Shantel & Ray’s Beautiful Willow Island Wedding in Regina
Instead of starting the morning with the bride and bridesmaids, I began the day at Hotel Saskatchewan with Ray, his groomsmen, and the couple’s oldest son. It was such a fun way to start the day, capturing the guys relaxing together, sharing a few scotch drinks, and soaking in those last moments before the ceremony.
We started with some photos in the hotel room before heading downstairs for a few portraits in the beautiful lobby. From there, it was time to head to Wascana Park and make our way to Willow Island.
And getting to Willow Island is part of what makes this wedding venue so special. To reach the island, you hop aboard a small ferry for the short ride across the water. The crossing only takes about a minute, but it adds such a fun and memorable element to the day. We loaded up the boat with the boys and made our way across.
Once we arrived on the island, we had some time before the ceremony, so we took advantage of the beautiful surroundings for more groomsmen photos — including a few with cigars and a few without. There was plenty of laughter and a relaxed energy among the guys as the anticipation of the ceremony started to build.
One of the most touching moments of the day was a beautiful tribute to Ray’s father, who had recently passed away.
To honour his memory and include him in the wedding day, each of Ray’s groomsmen carried a single white rose down the aisle and placed it in a vase on a chair reserved specifically in his father’s honour. It was such a simple and meaningful gesture, and it was impossible not to feel the emotion behind it. Even though he couldn't physically be there, his presence was very much felt throughout the day.
The couple’s two boys had the very important job of serving as ring bearers, while several nieces and nephews also made their way down the aisle. It was such a sweet way to bring the family into the ceremony and make the celebration feel even more personal.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
Shantel walked down the aisle with her veil covering her face. As she reached Ray, he gently lifted the veil, revealing his bride for the first time.
The ceremony continued with beautiful, handwritten vows from Shantel and Ray, making the ceremony feel incredibly personal and heartfelt. Surrounded by water, family, and the people they love most, it was a truly beautiful setting for the two of them to promise forever. At the big kiss moment, confetti poppers went off, making the send off into married life even more memorable.
After the ceremony, we took some family photographs around the island before heading back across the water for the next part of the day.
From Willow Island, we made our way to the Saskatchewan Legislative Building for group photographs and portraits of Shantel and Ray.
The architecture and grounds gave us a completely different backdrop from the island, and it was the perfect opportunity to create some classic wedding portraits while continuing to capture the joy and excitement of the newlyweds.
After photos, we headed back to Wascana for the reception.
The reception began with the grand entrance at the bar area of Willow Restaurant, with the celebration continuing outside in the beautifully set-up tented area.
After dinner, Shantel and Ray and I quietly slipped away for a few sunset portraits while their guests mingled.
With the water behind them and the evening light settling over Wascana, we were able to capture some of my favourite portraits of the day. There is something so special about stepping away from the reception for a few quiet minutes with a newly married couple. It gives them a chance to breathe, take in the day, and simply enjoy being together.
Afterwards, the celebration continued back at the reception. There were speeches that brought plenty of laughter, along with touching and heartfelt stories that had everyone feeling all the emotions.
Then came the cake cutting, complete with candles, followed by the couple’s first dances.
As the evening continued, the water and beautiful sunset created the perfect backdrop for the celebration.
What made Shantel and Ray’s wedding so memorable wasn't just the beautiful locations or the incredible sunset. It was the meaning woven throughout the entire day.
From beginning the morning with the guys at Hotel Saskatchewan, to crossing the water by ferry, to the tribute to Ray’s father, handwritten vows, live family music, their boys serving as ring bearers, and those quiet sunset portraits together — every part of the day felt personal to them.
It was a celebration of love, family, memories, and the beginning of a new chapter for Shantel and Ray. And as a wedding photographer, those are the wedding days I love most! The ones filled with genuine moments, meaningful details, happy tears, big laughs, and memories that will be treasured long after the last dance.
Congratulations, Shantel and Ray. It was an absolute joy to be there to document your beautiful day!!
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