Redwood Forest - Lake Rotorua pre-wedding photo shoot {Bay of Plenty weddings photographers}

I am so happy to share with you today a beautiful pre-wedding | engagement session with Elizabeth & Tony in Redwood Forest and Lake Rotorua {Bay of Plenty, New Zealand}.  Even more excited now about couple's upcoming wedding in Black Barn on Lake Tarawera, such a great honor to be their wedding photographers!

We started our engagement photo shoot in the dark forest, walking among tall trees to talk about little details, couple's story and other moments and then on to Rotorua city, lake side, with geysers nearby.  Liz shared some details about their relationship:

" We have been together for nine years; we met when we were teenagers through mutual friends, and our paths crossed 2 or 3 times before we started dating. We are both from Tauranga, so it was great having so many friends who now got to know each other because of their connection to us and each other".  

Fantastic proposal story:

"He proposed at home!!  We have a cat called wolf which means everything to us, so he wanted Wolf to be there for the proposal.  Tony also knows I don't like too much attention in a crowd, so he wanted it to be private so that I could react naturally.  He hung an envelope of the front door which has the letters Y E S N O, and when I opened the door, he was holding a sign which the letters were designed to fit into.  He had arranged Champagne and booked a car to come pick us up and take us to a special dinner.  Greatest night!"

Sounds like unforgettable memories!

Enjoy this video highlights and gallery!

{Makeup: Final Touch Artistry NZ

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

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}

Wild Hearts Wedding Fair highlights {Auckland weddings photographers}

It was a great pleasure to participate in Wild Hearts wedding fair {Auckland, New Zealand} and had a good chat with lovely brides and grooms and their close friends and families who come over to support. Also great networking with other wedding vendors, it was great to see familiar faces and had a good conversations about weddings and everything around.

This fair had also runway shows with wedding gowns designers and bridesmaids dresses as well as cute flower girls dresses. Also Together journal pick the panel of experts and had some interviews helping couples to plan their wedding day and choose their suppliers.

It was such amazing time! Here is some highlights including few snaps of my stand.

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Wild Hearts Wedding Fair - save the date + Magazine feature {Auckland wedding photographers}

We are proud to announce Levien & Lens photography {New Zealand and International wedding photographers} going to be part of Wild Hearts wedding fair in Auckland on 22 July from 1 pm till 6 pm {Shed 10}. Save the date, come and say hello, get some wedding inspiration, find your wedding vendors {venues, flowers, makeup artists, hair stylists, dress designers, photographers, videographers, stylists, planners, signage and accessories etc.}, enjoy this freedom atmosphere!

There going to be lots of surprises as runway show, Together journal lounge and much more!

Delighted to say L&L been honoured to had a feature in fresh issue of Wild Hearts magazine {check it out}.

Look forward to see you on this beautiful event for those who wild at hearts! If you are getting married or having an elopement in New Zealand and beyond let's have a chat!

Contact me with any questions!

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}