Surprised Elopement in New Zealand | Karekare Beach - Fall: Mary and Philipp {Wedding photographer in Auckland}

Mary & Philipp

So excited to share with you a surprised elopement with Mary & Philipp. The couple come all way from Germany to New Zealand to get married on wild Karekare Beach. {can't even imagine how bride organised everything from overseas, what a surprise for a groom!}. Philipp was amazingly pleased. We had such a special time on West Coast Auckland fall and beach. There were so much love, care, and positive emotions!

When Mary contacted me with this idea to surprise her groom {he thought it will be just an engagement photo shoot and not expected to see the celebrant and two witnesses!}, I right away jumped in the opportunity to capture something unique and beautiful {risky as well, but I believed in this amazing story happy ending}.

Great Creative Team:

Make-up and hair - Lipstick and Co
Flowers - Blossom and Wild
Celebrant {German speaking} - Aurora Ward - Celebrant
and Olga at Levien & Lens Photography, Auckland based wedding - elopement photographers {serving New Zealand and worldwide}.

Thanks to two witnesses and unexpected helper {owner of accommodation in Titirangi where couple stayed in Auckland, he helped with transport the bride to the ceremony site, as well as accessories: table {carried it all the way on the hot beach through the sand dunes}, and rug as well. It was unforgettable emotions and memories!

Enjoy these video slideshow highlights and photo gallery:

Contact me with any questions!

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Boho Weddings publication: Beautiful Bohemian New Zealand wedding {Fine Art - Documentary photographer in Auckland}

Excited to share with you fantastic news: Tayvia & Kyle wedding just been published in Boho Weddings "Beautiful Bohemian New Zealand wedding with First Look by Levien & Lens Photography. Its such a pleasure for me, fine art and documentary photographer in Auckland, to capture so unique for couple moments, no matter rainy day!

Enjoy this publication in the prestigious international magazine and have a look at more details on our Blog with real wedding photo gallery highlights with video slideshow.

This day in The Hunting Lodge and HU's Art Farm {West Auckland - Kumeu - Waimauku} was so beautifully amazing!
Contact me with any questions!

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Shoot and Share Contest Results {Award-Winning Wedding photographer in Auckland - New Zealand}

So excited about this fantastic news - I just received Shoot and Share contest results and images that I submitted got a great acknowledgement: one photo in top 100, two images as category finalists, 11 pictures in Top 10%, 17 photos in Top 20%, 12 photographs in Top 30%. Its such a pleasure to me, Auckland wedding photographer {New Zealand} to see such a high performance for my wedding and lifestyle family work. Such surprising results, mainly when you know, there were over 800000 submissions from over 150 countries around the world.

It's great to know; my favourite images got in the top rated photos, chosen by the audience. But there were surprises as well: one picture from my moody Styled Shoot got in the category finalists, and I even never got to share it as there were so many another fantastic images from this shoot. Such great teamwork from all vendors who made it possible.

Enjoy these photos - results with my wedding work. Have a look at my lifestyle website to see my project award winners and favourites!

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Eagle Ridge Estate - Rochelle and Matt - Tauranga weddings {Auckland based wedding photographers}

These beautiful people - Rochelle & Matt get married at such a stunning place as Eagle Ridge Estate {Tauranga, New Zealand} with fantastic views and warm and cosy atmosphere. It was a pleasure for us, their wedding photographers, to make a trip from Auckland to capture so unique for couple moments with their friends, family and all the emotions!

Lucky we already met at their family - engagement photo shoot {you can check gallery highlights in our Blog}, so it was a pleasure to see their boys and parents again.

There was a surprise twist as Rochelle prepared two wedding dresses, both of them was so amazingly beautiful with gorgeous details, especially at the back, love it!

