Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Vendor Spotlight :: Spa Scotta

A welcoming ambience, sophisticated color palette, professional staff, chic boutique and a one of a kind owner .

This Seattle spa truly has it all.

Owner Jessica Campbell's story is one of pure inspiration, and a perfect example of what can happen when you follow your true calling.

Bridetiquette recently sat down with her, to get the scoop on all things Spa.

Tell us a little about yourself….

I'm the owner of Spa Scotta, spa and chic boutique. I was born in Cleveland, raised in North Carolina, went to college in Michigan and moved to Seattle in 1993. My father was from Seattle and I always wanted to live here so I packed up my car after college and here I am.

What inspired you to start your business?

I actually started with Spa Scotta as its first employee in 1998. I was the esthetician, then manager, spa director and finally owner in 2007.
I have a passion for this business and the people in it.

What special things do you create for weddings?
When I built this new spa, I designed it to create an environment for celebrations.
The spa is able to accommodate parties and events quite easily.

What unique services do you offer to brides getting ready for their big day?
We have a fabulous package called the “Bombshell Bride” that includes a spray tan, lash extensions and a gel lacquer nail service with a complimentary manicure.

The bride leaves ready for her big day and honeymoon looking and feeling glamorous.
And, the services are designed to last so you get good quality for the price.

What sets your spa apart?

My staff + I are very dedicated to keeping ourselves educated about the latest techniques and trends so we can offer the best to our clients.

What advice can you share for all of the brides getting married this year?
Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your spa day.

Ask lots of questions.

What inspires you?
I want to be the best. I get inspired by my staff on a regular basis. We have created a strong atmosphere of creativeness and are constantly asking ourselves…”What if we tried this?”

How long have you been in business? In our 11th year.

Where can clients contact you? info@spascotta.com

Where are you located?
Our address is 4915 25th Ave NE, Suite 103W. We're in the West Northcut Landing Building, across the street from University Village.
We're also online at http://www.spascotta.com

Thanks to Jessica for sharing her passion about business & beauty.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

DIY Invitations for the Crafty Bride

So, you have a bazillion ideas about how you want your invitations to 'look'.

But alas, you have no time for a crash course in Graphic Design.

You seek to save some dough, and get that handmade look.


Here's a great new vendor source : A Crafty Bride
Their motto :: We Design. You Print.

2 friends {who just happened to graduate from the Art Institute here in Seattle} saw the need for fantastic design, but with DIY assembly.


For $300, you will receive a printable design {pdf file} for your invitation, rsvp, one enclosure and a thank you.





Brides will need a good printer, a paper cutter {an x-acto knife + ruler always worked for me}, and any embellishments they might want to add.



Obviously, this also allows Brides to print their invitations at a shop too.



It's completely up to you!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Something Blue Boutique :: Spring Bridal Sale

Something Blue is having it's Annual Spring Sale!

3 Days Only - April 17, 18 & 19th.

Be sure to call for an appointment - filling fast!
#360-466-0415

This shop is well worth the drive north to La Conner, offering exquisite dresses and accessories.

623 Morris Street
Suite E-3
La Conner, Washington 98257


Just think - you can head up to see the Tulip Festival, and find your gown too.

25% off retail ALL NEW BRIDAL GOWN ORDERS SOMETHING BLUE

**Take an additional 10% off already highly discounted "Off the Rack" Sample Sale Gowns during the 3 days only Tulip Festival Spectacular Sale.
Discontinued samples are now offered at 50% to 70% off retail**

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Bridetiquette's Wedding Anniversary

It's hard to believe it's already been 3 years.


We had a beautiful destination wedding in Hawaii.


Full of love, surrounded by family + close friends.


Here's a photograph of my husband + I on the beach.



{it goes without saying, this photograph is copyrighted. no duplication please.}

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Rachel's 40th Birthday Party :: Old Hollywood Glamour

I had the distinct pleasure of planning + coordinating a friend's 40th birthday soiree!

It went off without a hitch, and was such a blast to be part of. It happened this past Saturday night in Pioneer Square {Seattle}.

Here's her grand video entrance. Notice all of her peeps, in the role of paparazzi!


Monday, April 6, 2009

Vendor Fraud :: Do Your Homework

I don't normally blog about the 'Dark Side' of the Wedding Planning Industry, but I had such a compelling phone call from a Mother of a Bride last week, that I've decided to share her horrific story.

By reading this, I hope no other Bride + her family will have to walk the same path.

This woman's lovely daughter is getting married later in 2009, and she was now looking just for Wedding Day Coordination. {Unfortunately, Go2Girl Events is already booked on her daughter's wedding day}

We ended up having a 20 minute conversation though, about all that they had been through during the last 3 months of 2008.

The Bride to Be felt she'd really done her homework on researching and choosing a Wedding Planner, having done plenty of Internet Research, viewing the planner's site multiple times, and speaking on the phone.
They met in person, where a contract was exchanged, and the bride paid a 50% deposit {$2500} to the planner.

This planner {who's name the Mother of the Bride never shared} had advertising in the all the 'right spots', and had plenty of pictures of past weddings on their website.

This planner then contacted the Bride to Be ~ 2 weeks after payment, to share that she wouldn't be able to help plan her wedding in the end.
The planner explained that she normally only does very 'upscale' weddings, and that the Bride's $50,000 budget wouldn't suffice.

The planner further explained that she was going to work on another wedding the same weekend, that was much more elaborate. {A Winery location in Eastern Washington}.

No, I'm not making this up. These are the details that were shared with me over the phone.

What is even MORE stunning, is what happened after that.

The planner promised that the $2500 deposit would be returned in a timely manner. Needless to say, the Bride to Be + her family have failed to see one dime returned.

The Bride's family filed a grievance with the Better Business Bureau {which the planner was a member of - as it's a fee-based organization}, and the Washington State Attorney General's Office.

There has yet to be any financial resolution, but the toll it's taken on the Bride + Groom, as well as their family has been extensive.

This is to be one of the happiest experiences in a family's life, to share in the planning of a Wedding.

The Mother of the Bride said that the family took a 3 month hiatus from all things Wedding, as they were completely devastated.

So, what can you do to not fall into this trap?

#1 - Trust your gut. A bride should never feel rushed to sign + pay the day of the initial meeting.
#2 - Check + recheck for a businesses validity and reputation.
#3 - Ask for references {past clients, even vendors they’ve worked with}.
#4 - Review the contract with a fine tooth comb. If there's a clause in there that you don't agree with, ask that there be an addendum created.

Remember that you're in the Driver's Seat.
Make decisions that you're comfortable with.