12 Ideas for a Pre-Wedding Spa Day At Home + Checklist Printables

In the months leading up to your wedding, there can be many moving parts. Between coming up with a guest list, carefully selecting vendors, sending wedding invites,and choosing the perfect honeymoon destination, if you aren’t careful, it can get a little out of control.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or just need to recharge, a spa day at home can be the perfect break. The key to any great spa day is to make it your own. Whether your ideal day is a relaxing aromatherapy soak in the tub, an invigorating body scrub, or a restorative stretching session, plan the day to do things that you enjoy.

So how, exactly, do you do an at-home spa session? Let's take a look at how to plan the perfect at-home spa day—whether you prefer to relax solo, with your spouse-to-be, or surrounded by your closest friends:

Benefits of Having a DIY Spa Day at Home

Before we jump into how to create the perfect at-home spa experience, let's quickly touch on why you'd want to have a DIY spa day to begin with.

A pre-wedding at-home spa day offers a host of benefits for the soon-to-be married, including:

• It can help you unwind before your big day. There's no denying that the months leading up to the wedding can be stressful. Planning a DIY spa can help you carve out time for purposeful relaxation—which can help you unwind and better deal with stress as your big day approaches.
• It can help you look and feel your best. You want to walk into your wedding looking and feeling your best—and at-home spa treatments can help get you there. Want your skin to glow as you walk down the aisle? Incorporate a brightening face mask. Want to feel totally zen in the days before your wedding? Make sure your at-home spa day includes plenty of relaxing activities, like a long bubble bath or a massage from your partner. The point is, with the right treatments, your at-home spa day can make you look and feel like your best self—and what better day to look and feel that way than your wedding day?
• It's more affordable than hitting an actual spa. Spa treatments can be expensive. Hosting a DIY spa day can help you reap all the benefits of more expensive spa treatments—without the hefty price tag.

Solo Spa Day at Home

Wedding planning is often a collaborative effort. You may chat with your partner about guest lists, email your coordinator about linens, and call your dad to answer a question about his speech all within an hour. With so much going on, it can be hard to step back and focus on your needs. This is a special season of life, so take time to appreciate everything—or it could slip by. Carve out a day to focus on your body and mind, prioritize time to yourself, and celebrate in the comfort of your own home. Below are some of the best ways to maximize "you-time" and take full advantage of a solo spa day.

1. Kick out all distractions.

To kick off your relaxation session, remove all of the technology from the space. Since so much of work and wedding planning is done through email, social media, and text, a disrupting message can come through at any time. Do yourself a favor and leave it all outside. This will help you detach from the busyness of it all and focus on yourself.

2. Use a door hanger.

To ensure that no one disrupts your peaceful spa schedule, hang up a printable door hanger. These fun designs will tell everyone in your house that you are taking a break and they should come back later.

3. Take a long bath.

One of the best parts of an at-home spa day is your bathtub. Unlike a spa, your home is a comfortable place where you can truly relax. During your pre-wedding pampering day, take 30 minutes or more to relax in a bath with warm water. Add a few drops of essential oils to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy (for example, eucalyptus oil can help you relax—while peppermint oil has a more invigorating effect). To decrease distractions, pull down an eye mask and listen to calming music. This is a great time to get in tune with yourself and release all of your built-up stress.

4. Give yourself a DIY mani-pedi.

Taking a trip to the salon is always a nice break, but no one knows your hands and feet better than you. Carve out some time to exfoliate your hands and feet with a textured scrub; then, soak them in warm water and follow with lotion and a massage. If you want to get extra creative, finish your at-home manicure and pedicure with some polish and cuticle oil. This self-care activity will not only help you relax during your spa day, it will make your hands look like a million bucks with your new bling.

5. Remember to wear your masks.

Masks are some of the best at-home spa day treatments you can do during a solo spa day. Once they are applied, sit back and relax while your body benefits from the ingredients. Apply your mask before a warm bath to really enhance the experience.