The couple shared their romantic story: "Matt and I met 3.5 years ago through mutual friends. Matt facebook stalked me by looking through the mutual friend's friendslist and often asked them to "hook us up". They didn't do this and declined to do so for a long time, but I knew about it and him. About six months later, when I was catching up with the mutual friends, I thought to myself, I should and am ready to meet this guy, and I should ask them to arrange it. During lunch my friend says to me without my mentioning anything, "I think you should meet this guy, what if I'm getting in the way of love by not letting you two meet each other" So from there, I told her to tell him to add me on facebook which he did. At this time Matt and I travelled a lot for our work, we both happened to be in Wellington at the same time, and tee'd up a "date" which went well, so we need up to another more formal date the following weekend when we were back in Auckland. He took me to a romantic French Restaurant, I had an allergic reaction to either the Lesgargot or the French dessert wine, and he had to take me home really early.... Luckily my sneezy puffy face with crying eyes didn't scare him away.... and the rest is happily ever togetherness and foreverness history xxx" The proposal: "Poor Matt tried to Propose many many times. Apparently, the ring had been out with us many times while Paddleboarding, hiking and out on dinner dates, Fiji, and another promise type ring in Noosa. Eventually, he managed to pull it off during one of our hikes."

Great Creative Team:

Great Creative Team:  Eagle Ridge Estate
Dresses - Jessica Bridal
Suits - Munns The Mans Store
Florist - Sweetpea & Jasmine
Makeup - Chrissie Callard - Make up Artist
Hair - Lynette Burlison Hairdressing
Stationery Paper Darling Celebrant - Robyn Paterson - Celebrant
photo shoot at Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary
and Levien & Lens Photography, Auckland based wedding photographers

Enjoy this beautiful wedding highlights in video slideshow and photo gallery:

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West Coast Beach New Zealand Pre-Wedding | Engagement Session: Tina and Tony {Auckland weddings photographer}

Tina & Tony come all way from Australia to New Zealand to meet Tony's family in Auckland {including his favourite grandma} and asked me, Auckland wedding photographer, to capture for them so special moments on their engagement | pre-wedding photo shoot. It was such a great pleasure documenting such emotional and true love candid moments.

Excited to receive such amazing feedback right after the gallery delivery:

"Dear Olga

Thank you so much for the amazing pre-wedding photos you took for us at Karekare. We had so much fun shooting with you and you’ve managed to capture our love for each other in such a beautiful way. Thank you for also letting me be part of the story of the travelling dress. It was 100% worth flying in from Sydney and definitely the highlight of our holiday. Throughout the whole process you have been so friendly and approachable. We love your style, enthusiasm and professionalism. Will definitely be recommending you to friends and family!

Love, Tina & Tony"

Lucky chance that exactly at our session time I received a Travelling Dress from Australia for the project, where around 10 photographers from different countries capture one dress. I can't share images with this dress at this moment, but watch this space next week, so amazing couple's moments in breathtaking and emotional photographs! Can't wait to share it with you!

Couple's love story: "Tony was raised in Auckland whereas I was born in Sydney. He moved over to Sydney for University and we were very fortunate to have met at a friend’s birthday party. After a few months we officially became a couple and have now been together for just over 3 years. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him!" Tony proposed "In the beautiful city of Kyoto, Japan", such a beautiful memories!

Enjoy this highlights in the gallery and check this Blog next week for video slideshow and photos for Travelling Dress project!

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Equally Wed: New Zealand Same-Sex Wedding {Auckland weddings photographer}

So amazing to see Victoria & Bree's New Zealand wedding published in Equally Wed - same-sex marriage international publications. Their wedding was so beautiful and romantic in Auckland Hotel DeBrett, registry office and Auckland Domain. A couple comes over from Australia to New Zealand to get married officially. It's the most exciting event and so unique, I appreciate newlyweds shared with me, their wedding photographer, such unique moments!

Enjoy this gorgeous publication and highlights published on our Blog from couple wedding day.

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Landsendt Tropical Garden: Emma and Sean {Wedding photographer in Auckland}

Excited to share with you highlights of wedding gallery in such amazing location as Landsendt Tropical Garden {West Auckland, New Zealand} where Emma & Sean celebrated their special day with their closed friends in the warm and cosy atmosphere. Even rain can't stand in the way of such emotional event! It was an honour for me as their wedding photographer to capture all crucial natural and documentary moments with the artistic and creative vibe!

