Briar Rose Photography: Ashleigh & Raayn’s Wedding Day: A Love Story in Every Frame

Ashleigh & Raayn’s Wedding Day: A Love Story in Every Frame

As a wedding photographer, I’ve been lucky enough to capture some truly beautiful love stories, but Ashleigh and Raayn’s engagement and wedding day will forever hold a special place in my heart. Get ready to hear about one of the most romantic proposals and a day full of love, emotion, and unforgettable moments!

Let’s start with their proposal story—it’s one for the books! A week before their vacation to Mexico, Raayn took Ashleigh out for dinner at one of their favourite restaurants. The night was perfect, filled with laughter and good food. When they returned home, Ashleigh opened the front door to an incredible surprise. Their entire house was filled with fresh flowers, soft candlelight illuminating the room, and a trail of rose petals starting from the door and leading through their home. In the most magical moment, Raayn got down on one knee and proposed. I told you it was romantic, didn’t I? One week later, the two of them were relaxing on a beautiful beach in Mexico, when they emailed me to ask if I’d be their wedding photographer. Of course, I couldn’t wait to say yes!

Saving lives & falling in love

Ashleigh is a dedicated veteran assistant, and Raayn is a cardiovascular surgeon currently in the middle of his residency. Both of them save lives in their own way, which just adds to the depth of their connection. You could feel how much they respect and admire each other, not just for the love they share but also for the lives they impact every day.

Now, here’s a fun behind-the-scenes tidbit: We had to reschedule their engagement session multiple times due to Raayn’s busy schedule at the hospital. Just weeks before I moved to the Yukon, we finally made it happen! But, as luck would have it, I was battling the flu that day. Still, we pulled through, and those photos? Absolutely stunning. You’d never know I was under the weather—we were all so determined to capture the magic.

On their wedding day, Ashleigh truly embodied grace and elegance. Her wedding dress was nothing short of breathtaking—sparkly and glamorous, perfectly matching her radiant personality. One of the most touching moments of the day was when she did a first look with her dad. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room; she teared up, and so did everyone else, including me!

Raayn, the dapper groom, wore Arloom cufflinks that had been passed down from his family, adding a deeply personal touch to his already classic look.

The real MVP

And then there was Holly, the MVP of the day. As the maid of honour, she was the Connor McDavid of bridesmaids, making sure every little detail was perfect. At one point, when rain threatened to crash our outdoor photo session, she swooped in to save the day, ensuring Ashleigh stayed dry as we raced against the weather. I couldn’t have done it without her!

A wedding day at the Delta South Hotel in Edmonton Alberta

The ceremony was held at the Delta South Hotel in Edmonton Alberta in a room adorned with stunning chandeliers, creating the perfect setting for Ashleigh and Raayn to exchange their vows. And let me tell you, those vows were beautiful. They wrote them themselves, with Raayn swearing his unconditional love to Ashleigh in front of their closest family and friends. There wasn’t a single parent in the front row who wasn’t wiping away tears—such a powerful moment.

From the emotional first look to the laughter, tears, and promises exchanged, Ashleigh and Raayn’s wedding day was one for the ages. It was an honour to capture their love story, and I’m so excited for the life they’re building together. Here’s to love, laughter, and many more moments to come for these two incredible souls!

Wedding photography review from the bride and groom:

“Kaley was easy to work with, she was incredibly helpful with planning out the day and helping me make the timeline. We had a difficult time scheduling our engagement session due my husbands crazy schedule, but she made it work for us! She made us feel comfortable, she made us laugh, she gave me so many tips & pointers that came incredibly useful. The photos were one of the things I was willing to spend more on, because it’s an investment, you will have these pictures forever and ours look amazing! I would recommend her to anyone!”