With all the stress that comes with planning a wedding, a bride definitely needs some relaxation before the big day! Check out how our own Jennifer relaxed with all of the important women in her life before she walked down the aisle!

A few weeks before my wedding, I planned to bring the special women in my life to the spa for a day of relaxation and celebration. I wanted to do something to honor and thank them for their support and help with planning the wedding I’d dreamed about, and to also include my older sister, my 16-year-old niece, my mom, and my future mother- and sisters-in law.

The idea of reserving a Cabaña for the day came to me quickly, as they’ve been very popular for bridal and bachelorette parties, plus I knew there would be something at the spa for everyone to enjoy.  Being the bride and host, I was relieved to have Cabaña Concierges to take care of all the arrangements during the day so I could relax and enjoy the company of the wonderful women I’d invited.

When we arrived to the cabana that morning, I was delighted to find a beautiful platter of chocolate covered strawberries and chilled champagne – a terrifically thoughtful gift from my colleagues at the spa!

Our group spent the day soaking in the Terrace Spa, sipping on lava flows, mimosas and sparkling cider, devouring chocolate covered strawberries in between snacking on pizzas and salad, gushing over wedding details, and just laughing and having a great time. Later in the day, my sister and her daughter muddied each other up in Club Mud, some of the girls went down to the Grotto, and others had booked massages and body treatments.  It was an amazing day, full of great memories and it was the perfect way for me to unwind and get even more excited about the wedding!
For more information on renting a cabana for that special occasion in your life, click here!

Once upon a time there was a man named Alex and a woman named Cynthia. A few weeks ago Alex called Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa to arrange the perfect proposal in paradise. Yesterday was the big day and Alex had everything planned – they enjoyed time together in their cabana, ate lunch, and then Cynthia enjoyed a pedicure and manicure (so she could show off her new sparkly ring later with perfectly polished nails – Alex was so thoughtful!). While the couple was enjoying their Grotto experience, the cabana staff sprinkled rose petals around the cabana and set up the champagne and chocolate covered strawberries just the way Alex had wanted. When they arrived back at their cabana Cynthia was pleasantly surprised as Alex proposed. And she said YES! We are so excited for Alex and Cynthia and we were thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful moment in their love story.

Attention all you brides out there! Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with the wedding planning process? While you no doubt have a ton of things on your wedding to-do list, one thing a bride must do: RELAX and enjoy this special time! As someone who recently tied the knot, I know all too well the amount of time and energy that goes into planning a wedding, so hopefully I can help to alleviate some stress with a few suggestions:

• Set up a series of facial appointments to get your skin ready for all those pictures! Your esthetician can recommend the best products to help you work toward your skincare goals at home.
• Your wedding is a special time to enjoy with friends and family so make sure you get quality time together. How about asking your future mother-in-law or sister-in-law to join you for your next mani/pedi appointment?
• Schedule massages to work out those tie-the-knots in you shoulders. I’d highly recommend the Stress Reliever!
• Want a natural-looking tan? Try the Infinity Spray Tan at our Brea location to get an all over, even glow for the big day.
• Need flawless makeup for engagement photos, the bridal shower or The Big Day? Call us to schedule your appointment in Brea.
• Grab your best girls and spend an entire day relaxing in one of our cabanas at the Hot Springs. Cabanas are perfect for bridal showers and bachelorette parties – call and ask for Georgia and she’ll help you plan your day. Your cabana concierge will take care of your party all day so everyone can simply relax and enjoy!
• Bring your fiance to the spa for some quality time together. Leave the bridal magazines and checklists at home and take a day for just the two of you to enjoy each other’s company.

If you’re still in planning mode and want to check out some great vendors, make sure to stop by the Brea Bridal Show on January 30 from 11-3 to get some inspiration, vendor contacts, and of course, visit Glen Ivy’s booth for a chance to win some pre-wedding pampering prizes!

We’ll also be at the following bridal shows coming up so stop by to say hello:
Jan. 31 – Coyote Hills Bridal Show (Fullerton, CA)
Feb. 18 – Corona Public Library Bridal Show (Corona, CA)

We’d love to hear from you: Have you been to a bridal shower or bachelorette party at Glen Ivy? What’s your special memory of wedding festivities at Glen Ivy?

As you all know, Elizabeth and Jennifer set up at the Wedding Expo which took place at the Corona Public Library on Thursday, February 12th, 2009. I stopped by to say HI to guests and to see if the rumors were true- AND THEY WERE, there were cake samples!

Here are a few photographs of the event:

While we were there, we collected spa goer forms from guests to raffle off two admission passes to the Hot Springs Spa. Best wishes to our winner, Gwen!! We look forward to seeing you at the spa real soon!

Cabanas were a hot topic at the wedding expo! Not only are they great for bridal parties, but also for birthdays, anniversaries or just because you deserve it!!

Congratulations to all the brides (and grooms of course) – we wish you the best for peaceful planning and a beautiful wedding!

Tomorrow Elizabeth and I will be at the Corona Public Library Wedding Expo from 5 to 8 p.m. This will be our second wedding-related event of the year and I’m really looking forward to it since the first one was so much fun. (my fingers are crossed for delicious appetizers and cake samples again!!)

There are going to be tons of fantastic vendors at the library so be sure to stop by the Glen Ivy booth, say hi and enter for a chance to win spa admission passes to Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa!

We’ll be sure to post pictures next week.

Janell and me at our Glen Ivy table

Some of the amazing wedding and themed cakes that were on display

Guests watching the bridal fashion show inside the banquet room

The wedding ceremony site at Coyote Hills Golf Course

Wedding season is just around the corner and to help brides prep, plan and de-stress during their special time, Glen Ivy will be at the Winter Bridal Show at Coyote Hills Golf Course in Fullerton on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

I’m eager to share what Glen Ivy has to offer brides as they prepare for the Big Day and all the celebrations that surround this joyous time in their lives. If you’re a bride-to-be, the vendor showcase at Coyote Hills is sure to be full of great planning resources and ideas. Stop by the Glen Ivy table and say hi! I’ll be sure to post photos from the event next week.

Have you been to a bridal shower or bachelorette party at Glen Ivy? Or perhaps you were a part of a bridal party that had a spa day to prepare for the wedding? We’d love to hear your special memory of wedding festivities at Glen Ivy!