About Ashleigh McKenna
After first subscribing to sweetspot.ca to get to know her new city, Ashleigh McKenna now gets to help find the sweet stuff worth sharing as Editor and General Manager. Go behind the scenes from favourite manicure spots to product sneak peeks and more.
I got to do it all again. 10 years after my first set of ‘I do’s’, my husband and I renewed our vows to celebrate 10years worth of love, laughter and life, and all that lies between.
As much as our wedding 10 years ago went off without a hitch, it was even sweeter the second go-around. 10 years refines taste (or so I would like to think!), and re-prioritizes what’s important when marking life’s milestones—meeting someone for the first time in the receiving line was not in the cards for number two.
I fully embraced all of my female neuroses regarding the planning,
including the dress (in the end I axed the green Nicole Miller, and chose the off-white BCBG MaxAzria gown), focusing on little details that would make the event not only memorable for us, but all of our guests. The golden rule was ‘from the heart’—if it didn’t mean anything, it wasn’t to be included.
With that being said, Banff (the place where my husband proposed 11 years ago) served as the backdrop for our weekend, with 20 of our family and friends joining us to celebrate. The festivities began early Saturday morning, with guys and girls indulgences—girls headed to the spa for some serious pampering and relaxation, while the boys headed off for some masculinity-affirming white water rafting.
The day culminated in an intimate garden ceremony, where the sounds of a solo violin served as the soundtrack to my husband, two-year-old son, and I's winding cobblestone walk to the top of the garden. (For a short re-commitment ceremony with Banff mayor, John Stutz.)
Following photos, it was off to a private restaurant reception, where fabulous food (the flaky and hot Indian-spiced apple tart is pure heaven),drinks, laughter and tears were all on the night’s menu. (Including two fabulous, funny and emotional toasts by two of our best friends.)
And while cynics might wonder the point of renewing something that was forged only 10 years ago, I simply counter with ‘why not’? Whenever the opportunity arises to celebrate and congregate with those closest to you, I say ‘cheers, cheers, cheers!’
On that note, maybe I’ll just hold on to that Nicole Miller gown after all...
Here are some of the wonderful artisans and vendors that helped make our weekend one to remember: