Bridal Bliss
Amanda Pressner
As the clock winds down and pre-wedding pressure builds up, squeezing in some quality time with yourself becomes more crucial than ever.
Having a luxurious treatment at a local or destination spa can be one of the most effective ways to recharge and rejuvenate. If the standard Swedish massage or cleansing facial is a bit too basic for your tastes, you’ve got a wealth of new options to choose from. Thanks to a growing demand for more effective, sophisticated and internationally inspired offerings, healing therapies are making their way to the US from all around the globe.
Body polishing and scrubs
Featuring mouthwatering ingredients such as brown sugar, oatmeal and fresh fruit, “facial and body polishing are very popular with brides-to-be as they prepare for their weddings,” says Catharina Panjaitan, director of the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Dubai. “These treatments really get them ready for the special day, as exfoliation removes dead skin cells and surface impurities, revealing a healthy, radiant complexion.” Most scrub treatments are followed by a shower to cleanse the body of exfoliants and excess oils used during the treatment. If you can, look for a spa that utilizes a vichy shower like the spa at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina. The most indulgent benefit of this five- to seven-headed shower is that you don’t actually have to get up after your treatment – the water simply rains down as you lie on a cushioned table, melting away any remaining tension in your muscles. While you can ask to be draped with a towel to preserve modesty, don’t be afraid to try it in the buff for maximum melt-into-butter benefits.
Soothing bath soaks
For hundred of years, therapeutic waters have been used in bathing rituals to cleanse the body of impurities and boost overall well-being. While you might not have a natural hot spring conveniently located in your area, you can still achieve relaxation and improved skin condition by opting for a soak such as the Aqua Latte Milk Bath offered at Aria Spa at the Vail Cascade Resort in Colorado. Adding ingredients such as milk or honey to the tub can soothe a bride’s dry, winter-roughened skin, while introducing juniper, citrus or cypress to the water helps to enhance her circulation, improve tone and eliminate toxins. To increase relaxation, you can follow up with an aromatherapy massage infused with calming scents such as Lavender or Ylang Ylang,” recommends Marissa Edwards the spa director at Aria. Several spas throughout the Long Island area offer romantic soaks for two complete with Jacuzzi jets, essential oils, and champagne or fruit smoothies. If you’re looking for a spa buddy, don’t hesitate to include your guy in some good, clean fun.
Thalassotherapy (and body Wraps)
While the name might be a bit difficult to pronounce, thalassotherapy simply refers to treatments that feature the use of healing marine ingredients. Body wraps, such as the kind offered by I-Spa at Intercontinental Hong Kong, draw upon various minerals from the ocean (such as magnesium, potassium and calcium) to cleanse, soften and enliven the body. If you’re trying to lose those last few prewedding inches, wraps are often ideal for temporary slimming by releasing impurities from the body, and those featuring marine mud can be a great choice for regenerating stressed out skin during the harsher winter months. You’ll likely be cocooned for 10 to 25 minutes, so ask the therapist to leave your arms free if you’d like a little more room to move.
Watsu water treatments
This newly stylish therapy (Jennifer Lopez is a fan) involves floating in a waist-deep pool of water that’s the exact same temperature as your skin. A trained therapist works to support your body, allowing you to effectively be released from the pull of gravity for the length of your session. After placing one arm under you knees and another under your back, she’ll lead you through a gentle series of stretches, movements and twists to help release tension in your limbs and joints. Many brides find that totally turning their body and mind over to another person helps built trust, and allows them to achieve total relaxation not found with land-based treatments.
Yoga add-ons
Exercise is another critical – but often overlooked – part of staying stress-free and healthy during the days leading up to your wedding. Fortunately, many spas now offer training-and-treatment packages, which allow you to experience the meditative benefits of yoga followed by a soak, scrub or massage. If it’s your first time doing a sun salutation or attempting a downward dog, opt for a class that teaches a more gentle form of yoga (such as Kundalini) or schedule a private lesson with a certified instructor.