spa-wedding

6 Steps to Hosting a Spa Wedding

Getting married is stressful enough, for the couple and their guests, so consider diffusing the difficulty by celebrating at a spa.

Lisa Marie Hart Weddings

spa-wedding

If you’re never heard of a spa wedding, that’s because few people are brave enough to host one! OK, that’s not quite true.

A spa wedding is certainly not for everyone. But for people who envision a peaceful gathering that forgoes cutting it on the dance floor in favor of lounging around in spa robes, this might be your dream theme.

Venue choice is key. A spa-style wedding calls for a quiet, intimate destination that takes the party down a notch before it even begins. Whether you book a private estate or a spa hotel, part of the experience is a supreme level of privacy that allows tranquility and meaningful time together. Reserving a smaller, intimate property paired with a modest-sized guest list is often the winning recipe for a successful spa-inspired event.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RIVIERA PALM SPRINGS
Relaxation is a gift inside the Azure Spa and Salon at the Riviera Palm Springs.

But even larger venues can build privacy into your event design. The Spa Courtyard at Omni Rancho Las Palmas, for example, opens from the resort’s spa out to a poolside celebration space. Completely private and naturally gorgeous, it welcomes an alfresco reception of as many as 150 guests.

Six steps to a successful spa wedding:

1.

Send an invitation that sets expectations. Be upfront about the spa theme and the relaxed ambiance. Provide details about optional add-on spa treatments, suggested attire, etc.

PHOTO BY COLOR ME RAD
Your invitation gets the word out: This is no ordinary wedding; it’s a spa wedding.

2.

Provide spa robes for bridal party members — they’ll need them! Your wedding weekend starts with a spa day before the wedding. The guys might opt for their own spa day, although they’re more likely to hot foot it to the golf course and a beer at the 19th hole.

PHOTO BY AARON DELESIE
Your best girls will wear their spa robes all weekend long.

3.

Choose natural décor in a spa palette. Incorporate succulents, shells, branches, driftwood, stones, grass, and carefree florals in a theme designed to soothe the soul. Mint green and blush pink; white and pale blue; or lavender and pink are tranquil combinations. Or adopt a palette and décor from your favorite spa environment.

PHOTO BY COLOR ME RAD
Natural elements at this Cree Estate wedding included plants on floating swings.

4.

Serve it up like a spa. Light and fresh, spa-inspired cuisine is surely on the menu. Consider cucumber and fresh fruit water and a tea bar with green and exotic teas in addition to cocktails that incorporate these ingredients. Spa Girl Cocktails, whose founder lives in Palm Springs, offers a bottled, low-calorie Spa Martini that blends ultrapremium vodka with a hint of cucumber and other all-natural flavors.

PHOTO COURTESY SPA GIRL COCKTAILS
Spa flavors in your menu and cocktails keep the theme fresh and lively.

5.

Set a musical mood to match your venue. A toned-down soundtrack or live music mellows the nerves and floats on the breeze. Consider a live Tibetan bowl player, harp musician, or a piano or acoustic guitar player. The spa theme can be loose or literal. Tibetan bells and chimes, Peruvian flute, hang drum music, or even an acoustic folk duo can do the trick.

PHOTO COURTESY OMNI RANCHO LAS PALMAS
The Spa Courtyard at Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort combines privacy with an intimate outdoor locale and is ready for your spa music.

6.

Host a post-wedding pool day. Unwind after the affair with poolside hand and scalp massage, infused water stations, fresh fruit trays and light lunch buffet, chilled facial spray, face cloths on ice, pool floats, and spa music.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOMKAT STUDIO AND FUNBOY POOL FLOATS
A pool day after the wedding offers another opportunity to visit and unwind together.

Lisa Marie Hart has been writing about weddings since serving as an editor at Bridal Guide magazine in New York City in 1999. Since 2006, she has been editor of the annual Palm Springs Life Weddings & Honeymoon Planner. Away from the laptop, she creates tiered cupcake stands for weddings and celebrations at www.highteaforalice.com