The couple met each other five years ago through the mutual friends and kept a long distance relationship. The proposal was made over the phone {first time hear such fantastic story!}. The couple relationship is exceptional, it's incredible to know what they said about each other: "Shahab is straightforward funny with the most innocent eyes in the world. She is so pretty and has a big heart."

Enjoy video slideshow and photos in the gallery:

Great Creative Team:

Wedding Planner - Anya at Weddings by AH
Dress - Pronovias
Hair - Hair by Hannah
and Olga at Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland based wedding photographer

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Contemporary Weddings Magazine - Romantic Beach Destination Wedding in New Zealand {Auckland - Northland elopement photographers}

Excited to share with you fantastic news - Leanne & Tim's wedding in Mahinepua beach house {Northland} just been published in Contemporary Weddings Magazine "Romantic Destination Wedding in New Zealand". Their wedding was so beautiful and unique.

Such a pleasure for us, Auckland wedding photographers, to see these photos go live around the world in prestigious international publication.

Enjoy this featured article with couple's gallery highlights. Have a look at more images from their wedding day on our Blog.

Tim & Leanne

Contact me with any questions!

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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

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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:

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New Zealand Beach Elopement: Simon and Tara {Auckland wedding photographers}

Im so excited to share with you my recent gallery with Simon and Tara, beautiful people who made their way from UK to get married on New Zealand beach. They choose for their elopement - Karekare Beach {Auckland, NZ}, celebrant with her two friends as wetnesses and me as their wedding photographer. Such a gorgeous intimate event in such a stunning location with rocks, ocean, grassy areas and freedom atmosphere. 

Simon shared their amazing loge story: "We met at work. Tara has a bold and fearless attitude and poked me with hot tea spoons until I asked her out. We have been together for 11 glorious years, the time has really flown. " Proposal: "In Scotland for Tara’s 40th. Staying in a quaint b&b in the highlands. I asked her over our first cuppa of the day. She didn’t want an engagement ring, she’s doesn’t like flashy things so I made her a ring with a squirrel on it. Squirrels feature in our lives quite a lot for some reason. They are ever present and we love it. It seemed fitting to have one on a ring".

Enjoy this video highlights and a gallery:

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Ming and Billie: Hedingham {Coatesville} - West Auckland wedding photographer - Forest Weddings

Amazing time with beautiful people - Ming & Billie who come all way over from Hong Kong to Hedingham {Coatesville, West Auckland, New Zealand} to get officially married, surrounded by few friends. As a wedding photographer, I love to capture such intimate weddings, usually warm and cosy events.

We started from a wedding ceremony in Hedingham, such a gorgeous old style building with fantastic land that has plenty of photo opportunities. Then move to Redwood Forest and come back to finish the day at the fabulous reception!

The couple shared their love story: "We have been together for almost four years. We first met at a boat party in 2011, but we didn't keep contact afterwards. We met again at a Xmas party in 2013 then we got very close and decided to be together." The proposal: "There was not a proper proposal, but the idea of getting married came naturally to us. ...Through the process of preparing the wedding ceremony and stuff, we have come to realise this is what we want to do because we share the commitment of loving each other for a lifetime." Such a romantic story!

Enjoy this video and highlights in the photo gallery!

Great Creative Team:

Celebrant: Angelika de Vere, owner of the venue.

and Olga, Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland based wedding photographers.

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Gracehill VIneyard Estate: Jazz and Tim {Wedding photography in Auckland - New Zealand | Kumeu}

Jazz & Tim

Gorgeous people, warm and cosy atmosphere, fantastic location - it's all about Jazz & Tim wedding at Gracehill Vineyard Estate {West Auckland, New Zealand} - near Kumeu - Waimauku where we, couple's wedding photographers had an opportunity to capture such special moments and dance away with emotional music.

The couple shared their love story: "Our meeting was by chance, which turned into an uninvited facebook request, several posts back & forth and eventually a Christmas in the park date." They are six years together, and the proposal was made at "the Empire State Building, during a holiday in the USA", such romantic place, it might be unforgettable! 

