The Hunting Lodge - Muriwai Beach - Kumeu wedding - HU's Art Farm {Weddings photographers in West Auckland, New Zealand} Tayvia and Kyle

As a wedding photographer, I'm so lucky to meet awesome couples and capture so special for them moments on weddings in beautiful venues around New Zealand and beyond. This time I'm presenting you a highlights form amazing Tayvia & Kyle's wedding in The Hunting Lodge and HU's Art Farm, so beautiful venue in West Auckland, Kumeu. 

Even raining weather can't stand in the way of emotional celebration. We walk in the rain on couples special session at Muriwai Beach and Woodhill Forest. Such a great memories!

The couple shared their love story: "We met on a snowboarding trip with our families in 2013". How was proposed: "we went down to a wharf near where I live, and he popped the question in the pitch black haha".

Enjoy these video slideshow and highlights in the gallery:

Venues: HU's Art Farm, The Hunting Lodge Winery

Wedding Dress: custom made by a family friend, Marata.

Makeup: done by bridesmaid Hannah.

Celebrant: Robin Stolph

Hair: Hair by Hannah

and your photographers - Olga & Matt at Levien & Lens photography {L & L} - West Auckland, Kumeu, Matakana wedding photographers

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Women Getting Married - Rainy and Rustic New Zealand Vineyard Wedding - Markovina {Auckland weddings photographers} Publication

Excited to share with you a publication from international wedding Blog - Women Getting Married "A Rainy and Rustic New Zealand Vineyard Wedding" with Ellise & Wasim in Markovina Vineyard Estate {Auckland, NZ}. Its such a big honour for us, Auckland weddings photographers to get featured in such prestigious publisher and a great pleasure to see photos from this amazing event go live around the world. 

Ellise & Wasim wedding was just so beautiful and emotional, and even rain can't be a constrain on their special celebration day.

Have a look at publication and more photographs in our Blog {need to mentioned the wedding took place around one year ago, so Happy Anniversary to this beautiful couple!}

Contact us with any questions!

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Villa Maria Wedding published in German Blog Hochzeitsplaza {Auckland - New Zealand International Weddings Photographers}

Excited to share with you fantastic news: Jessica & Chris's wedding at Villa Maria Winery {Auckland, New Zealand} just been published in prestigious international german blog-magazine Hochzeitsplaza {Romantische Hochzeit auf einem Weingut in Neuseeland}. We, Auckland wedding photographers, always so thrilled to see our awesome clients | friends weddings go live in the world. So happy to share this unique event.

This classic and elegant wedding was just amazing, full of beautiful and emotional candid moments, we documented a complete story of couple's special day with all our passion and love for romantic wedding photography.

Enjoy this publication and contact us with any questions!

Thank you to Great Creative Team:

Dress: Tiffany's Vancouver Bridal
Suit: Barkers
Flowers: Orlando Flowers
Shoes: Trousseau
Make up: Martina Phillips
Hair: Makeup Station
Celebrant: Auckland Marriage Celebrant, Suzanne Teague 
MC: Giovanni Pericolini
DJ: DJ-Marrs
and Auckland wedding photographers - Levien & Lens Photography

Happy future together, Jessica & Chris! It's such a great memories about your wedding!

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Ellise and Wasim - Happy Wedding Anniversary! {Auckland weddings photographers} Markovina

Time is flying so fast!  Just want to say "Happy Wedding Anniversary" to Ellise & Wasim!  Your wedding in Markovina {Auckland, NZ} was just amazing with a warm and cozy atmosphere.  Even rain can't stand in the way of a joyful celebration!

I look back on this wedding with such a warm feeling!

I wish you a happy future together, and many more years to come!

Enjoy a few highlights!

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Vineyard wedding in Auckland published - BG Bridal Gallery {Waikato - Bay of Plenty weddings photographers}

Excited to share with you: Jessica & Chris's vineyard wedding in Villa Maria {Auckland, New Zealand}, has just been published by BG Bridal Gallery.  It is such a huge honour for us, their wedding photographers, to see our Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and other New Zealand weddings featured around the world in prestigious Blogs and Magazines.

