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Archive for the ‘Bachelorette Parties’ Category

After the hard work you’ve put into planning every detail of your wedding, it’s time for a little relaxation. Why not offer bridesmaid gifts of a spa weekend? It’s a lovely time to gather as girlfriends for the last time before you become a Mrs.

Just about every hotel that has spa services offers spa weekend packages. You’ll need to check your own state’s hotel directories and locate the perfect spa for you. But here are some guidelines to use when planning your perfect spa getaway.

• Decide if this will be an adults-only weekend or if you want to include the flower girl and/or junior bridesmaids. If you do, make sure you give their parents time to schedule in your weekend. You might just want to have the younger girls join you on Saturday morning and then return home. It’s up to you.
• Same for your girlfriends. They need advance notice to get away for the weekend. So don’t plan it too close to your wedding day as friends may have already had to ask for additional time off to travel to your wedding. A month or so out from your wedding is a good idea. Send those invited a lovely invitation and ask them to RSVP by a certain day.
• You’ll need to contact a few spas to get an idea of what they are charging. Often, if a spa is right in the hotel, you can speak to a concierge or other employee of the hotel to get the package rate for a spa weekend. Tell them you are a wedding spa party and they may give you an additional discount.
• What should you be asking when you call for rates? You want to sound confident and informed so that you get the best services and rates. Must-have questions include:

1.      How many girls can you accommodate at once at the spa? If you have eight bridesmaids and they can only take two at a time, you may want to think about choosing a larger spa. Or if it’s fine with you to stagger the girls’ appointments, go for it. You can snack on wine and cheese or spritzers while the other girls are having their spa time.

2.      What spa services do you offer? Here’s where you want to get specific. Does the spa offer manicures, pedicures, hot stone massages, facials, bikini waxing, deep tissue massage? Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. If it seems like they offer most of the services you are seeking, ask more questions. If not, move on.

3.      What are the rates? Do you have special spa packages for brides and bridesmaids who are staying at the hotel? Delve into exactly what their packages include. Depending on the spa and hotel, you may be able to get them to throw in an extra sugar body scrub or drinks for the girls.

4.      Where will the services take place? Will you all be in the same room so you can chat? Is each girl given a private treatment room? Make sure you’re comfortable with what’s being offered. If you want all your girls to be together so they can chat, don’t book a place that only offers single rooms.

5.      Check with your bridesmaids to ensure they are comfortable with the services you want to book for them. You might not mind baring it all for a bikini wax, but you may have a shy girl in the bunch who’d be mortified. Also, make sure no one is allergic to anything that might be used during their treatments.

6.      Book the package. The hotel should be able to book the entire thing for you along with the discounted rate. They will most likely offer to hold a block of rooms together for you. If you are paying for the whole thing, offer to leave a credit card number to reserve, but don’t pay until you check out satisfied at the end of the weekend.

7.      It’s your weekend. If you want a nice quiet few days alone with your friends to gab and read magazines, go for it. If you feel like going out on the town, that’s fine, too. Just be sure to let everyone know what the plan is so they can be ready.

HINT: To get started, try visiting the website SpaWeek.com - They have a guide to spas in your area, plus discounts to many different locations.

Can't shell out the cash? Try this article on Do It Yourself Home Spa Treatments.

Each member of the bridal party has his or her own specific duties. If you’re the bride, you’ll want to let each person know what you’ll need them to do. If you’re in the bridal party, you’ll want to find out what might be expected of you so there are no embarrassing omissions. Traditions have dictated over the years what each role means, but today’s brides and grooms are customizing everything, so be sure to check where you’re needed.

Maid of Honor

This lady is the first mate to the captain, the bride. She’s in charge of making sure the bride has everything she needs to get ready on the morning of the wedding including her makeup and hair products, her dress and accessories. She’s also traditionally the one to throw the bridal shower and offer up the bachelorette party supplies. There are expenses that you’ll incur as the chief bridesmaid. If you can’t afford to pay for the parties as well as your dress and shoes, think about either declining to be the Maid of Honor or asking someone to share expenses for the parties with you. Often, the other bridesmaids will step in.

Best Man

The Best Man typically throws the bachelor party. On the big day, he is in charge of getting the groom to the church on time. He’s the one who drives the groom to the ceremony. He will usher family members to their seats and walk the Maid of Honor down the aisle and escort her out after the ceremony. He’s also in charge of holding the wedding rings until they are presented during the ceremony. Often, he will sign as a witness on the marriage certificate. He’s also on the front lines scouting for any problems that may creep up the day of the wedding. He may be asked to hand out checks to vendors who have to be paid such as the restaurant, pianist, etc.

Groomsmen

The groomsmen are there to stand up for the groom and offer him moral support. They help usher family and friends to their seats at the ceremony. They are also the escort for a bridesmaid and are partnered with her for the first dance at the reception. There is some expense involved in being a groomsman. You’ll need to rent a tuxedo and shoes. You’ll also need to travel to the site and be part of the rehearsal the night before. If you can't afford the hotel or clothing expenses, think about declining the offer.

Bridesmaids

After the Maid of Honor, you’re the ones who’ve got the bride’s back. Is she missing anything? Does she need anything to eat or drink? Does she want help with her veil? You’re also there to walk down the aisle in a procession before her. You’ll need to pay for a dress and shoes plus any jewelry the bride would like you to wear. It’s suggested you help pay for the bridal shower and bachelorette party as well. At the wedding, you dance with the groomsman you’ve been paired up with and mingle so the bride sees everyone mixing and having a good time.

Flower Girl

Often a niece of the bride or groom, this little girl dresses in a mini version of the bride’s gown and is the first to walk down the aisle. She throws rose petals from a decorated basket and stands with the bridesmaids. If she is very young, she may go back to her seat with her parents. Her role after that is just to be adorable.

Ring Bearer

This is the little guy who brings the rings down the aisle, typically with or behind the flower girl. He carries them on a pillow with strings attached to hold the rings. Often he’s given plastic rings and the Best Man holds onto the actual rings. Once he makes his entrance, he usually sits down with his parents. Then, he gets to show off his dance moves at the reception.

Don't forget the bridal party gifts. Find some fun ideas on Wedding Party Gifts.

Here is a cute and “clean” favor idea for the guests at the bachelorette/stagette party.  Simply buy some large organza gift bags and fill them with things that any girl would love.  In the photo, the white bags have been filled with a tube of pink lip gloss, a heart-shaped compact mirror, and white conversation hearts with love sayings.  The package is finished off with a supersized pink (for the girls) or clear (for the bride) light-up engagement ring and a personalized hang tag that has the name of the  bride-to-be along with the party date.  The bling rings even light up so they are great when the girls are going out to a nightclub to dance the evening away.  Super cute and fun!

Just remember that bachelorette party favors don’t have to be expensive.  Things like inexpensive glow necklaces or bracelets, personalized chocolate candy bars and mint tins are great ideas for the girls too.  Of course you should consider the group when choosing your favors, penis-shaped lollipops or straws are a fun idea for wild bachelorette parties, but if the party includes mom or grandma, more conservative wedding favors (like the one shown in the photo from Weddingstar's catalog) would be more appropriate.

More bachelorette party ideas:

Roles of Bridal Party Members

Booking Bride/Bridesmaid Spa Weekend Packages