When we were planning our wedding, I kept saying there needs to be a wedding leave, just like a maternity leave. You get wedding week off, paid or unpaid, to plan. Because wedding week, oh boy. It's a bunch of running around and coordinating, stress and no sleep. And if you throw in working a full-time job, it's a lot.
We were so lucky that my parents came down from New York for our wedding week to help us. They stayed in our guest bedroom, woke up earlier than me, and did a ton of wedding tasks. My dad made our card box, my parents stuffed organza bags filled with candy, and helped deliver wedding welcome bags.
Pete and I hardly saw each other that week. We were both running around, visiting with family members who came to town. I had said we should make appointments for a couple's massage during wedding week, but we never had time to.
But if you can, oh my gosh, you need to schedule a couple's massage during wedding week.
Why You Need A Couple's Massage During Wedding Week
So we missed out on a couple's massage during wedding week, but we actually we able to schedule one during our trip to the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa when we were visiting in June. It. Was. Amazing.
We walked into the spa together, then were each lead to separate locker rooms. We changed into robes and slippers, then locked up our clothing. Pete was waiting for me in a co-ed waiting room. Moments later, before we were really able to sit and chat there, we were brought to a couple's massage room.
If you've never had a couple's massage before, it's kind of a funny thing. The room has two massage tables, one for each of you. Your masseuse speaks to you while his talks to him. They ask you what your desired firmness is, if you have any areas you want to target, what aromatherapy you would like to smell, and, in the case of The Heavenly Spa at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, you are asked to choose a rock: gratitude, love, or hope. That is placed below your face and is what you will reflect on during the massage.
I picked hope. Pete picked gratitude.
The masseuses leave and give you a moment to take off your slippers and robe. Now, in case you don't know, you can leave your underwear on during your massage if you choose. I would recommend removing your bra because the strap will get in the way of your back massage. They never see your booty. It's covered at all times with a blanket during your massage, but I still leave something on because I feel more comfortable. And you want to be comfortable during your massage. If you're not, you won't relax.
So you hang your robe and get back on the bed, under the blanket. The masseuses come back in and for 50 or 80 minutes (depending on what you choose), you are in a calm, relaxed state. The only sounds, really, are the masseuses asking if the pressure is okay and you and your fiance mumbling a yes.
And that's why it's kind of a funny thing. I like talking. And I feel like with Pete feet away, I should be talking to him. But instead, I'm laying there feet away while another woman rubs him down. And at the same time, he's laying feet away from me while a strange man rubs me down. Of course, they're professionals, this is their job, and there's no harm in the situation. But it sort of feels funny if it's not something you've done before.
If you haven't, though, do it. Please. Do it. Spend the money and do it. Shoot, write the money into your wedding budget if that will help.
After the massage, when you're feeling completely relaxed and the weight of wedding planning and wedding week has faded, the masseuses leave and you put your robe and slippers back on. You open the door and they're waiting for you with drinks (water for me, a mimosa for Pete), and you walk back to the co-ed waiting room.
We were so lucky that there wasn't anyone else in the room at the time, so we were able to sit and relax, just us. There was trail mix (which I promptly ate) and notebooks to read. They were signed by couples who were there before, mostly by men who were all there with the most beautiful woman in the world. There were couples on honeymoons, ones on anniversaries, and others on babymoons. Different couples, different reasons, same love and relaxation in their messages. To read through those affirmations, when you're so tranquil but especially if you are days away from getting married, you will cry. The emotions will overwhelm you. And there's something so beautiful and so special in that.
When we were ready, we went back to the locker rooms to shower and get dressed. We then went to the pool and relaxed in the hot tub (because we were told it really helps your muscles after a massage).
It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon together, but in quiet. It's the exact pause you need before your wedding. Trust me.
BRIDAL BABBLE: Would you get a couple's massage during wedding week?
Speaking of Hilton Head Island ...
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