Great Creative Team:

dress - Made with Love - Unique Bridal Collection
suit - Tommy Gun
makeup - Connor Adams 
hair - Hair by Hannah
celebrant- Auckland Marriage Celebrant Sarah Bloxham
MC - @Ash Nolan
DJ - DJ Roopam and
Levien & Lens Photography - West Auckland based wedding photographers

Enjoy these video highlights and a photography in the gallery!

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Editor's Choice 2018 Awards - Levien and Lens photography {L & L} - wedding photographers in Auckland, New Zealand

Great news keep coming - just found out we are receiving an Editor's Choice 2018 Award at Two Bright Lights. Its a pleasure for me as a photographer and artist to make this list second time in a row. More details about this award for a top wedding and family photographers:

"The Two Bright Lights Editors' Choice Awards are a signature program that recognises photographers and vendors whose number of published features in 2017 ranks them among the top 1% of all Two Bright Lights members. Winners were published across many of the most respected lifestyle, wedding and other print and digital publications in the United States and worldwide."

So excited to be among best great photographers and vendors! Its fantastic experience to share our awesome weddings with publishers from all around the world and see our photographs go live in prestigious publications and get extra recognition.

Thank you so much our amazing couples for sharing with us so treasured moments! We sincerely appreciate these time together! Look forward to our future adventures!

xx Warmly,

Olga & Matt

Contact me with any questions!

Fiona & Silas New Zealand Wedding in Tawharanui Lodge published in Style Verify {Matakana-Auckland documentary wedding photographers}

So excited to share with you a recent publication Fiona & Silas wedding in Tawranui Lodge {Matakana - Auckland, New Zealand} that been published in prestigious international Blog "Style Verify". We had an honour to be wedding photographers on this beautiful and emotional wedding, captured so unique for couple moments. Need to mention, we had amazing time with couple also on their pre-wedding photo shoot on Muriwai Beach, that engagement session was unforgettable! 

Enjoy highlights of this real wedding in our Blog and have a look at Style Verify publication!

Contact us with any questions about destination weddings in Auckland, New Zealand and overseas!

Trelise and Alan: West Auckland - Markovina {Kumeu} wedding {New Zealand wedding photographers}

Excited to share with you a beautiful and emotional wedding: Trelise & Alan get married in Markovina Vineyard Estate {Kumeu, West Auckland - New Zealand} surrounded by close friends and families. It was such fantastic time and a great honour for us, their wedding photographers to capture all candid and raw moments.

The best thing we met on their engagement photo shoot on Piha Beach one year earlier and one of our photos even won an Iris Awards NZIPP. It was just fantastic!

The couple shared their love story and proposal: Alan proposed on our 1 year anniversary in Santorini, Greece in June 2016. We had woken up early to watch the sunrise, so the paths were empty except for us. It was beautifully quiet, a lovely warm temperature, and just such a beautiful moment. We were at a view point on the island, looking out towards all the white houses and blue roofs, with the sun rising behind them, and we had a blue domed house right next to us (which we now refer to as "Our Dome"). Alan got down on one knee, on a cobbled path, and had to wait a few moments for an answer from me as I thought I was still asleep and dreaming!! A beautiful stray dog was the only witness to our special moment. We then had a champagne breakfast at our Cave, and spent the rest of the day out on a catamaran exploring Santorini and swimming in the bluest of blue oceans." That's how couple described each other: "Alan re Trelise - caring, stubborn, beautiful, passionate, honest Trelise re Alan - loving, carefree, handsome, calm, loyal".

This wedding was a day of their lives!

Enjoy this video slideshow and highlights in the gallery and contact us with any questions!

Amazing Creative Team:

Dress - made by brides mum - Maryanne
Suits - Hallenstein Brothers
Shoes - Grooms - Barkers, Brides - own
Jewellery - Naveya & Sloane Jewellery 
Makeup & Hair - Lipstick and Co
Celebrant - Kimberly Sanders, Lucky in Love Marriage Celebrant

and Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland wedding photographers 

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St Andrews Church - Stables {Matakana} Alexandra & James wedding {Weddings photographers based in Auckland}

It was such a beautiful day in Matakana where Alexandra & James get hitched surrounded by close friends and families in St Andrews Church and Stables - such amazing venue, where everything gathered in one location, such a paradise for wedding photographers. We been travelling from Auckland to Leigh, where our day started from getting ready moments follow to the traditional church ceremony, family formals, brief 30 min shoot at Big Omaha Wharf and great time on wedding reception. 

