Omaha Beach backyard wedding {New Zealand weddings photography}

Im so excited to capture beautiful, emotional and real moments in any location, not only in Auckland. This time Sybille & Aadil celebrated their special moments at Omaha Beach and had a backyard wedding at their parents property with stunning views to the rocks and ocean.

Informal mingling right after the ceremony and walking on the beach, reception at the marque, so many beautiful memories. Couple come all the way over from UK to New Zealand to celebrate these moments.

Enjoy this wedding highlights!

Destination Fiji Wedding: Divya and Gino {Auckland - New Zealand wedding photographer}

I'm so excited to share with you my recent Destination Fiji Wedding with Divya & Gino, I'm so thrilled couple asked me to come over this island from Auckland - New Zealand and be their wedding photographer.

The day was just magical with warm and cosy atmosphere, beautiful sun and clouds, amazing people around and friends that come all the way to Fiji from all over the world.

Couple shared their love story: "We have been together for almost 6 years. He took me to a restaurant on the beach where we had one of our firsts dates and proposed on the beach"

Their wedding was right on the beach area next to Sofitel Hotel. Such a gorgeous place to be!

Enjoy these highlights in video slideshow and photo gallery:

Great Creative Team:

Decorations: Grace creations Wedding dress: Megs Tailoring

and International Destination wedding photographers - L & L - Levien & Lens photography - Auckland based weddings photographer.

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Sawmill cafe {Leigh, Northland} New Zealand destination wedding photographers {Madeline and Barry}

Madeline & Barry

Such a great time and amazing people I met on the special celebration on Madeline & Barry wedding in Sawmill Cafe {Leigh, Northland, New Zealand}. It was a great atmosphere starting at bride and groom getting ready in the venue following by first look on the nearby farm and ceremony inside the cafe with formals and reception full of positive and emotional moments, lots of laugh and cry. We also had a chance to sneak out of reception to catch last sun rays at sunset near seaside. Beautiful memories so treasured and special for us, wedding photographers as we leave and breath in this romantic and real atmosphere with creating special for couple and their families photographs which speaks from the heart! As husband and wife wedding photographers team we can totally relate to these moments and we love to be a part of this storytelling.

Couple shared their story. They met at a bar {thats why choice of wedding venue was so special and easy decision}, Madeline shared some details how was mad a proposal: "in our bedroom, on one knee Christmas eve 2015. He was supposed to do it while we were away on our Christmas holiday but Barry had a burning hole in his pocket and could wait." such a great story!

Happy future together!

Enjoy this video and photo highlights in the gallery:

Great Creative team:

BRIDES DRESS - Kellylin Couture. BRIDES SHOES - Mi Piaci. JEWELLERY - Zoe and Morgan. MAKE-UP - Nessa Warne. HAIR - Robbie Belll from Shout Hair. FLOWERS - Anna May. BRIDESMAID DRESS - DECJUBA. BRIDESMADE SHOES - Hush Puppies. MENS SUITS - Barkers. MENS SHOES - Merchant 1948. PAGE BOYS OUTFIT - Cotton On. CELEBRANT - Nikki Dare
and New Zealand & International destination wedding photographers - Levien & Lens Photography

Contact me with any questions!

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Gisborne DIY farm wedding {New Zealand destination weddings photographer} Kathleen & Steven

Kathleen & Steven {06.02.2017}

Congratulations to amazing couple who celebrated their special day with close friends and family on their parents farm in Gisborne {New Zealand}. I shoot two destination weddings over those hot weekend in Gisborne {yes, it was over 34 degrees, crazy hot! but weather can't stop love and celebrations :)}.

This wedding had some special freedom atmosphere, unique spirit and great people around on the day, Im always glad to meet open and kind people as it was in Gisborne. Farm DIY environment add to the atmosphere. "Lots of DIY items; my mother gave me a necklace that used to belong to my granny - her mum. The groom's ring is based on the father of the bride's wedding ring."

