Olivehouse wedding photos: Amy and Brandon embrace beneath a weathered white timber gateway framed by drooping branches, Melbourne
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Real country wedding · Kialla West, Melbourne

Olivehouse Wedding Photos: Amy & Brandon

Olivehouse · Kialla West VIC · Melbourne

Country Wedding · Olive Groves Wedding · City: Melbourne · Venues: Avonlea Flowers · Olivehouse

A first look under the trees at a Murchison flower farm, a groom who swept his bride off her feet in the aisle, and a veil that caught the last of the sun over white agapanthus. Amy and Brandon’s Olivehouse wedding at Kialla West, in the Goulburn Valley, was black bow ties, white roses and long summer light through the olive grove. We stayed with them all the way to a hazy first dance at the reception, and we loved every minute.

The gallery
Amy's long-sleeved lace wedding gown hangs on a named hanger from a timber pergola at the family home
Flat lay of the wedding invitation with her engagement ring, drop earrings, a satin garter and golden body oil on tulle
Close-up of the diamond engagement ring resting on the floral invitation beside sparkling stud earrings
Clear block heels with rose gold buckles laid on soft white tulle for the bride's morning
A beaded clutch stitched with Wifey, a satin garter, a lace scrunchie and golden body oil laid out on white tulle
Amy smiles at her lace gown in white piped pyjamas and a jewelled headband by the window
Amy sits barefoot in a linen armchair looking down, her lace gown hanging in the tall window behind her
Amy fixes an earring by the stone fireplace, the long lace train of her gown spread across the floor
Amy looks down at her gown beside the fireplace under a round mirror, white roses on the mantel
Amy holds out her skirt to look at the lace flowers running down the tulle
A loved one in a floral dress and pearl necklace smiles with shining eyes as she sees Amy in her gown
A loved one fastens the back of Amy's lace gown as she looks down by the bright window
The loved one in the floral dress wipes away a happy tear as Amy smiles beside her in lace
Amy and the loved one in the floral dress share a long hug by the window in the morning light
A bridesmaid in black kneels to buckle Amy's clear heel as she sits in the window armchair
Close-up of Amy's pear-shaped engagement ring as her hand rests on the armchair beside her lace sleeve
Amy sits in the corner armchair with her lace train across the floor, in black and white
Amy rests in the corner armchair between two walls of windows, her lace train pooling on the carpet
Amy turns to look out the window from the armchair, a pearl headband and drop earrings framing her face
Amy gazes out of the window from the armchair in her long-sleeved lace gown, in black and white
Amy and her three bridesmaids in floor-length black dresses smile together under the trees in the garden
Amy laughs with a blonde bridesmaid in a black wrap dress in the shade of the garden
Amy and a red-haired bridesmaid in black burst out laughing together in front of the hedge
Amy and a dark-haired bridesmaid in a black dress share a warm smile in the open shade
Amy stands arm in arm with the loved one in the floral dress beneath leafy trees in the garden
Amy and the loved one in the floral dress smile at each other, cheek to cheek, outside the house
The Avonlea Flowers, Murchison sign rises from purple agapanthus beside a quiet country road lined with gum trees
Brandon grins in a black tuxedo with a white rose buttonhole and black bow tie in the living room
Brandon smiles from an armchair in his tuxedo and bow tie, a white rose pinned to his lapel
Brandon looks away with a wide smile, his white rose buttonhole close to the lens, in black and white
Brandon and his four groomsmen in white shirts and black bow ties line up on a red brick veranda
Brandon grins between his groomsmen in white shirts and bow ties, white rose buttonholes on every chest
A groomsman tugs at Brandon's bow tie and both crack up laughing against the timber-framed windows
Brandon stands with a fair-haired groomsman in a white shirt and bow tie by the timber windows
Brandon and a groomsman shake hands with big grins on the red brick veranda
Brandon and a groomsman smile on the brick paving as a small white and black dog trots up beside them
Amy waits alone before a wall of green leaves for the first look at Avonlea Flowers
Brandon walks up with his hands over his face as Amy waits for him under the trees at the flower farm
Brandon wipes away a tear as Amy beams at him in front of the leafy hedge at their country first look
Brandon laughs as he takes Amy's hands, seen over her shoulder through her lace sleeve
Amy and Brandon hold hands under low branches at Avonlea Flowers on the Goulburn River, her lace train across the lawn
Amy and Brandon kiss beneath a canopy of soft green leaves on the farm lawn
Amy and Brandon walk hand in hand across the sunny country lawn, her lace skirt sweeping out behind her
Amy looks down and smiles as Brandon leads her along a shaded bush path, sunlight dappling the dry ground
Amy's long lace train trails over dry grass and twigs as she follows Brandon through the rural garden
Amy smiles up at Brandon in a weathered white doorway, framed by a soft blur of green leaves
Brandon holds Amy close beside a pair of weathered white doors standing open in the country garden
Amy and Brandon lean in forehead to forehead under the peeling white door frame in the shade
Amy and Brandon embrace inside an old white timber gateway, open paddock and gum trees beyond
Amy and Brandon smile arm in arm on the open lawn in front of flowering trees and leafy shade
Brandon kisses Amy as they walk across the wide green lawn under a big clear country sky
Brandon kisses Amy's forehead on a garden bench, a white rose bouquet in her lap and blue agapanthus above
Amy and Brandon share a smile on a metal garden bench among white blossom and blue agapanthus at Avonlea Flowers, Murchison
Brandon pops a bottle as the bridesmaids in black and groomsmen in white shirts cheer under the gum trees on the farm
The wedding party throws their heads back laughing as the bottle sprays, lined up on the lawn beneath tall trees
Amy and Brandon stride across the grass hand in hand with their wedding party at Avonlea Flowers, a farm windmill behind the trees
Brandon holds Amy in his arms while four groomsmen in white shirts grin with the white rose bouquets
Amy laughs as she walks hand in hand with Brandon among bridesmaids carrying white rose bouquets