Their wedding was elegant, beautiful, full of laughter and natural moments. We spent an amazing time in Cornwall park with "first look", and then on to the ceremony and reception at Villa Maria next to the grapevines and great landscapes.  We loved every moment of this gorgeous wedding.

Have a look at the publication in BG Bridal Gallery and more images from couple's wedding in our Blog!

Contact me with any questions!

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Markovina Vineyard Estate {Auckland-Kumeu wedding photographers} Michelle and Shane - winter weddings

Michelle & Shane

Excited to share with you highlights of Michelle & Shane's wedding in Markovina Vineyard Estate {Kumeu, Auckland, NZ}, where me and Matt had a honour to enjoy this fun and romantic atmosphere and been an official wedding photographers on the day. Thank you so much to lovely couple for sharing so special moments, we been happy to document everything happening around unfold: emotions, candid moments and relax vibe with cosy atmosphere.

Couple met 4 years ago through mutual friends {Zowie and Michael both in wedding party}. They shared romantic story: "We met through the Brides best friend Zowie. Her husband Mike worked with Shane and for about 6 months both Zowie and Mike were trying to set up a blind date between Michelle and Shane. Finally the date happened, and there was an instant connection made. Proposal 2.5 years later, with a gorgeous view, on the deck of the house we purchased earlier that year, Shane proposed on Michelle's birthday"

This winter wedding morning started for us at Lichfields and Vineyard Cottages with bride and groom getting ready, first look with lots of emotional moments and then amazing ceremony and reception in Markovina Vineyard Estate {warm and cosy wedding venue}.

Enjoy these video slideshow highlights and gallery with our favourite images!

Great creative team:
Dress: Parkland Bridal Sarah Vincent
Bridesmaids dresses: Pagani
Flowers: Kauri creek gardens
Jewelry: Michael Hill
Make up/Hair: Lexia Dyer makeup and hair
Celebrant: Lee Weir - Marriage Celebrant
DJ: Karl Rooney
Wedding singers: McCaskill & Brown
and Levien & Lens Photography - New Zealand & International wedding photographers {thanks to Matt for great support, creative ideas and amazing assistance on the day}

Contact us with any questions!

{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!

Bushmere Arms - Gisborne Wedding {New Zealand destination weddings photographer} Megan and Chris

Megan & Chris

Such amazing time in Gisborne with shooting beautiful destination wedding - Megan & Chris get married in Bushmere Arms - stunning garden venue with traditional atmosphere! Need to mentioned I captured two weddings in Gisborne on this Waitangi weekend, its great to meet so many amazing people and document important for them story.

Day started in Megan nana's house on the farm, follow with first look on picturesque hills and forest, groom getting ready with his groomsmen in family house and ceremony with reception in Bushmere Arms {Gisborne, New Zealand}. We also had a short drive to a vinery, we just can't miss this opportunity especially knowing that its part of Chris's family routs.

It was great to meet couple again after our engagement | couples photo shoot few months ago in Hamilton Gardens, such a great memories! Bride and groom met each other 10 years!!! ago in high school and as Megan said: "Going strong since then". :)

Happy future together!

Enjoy this highlights in the video slideshow and gallery:

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Great Creative Team:

Dress: Bridal Solutions {Tauranga}, Veil - Handmade
Suit: Bond & Co {Tauranga}
Flowers - made by Nana and Aunty Jo
Makeup - RaquelHair&Makeup {Gisborne}
Hair - House of Hair
Celebrant - Judith Wright; MC - Steve Burke; DJ - DJ Magik
and New Zealand & International destination wedding photographers - Levien & Lens Photography 

Villa Maria Vineyard Estate | Cornwall park {Auckland wedding photographers} Jessica-Chris

Amazing day in Villa Maria Vineyard Estate {Auckland, New Zealand} where Jessica & Chris celebrated their special day with close friends and families. We been happy to be around these awesome people as their wedding photographers and document each treasured for them moment: laughing and crying, emotional and calm. We just love this! 

It was beautiful wedding with special atmosphere, unforgettable and unique as each of them, such a great personalities around!