Couple shared their story:

"We met on a night out when our groups of friends came together. Steve was living in Gisborne and I was just back for a month before heading to Europe for 4 months. We spent about 3 weeks together before I went overseas. We kept in touch the whole time, and by the time I got back we were basically together. I then went back to Christchurch for a year and we continued our relationship long distance with many trips back and forth! I moved back to Gisborne and we lived together for a year before I moved to Hamilton to do further studies. After a few more months long distance, Steve moved up to Hamilton as well. We stayed there for the rest of the year before moving to Auckland so I could work and Steve could start studies. We've now been here for 4 years - together for over 7."

How was made a proposal: "On his graduation day he arranged for us to go up the Sky Tower for dinner. He hid the ring in a handmade box in one of his socks. I'm very scared of heights so he was a bit worried at first when I was so uneasy, he then started feeling a little bit seasick from the rotating restaurant. But after the food came out we got used to it. After dinner but before dessert, he pulled out a card with a poem in it that he had written for me. The end of the poem was his proposal, and he produced the ring in a beautiful wooden box that he had carved himself." Such a beautiful and romantic story from Kathleen!

Happy future together!

Great creative team:
Dress is a Rue de Seine from Secret Lace Bridal {Kumeu, Auckland};
Suits - Hallenstein Brothers
Celebrant is Norman Maclean, a drama teacher from Gisborne
and New Zealand & International destination wedding photographers - Levien & Lens Photography

Enjoy this video slideshow and gallery:

Contact me with any questions!

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Rustic Garden Wedding published in Paper and Lace {New Zealand destination weddings photographer}

Im really excited to share with you amazing news - Elisah & Heremaia's rustic wedding in Liddington Gardens {Kerikeri, Northland, New Zealand} just been published on Paper & Lace, one of he biggest NZ publishers and such amazing wedding blog. Its happened right on my birthday and its not accident, amazing editor Jax planned it on purpose.

I been so happily surprised to read a birthday wishes right inside the publication. Thank you so much Jax, Paper & Lace, Im really appreciate your kind words, and so happy to be a friend of such amazing company with so much care around! You doing beautiful job with helping brides around New Zealand with their wedding planning and inspiration, Im happy to be featured and be part of it!

You can have a close look at ELisah & Heremaia's wedding day in our Blog and also enjoy brand new publication in Papare & Lace.

Enjoy it!

Contact me with any questions!

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Liddington Gardens - Kerkeri Northland {NZ destination wedding photographer} Elisah and Heremaia

Such amazing destination wedding in Liddington Gardens {Kerikeri, Northland, NZ} where Elisah & Heremaia celebrated their special day with close friends and family. It was a great pleasure for me as their official photographer captured so special for couple wedding moments. {need to say just day before I shoot wedding in Russel, Bay of Island, it was amazing to shoot weddings in such a beautiful places in Northland}.

There was a lot of laugh, crying moments, some fun, dance and LOVE! 

Elisah shared their love story: "We meet years ago in high school. We were so close in school but unfortunetly went our seperate ways. About 3 years ago we happen to both be back in Kerikeri and decided to meet up and the rest is history...haha!"

Proposal been just amazing: "On my birthday, at the garden where we are getting married, by the man made pond with candles, it was so sweet." Heremaia's 4 years old son was there too and Elisah loves "him to pieces" from her words :)

Couple really looked forward to spend their time with friends and families on the wedding day and it was just amazing, so much positive emotions from bride and groom getting ready, through the ceremony in the gardens, to bridal party and bride and groom session around Liddington Gardens and finally great reception under marquee with a lot of emotional moments, speeches, dancing and bouquet tossing with first dance and guests dancing till night time!

Elisah & Heremaia, Happy future together!

Enjoy this video and gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

Great creative team:

Venue and Wedding planner - Liddington Gardens, Susi Liddington Creative 
Make up - Make up with Dawn (Dawn Matthews)
Hair - Real Hairdressing (Debbie de Ruiter)
Dress - Bridal Brilliance; Suits - Hallensteins
MC - Sam de Wolf; Band - JPG
Catering - Neat Eats
Celebrant - Pete Gentil
Flowers - Paradise Flowers
and New Zealand destination wedding photographers {Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty etc.} - Levien & Lens Photography {thanks to my husband Matt for assistance, you done a great job!}

Special thanks to Susi Liddington who planned, organised, decorated this amazing wedding in her beautiful gardens, as dream come true!