The Stables {Matakana} have such a special country style atmosphere and cosy warm feeling.

Couple shared their love story: "We have been together for four years. We first met at Chapel Bar on Ponsonby Road on Sunday, 10th November 2013. I saw James from across the room and said "I am going to marry that guy". When we first met it was a world wind love affair. We spent 10 days together before James flew around the world to work in the Caribbean for 3 months. I waited for him and it was the best decision I ever made. He then quit his job and moved back to NZ full-time." How was made a proposal: "It was a Monday. We went for a walk after work and we were just chatting as normal, until James suggested a change in our usual route. He took me down to Herne Bay Wharf which is somewhere very special to him. We walked down and stood gazing out at the water taking in the beautiful view. After a couple of minutes I noticed that James was acting a little strange and asked him what was wrong - in that moment he looked at me and I just knew what was about to happen. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes." Such a breathtaking moment, so romantic!

Enjoy our great time - video highlights and gallery!

Great Creative Team:

Brides Dress - Trish Peng
Brides Shoes - ALEXANDER WANG
Brides Earrings - Custom made by K. Amani Fine Jeweller 
Grooms Suit - Working Style
Bride and Groom Rings - Partridge Jewellers Cufflinks - Tiffany & Co.
Bridesmaid Dresses - Miss Crabb
Groomsmen Suits - Hallenstein Brothersi
Flowers - Flowers w/ Flare
Makeup - Shona Stevenson Makeup Artistry
Hair - Hair by Hannah
Celebrant - Jannette Marie Brown - Marriage Celebrant
Cake - Amy's Secret Kitchen 
Flower Wall - @Wallflower
Band - @Matt Stone and Coachella
MC - Simon Harris
Videographer - Rohan JBK
Wedding Coordinator - Karma Roberts

and wedding photographers in Auckland, New Zealand and beyond - Levien & Lens Photography, Olga & Matt

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Moody Styled Shoot - MOTAT {Auckland wedding photographers and vendors}

Styled shoot always a great help to get inspiration and make photography juices flow! I so glad I trying to do at least 1-2 of them per year. This time it was amazing day at MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology) with beautiful and talented people working to put together a special moody Styled Shoot. I as a wedding photographer been so honoured this amazing team contacted me to represent my style and vision in this collaboration. It was a pleasure to met friends | best wedding vendors in the industry again! I so happy to work alongside the true professionals. Please contact them if you love their work!
Many Thanks to Great Creative Team, its been impossible without your talent and love to what you do the best:
Models - Georgia and Helena
Stylist: Envy Events Photography: Olga from Levien & Lens PhotographyFlorist: Deb from Creative Crew Make up & Hair: Boutique Bride & Amy Ryan - Make Up Bridal Gowns: Vinka Design Stationery: Inkberry Calligraphy Cake: Magnolia Kitchen Macrame: Envy Events
Venue: Leah from Motat Videography: Wild Souls NZ

Enjoy highlights in this gallery!

CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS!

NZ Herald publication - Inkberry Calligraphy {Auckland wedding photography}

I am so excited for this publication in NZ Herald, for my friend Emma from Inkberry Calligraphy. The leading newspaper in the country shared her fantastic story "From hobby to job: Calligrapher's skills brings ancient art back to life" with some of my photos from our collaboration Styled Shoot in Motat {Auckland} last year. It's such an honour when our photography used for such good reason.

We are so happy for our friend in the wedding industry and look forward to our future collaborations!

Inkberry Calligraphy custom work just amazing, out of this world!

Enjoy the publication and watch this space for more images from our amazing Styled Shoot in Motat {coming next in our Blog}! Can't wait to share with you a full photo gallery with beautiful, romantic and real photographs! Not long to go now!

Follow Inkberry Calligraphy everywhere:

Website, Facebook, Instagram

Contact us with any questions!

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}