An extensive list of Auckland Wedding Venues by Wedding Photographer Lydia Rachel – Updated for 2025. We are spoiled with Auckland wedding venues, there are a lot! With our sprawling coastlines, a harbour full of islands, lush bush and gardens, rural landscapes and iconic city architecture, there is something for everyone. I have organised this […]

I’m so excited to announce a project I have been thinking about (and procrastinating making) for a long time… The Kiwi Wedding Podcast! I wanted to create a space and community for people getting married in New Zealand. To share stories, learn from those who have gone before and get advice for planning your Kiwi […]

A wedding reception is a special event, and often it’s what your guests look forward to the most. It’s a time to celebrate the beginning of a couple’s new life together, making memories to last a lifetime. However, planning a wedding reception can be a daunting task, and couples often struggle to choose from the […]

The wedding industry continues to scale steadily in the right direction, making a comeback after the pandemic caused many ceremonies to be put on hold. All those extra weddings mean a lot more work for wedding celebrants across the globe. The celebrant (sometimes known as the ‘officiant’) is the person whose job it is to […]

A list of the best 13 wedding venues in wider East and South Auckland by local photographer Lydia Rachel. Updated for 2023. As a local Auckland wedding photographer, I have shot hundreds of weddings working in the industry for over ten years. Auckland is a wonderful city with a variety of different landscapes and many […]

Let’s have a chat about DIY (do-it-yourself) weddings. I would say they are not as popular as they used to be but still happen today. There are pros and cons for a DIY or a semi-DIY approach to your wedding, which we are going to discuss, and what DIY really means. Is it the right […]

A list of the top 12 wedding venues in Kumeu and wider Northwest Auckland by local photographer Lydia Rachel. Updated for 2023. As a local Auckland wedding photographer, I have shot hundreds of weddings working in the industry for over ten years. Auckland is a wonderful city with a variety of different landscapes and many […]

Short answer- it’s up to you. A few quick reasons I think an engagement shoot is a good idea: Photos in normal clothes at any location/time you like. A practice-run in front of the camera. Treasured images in your current life season. Beautiful images to use for pre-wedding purposes. I’ll go into these in more […]

Where do I start? There are a bunch of different ways to find the ideal wedding photographer. Some of the most common are: via Google, social media, or word of mouth. Getting recommendations from friends or other wedding vendors can be great. Also, there are some wonderful wedding directories out there (with all sorts of […]

Here’s some of my favourite things from the last month… a cute Etsy store, delicious recipe, amazing courses, natural beauty fave and very bingeable Youtube channel. WEDDING/PJs// Piyama Etsy Store.A cute Etsy store with pyjamas and robes perfect for brides and bridesmaids wedding prep. Or anyone just wanting a cute new set of PJs! HEALTH/BEAUTY// […]