Amy and her bridesmaids in black wrap dresses link arms and glance back over their shoulders on the rural lawn
Brandon and his groomsmen throw their arms around each other, laughing on the farm lawn in the summer sun
Brandon laughs with a drink in hand between the long rows of olive trees at Olivehouse before the ceremony
Brandon shares a smile with a loved one in a pink dress and white rose corsage beneath the olive trees on the farm
Amy and Brandon hold hands under the white draped arbour at Olivehouse at Greendale Grove against a clear blue sky over the olive grove
The celebrant speaks into a microphone as Amy and Brandon stand under the arbour at their country garden ceremony beside the olive rows
Guests in summer dresses and shirts smile from white chairs on the lawn at Olivehouse, Kialla West, olive trees shading them
Three bridesmaids in black and the little flower girl in white stand by the red brick federation house on the country estate
Four groomsmen in white shirts and bow ties stand on the brick platform at Olivehouse near Shepparton, the olive grove behind
Amy smiles softly at Brandon during their vows, seen over his shoulder under the arbour on the olive estate
The loved one in the floral dress watches the vows from a white chair at Olivehouse in the Goulburn Valley, the olive grove behind her
Guests in white chairs smile in the sun as they watch the country ceremony between the olive trees, a blue agapanthus behind them
Amy and Brandon kiss under the white draped arbour at Olivehouse as the wedding party looks on from the olive grove
Amy and Brandon sit at a white wrought iron table under an old olive tree on the farm with two loved ones behind
Brandon steals a kiss from Amy while signing the register under the olive trees at Olivehouse at Greendale Grove
Amy and Brandon at the signing table with their bridesmaids, groomsmen and the flower girl in the country olive grove
Brandon sweeps Amy into his arms in the aisle at Olivehouse, Kialla West, her lace train flying past the guests seated along the olive rows
Brandon kisses Amy as he carries her up the aisle between white chairs on the country lawn of the olive grove
Amy and Brandon smile with their celebrant in a navy floral dress under the silvery olive trees at Olivehouse near Shepparton
Two guests in teal silk and a white shirt pose arm in arm on the olive grove's ceremony lawn at the farm
A bridesmaid in black leads the little flower girl in white tulle by the hand under the olive trees at Olivehouse in the Goulburn Valley
Amy and Brandon stand with three loved ones under the draped arbour, a tall palm behind the country house on the olive estate
Amy and Brandon pose with the loved one in pink under the arbour beside the white veranda at Olivehouse
A family group with Amy and Brandon gathers under the white arbour roof in the rural garden of the olive grove estate
Amy and Brandon stand with two loved ones in a white shirt and a teal dress at Olivehouse at Greendale Grove
A larger family group lines up beside Amy and Brandon in the open shade of the country arbour at the olive grove venue
Amy and Brandon with a bridesmaid, two young guests and a man in a white shirt under the arbour at Olivehouse, Kialla West
Amy and Brandon with two bridesmaids, the loved one in the floral dress and a red-haired guest in a blue tie at the olive grove
Amy and Brandon with a row of loved ones in floral and lace dresses before the federation veranda at Olivehouse near Shepparton
Amy and Brandon crouch on the arbour step with the flower girl between them, the country garden of the olive estate behind
Amy and Brandon with four loved ones under the arbour drapes at Olivehouse in the Goulburn Valley
Amy stands with three women in floral, lace and jewel-toned dresses on the olive grove's arbour step, holding her white roses
Amy and Brandon with the loved one in the floral dress and two bridesmaids holding white rose bouquets at Olivehouse
Amy laughs with the loved one in the floral dress and two bridesmaids, white rose bouquets held together at this olive grove wedding
Amy and Brandon with family gathered on the pale stone platform under the arbour at Olivehouse at Greendale Grove
The whole crowd of guests gathers with Amy and Brandon on the country lawn between the olive trees and white pergola
Amy and Brandon hug a blonde guest in a black dress under white paper lanterns in the reception room at Olivehouse, Kialla West
Amy and Brandon stand behind a young guest in a black bow tie in a long timber-floored hallway at the olive grove venue
Amy in her long veil rests her forehead against Brandon's beside a cloud of white balloons at the front door of Olivehouse near Shepparton
Amy smiles up at Brandon beneath her sheer veil on the olive estate, her crystal headband glowing, in black and white
Amy and Brandon kiss on the red veranda of the federation house at Olivehouse in the Goulburn Valley under white balloons
Amy and Brandon kiss under the balloon arch and iron lacework of the front porch at the olive grove estate, in black and white
Amy and Brandon walk hand in hand down a long olive row at Olivehouse in the late afternoon
Brandon twirls Amy on the lawn under the tall palm as the sun sets over the olive estate's rural garden
Amy lifts her lace train as she and Brandon walk towards the setting sun past white agapanthus at Olivehouse at Greendale Grove
Amy glances back over her shoulder as Brandon leads her past white agapanthus at sunset on the olive grove's country estate
Amy's long veil lifts on the breeze as she and Brandon embrace beside white agapanthus at Olivehouse, Kialla West
Amy and Brandon walk arm in arm across the striped lawn at the olive grove farm, laughing in the warm evening light
Amy holds out her skirt and smiles beside Brandon in front of the white agapanthus beds at Olivehouse near Shepparton
Amy and Brandon cut their white monogrammed cake, olive sprigs at its base, at their country reception on the olive grove estate
Close-up of Brandon's hand over Amy's as they slice into the white cake with its rose gold letter
Amy beams as she and Brandon cut the cake together by the glass doors of the olive estate's reception room
Amy and Brandon share their first dance as haze drifts under white paper lanterns at Olivehouse in the Goulburn Valley
Amy laughs over Brandon's shoulder during their first dance while guests film from the edge of the floor at the olive grove venue
Amy and Brandon hold each other close in the warm haze of the reception at Olivehouse as guests smile around them
Amy and Brandon finish their country wedding first dance with a kiss in the haze as loved ones watch on
The wedding story