Hair Masks

Hair masks are not only relaxing activities during an at-home spa day, they can also help you prep your hair for the big day. There are many natural ingredients that may be in your kitchen right now that can add some extra shine and hydration to your locks. For best results, apply the recipe to your hair, put it in a bun or pull it back, and let it sit for 30+ minutes. Here are a few natural DIY recipes to inspire you:

Olive Oil + Coconut Oil + Essential Oil This hydrating recipe is the perfect choice for your relaxing day at home. The two oils will moisturize and boost the shine in your hair while the scent from the essential oils will add to the atmosphere. For a soothing smell, add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the mix.

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 3 drops of essential oil

Honey + Coconut Oil + ACV Everyone wants to look their best on their wedding day and shiny hair can be a big part of that look. If you are lacking luster, try this apple cider vinegar mask during your self-care day. This nourishing combination will leave you feeling refreshed and polished at the end of your at-home treatment.

• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp ACV

Avocado + Olive Oil + Honey From avocado ice cream to avocado french fries, it is safe to say this fatty fruit can do no wrong. In addition to its endless food applications, avocados make an excellent hydrator for all hair types from natural curls to straight strands. Pro tip: choose a really ripe avocado to ensure you get a creamy result.

• 1 small avocado
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp honey

Face Masks

In the months leading up to your wedding, skincare is a great way to prepare for your big day and show yourself a little extra love. During your spa day at home, prepare a mixture of some of your favorite hydrating ingredients, and apply it before you sit back in a warm bath.

Pro tip: before applying to your face, do a patch test on your wrist to ensure that you’re not sensitive to any ingredients.

Matcha Mask for Sensitive Skin It can be hard to find skincare options for sensitive skin. If you are looking for a relaxing face mask that won’t irritate your skin, look in your kitchen and swap the chemicals for natural options. This recipe uses honey and matcha powder to reduce inflammation, and oil to hydrate. Plus, the vibrant green tea adds a beautiful pop of color to your spa day!

• 1½ tsp of matcha powder
• 1 tbsp of honey
• 1 tsp of olive oil

Honey Hydrator for Dry Skin If you are looking for an extra boost of hydration while you relax, try this moisturizing mixture of coconut oil and honey. This two-ingredient mask is just as easy to prepare as it is to apply. After spreading the mask on your face, let it sit for 15–30 minutes and wash with warm water.

• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp of honey

Turmeric Treatment for Oily Skin Shiny engagement rings and smiles are welcome during the nuptials. Shiny faces are not. Prep for your big day with this relaxing and oil-busting treatment. This simple mixture combines soothing aloe vera with antioxidant-rich turmeric for a spicy and colorful mask.

• 1½ tsp turmeric powder
• 3 tbsp aloe vera

Couples Spa Day at Home

Though wedding planning with your partner can be challenging, it can also be a strengthening experience for both of you. To ensure that the two of you tackle this season together, make sure to build in alone time during the months leading up to the wedding. The whole event, after all, is celebrating the union between you and your love. A spa day at home is a great way to spend time together. You can spend the whole day focusing on each other, relaxing quietly together, or a combination of both. Do whatever feels refreshing to you!

6. Use an at-home spa checklist.

Print out an at-home spa checklist to prepare for your soothing spa day with your sweetie. This will help the two of you shop and create everything you need for your time together. A little extra preparation will make your day relaxing and completely stress-free.

7. Set the scene.

Before starting your relaxing day, take a few moments to set the scene. Adding a few details can completely transform your space into the spa of your dreams. To start, choose a few candles and dim the lights if possible. This will soften the mood and allow your eyes to take a break from harsh fluorescent lighting. Next, choose a relaxing playlist that both you and your partner enjoy. If you chose to kick your phones out for the day, use a smart speaker or record player. Lastly, layout your favorite cozy robes so that you can lounge comfortably all afternoon.

