Ask Mary is an advice column for readers to ask Editor, Mary Hughes, for answers to their spa-related questions. Spa professionals and readers are invited to ask for advice at:[email protected]
Dear Mary,
I am spa owner and I have to admit that bridal wedding parties are a challenge for service providers. Bridal parties show up late, change their minds about service choices at the last minute, or they don't show up at all! I'm not sure I want to offer wedding services anymore. Can you help me with these issues and offer some insight?
Elizabeth R.
Spa owner in Ontario
Dear Elizabeth,
Sounds like you have had your fill – and cringe when you hear Here Comes the Bride!
I've got a few suggestions: Your reception staff are the go-between and point-of-communication. They need to be really clear on your policies and communicate that pleasantly to bridal groups or any groups for that matter. I think you should instill a policy – for groups larger than four – that your spa needs a credit card on file to hold the reservation. In addition, you should have a no-show or cancellation policy in place. Front desk should send a confirmation email of what the bridal party has ordered and reminder two to five days in advance. Try to get e-mail addresses and telephone numbers for everyone in the party so that the spa can contact them directly. The bride is pretty stressed and harried at this point, so this will help elevate her stress. As a spa provider, remember that the bridal party can be pretty stressed the day of the event Offering nutritional snacks, calming teas and fruit-infused water might be a better choice than champagne and chocolates! Anyway you shake it, brides need spas – so just try to be understanding, do your due diligence and it will all work out!