love | light | laughter
AUCKLANd wedding PHOTOGRAPHER | fine art documentary photography
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!
SO excited to share with you wonderful news: Madeline & Barry's New Zealand Bohemian wedding has just been published in Desiree Hartsock Bridal Style & DIY, fabulous international publisher. It's a great honour for me, as an Auckland wedding photographer, to get featured in this wedding publication. We are thrilled to be published in so many beautiful Blogs and magazines lately, great news keeps on coming!
The couple's wedding in Sawmill Cafe {Leigh, NZ}, was one of the most amazing weddings with such a warm, cozy and gorgeous atmosphere. Bride style was up to the notch! Flowers in the hair, stunning dress, and such a beautiful family! Please take a look at their wedding gallery in our Blog where you can find more photos and a video slideshow.
Enjoy this special publication in Desiree Hartsock Bridal Style & DIY "Brighten up your Wednesday with this New Zealand Bohemian Wedding" - Bride Featured Weddings!
Madeline & Barry {Leigh, New Zealand} photo by Matt
Contact me with any questions!
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!
Exciting news coming from overseas: How he Asked by The Knot just published Megan & Chris's engagement session in Hamilton Gardens {Waikato, New Zealand}. Such a great honour to be featured in such prestigious publication for us - Waikato, Auckland and Bay of Plenty wedding photogprahers..
Megan & Chris's pre-wedding engagement session was just amazing, full of positive emotions and romantic atmosphere.
Take a look at publication and more images in our Blog highlights from couple's photo shoot.
MEGAN & CHRIS
Contact me with any questions!
Excited to share with you amazing news: Shantelle & Kelly's lilac garden wedding {Rosenvale, Waikato, New Zealand} just been published in Whimsical Wonderland Weddings - beautiful UK & International wedding blog.
Its a great honour for me, their wedding photographer see pictures goes live in such a prestigious publication.
Enjoy these beautiful highlights, have a look at extended couple's gallery in our Blog and let me know if you have any questions!
Contact me with any questions!
Photographers | Levien & Lens Photography with Olga Levien
Dresses | Thalia Boutique
Suits | Dorset Suites
Flowers | Petite Posy Florist
Hair | Mint Hair Design
Make-up | Lillybeth: A Beautiful Education
Celebrant | Sue Collins
MC | @Warren Willmot (brother in law)
Caterers | Classique Caterers
Venue | Rosenvale
Naked cake | BJ’s Cake
Décor | Cake Flowers: Florabunda & Cake
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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}
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.
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Congratulations to Maya & Andy celebrating their one year anniversary! So excited for you guys :)
Your wedding in St Margarets Cafe {Karaka, Auckland} was just amazing: full of positive emotions, love, warm and cosy atmosphere. Such a perfect way for us, Auckland wedding photographers to finish off one of the best wedding seasons. We met so many great, warmly welcoming people - your close friends and families. It was such a pleasure to capture all beautiful and emotional moments.
Enjoy some highlights from Maya & Andy's special wedding day in St Margarets Cafe {Karaka}.
Contact me with any questions!
Excited to share with you great news - Hana & Aidan's destination New Zealand wedding just been published in Elysian Bride New York. It was amazing wedding with emotional and beautiful atmosphere in Russel, Bay of Islands; near traditional historical site and amazing beach rocky landscapes.
Enjoy this publication and let me know if you have any questions! {check out couple's highlights gallery in our Blog}
Hana & Aidan, Duke of Marlborough
New Zealand destination wedding Photographer: Levien & Lens Photography | Wedding gown: Secret Lace Bridal | Bridesmaid dresses: Made by Julie Smith | Accommodations: The Duke of Marlborough | Grooms suit: Barkers | Groomsmen suits: Hallenstein Brothers | Flowers: Donna Nicholas | Wedding bands and engagement ring: John Franich Jewellers | Hair- Laurel Stratford Wedding Hair Stylist Make Up – W.I.X Makeup; Celebrant – Ida Birch MC – Andrew Brees
Shantelle & Kelly
Amazing day with Shantelle & Kelly, their little one and close friends, families, started in their farm house outskirts of Hamilton, first look in Hamilton Gardens and wedding ceremony and reception in Rosenvale, such a beautiful Waikato venue nearby Te Awamutu {New Zealand}.
There was so many special moments!
Couple met each other "through an online dating site. We have been together since early Jan 2015 and have a son, Brayden, who will be 1yrs old in March. Kelly said from the first time he met me he knew i was going to be the mother of his future children. ", Shantelle shared their couples romantic story.
Im so excited for this couple, congratulations and happy future together! Hope you had a great honey moon in Rarotonga :)
Enjoy this video highlights and gallery!
Contact me with any questions!
