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 wedding. As a photographer, and in life, I love connecting with people, hearing their stories and creating community. I’ll be speaking to a range of individuals and couples, as well as some New Zealand wedding vendors. Keep an eye out for some of my past wedding clients, as well as fa ..read more

A little throwback today to a wedding in Tuscany, which I second shot with the lovely Jerri from Big Love Photography (London). This was a dream come true, shooting a wedding at the beautiful Villa di Ulignano. It’s pretty hard to find a more incredible place to get married than Italy! If you ever want me to be your wedding photographer in Italy, I’ll be there and probably do it for free. Italy holds such a special place in my heart and every time I visit I fall more in love! This wedding had one of my favourite elements ever: an outdoor reception. I LOVE this. Honestly, it’s quite hard to pul ..read more

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 vast amount of options available. In this article, I share three top tips to make your reception all that more special and memorable. Think Outside the Box As the wedding industry becomes more diverse, there are more options for your wedding than ever before. From bouncy castles to fi ..read more

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 perform the ceremony for your marriage.  They are integral to the tone of your vows, which means it’s extra important to choose the right person. Although necessary for a legal marriage, celebrants can also be a part of a wedding where the couple has chosen to forgo any p ..read more

On a rainy day in a picturesque venue in Pongakawa, Alanna, and Jovhann tied the knot in a heartwarming and unforgettable celebration of love at their Old Forest School wedding. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, the couple exchanged their vows in a ceremony that was both down-to-earth and full of special moments. Despite the rainy weather, the couple’s spirits remained high throughout the day. The rain actually added a magical touch to the already-beautiful surroundings of the Old Forest School. The lush greenery and tall trees in the venue’s gardens were even more vibrant. The s ..read more

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 hidden gems. We have some incredible wedding venues that I think you should know about. I’m putting together some wedding venue guides for the different areas of Auckland. I hope this is a useful resource. Picking a venue is one of the first and most important decisions you will ..read more

A lovely little afternoon in Notting Hill with Pola, featuring Farm Girl cafe. Snippets from my London life xx The post London Portrait Photographer – Pola – Notting Hill appeared first on Lydia Rachel Photography ..read more

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 thing for you? Consider whether a DIY is really the right thing for you. How big is your guest list? Where are you getting married? Do you have family/friends willing and able to help? Do you have access to the materials you need? These are just a few questions to think about when going down the DIY route. If you are ..read more

Even more travel-throwback postcard images today, this time from 2018, when I was living in the U.K. and could just “pop” to Italy, how good?! Fitting timing as I’m just about to return to Italy on my Euro Summer 2022 trip, can’t wait to share that one soon too. For now, enjoy these memories from before the world went a little crazy. Italy is without a doubt one of my favourite countries in the entire world. Add these destinations to your travel wishlist if you haven’t been already. Here’s to the next adventure xx ROME ..read more

Forever jaw-droppingly beautiful Queenstown. Travel postcards from 2020 that I want to be saved in my corner of the internet. A time amongst the ongoing pandemic where we appreciated our own land so, so much more. Enjoy a slice of beautiful Aotearoa paradise. Photos by Anna and I ..read more