A Hindu ceremony in Kildonan Park and a wedding at The Leaf, Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg
Some weddings unfold over a single day. Ryan and Brenlee's unfolded over two, and every hour of it felt like it belonged to them.
Day one was a traditional Hindu ceremony under a mandap in Kildonan Park. Day two was a wedding at The Leaf in Assiniboine Park, with a reception that carried on long into the night. Two very different settings. Two sets of traditions. And one couple who looked completely at home in both.
A Baraat Under the Summer Trees
The first day started with sunshine and music. Ryan arrived for his baraat on horseback, dressed in ivory and gold, a sword raised in one hand and a red embroidered umbrella shading him from above. His friends and family walked and danced ahead of him down the tree-lined path. Some wore sunglasses and big grins. Everyone was part of the parade.
Ryan couldn't stop smiling. That turned out to be a theme.
Under the mandap, the mood softened. Brenlee sat across from Ryan in red, a delicate matha patti resting on her forehead, her hands covered in mehndi. As the priest guided them through each ritual, they kept catching each other's eyes. There is a photo of them holding hands, garlands around their necks, both smiling like they shared a secret. I think they did. They were getting married, and they couldn't believe how good it felt.
Later, during portraits, they leaned into each other and closed their eyes. No direction needed. Just a quiet pause in the middle of a big, beautiful day.
Getting Ready for Day Two
The next morning, Brenlee got ready at home with her mom and her bridesmaids. The house was full of laughter, matching satin pajamas, and the kind of nervous energy that only shows up on a wedding morning. Ryan had sent over a little gift, and Brenlee opened it with everyone gathered close.
Then she did a first look with her bridesmaids, and the reactions were exactly what you would hope for. Squeals, hugs, a few happy tears. Someone handed Brenlee a bottle of champagne, and she popped it right there in front of the house. It sprayed everywhere. Glasses went up. Everyone got soaked and nobody cared.
Meanwhile, across town, Ryan was getting ready at the Inn at the Forks with his groomsmen. White shirts, black bow ties, and a lot of helping each other out, because bow ties are harder than they look. The room was bright and easy, full of guys who clearly had each other's backs.
A First Look in the Wind
Everyone met up at Assiniboine Park. It was a seriously windy day, the kind that makes every bride a little worried about her hair. So we went looking for shelter and found a quieter spot where the wind eased up. That's where Ryan saw Brenlee in her gown for the first time.
After the first look, we photographed the two of them with their bridal party, then headed inside The Leaf. Out of the wind and into the warmth, surrounded by palms and tropical greenery, they walked hand in hand down the garden path. In one of my favourite frames, a beam of light cut through the leaves and landed right on them, standing still while the jungle went dark all around.
A Seat Saved for Dad
The ceremony took place inside The Leaf, and it carried a weight I won't forget.
Brenlee's father passed away many years ago. In the front row, a chair was reserved in his memory, with the words Father of the Bride printed across it. Before the ceremony began, Ryan and Brenlee placed a letter on his seat together. I photographed their hands as they set it down. Her mehndi, his watch, both of them reaching for the same chair. It was a small moment, and it said everything.
Then the music started. Brenlee walked down the aisle with her family by her side while guests leaned into the aisle, phones raised. Up on the skywalk above, tourists visiting The Leaf stopped to watch. Strangers leaning on the glass railing, witnessing a wedding they never planned to see. I love that.
Ryan had the biggest smile throughout the entire ceremony. It didn't fade once. Not during the vows, not during the rings, not when the officiant had the whole room laughing. Brenlee laughed right along with him.
When they were pronounced married, they threw their hands in the air and started back down the aisle. Halfway there, they stopped. Ryan dipped Brenlee, and they kissed right in the middle of everyone. The room erupted.
The Reception
The reception at The Leaf began with speeches, and they were heartfelt. Two of Brenlee's bridesmaids took the podium together, and somewhere between the funny stories and the sincere ones, Ryan and Brenlee turned to look at them with that look you only give the people who know you best.
Then came the dances. One moment that stayed with me was Ryan dancing with his mom. She laughed with her eyes closed, leaning into him, and you could see the whole room smiling along.
As the sun went down, I snuck Ryan and Brenlee outside for a few minutes. The wind had finally settled and the sky turned soft and gold. They stood forehead to forehead in the open field, and you could see her name written in the mehndi on his hand. Up on the rooftop of The Leaf, the glass caught their reflection at sunset, and for a moment there were two of them, mirrored against the evening sky.
Then it was back inside, and the party never really stopped. Brenlee hit the dance floor in heart-shaped sunglasses, mehndi still bright on her hands, friends all around her. The night went on until there was nothing left to give.
Two Days, One Celebration
Two ceremonies. Two families coming together through their own traditions, and somehow it all felt like one celebration.
What I'll remember most about Ryan and Brenlee isn't the horse, or the champagne, or even the sunset. It's how they kept choosing to include everyone. Their families. Their friends. Strangers on a skywalk. And a father who couldn't be there, but still had a seat waiting for him.
Ryan and Brenlee, thank you for letting me be part of your story. It was an honour.