Great creative team:
Dresses: Thalia - Boutique. Suits: Dorset Suites. Flowers: Yvette Jackson - Petite Posy Florist. Hair: @Rebecca Hooper- Mint Hair Design. Make-up: Lillybeth: A Beautiful Education. Celebrant: Sue Collins. MC: @Warren Willmot (brother in law). Caterers: Classique Caterers. Rosenvale wedding venue owners: Mr & Mrs Diprose. Naked cake: BJ's Cake Decor. Cake Flowers: Florabunda & Cake
and Waikato-Aukland-Bay of Plenty wedding photographers - Levien & Lens Photography with Olga Levien
Excited to share with you amazing news: Elisah & Heremaia's wedding in Liddington Gardens {Kerikeri, New Zealand} just been published in international blog-mazagine the Inspired Bride. This publication mean a lot to us, Auckland wedding photographers, husband and wife team.
We spent great time with beautiful couple on their special wedding day. Gardens at this day had such warm and cosy atmosphere. It was just natural to capture all beauty around with amazing people.
Check out the publication and full couples wedding gallery with highlights in our blog.
One more time Congratulations to beautiful couple and happy future together!
Contact me with any questions!
Happy wedding anniversary to Ailsa & Ropate! Your wedding in Brigham {Auckland, New Zealand} was just amazing, full of romantic and positive emotions! As photographer I ca truly say how appreciate I that all my awesome couples sharing with me such a special for them moments!
Its such a great memories!
Many more happy years together!
You can find their wedding gallery in our Blog, I just want to share with you a few highlights, bring back memories! :)
Contact me with any questions!
Im so excited to congratulate with 1 year wedding anniversary beautiful couple - Maria & Ben which wedding been held one year ago in Landsendt Tropical Garden - amazing venue for any Auckland weddings with such a special atmosphere which bring you the same feelings as Pacific Islands environment.
This wedding was so beautiful, fun and romantic with many real moments!
Enjoy this highlights! Many more years together Maria & Ben!
x Warmly,
Olga, your New Zealand & International destination wedding photographer
Contact us with any questions!
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!
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
Im so excited for Hana & Aidan and want to share with you amazing news: their photographs just been published in Women's Weekly Magazine. Congratulations to beautiful Hana who became Bride of the Week {Your Weddings} in popular New Zealand magazine.
Its great to see again their images what I took as their wedding photographer in Russell {Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand}, especially been published and went live all around the country :) It was just magic wedding with special atmosphere in The Duke of Marlborough Hotel, ceremony at Pompallier House Gardens and photo shoot at the Long beach.
Congratulations to lucky couple and happy future together!
Here is just a sneak peek into publication: {feel free to look through their wedding day in our wedding photography Blog}
Contact me with any questions!
Chauntelle & Jayden
Chauntelle & Jayden celebrated their special day in Bracu Restaurant and Pavilion {Bombay, Auckland , New Zealand}, - Simunovich Olive Estate - with close friends and families and warm atmosphere, full of love and positive emotions. Congratulations to this amazing couple, its such a honour to be your wedding photographers and document so special for you moments.
Their love story and proposal just beautiful: "We meet through friends when we were 16 within our religion, we've liked each other since... We went out to dinner at wildfire in Auckland icity, talked heaps ate heaps, was really nice to be alonge togther, was our only official date we've had (it's because in our religion we follow very closely older traditions) than we walked along the viaduct . We found a beautiful place to sit and chat and he pulled out this little book I had made him more than a year ago, it had pictures and little memories in there. At the back of the book on the last page I left empty and he wrote in it will you marry me, and that's how he proposed! Was beautiful :)"
Happy future together and hope you are enjoying your honeymoon on Bali :)
Great Creative Team:
Celebrant - Colin Pitkethley
MC -Andrew Beard
Venue - Bracu, Simunovich Olive Estate; Flowers done by Bracu's decorator;
and Auckland wedding photographers - Olga & Matt, Levien & Lens Photography
Contact me with any questions!
Really excited for 1 year wedding anniversary of amazing couple - Olga & Zydon. They celebrated special day with their friends and families in Parnell on rose gardens and St Heliers beach. We het some amazing photographs.
I really happy for this couple! Many more happy years together!
Their wedding was truly unforgettable.
Contact me with any questions!
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!
Im so excited to share with you amazing news - Maya & Andy's garden wedding in St Margarets Cafe {Karaka, Auckland, New Zealand} beed published in prestigious international blog-magazine WeddingWire.
Its such a special wedding with a lot of emotional moments, laugh and crying, love is all around and positive moments what couple shared with their close friends and families.
Im so happy for this amazing bride and groom and their family! Such a treasured memories and moments live in photographs.
Enjoy publication and contact me with any questions!
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