8. Elevate the mood with scent.

Scent is an easy way to create a relaxing environment. There are a few key scents — such as lavender, lemon, and cinnamon — that are popular choices for relaxation, but if your favorite smell is pancake syrup then find a way to include that into your day. Whichever scent you enjoy is the best choice for you. Most spa and bath products, like bath bombs or salts, have scented ingredients, but if you would like to add a burst of additional scent, try using candles or oils.

Candles

Candles are a great way to add some romance to your at-home spa while introducing soothing scents. For a relaxing mood, try a lavender-scented soy candle or liven things up with a sweet cherry blossom candle.

Essential Oils

If you would rather not burn candles, scented oils are a fantastic alternative. Whether you choose to diffuse it into the air, drop some in your bath, or massage it into your skin, the scents are sure to please. Try choosing the scent with your partner to ensure both of you enjoy it.

9. Take turns massaging each other.

A massage is a great way to take some time and focus on each other. Though professional masseuses practice for years to perfect their technique, when it comes to giving your partner a back rub, there is no wrong way to go about it. Just spend some time focusing on your partner and listening to what they need. To elevate the massage, try using body oil instead of lotion.

Group Spa Day at Home

Whether you want to host this day for a wedding party or for a pre-wedding pamper session with bridesmaids, taking time to relax with friends is good for the body and soul. Before the session, decide whether you want to complete activities together or just sit and relax. Either way, making sure the group is on the same page is the best way to ensure that everyone enjoys their time.

10. Make it a special day.

Handing out thoughtful goodies is a great way to mark the day as a special occasion. These favors can be as simple as fuzzy socks to stay cozy with a face mask, or as intricate as spa-day gift boxes. Whatever you choose to do, a little personalization can go a long way.

11. Use recipe menus to select “services”.

Before the event, print out some “service” menus with recipes for your spa day so everyone can see the options. These recipe menus have simple prep steps for each activity and recipes for your group to put together. This lays out the activities in a thoughtful and organized way to reduce stress and allow the relaxation to commence.

12. Get creative with self-care recipes.

Kick off the session with creative recipes and use your new creations throughout the day. To elevate this activity, set out some small containers and printable wellness favor labels that guests can take home.

Face Masks

Face masks are the best for at-home group spa days. You and your closest friends can sit around with colorful face masks, talking, and sipping mimosas. Get everyone involved by creating your own. Set out the ingredients for the turmeric treatment for oily skin (jump to recipe) or matcha mask for sensitive skin(jump to recipe) and let each person choose which to create.

Bath Salt Mix

Making bath salts is an easy and fun activity to do as a group. Set out some basic ingredients, such as Epsom salt, baking soda, and sea salt, and then let everyone choose their favorite essential oils and coloring to add. This allows each person to pick their favorite scent and color for soaking their feet and hands. Pro tip: to elevate foot and hand soaks, slice some lemons and oranges, and drop them into the water. The result is Insta-worthy and the citrus smells heavenly.

Base Recipe

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• 1/4 cup sea salt
• 1/4 cup baking soda

Customization Options

• 8–10 drops of essential oil
• Food coloring (optional)
• Flower petals, sliced fruit, fresh herbs (optional)

Lip Scrub

The base of any DIY lip scrub is sugar, oil, and honey. Set out these ingredients for everyone and then let them go crazy with additions. You can add brown sugar for a sweet scrub or coffee grounds for an energizing option.

Base Recipe

• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp coconut oil or almond oil
• 1 tsp honey
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract

Customization Options

• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp coffee grounds

Enjoy, Relax, and Unwind With The Perfect At-Home Spa Experience

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or just need some pampering, an at-home spa day can be the best way to spend a Saturday. So take a day off from filling out your wedding registry and playing with your seating chart to focus on yourself on your own, with your partner, or alongside your closest friends. You’ve got this!