Pamper You and Your Bridesmaids Before the Big Day

Planning your wedding can be stressful. Thank goodness you have your maid of honor and bridesmaids there to help take care of everything, from bridesmaids dresses to the bachelorette party. Return the favor by pampering them and rewarding yourself for your hard work before the wedding. Whether it’s an-all girls trip to wine country for some tannins and tanning cream, or an at-home mani/pedi fest, there are plenty of ways to bond, unwind and relax. Explore your pampering options, big and small.

Slumber Party
If you’re going the “home-made” wedding route, or just prefer to keep things simple, host an intimate slumber party at your pad for some bonding, beautifying and beverages. Here’s a sample itinerary of what your slumber party could entail:

• 6 p.m.: Bridesmaids arrive. Tell them to come wearing something comfortable and casual since the goal is to relax and have fun.
• 6:30 p.m.: Break the ice playing a fun game like Taboo or Balderdash.
  
• 7:30 p.m.: Have take-out delivered. Thai is perfect for meat lovers and vegetarians.
  
• 8:30 p.m.: Homemade manis and pedis. There’s something about giving and getting a manicure and pedicure that makes you want to tell your deepest secrets! Your bridesmaids will have a blast getting to know each other.
  
• 10 p.m.: Have everyone put on their jammies and retire into the living room for some guilty pleasure. Serve hot cocoa with marshmallows or whipped cream, and put on romantic movies like "Casablanca" "Dirty Dancing" or "The Notebook."
  

Day Spa
Nothing gives you free reign to relax like a day spa. Escape for three to seven hours at the day spa of your choice. Find one that has sauna and jacuzzi amenities, giving you a meeting place between treatments and an activity to keep you on the relaxing train for as long as possible. Allow the girls to pick as many or as few treatments as they’d like. It’s customary for them to foot their own bill; however, if you’re feeling extra giving, go ahead and offer to pay half or the entire bill. If you’re unsure on what treatments to choose, here's a list of the most popular:

• Swedish or deep tissue massage
• Facial
  
• Spa manicure and pedicure
  
• Mud bath
  

A Unique Weekend Away
Take them to Mexico for fun in the sun at bridal boot camp! Two words describe this venture: pumping and pampering. If you run with an athletic- and health-conscious crowd, this could be your pick. These boot camps combine spa pampering with private fitness lessons in yoga, pilates and various cardio workouts to get you and your bridal party in mental and physical shape to wear their bridesmaids dresses. You’re not confined to Mexico; in fact, there are bridal boot camps located across the U.S. for bridal parties that want to indulge in resort amenities as well as health and fitness.

Here are some other options for weekend getaways for you and your gals:

• Napa and Sonoma wine country for tasting, tanning and shopping
  
• Aspen during the winter season for skiing and in-cabin massages
  
• Lake Tahoe during spring or summer to enjoy beautiful hikes and rock climbing excursions that leave body and skin feeling alive and radiant

Check Out Taking a Bridal Beauty Break
Check Out Getting Fit for Your Big Day
Check Out Fighting Wedding Planning Stress