Engaged 2020 | Page 28

A Bachelorette Weekend Must “Dry Salt Therapy (Halotherapy) has been used for centuries to treat respiratory, skin, sleep and aging issues. Additionally, in the process of grinding and crushing the salt, negative ions are created which are known to improve mood, relieve stress and reduce fatigue. Wedding preparations can be especially stressful and exhausting — what bride wouldn't like to take a break from it all, if only for an hour or so? Our Salt Room Experience, with its calming atmosphere, therapeutic music and absence of distractions, is extremely relaxing and a good ‘time-out’ to spend with loved ones and just breathe.” – Syd Milliken of Just Breathe Salt Spa, justbreathesaltspa.com Yes to the Dress “Brides want to feel unique; every week it feels like we have brides looking for different things, like plain elegance or comfortability. On the designer side, pockets are big. We are also seeing them use more colors than the traditional white, ivory or champagne. They have now added soft pinks, greys, nude colors and even black. I would also say we are seeing a rise in past generations’ looks coming back, such as off-the-shoulders and bows!” – Kayla Thompson of Melissa Ashley Brides, melissaashleybrides.com Flower of the Flock “Bold colors are trending, as well as a less-classic look. A chic yet wild design.” – Semia Dunne of Flowers by Semia, flowersbysemia.com Professional Planning “About 20 percent of all weddings have a wedding planner. With a shift towards non-traditional venues, planning across long distances and couples having busy careers, wedding planners really make sense. It’s like building a house without having a general contractor or performing a play without a director — is it possible? Of course. Is it harder (and often more expensive) if you don’t? Absolutely. Wedding planners guide you through the process, do a lot of the heavy lifting and already have a great network of trusted vendors that they work with. They also know how to stretch your budget in the right way, and most importantly, allow you to live your wedding in the moment and stress-free.” – Michael Marcoux of Michael Marcoux Events, facebook.com/michaelmarcouxevents 26 | ENGAGED IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND 2020 Choosing a Caterer “Do your research to ensure you’re getting everything you’d like for the biggest day of your life. Asking your caterer how long they have worked at your particular venue, along with their company, shows the value you will receive with their services. It is always a great idea to have a tasting, as well, in order to experience the style of service and menu offerings that a caterer presents.” – Casey Stamouli of Blackstone Caterers, blackstonecaterers.com The Squad Spectrum “Mauve is very popular right now for bridesmaids. We are also seeing a lot of off-the-shoulder looks. But I think, more than anything, brides are picking a color and then allowing their bridesmaids to pick styles that complement them and that they feel comfortable in. In Spring 2020, you will see a rise in orange and mustard colors as well as some new fabrics — velvet is making a comeback!” – Kayla Thompson of Melissa Ashley Brides, melissaashleybrides.com