Bridal-party pampering: Plan a pre-wedding spa party with your girls
As a bride-to-be, you’ve got about a million decisions to make before The Big Day, including where to squeeze in some pre-wedding pampering for you and your fab bridesmaids. But if you can’t stomach the thought of any more research, consider this your cheat sheet for a girls-only day of beauty bliss.
If it’s fingers and toes you seek to prettify, look no further thanJulep Nail Parlor. There are four locations in the greater Seattle area, including downtown Seattle, Bellevue, and the U-District, and the parlors are pristine with sleek modern décor throughout. The mani stations are moveable, so you can always be seated close enough to chitchat with your pals, and thanks to Julep’s commitment to being green and clean, you always leave with the bottle of nail polish used during your mani (since nail polish wands and bottles can’t be sterilized after use), which makes wedding day touch-ups easy and stress-free. (And who doesn’t love a pretty parting gift?) Party packages start at $48 per person and can include manicures and pedicures for each guest, catering from Gourmando, beverages and gift bags.
If you’re thinking of treating your gang to wedding-day ‘dos, book a few chairs at Swink Style Bar, or better yet, book a private party (starting at $400) and have the place to yourselves. Swink specializes in styling hair, but makeup services are on the menu, too. The space is feminine and ethereal, with wispy fabric lining the walls, illuminated free-standing mirrors, crystal chandelier lighting and chic pops of pink to accent the soft white palette -- you just can’t help but feel pretty here. And whether you’ve decided on updos, down ‘dos, or something in between, you and your ‘maids will leave looking like a million bucks.
The treatments at Vida Spa are wellness-based, making it a prime choice for eco-minded brides. You’ll find everything from easy-going manicures to super-intense Swedana treatments (full-body steam in a cedar cabinet) on the menu, and yoga magazines in front of the fireplace in the truly relaxing lounge. Brides can book the entire spa for an hour, four hours or the whole day, or opt for a package deal, like the Bridal Party Renewal ($305 per person), which includes a 90-minute Detoxifying Swedana steam treatment and 60-minute Rejuvenating facial.
Hotel spas can sometimes feel a bit generic and impersonal, but that’s not the case at the Spaahh at Hotel 1000. Intimate and calming, the spa, located underneath Hotel 1000, is so quiet you immediately forget you’re downtown. Pedicures are a delight, especially when accompanied by a nibble or two from the hotel’s Boka Kitchen & Bar, and refreshing facials and body treatments are available, too. Bridal groups of six or more receive 15 percent off a la carte services and private use of the spa during treatment times, in addition to a bottle of bubbly to enjoy.
For the whole spa shebang, Gene Juarez is like a one-stop shop. The trendy local chain offers everything from pedicures and makeup to massage and hair services, so bridesmaids who desire different services can all be accommodated. Space isn’t an issue, even for big bridal parties, as the spas -- there are a whopping ten locations in and around Seattle -- are large and fast-paced. Spa parties are flexible and can be customized to include just about any mix of treatments you request.