Our Olivehouse wedding photos: a first look under the trees, a lift in the aisle and a veil caught in the sunset

Getting ready at home · First look at Avonlea Flowers, Murchison · Vows under the white arbour at Olivehouse · Family groups by the veranda · Sunset in the olive grove · Cake and first dance

Read the full story

Pearls, lace and a clutch

Our day started in a bright family home, where Amy’s gown hung in the doorway with its long lace sleeves catching the morning light. We laid the details out on soft white fabric by a window: the invitation with her rings and pearl earrings, a woven clutch stitched with ‘Wifey’, a bottle of golden body oil, a lace garter and a pair of clear heels. Shooting the details first, before the room fills up, keeps the light clean and the backgrounds tidy. Amy sat in her white pyjamas and pearl headband in the window armchair, checking her phone beside the dress and looking completely relaxed.

A happy tear by the window

Then the gown went on. Amy stood by the fireplace under a round mirror and looked down at the lace flowers running over her skirt. A loved one in a floral dress came in, took one look and wiped her eyes, and the hug that followed was the first big moment of the day. Someone knelt to buckle Amy’s clear heels, and we moved in close on her ring against the lace sleeve. That corner armchair sat between two walls of windows, so the light wrapped softly around her face, and we kept one frame of her there in black and white.

Black dresses and bow ties

Out in the garden, Amy’s bridesmaids gathered in floor-length black dresses and the laughter started straight away. Black against white lace looks beautiful in open shade, so we kept them under the trees. Brandon, meanwhile, was in a black tuxedo with a white rose on his lapel, grinning from an armchair. His groomsmen, in white shirts and black bow ties, lined up on a red brick veranda with timber-framed windows behind them, a warm and simple backdrop. One straightened Brandon’s bow tie, there were handshakes all round, and the family dog trotted in to sit at his feet.

