David Le

4 January 2022

Back at Old Forest School for the wedding of Katy and Matt

David Le

4 January 2022

Nothing could get in the way of Katy and Matt getting married at Old Forest School.

“A global pandemic, a national lockdown and a Auckland border closure - just the tonic for your special day”

— Katy & Matt

It feels like only yesterday I was stacking 12 cubes of wood, taking down scaffolding and painting my house during my little mini summer break….

Hope everyone is staying hearty and safe this holiday season. I’m back on the photo tools from tomorrow for a couple weddings this week and I get to bust out my new @sonyalpha.anz A7IV and 35mm G master combo, with my 50mm G not too far away.

What is 2022 bringing to the table this year? Another condensed and tricky calendar meaning I’ll be having a couple of associates covering a couple of weddings for me this year. So shout out to @andreastephens.photography and @ryanmccauleyphoto who have or will be jumping on board, really appreciate it and also the flexibility and understanding from my couples.

Katy and Matt’s wedding @oldforestschool I had @andreastephens.photography cover the last couple hours of their wedding day so I could hit the road for my next wedding and checkout her slick first dance snap in front of the barn. Looked like a pumping dance floor by the boys @pat_for_president_nz

Such a beaut intimate wedding. Stunningly styled with pieces by @paperdarlingnz , perfect @vinkadesign dress matched with the perfect shoes. Katy and Matt you were amazing people, they even made sure I had a takeaway @nobiggie.food dinner box ready for when I left, A+++ will trade again. @davidle_nz #davidle_nz

Vnue Old Forest School Dress Vinka Design Suit Working Style Signage Paper Darling Catering No Biggie Food Music Pat for Presidents Celebrant Married by Kelsey Florals Hand Picked

David Le

10 November 2020

Old Forest School Wedding in Tauranga

David Le

10 November 2020

“David Le our photographer was the BOMB. We were stoked with how he captured our day with his unique style and artistic flare. We had so many laughs, it was like having a good friend there on the day.”

— Ash & Darcy

A little look back at an Old Forest School wedding filled with rustic charm, wild gardens and dusky pastel hues. Celebrating with their nearest and dearest ASH + DARCY said their vows with a garden ceremony amongst these enchanted surrounds.

With their shared love of the outdoors, the woodlands setting of Old Forest School stole their hearts. This historic old school set on 5 aches of private forest and farmland in Pongakawa, just outside of Tauranga.

New Zealand Wedding Photographer David Le | www.davidle.co.nz

David Le

21 September 2020

The top 15 best wedding venues in New Zealand

David Le

21 September 2020

Here’s my unofficial list of the best Wedding Venues in little old New Zealand

The Best Wedding Venues in New Zealand

Having shot over 200 weddings, I’ve been to my fair share of locations and venues throughout New Zealand. Here’s my unofficial list of the best wedding venues for your wedding day.

Whether you’re looking for a some minimalistic, italian inspired architecture, a beautiful winery or a place with a bit of soul and rustic charm. Check out the list below.

Feel free to get in touch if you’re after more info and drop me a line at hello@davidle.co.nz

Kauri Bay Boomrock | Auckland

Set on a stunning private 500 acre Clevedon property with expansive coastal views over the Hauraki Gulf. Each venue has been specifically designed to suit unique requirements. It is one of Aucklands premiere wedding venues, with stunning views and a top class team who help run your day.

Featured wedding Chelsea + Brad featured on Together Journal | Website Kauri Bay Boomrock

Old Forest School | Tauranga

The name of the venue says it all. It’s the Old forest School. A school that has been converted into a little hipster boho wedding venue settled in the forests of the Bay of Plenty.

A school hall, a tennis court and a few wooden sheds - it’s a hipsters paradise.

Featured wedding Ash + Darcy featured on Wild Hearts | Website Old Forest School

New Zealand Wedding Photographer David Le Design & Photography

David Le Photography featured on Hello May

Black Barn Vineyards | Hawke’s Bay

Set just around the corner from the spectacular Te Mata Peak. Black Barn is a multi function venue which can hold multiple weddings on the same day. With a number of different ceremony spots available and the plus side of the sunny Hawke’s Bay weather, its a great place to get hitched.

Featured wedding Rebecca + Callum featured on NZ Weddings | Website Black Barn

New Zealand Wedding Photographer David Le | www.davidle.co.nz (Copy)

The Milk Station | Otaki

The Milk Station is one of my favourite venues not only in Wellington but in New Zealand. Situated a hour between Wellington and Palmerston North in the small beach town of Otaki. Italian inspired architecture, beautiful gardens and plenty of onsite accommodation and parking - it’s the total package.

Featured wedding Polly + Rhys on Together Journal | Website The Milk Station

Nicole + James | Tarureka Estate (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

New Zealand Wedding Photographer David Le | www.davidle.co.nz (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

Amanda + Ryan Wedding (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

Tarureka Estate | Featherston

After a venue with a bit more soul and that rustic charm. Tarureka Estate location in Featherston in the Wairarapa is the perfect venue. With onsite homestead and cottage for you and the family to get ready and a handful of options to hold your ceremony from out on the tennis court law or upstairs in the loft, this place is truly special.

Featured wedding Amanda + Ryan on Together Journal | Website Tarureka Estate

Poppies | Martinborough

A classy, modern and minimalistic winery found in the heart of Martinborough. The crew here run a tight ship and if you’re after a team to provide you with a structured day, the team at Poppies deliver. Concrete walls and floors and plenty of sweeping winery views are close by in the Wairarapa.

Featured wedding Ryan + Charlotte featured at Sink or Surface | Website Poppies

David Le 2018 // www.davidle.co.nz (Copy)

Orlando Country | Palmerston North

Orlando Country is one of the premiere wedding venues in the Manawatu. Situated just over hour and a half from Wellington and a couple minutes from Palmerston North city. If you’re after a venue with a great team, good food and a driving range, look no further than this gem in Palmerston North.

Featured wedding Alana + Rob featured at NZ Weddings Mag | Website Orlando Country

Cossars Wineshed | Christchurch

Cossars Wineshed has a nice relaxed feel about it. A bit of romantic French Provincial style thrown together with some Kiwi country flavour. It’s not fussy but it’s not too rustic either. A casual sophistication is what we’re going for.

Family-owned business with a professional team who are dedicated to creating wonderful experiences for you from beginning to end. We make sure that our newlyweds are wanting for nothing, that guests feel pampered and every celebration flows beautifully.

Featured wedding Amy + Joel featured on Christchurch Weddings | Website Cossars Wineshed

Sudbury | Te Horo

Sudbury is a 40 min drive up from Wellington City and around a hour from Palmerston North. A old horse stable turned into an all in one wedding venue with a ceremony area overlooking farmland of Kapiti and a beautiful rustic clean space with concrete floors give a rustic feel with a modern and minimalistic twist. The option to BYO alcohol without any corkage charge is also a big drawcard. Shoutout for the designated photographer car park too, brownie points.

Featured wedding Ben + Jessica at Sudbury | Website Sudbury NZ

Dekens Barn | Taranaki

Dekens Barn is a rustic farm located in the Oakura township, with views of the Taranaki coastline and the Timaru Stream. If you’re after a rustic feel to your wedding day and a beautiful blank canvas to work from, Dekens Barn is the perfect venue.

Featured wedding Mark + Ellen at Dekens Barn

St George’s Restaurant | Hawke’s Bay

Catering from 30 guests up to 300, With its multipurpose, beautiful spaces exchange your vows in their secluded grape vine patio, mingle around the outdoor bar, utilise natural foliage and settings for keepsake photographs of those special to you.

Seat your guests for a formal meal, walk and fork, or graze and sip before the arrival of your wedding band.

Featured wedding St George's Restaurant featured on Wild Hearts | Website St George's Restaurant

Nocton Woolshed | Clevedon

This rustic event venue - it is a converted sheep shearing shed (woolshed), with an amazing view and beautiful bush surrounds. Nocton Woolshed is designed for events up to 120 people and provides a great space for special occasions - in particular weddings.

Featured wedding Lisa + John at Nocton Woolshed | Website Nocton Woolshed

The Red Barn | Waikato

The Red Barn was originally built in the 1860’s as a livery stable. stagecoaches & traders would exchange their horses for the long journeys across the Waikato that today we take for granted.

Now converted into a modern rustic wedding venue in the heart of the Waikato.

Featured wedding Emily + Rhys featured on Paper & Lace | Website The Red Barn

Meadowood House | Hawke’s Bay

Meadowood is ideally situated off State Highway 50, between Napier and Hastings, and only 15 minutes from Hawke’s Bay airport. The wonderful wineries of Hawke’s Bay are on our doorstep, as are cycle trails, golf courses, markets, galleries, and so many more recreational options. Or simply stay on site and ramble across to Zeffer Cidery and sample some of their award-winning ciders on a typical hot Hawke’s Bay day.

Featured Wedding Sarah + Kieran at Meadowood House | Website Meadowood House

David Le

12 May 2020

Old Forest School Wedding on Ash and Darcy featured on Wild Hearts Blog

David Le

12 May 2020

See Ash and Darcy’s Old Forest School Wedding featured over on Wild Hearts

An Old Forest School wedding filled with rustic charm, wild gardens and dusky pastel hues. Celebrating with their nearest and dearest ASH + DARCY said their vows with a garden ceremony amongst these enchanted surrounds.

A nostalgic setting and a day to remember for these wild romantics. Captured beautifully by photographer David Le.

Read and see the full feature here