If you ask a random sample of people, you are going to hear mixed results regarding the necessity of various spa treatments. Some people will swear by a weekly pedicure and wouldn't think of missing an appointment for a stress reducing massage. Others will tell you that their money is better spent elsewhere. Spa services can add up, but since this is your wedding, you may want to consider a little indulgence to make you relaxed and as beautiful as can be on your big day!
We have many QCA salons and spas that can accommodate your wedding party for spa treatments on the day of and leading up to the wedding. These are some of the treatments you may want to consider:
Trial Up Do and Up Do - Even if you plan on getting your hair curled by a professional, you are probably going to pay for an "up do". Many brides fork the fee over though as there is something to be said for beautiful and secure hair on your wedding day. If you have a veil or a head piece, your up do service should probably include placement and securement so that everything stays put. I plan on having a very simple style with my hair down, but I am still leaving the work to a professional. Well before the big day, you should also schedule a trial up do so that you and your stylist can have some time to find the right placement, size of curls, etc for your hair. Leaving this to the day of could be really stressful especially if you are looking for something specific. Bring pictures and ideas for inspiration. Depending on where you go, plan on investing anywhere from $50-200 plus tip on these services.
Photo-ready Make Up - You are on any given day a beautiful person, but in our world of high resolution photography, you will want to make sure that your skin texture and color looks amazing! The trend right now is to shy away from cream make up products as they can literally melt off of your face causing creases and smudges before you even get to the alter. The new mineral products and the traditional powder products seem to stay put better for the long haul in extreme weather conditions. Even if you are getting married in the Arctic Tundra, you never know what your nerves can do to your sweat glands. A professional in this field should be able to give you great advice and services on products for your skin type and desired look. Again, you will probably want to schedule a trial make up session so that you can bring inspiration pictures. For make up services, plan on spending anywhere from $25-100 plus tip.
Mani/Pedis - Next to your gorgeous smile, people will be looking at your hands the most on your wedding day. Everyone will want to look at your ring, and the photographer will probably take some close ups during the ceremony of anything you do such as signing the marriage certificate, so make sure that you get those cutticles under control and slap on a pretty color with a manicure before your wedding. Your feet are in for a long day of standing and dancing, plus I just know you have a fabulous pair of shoes to don, so make sure you get a pedicure before your wedding as well. For that matter, you may want to get one AFTER the wedding day too as your feet will need a little R and R. In my humble opinion, I think that you should get your mani/pedi taken care of the day BEFORE your wedding day. This gives your nail color plenty of time to cure so that you don't have smudges. Make sure you sit under that weird light table (I know you know what I'm talking about...what are those things called anyway??) at the nail salon for plenty of time before you get ready to leave. And for heaven's sake, take your bridal party with you! They will also be photographed, and beyond that, having someone to talk to for an hour or two other than the nail artist will be a relief. No offense nail artist people, I just think us brides will need our gal pals around us for mental support when its this close to the wedding day. Many spas offer various levels of pedicures and manicures from an "express" service to a "luxury" service. For a mani/pedi combo, plan on spending anywhere from $40 to $150 plus tip.
Massage Services - It's a few days before your wedding. You've answered a serices of a thousand questions and planned tripple back up plans for every worst-case scenario imaginable, and now you need a time out where no one can find you. There is only one occasion in the entire world this can happen - at a massage appointment. Leave your phone in your car, request that the masseuse play some soothing music, shut your eyes and your mouth for an hour, and let the stress get worked out of you. There are all kinds of massage services from a traditional rub down to a full on ass-whooping massage. You can also have yourself wrapped up and/or smeared with any number of soothing materials like mud, salts, honey (kidding), etc. Some places offer express massages all the way up to 90 minute massages. For an hour massage, plan on spending anywhere from $45-150 plus tip. Add more if you want the honey or other add ons. :)
Facials - Before I go any further please note this advice - DO NOT GET YOUR FIRST FACIAL EVER DURING THE WEEK BEFORE YOUR WEDDING. You need to have the service and the product tested on you when you would have plenty of time to heal should your face react badly. You do not want to leave this to chance and end up with swollen, red skin on your wedding day. Now if you're thinking that facials sound horrifying, please realize that I am describing extreme cases here, but do yourself a favor, and schedule maybe a series of facials leading up to your wedding over a few months period so that your esthitician can give you sound advice on your current skin condition and best products/practices. Facials can do wonders like extracting black heads, exfolating, deep moisturizing, blemish treatment, sinus relief, etc. You want that "glow" that everyone keeps raving about? Facials, baby. Plan on spending $40-100 plus tip for one facial treatment, depending on the services you need...
So where can we go to get all this done? There are plenty of amazing places in the QCA that you can visit to have any of these services done. You'll probably want to check out the John Taylor salon and day spa that is located in the new Jumers Casino in Rock Island. With a luxurous and relaxing atmosphere, you can have ALL of these services scheduled for you. You will work with extremely talented professionals who know how to make you look and feel your most beautiful! You can check out their website to see a list of their services, and give them a buzz at 309-756-4696 to schedule your appointment.
Things to consider:
- Don't forget to leave a tip for your salon/spa services. Generally speaking, ettitquette tells us to leave somewhere between 15 and 20% of your total bill (before any discount) for your tip.
- Schedule your appointments for hair/makeup/etc. well in advance of your wedding. Many places can book you six months or more in advance, and you will probably not be the only bridal party trying to get in for hair and make up on that weekend. Think ahead so you can get in to your prefered salon/spa without hassle.
- Look for inspiration photos for skin/hair/make up before going to your appointments. The person working with you should be a great listener and a skilled artist who can pull off a look close to what you want within reason.
- Don't over book yourself on your actual wedding day. You can spread your beauty appointments out so that you aren't stressed out rushing around to get everything done on that day. That would give you the opposite effect of the relaxation that these appointments are supposed to bring!
So where have you ladies and gents all gone before for these sorts of spa treatments? Where is your favorite place? Share on the message board!!
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