdrop - Twig & Twine; Table settings - Envy Events & The Pretty Prop Shop; Engraving - Peg Creative
and Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland wedding photographers.

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

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!

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!

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