First look at Avonlea Flowers

Next stop was Avonlea Flowers at Murchison, where purple agapanthus spilled around the farm sign by the road. Amy waited in front of a wall of green trees while Brandon walked up with his hands over his eyes. When he finally looked, he wiped away a tear, and then they were both laughing, holding hands and leaning in for a kiss under the low branches. A first look is our favourite way to settle the nerves on a summer day: the reaction happens in private and in the shade, and the afternoon opens up for portraits.

Weathered doors and a garden bench

We walked them across the lawn hand in hand, Amy’s long train sweeping the dry grass, and found a pair of weathered white doors standing open in the garden. We stepped back and shot through the leaves of a nearby shrub, so a soft green blur framed the two of them in the doorway. On a garden bench among blue agapanthus, Brandon kissed Amy’s forehead. Then the wedding party joined us, bridesmaids in black with white rose bouquets, groomsmen in white shirts, striding towards us in a line. Brandon scooped Amy up while the groomsmen held the bouquets.

Vows under the white arbour

At Olivehouse, Brandon waited between the long rows of olive trees with a drink in hand and a big grin. The ceremony was set under a white arbour draped with soft fabric, with white chairs on the lawn and the olive grove all around. The celebrant spoke into a microphone, the bridesmaids and the little flower girl in white stood beside the brick platform, and Amy could not stop smiling as she faced Brandon. We worked along the edges of the chairs with a longer lens to catch the guests laughing, then stepped back for the kiss with the whole arbour in frame.

A lift in the aisle

They signed the register at a white wrought-iron table under the olive trees, and Brandon stole a kiss halfway through. Then, heading back up the aisle, he swept Amy into his arms and her train flew out behind her while the guests watched from their seats. For family groups we used the arbour, with the red brick and white veranda of the federation-style house behind, which gives Olivehouse wedding photos their sense of place. The arbour’s roof put open shade on everyone’s faces, exactly what you want in late afternoon sun in January. We finished with the whole crowd together on the lawn.

Balloons and golden hour

At the front door of the house, a cloud of white balloons wrapped around the white iron lacework, and Amy put on her long veil for a quiet forehead-to-forehead moment there. Later, as the sun dropped behind the trees, we brought Amy and Brandon back outside. He twirled her on the lawn under the big palm, they walked the olive rows, and a breeze lifted her veil out over the white agapanthus with the sun flaring behind them. Stepping out of a reception for twenty minutes at sunset is the best trade a couple can make, and this one paid off beautifully.

Cake and a hazy first dance

Back inside for the reception, Amy and Brandon cut a white cake marked with a monogram, laughing together as the knife went in. Then came the first dance. Haze drifted across the floor and warm lights glowed behind them, so we shot towards the light to let the haze turn soft and golden, and kept the guests gathered around the edges of the frame. Amy laughed over Brandon’s shoulder, he held her close, and they finished with a kiss in the middle of the floor while everyone watched on, smiling. It was the perfect way to close a long, warm Goulburn Valley day.

Photographer's venue notes

Olivehouse, Kialla West: vows under the white arbour and a sunset walk past the agapanthus

Read the venue notes

Arbour, house and olive rows

Amy and Brandon reached Olivehouse after a first look and wedding party portraits at a flower farm in Murchison, so the time here could go to the vows, family and celebrating. Brandon waited among the olive rows before the vows under the draped white arbour, they signed at a wrought iron table beneath an old olive tree, and the family groups stayed under the arbour with the red brick house behind. The reception moved indoors, with a balloon arch at the front door, and we stepped back outside with the couple as the sun began to drop.

A hot summer afternoon into golden light

This was a true country summer day: dry grass, clear blue sky and strong sun. The ceremony ran late in the afternoon, which helped, and the arbour threw open shade across the family groups so nobody squinted. The olive trees softened the light along the edges of the lawn for guests in their chairs. The real reward came near sunset, when low light slid down the olive rows and backlit Amy’s veil as it lifted over the beds of white agapanthus.

Spots we used for Amy and Brandon

At the flower farm, the weathered white doors and the old gateway were our favourite frame, shot through a soft blur of leaves. A metal bench among blue agapanthus gave us a quiet seated moment before the wedding party arrived with a bottle to pop. At Olivehouse, the iron lacework and balloons on the front porch made a pretty spot for the veil, and at sunset we used the tall palm for a twirl, then a long olive row for a slow walk. Inside, the long timber hallway gave us a sweet frame with a young guest.

Tips for a summer country wedding

If your day spans two places in the country, do the first look and wedding party photos at the first stop, so the second is only about vows, family and celebration. Choose a ceremony spot with a roof or tree cover for the groups that follow. Hand the bouquets to the groomsmen when the groom wants to lift the bride, and keep a cold drink close by. Most of all, plan a short break outside at sunset; those few minutes gave Amy and Brandon the best light of the whole day.

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