Spa Corner: The Timing is Right

By Sara Daly

You need to schedule your relaxation moments the same as your high-energy moments

Many brides ask these questions:

1. When should I schedule spa and salon services?
2. How much time do I need for it all?

Here is a breakdown of how we determine the bridal spa services scheduling at Waterfalls Day Spa.

When have you scheduled your wedding and other events?

Traditionally, weddings are on a Saturday afternoon. We are seeing more people pick nontraditional times, such as Thursday at 4:30 PM. It is important that your spa coordinator know your schedule of events. When is your rehearsal?

How far away is it from the spa? Are there any time constraints that we need to work around? A brunch, girl’s cocktail hour, meetings with florists, wedding coordinators, and caterers, are important to know if they need to happen the day or two before your wedding.

Nail Services

We love to see brides and bridal parties the day before the wedding to treat them to a fun girl’s spa day including manicures and pedicures. If you want French polish, be sure to tell your spa coordinator, as it usually requires a bit more time. Depending on the number of women involved, nails can take a large portion of your day on the day before the wedding. We suggest blocking about 4 hours of your day to fit approximately 7-10 girls in for pre-wedding nail treatments.

Massage

If you are arriving to your wedding destination a few days before your wedding, we suggest having your massage as soon as you arrive. Schedule a Thursday massage for a Saturday wedding. If you live locally, schedule your massage earlier in the week. Before you know it the week will fly by and you will feel like you did not have a chance to feel rested and relaxed. You need to schedule your relaxation moments the same as your high-energy moments.

Bridal Makeup

Scheduling your bridal makeup should always start with scheduling your consultation. This is an important part of the process and should be scheduled well. Schedule it close enough to your wedding that your skin tone is about the same as it will be on your day. Don’t come in the winter for a summer wedding. The day of the wedding scheduling is a bit more complicated. It is recommended that your hair be done prior to makeup, so schedule your makeup second.

Make sure that the bride is scheduled first for all treatments. Bridal makeup is scheduled for an hour block to ensure enough time. Bridesmaids typically get a half hour block, and mothers of bride and groom about 45 minutes of time.

You do not want to rush your esthetician; she is your artist and needs time and space to apply the minerals to your skin.

Hair

Hair is usually the more time consuming service on your wedding day. We block an hour for the bride, and up to an hour for each attendant depending on style of updo. Often, more people are involved in hair services than there are in makeup (flower girls, grandmothers, mothers, etc) so the timing is important. The bride should get a preferred time, which often is not the first appointment of the day. For a wedding at 3:00 in the afternoon, it is common to start hair treatments at 8:30 AM to get 8 people styled and ready for their esthetician.

SEE THIS SAMPLE SCHEDULE ONLINE FOR PLANNING AND ORGANIZING YOUR WEDDING PREPARATIONS

Sara Daly

www.middleburyspa.com

Sara Daly is a Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist, and owner of Waterfalls Day Spa located at the historic Middlebury Inn in downtown Middlebury, Vermont

www.middleburyspa.com

Read for free online "Spa Corner: Relaxation Takes Practice" by Sara Daly
from the Summer 2010 issue of Vermont Bride Magazine

Read for free online "Spa Corner: Plan Your Pre-Wedding Massage" by Sara Daly
from the Summer 2011 issue of Vermont Bride Magazine

Read for free online "The Long and Short to Amazing Bridal Hair" by Sara Daly
from the Spring 2011 issue of Vermont Bride Magazine

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