KAURI BAY, CLEVEDON, AUCKLAND
A photographer's guide to a relaxed wedding venue surrounded by beautiful New Zealand landscape.
Why I Love Kauri Bay
There are some wedding venues where the landscape is the best backdrop. At Kauri Bay, the landscape is part of the experience.
Set amongst rolling hills overlooking the ocean, Kauri Bay has an incredible sense of space. The muted tones of the landscape, native trees and expansive views create a beautiful, natural setting that photographs exceptionally well.
What I particularly love about Kauri Bay is that it lends itself to a slow, relaxed wedding day. It's a place where you can take your time, soak up the views, enjoy the farm, spend time with your guests and take time to enjoy the food.
From a photography perspective, the changing afternoon light is beautiful. There are some wonderful opportunities for backlighting, soft natural light and expansive landscape style photographs that really capture the feeling of being there and give Kauri Bay a point of difference to other Auckland venues.
Amanda's Kauri Bay Notes
Best sunset timing:
Head to the trig point around 30 minutes before sunset
Family photos:
In front of the concrete wall beside the lodge
Food:
The best. My favourite vendor meal in Auckland
Overall vibe:
Relaxed, grounded in nature, NZ vibes
Best for:
A relaxed, unhurried wedding day
My favourite feature:
The natural landscape and ocean views
Best photo location:
The gravel driveway and the top of the hill around the trig point
Best summer photo time:
Around 6pm for bridal party photographs
The Landscape is the Star
Kauri Bay doesn't need much added to it.
The rolling hills, native vegetation and ocean views provide a beautiful natural backdrop, and I love letting that landscape become part of the photographs rather than simply using it as something behind you.
The muted colours are particularly beautiful with wedding dresses, suits and natural florals. They give the photographs a timeless, understated quality and allow the couple to remain the focus.
My Favourite Photo Locations at KAURI BAY
THE GRAVEL DRIVEWAY
The gravel driveway is one of those locations that might not immediately seem like an obvious choice for wedding portraits, but it is one of my favourites at Kauri Bay.
The rolling hills sit on either side of the driveway, creating beautiful symmetry and natural leading lines.
The gravel itself also helps create beautiful light. Its lighter surface reflects and bounces light back towards the bridal party, creating a flattering soft light for faces.
NATIVE MāNUKA
The dark native mānuka trees along the driveway are another favourite.
Their deep tones create beautiful contrast against a light wedding dress, while the natural texture gives the photographs a distinctly New Zealand feeling.
This is somewhere I love using for more intimate couple portraits, particularly when the afternoon light is shining through the mānuka trees and backlighting the couple.
The Best Spot for Family Photos
For family photographs, one of my favourite locations is in front of the concrete wall next to the lodge.
It might not be the most obvious location when you're walking around the venue, but the light is fantastic.
The wall provides shade, while the shell floor reflects light back up towards everyone, creating beautiful, bright and soft light across the faces.
For family photographs, good light is much more important than an impressive backdrop, and this location gives us exactly what we need.
Sunset at the Trig Point
Don't leave it until the sun has set - it’s too late.
The top of the hill around the trig point has some of the best sunset views at Kauri Bay.
There is one important thing to know, though: the light disappears from this area around 20 minutes before sunset.
So I recommend heading up approximately 30 minutes before sunset.
That gives us time to make the most of the golden light before it disappears.
Once the sun has gone down, the view changes again. Looking towards the ocean, the blues become softer and the sky often starts turning pink.
It's a completely different look, and one of my favourite ways to finish a portrait session.
Planning Your Kauri Bay Wedding Timeline
Kauri Bay is a venue where I would strongly encourage you not to rush the day. Allow time to enjoy the views and the food.
AUTUMN
NON-DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
12 PM GETTING READY PHOTOS WITH GROOM/GROOMSMEN
1 PM GETTING READY PHOTOS WITH BRIDE/BRIDESMAIDS
3 PM CEREMONY
3:45 PM GROUP/FAMILY PHOTOS
4 PM COCKTAIL HOUR
4.45 PM BRIDAL PARTY COUPLE PHOTOS - DRIVEWAY
5.30 PM (APPROX.) SUNSET COUPLE PHOTOS UP HILL
5.30 PM GUESTS SEATED
6 PM BRIDAL PARTY SEATED
8 PM FIRST DANCE / DANCE FLOOR OPENS
8.30 PHOTOGRAPHY CEASES
SPRING/SUMMER
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
1 PM GETTING READY PHOTOS WITH GROOM/GROOMSMEN
2 PM GETTING READY PHOTOS WITH BRIDE/BRIDESMAIDS
4 PM CEREMONY
4:45 PM GROUP/FAMILY PHOTOS
5 PM COCKTAIL HOUR
6 PM BRIDAL PARTY COUPLE PHOTOS - DRIVEWAY
6.30 PM GUESTS SEATED
6.45 PM BRIDAL PARTY SEATED
8 PM (APPROX.) SUNSET COUPLE PHOTOS UP HILL
9 PM FIRST DANCE / DANCE FLOOR OPENS
9.30 PHOTOGRAPHY CEASES
KAURI BAY HIGHlIGHTS
REAL WEDDINGS
CLICK BELOW TO VIEW GALLERIES OF REAL KAURI BAY WEDDINGS
TAYLA & RICH
KAURI BAY, CLEVEDON
KIRSTY & LIAM
KAURI BAY, CLEVEDON
My Verdict
My Biggest Tip: Slow Down
You've chosen this venue because you love the landscape. Give yourself time to actually enjoy it.
Have a drink during cocktail hour. Sit down and look at the view. Spend time with your friends and family. Take a moment together.
And make sure you leave plenty of time to enjoy the food.
The food at Kauri Bay is exceptional — it's actually my favourite vendor meal of all the Auckland venues I've photographed at.
I'd much rather see you build your timeline around enjoying your wedding than spend the entire day worrying about fitting in photographs.
We'll make the photographs work around the day.
Getting Married at Kauri Bay Boomrock?
I'd love to photograph your day and help you make the most of the incredible landscape, natural light and relaxed atmosphere that make Kauri Bay so special.