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Real, Relaxed, and Unforgettable: Rhiannon & Andrew's Olive Estate Wedding

  • Writer: Gonzalo Novoa
    Gonzalo Novoa
  • Jan 20
  • 4 min read

A Wedding Without the Fuss


Bride and groom walking hand-in-hand through a wooded area. The woman wears a floral dress and holds a bouquet. Gentle sunlight filters through trees.

From the first time I spoke to Rhi & Andy, I had a feeling their wedding would be something different, not because of anything big or dramatic, but because of how clear they were about what mattered to them. They weren’t planning a show. They just wanted a day that felt like them: relaxed, full of love, and surrounded by the people who mean the most.


People joyfully dance with raised arms at an indoor event. The woman wears a floral dress, and the man is in a suit. Background is neutral.

When their wedding day finally came around in March, everything about it reflected that. There was no bridal party. No hype. No distractions. Just two people, completely themselves, standing among olive trees with their favourite people close by.


The Olive Estate Was the Perfect Fit for Their Wedding


The Olive Estate, tucked away in Henley Brook in the heart of the Swan Valley, was a perfect match for Rhi & Andy’s vision. With its warm natural light, open spaces, and of course, the grove of olive trees, it gave them exactly what they needed. A beautiful place to be fully present.


A diamond ring inside an open wooden box on a brown surface, conveying a romantic mood. Engraved design on box lid.

They held both their ceremony and reception there, which kept the flow simple and easy for everyone. Rhi walked down the aisle with her dad. Andy waited quietly and smiling. The vows were short, heartfelt, and full of little moments that spoke volumes.


Hands with a diamond ring holding a bouquet of white flowers with ribbon, against a floral-patterned dress. Warm, delicate mood.

Intimate Moments That Made the Day


There was a calmness to the day that made it all feel more meaningful. One of my favourite things was how effortlessly the emotions unfolded. Nothing was forced, and nothing felt overproduced.


Groom in a suit with a floral boutonniere, smiling at an outdoor event. Blurred trees in the background, soft natural light.

Rhi wore a floral dress that was anything but traditional, but suited her perfectly. We recreated a Toy Story joke that held meaning for them (and, yes, it worked). And instead of disappearing for hours of portraits, we made time for what mattered most. A few sunset photos in the olive grove, and then straight back to their people.


Bride in floral dress walks arm-in-arm with her father in a suit down a wooded path. She holds a bouquet. Sunlight filters through leaves.

These are the kinds of weddings I love photographing most. The story writes itself when everyone is relaxed enough to be real.

A couple embraces under a floral arch in a sunlit outdoor wedding. Guests sit on benches among trees, clapping. Text: Gonzalo Novoa Photography.

The Studio Reveal Experience


A few weeks later, Rhi & Andy came into my home studio for something I offer to all my couples: the Wedding Reveal.


It’s a chance to slow everything down and relive the day with fresh eyes. The lights are dimmed, their favourite drinks are ready, and music plays softly in the background. It’s quiet, cinematic, and deeply personal.


When they walked in, they were greeted by a set of Reveal Prints I had carefully selected and printed just for them. Margarita brought out a grazing table she had lovingly prepared (with a little too much cheese, as always), and we all had a moment to settle in.


Then came the main event. A digital album slideshow, displayed on the big screen like a private cinema experience. Each photo appeared in a layout that mirrors the design of their wedding album, all timed to their first dance song, Little Wonders.


It was quiet. It was emotional. And it was everything this job is about.


A Legacy Worth Holding Onto


Rhi & Andy made the decision to invest in more than just photos. They chose to turn their memories into something they can live with, not just look at once and forget.


They’re now in the process of finalising their handcrafted wedding album, a fine-art framed canvas, and a Victorian ash timber Memories Box filled with prints. These aren’t just products. They’re pieces of their story they’ll share with family, revisit on quiet nights, and one day pass down.


This is why I do what I do. Not just for the day, but for what comes after.


Vendor Credits


This small but mighty team of vendors brought their care and expertise to help Rhi & Andy create a day that felt effortlessly true to them



If you were part of this beautiful day and I’ve missed you in the tags, please get in touch. I’d love to credit everyone involved.



Planning Your Own Swan Valley Wedding?



Framed photo of a bride and groom embracing in an olive grove, bathed in soft golden-hour light, displayed against a white wall and wooden floor.
A moment worth framing. Rhi & Andy, wrapped in golden light and olive trees, captured forever in the place where their story unfolded.

A wedding without a bridal party. A venue surrounded by olive trees. And a love story that didn’t need anything extra to shine.


From Rhi & Andy’s quiet morning moments to the joy-filled chaos of family hugs and golden light, their wedding was a beautiful reminder that less can truly be more.


If you’re planning a wedding at The Olive Estate (or anywhere in the Swan Valley) and value photos that feel relaxed, honest, and full of life, I’d love to hear from you.


Let’s chat. Maybe your story will be the next one I get to help preserve.


Review by Rhiannon Wood praising photographer Gonzalo for exceptional wedding photos and rapport. Five-star rating, 43 weeks ago.

👉🏼 Reach out here or slide into my Instagram DMs. I don’t bite (hard) 🤪


– Gonz

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