SURPRISE PROPOSAL IN VAIL, CO | TANNER + ASHLEY
A Very Snowy Surprise Proposal
There’s nothing like having a snowy winter wonderland as the perfect backdrop to your surprise proposal! The holiday season in the mountains is probably one of my favorite seasons (aside from the summer) because that means engagement season! Surprise proposals are something I will always enjoy. For one, who doesn’t love keeping a secret like this?! And two, I get to help partners plan one of the best days of their lives. To top it off, I get the honor of capturing the raw excitement as they both realize they get to spend the rest of their lives with one another. On this particular day, I woke up to your typical Colorado winter morning- sunny yet snowy. As luck has it, a full-on blizzard rolled in as I showed up to tuck behind a tree to wait for Tanner and Ashley to arrive at our spot. Obviously it was a little cold, but it sure made for some magical photos for their proposal!
Capturing Every Moment
I love getting the opportunity to capture proposals because it’s such a special moment to witness and not everyone chooses to have a photographer present. If you’re on the fence about photographing your surprise proposal, I highly recommend it. The images are something you’ll have forever, to be able to look back on another piece of your love story. Doing this also gives you and your photographer another opportunity to get to know each other and get comfortable. This makes your engagement session and your wedding day a walk in the park!
A Successful Day
We pulled it off! It’s always a win when your proposal goes as planned. Everything about this day was so dreamy. The little wooden bridge along with the snow made for the cutest storybook vibes, and Ashley was so surprised. Tanner outdid himself with the ring too. I can’t wait to show you their engagement session and wedding gallery!
Colorado & Destination Photographer | Whitney Rae Photography
Keep scrolling to see a little more of Tanner + Ashley’s successful snowy proposal.
Looking for help to plan something like this?
Let’s work together! Inquire about your special day by filling out my contact form. I can’t wait to meet you and help tell your story! Follow me on Instagram to keep up with more of my work.
Every wedding is unique and deserves more than a cookie-cutter approach. By stepping back to let intimate moments unfold naturally while offering support and guidance to ensure no important memory is missed, I strive to create timeless images that blend an editorial style with a documentary approach. From the distinctive details of your celebration to the cherished traditions, I'll deliver a collection of photographs that allow you to relive these memories for years to come. After all, the moments that matter most aren’t always staged or polished—they’re raw, authentic, and uniquely you.
Don’t you agree?
MY PHILOSOPHY
An Honest Wedding Experience
“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still”
Words I Live by
I'm WHITNEY.
Your wedding day is a story—one filled with fleeting moments of beauty, deep emotion, and once-in-a-lifetime memories. As an artist, I am here to preserve those moments with intention, artistry, and care. I don’t just capture what your wedding looked like—I document how it felt.
Born and raised in the breathtaking landscapes of Vail, Colorado, I am deeply inspired by the way love and nature intertwine. There’s something poetic about the way light moves across mountain peaks, the way wind dances through a bride’s veil, and how the beauty of the outdoors mirrors the intimacy of a wedding day. My work is shaped by this connection—an effortless blend of refined editorial imagery and documentary storytelling, allowing each wedding to unfold naturally while being captured with timeless elegance.
Beyond photography, I am an adventurer at heart. Whether I’m exploring new landscapes, hiking through the Rockies, or traveling to breathtaking destinations, my love for movement and exploration brings an effortless, natural feel to my imagery. Every love story is unique, and I am deeply invested in capturing the emotions, scenery, and in-between moments that make your wedding day truly unforgettable. From the moment we connect, my goal is to provide an effortless, elevated experience that allows you to be fully present while I handle the art of storytelling. With a calm, intuitive approach, I blend artistic direction with documentary storytelling—guiding you when needed while allowing your most authentic moments to unfold naturally. My couples value timeless, emotive imagery, a refined yet relaxed presence, and the confidence of knowing their memories are being preserved with intention. When I’m not behind the camera, you can find me skiing down the slopes, hiking with my husband and our two border collies, or enjoying a slow morning with a perfectly crafted latte. I live for meaningful conversations, spontaneous adventures, and capturing beauty in the quiet, in-between moments of life—just as I do with my couples. I take on a limited number of weddings each year to provide an intimate, high-touch experience, ensuring each love story is captured with the highest level of artistry and care. If you feel drawn to timeless, emotional, and editorial-inspired imagery, I would love to hear your vision and create something extraordinary together.
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"she made the day feel so easy and seamless"