Couple shared their love story: couple got together 6 years ago while they both been living in London {UK}; Chris proposed to Jessica "down in Queenstown (one of our favourite spots!) at Mt Difficulty vineyard while enjoying the beautiful views and wine in August 2015."

Enjoy this video slideshow with best photographs and hand-picked gallery:

{Great Creative Team:

Dress: Tiffany's Vancouver Bridal
Suit: Barkers
Flowers: Orlando Flowers
Shoes: Trousseau
Make up: Martina Phillips
Hair: Makeup Station
Celebrant: Auckland Marriage Celebrant, Suzanne Teague 
MC: Giovanni Pericolini
DJ: DJ-Marrs
and Auckland wedding photographers - Levien & Lens Photography {thank you Fengjin for assistance}

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

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!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Markovina Vineyard Estate - Kumeu {Auckland wedding photographer} Ellise and Wasim

Beautiful couple Ellise & Wasim had such a special wedding day in Markovina Vineyard Estate {Kumeu, Auckland, NZ}.

I met couple beforehand on their engagement photo shoot on Muriwai Beach {West Auckland} just few weeks before their wedding {we really want to get special couples photos on the beach, which had different atmosphere from their wedding venue and also its a great opportunity to know each other and understand how we are roll :) This session just recently been published in world famous wedding Blog - How He Asked by The Knot. You can check out Ellise & Wasim's Sweet Love Story.

Couples story started from their meeting "early 2005 on our first day of University (orientation day), there were sheets of paper on desks and Wasim thought he had to sit at a desk that had a sheet of paper, which happened to be one next to me (Ellise). We carried on as good friends for 8 years until Wasim went away on holiday to the USA and came back and told me he really missed me and wanted us to always be together, so we should be a couple! I think we dated about 2 years before Wasim proposed, (he had jokingly proposed a few times over the years) and it started a week before when he started putting on dvds for me every night, some of our favourites, then ended the last 2 nights with blood diamond (relevance to diamond engagement rings), and the final movie was 'Walk the line' (Johnny Cash and June Carter story where he proposes many times before she said yes). The next day he took me to a couple of meaningful places for us and at the first one pulled out a burger ring and asked me to marry him (as a joke), the second place he pulled out a plastic ring and did the same. The third and final place was at Sails restaurant in Aucklands viaduct, where he proposed again with a bag of plastic rings! spread them all over the table and asked me to see if there was a real one in there - while I was looking through he came over with the real ring in the box and got down on one knee!" - such a great couples story from Ellise, sounds like romantic movie! 

Their wedding was amazing, full of love and positive moments, laugh and cry! Markovina Vineyard Estate such beautiful and cosy venue where you feel as you home, surrounding by real care from owners and stuff. When we been out at bride and groom session lovely lay come to wipe water from the swing when she saw us shooting around this area {there was really rainy just before}. Im just in love in this place full of beautiful spots all around (with little pond, trees, boat, red phone box - this is my favourite, I already told about swing etc. There plenty of photo opportunities! I looking forward to come back there for my other awesome wedding clients next year!

Rainy weather can't stop couple's beautiful celebration with bridesmaids and groomsmen, close family and friends. So special day and so much beauty around (I loved all details around, decoration, natural wood around, even wedding cake had special meaning and totally matches with couples personalities!

We had a chance to sneak outside during the reception and get some amazing night shots {I always try to add something extra to the gallery).

Enjoy this video and gallery and contact me with any questions!

Great Creative Team:

Bride Dress: Bridal Brilliance Shoes: Astra Bridal Bridesmaid Dresses: Bridal and Ball New Zealand Jewellery: Walker and Hall Suits: Frank CaseyFlowers: Frond Florist Makeup: Grayson Coutts Makeup Artistry Hair: Alex Freeman; Celebrant: Peta Hardley, Celebrant at Casabella MC: Andy Vaughan; Stationery design: Suzanne Denmead
and New Zealand Auckland photographer - Olga from Levien & Lens Photography (thank you Fengjin for assistance, you done a great job!)

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}