Archive for For the Bride

A Girls’ Morning at Serendipity Day Spa

By Michele July 29, 2008 9:00 am

As a bride-to-be, I decided to enjoy the indulgence of a pedicure and manicure. However, instead of bringing a best friend or my mom, I brought my daughter and daughter-to-be, as I was preparing for my second marriage. Searching for a spa that would pamper all three of us I found Serendipity Day Spa.

This beautiful spa is housed in an old farmhouse that is wonderfully appointed. Upon notifying the front desk of our arrival, we were offered seats in a waiting room filled with comfortable couches and chairs.

Within a few minutes our aestheticians arrived, and we were taken to the nail room. After choosing our nail colors, we were seated in massage chairs and offered beverages. I chose a cup of coffee, as it was morning, (though wine was also an option!) and the girls continued with water.

The girls and I were to receive a pedicure, mine including a paraffin dip, and hand massages. When I scheduled the appointment they only had time to paint one set of nails, so I scheduled myself and told the girls I would purchase their chosen toenail colors and paint theirs at home. Everyone was fine with that plan.

While receiving our pedicures and hand massages, what impressed me the most about this spa was the attention paid to each client. The girls were treated like any other woman at the spa. They were given magazines to read and water in goblets. The girls had their treatments explained as they progressed, letting them be aware of what would happen next.

When the girls’ massages and pedicures were done, I still hadn’t finished my pedicure and needed to have my fingernails painted. After checking their schedules, the girls’ aestheticians offered to do a quick nail painting for each, if it was fine with me. I graciously agreed, and the girls’ delight was readily apparent.

When all three of us had our nails painted, we began the journey home. The girls eagerly discussed how fun it was going to a spa and when we could go again. I told them that it was the first visit in what should be a yearly tradition. I know for certain that the next time the girls and I want to have our nails done and receive some pampering, we will return to Serendipity.

Not only did our nails look wonderful, but the entire atmosphere – from furnishings to staff – was amazing. If you are fortunate enough to live anywhere near Concord, New Hampshire, and want to have a spa treatment before your big day, I wholeheartedly recommend Serendipity Day Spa.

Share/Save/Bookmark

Posted in For the Bride | No Comments »

Enlist the Help of a Wedding Planner

By P. Illsley July 22, 2008 9:00 am

A wedding planner is an individual who acts as a consultant of sorts when it comes to planning a wedding. A wedding planner works closely with the caterers and vendors that have been hired for the wedding. She looks after many of the details from the smallest to the largest.

A wedding planner can help a nervous and uncertain bride-to-be choose the right wedding dress and the right hairstyle for her wedding. She also can help her to contact the appropriate people in order to buy flowers and the cake.

Do you have to hire a wedding planner? Absolutely not. It is not a prerequisite of getting married. Does hiring a wedding planner make for a more organized schedule of events and less headaches for the bride and groom? Most certainly!

A wedding planner is an expert in the field of wedding preparation. Whether it is a question of where to hold the reception or whether to serve a sit down meal or a buffet, the wedding planner will have these areas covered so the couple can concentrate on exchanging their vows.

The wedding planner is not wrapped up emotionally in a wedding, as is everyone else concerned. Weddings bring together families, and this can make for plenty of emotional intimacy, as well as lessen the potential for conflicts. A wedding planner can encourage the happy aspects of the day and downplay the less stellar aspects.

Not all wedding planners are alike. Different wedding planners have their own strengths and their own style of doing business. For example, a wedding planner or coordinator often handles the booking of professionals for the wedding, such as florists, caterers, musicians and the like. She is also very well versed in the areas of style, etiquette and decorating.

Some of her other tasks may include (but are not limited to):

-choosing wedding colors and/or a wedding theme

-choosing music

-choosing the invitation style

-selecting decorations for the wedding reception

Share/Save/Bookmark

Posted in For the Bride, Planning, Weddings | No Comments »

RSS RSS | RSS Comments RSS