Elisah & Heremaia

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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:

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My personal moments in 365 Project - November 2016 {NZ wedding photographer}

Its end of the month and time for my favourite insights in my personal everyday moments in 365 Project, time with my family and kids apart from wedding and couples photography. 

November brought a lot of positive emotions and travel to destination weddings in Paihia-Russel {Duke of Marlborough} and Kerikeri {Liddington Gardens}, Northland; Auckland - Waiuku Pukeoware wedding, and Waikato couples | engagement sessions in Karangahake George and Gordonton, plus much more. You can see all these galleries in our blog {some coming very soon :)}. It was amazing time, thank you so much my awesome clients for sharing so special for them moments!

Its good to have also a family time and capture some treasured memories and moments which not will be missed. Sometimes I thinking how good to be a photographer or at least have camera or phone ready to capture some lifestyle moments.

Enjoy this gallery and contact me with any questions!

New Zealand Real Wedding published in Brautsalat {Auckland NZ weddings-engagement photographer}

Excited to share with you amazing news: Maya & Andy's wedding in St Margaret's Cafe {Karaka, Auckland} been published in Brautsalat - this prestigious publisher contacted me for feature few of my weddings as they just in love with my work - thank you so much for so kind words, Im appreciate it! Its great to see New Zealand weddings published overseas in international blogs and magazines, what a great honour!

{amazing I just had a look at their wedding gallery yesterday - remembering my last wedding of 2015 | 2016 wedding season! what a good timing :)}

I love when our beautiful, real and romantic weddings getting published!
Enjoy this publication!
Great Creative Team on wedding day:
Venue/Catering St Margarets Garden Cafe
Stationery & Signage Vista Print
Hair Olivia Adams, Salon St Bruno
Makeup Luci Hare and Natalie Rose, Blooming Beauty
Celebrant Darryl Parker
Brides Dress, Accessories & Shoes Secret Lace Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses Meryn Wakelin
Grooms Suit & Accessories Frank Casey
Rings Peter Minturn
Music Russell Wills
and your photographer Levien & Lens Photography

Photography tips for shy couples {New Zealand lifestyle wedding-engagement photographer}

Everyone have unique character and personality: some of us easy going open people, some naturally shy, especially with unknown people. I decided to put together a few photography tips for shy couples on the wedding day, which really important for me as a photographer {serving destination weddings all around New Zealand: Auckland, Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and surrounding areas}.

Its always hard to relax in front of camera and know what to do {believe me I just did 5 years anniversary self-portrait with my husband and it was so hard to understand what to do when we can't see ourself from the side}. It was a mess! Thats why good to choose photographer who you can truly trust and who can direct you.

This trust can be build on engagement session beforehand {so you already have experience together, understand each other and how you are roll :)} or at pre-wedding consultation {when you can have a chat not just about the wedding, but about pretty much everything and find common interest and feel the connection}. I always try to understand couples personalities and their needs, had a meeting or good talk via the phone and sending a wedding Questionnaire with some personal questions beforehand.

Also remember - its natural to be stiff in front of camera first 15-20 min {believe me everyone having this experience}, thats why you need to allow yourself enough time on intimate session along from the guests {i would recommend at least 1-1.5 hours - add extra time for more locations}.

As a photographer I would suggest for shy couples more actions - mix of posed and unposed shots, interaction including chatting with each other and photographer {walking together, sitting relaxing, telling each other what they thought at first meeting, what they most exciting about, laughing, breath each others in etc.

And last tip - just enjoy the moment, you just married, so happiness naturally shining through your eyes and everyone around can feel it {camera too ;)}! 

Enjoy these moments together and don't forget to have fun! I will be there for you :)

Contact me with any questions!

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