Plan a cosy bridemaids’ night in, Your Scottish Wedding-style
- ThePlus Audio
Please click here to listen to this article
Post features gifted items from ishga, Purbeck Candle, Arran Sense of Scotland and Little Light PR
Wedding planning. Sometimes it feels like a never-ending to do list of fittings, tastings and showcases.
And while all of those are fun (we’re suckers for trying canapés) it can sometimes feel like rallying a small army to get to the finish line.
Luckily among your ranks are your besties, the girls (or guys) who’ll be there by your side on the big day, and for the little landmarks along the way.
So amidst the wedmin and dress appointments, not to mention décor DIY nights, it’s nice to take some time for a wee girls’ pamper session and treat them.
With that in mind, the girls of Team YSW donned our jammies and fluffy robes for a luxurious girls’ night in…
After a super-busy day working the Saturday of The Scottish Wedding Show and handing out hundreds of copies of our gorgeous September issue of the magazine, me (Katie), Laura, Ashleigh and Abbey made our way to Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort where we were staying for the night.
We chilled in the Great Hall, sampling the delicious offerings from the Lounge menu before changing into our hotel robes and slippers and hanging out in Abbey and Ashleigh’s beautiful room, which looked out on the fountain and manicured grounds where we shot our latest front cover.
Think teenage sleepover but with much boojier vibes and far nicer products to sample which we highly recommend for a nice treat for your maids.
Zen music and soft lighting on and first up to trial were the chilled gold collagen undereye masks gifted to us by The Kind Face Beauty at the show.
After hours on our feet and an early start these were soooo appreciated and we swear they helped combat the dark circles the next day.
ALL PHOTOS | Laura A Tiliman Photography
But if those weren’t enough a couple of us doubled up, using the Omnilux eye brightener (rrp £96.80) I’d previously trialled. (You can read the full review here).
Both of these we reckon would be a great way to help you and your ‘maids kick back and relax the night before the wedding, once all the last-minute décor details are in place and it’s time for bed.
And if you feel you need to treat your entire face to little freshen Laura from our team recommends the full Omnilux Contour Face mask (rrp £350.90).
While Ashleigh, Abbey and I all had a wee shot on the night, Laura’s been using it religiously for the last few weeks and here’s what she thinks so far…
“Using my LED mask for just 10 minutes each day over the past month has truly made a difference to my skin.
“It feels brighter, with a noticeable improvement in evenness of tone.
“The mask sessions are like a mini spa experience —soothing, refreshing, and a perfect way to pamper myself every night before bed.
“It’s become a simple yet indulgent ritual that makes me feel like I’m investing in self-care every time I use it.
“Stay tuned for my full review, coming on the YSW website in November.”
A scent of calm
Apart from our hi-tech samples we’ve also been checking out a range of gorgeous candles which would be perfect for setting the tone for your wedding.
Sure, you could simply consider the look and sounds of your wedding but one way to elevate the entire day is to choose a signature wedding scent.
I’ve written about it here before and if I were to have my wedding all over again it’s definitely something I’d consider.
Nothing sets a romantic atmosphere quite like soft candlelight flickering, especially for an autumn or winter wedding.
And scent is one way to bring you right back to your wedding day, years later, reminding you exactly how you felt in that moment.
We tried a number of gorgeous candles from companies based here in the UK.
First up, Laura tested the ishga Hebridean Dreams Candle.
We’re big fans of ishga products which happen to be stocked by some of our favourite spas across the country, including Mar Hall, and we were sure to try out the shampoos and shower gels after our morning swims.
Nothing makes you feel indulgent and pampered quite like a product that instantly takes you back to your favourite spa day.
And the candles have the same effect. Made from hand-poured soya wax, lighting the candle is one way to set the tone for a relaxed night before the big day.
Laura says, “This candle is perfect for a thoughtful bridesmaid gift, it’s such a luxurious treat that transported me to a serene, luxurious spa the moment I lit it.
“The soothing blend of lavender and rose geranium created a calming atmosphere, while hints of juniper and lemongrass add a refreshing, fresh touch.
“Its balanced aroma is both relaxing and revitalizing, perfect for unwinding after a long day.
“The fragrance lingered beautifully and it filled the room with a sense of tranquillity and a mini spa session at home.”
As lovers of ishga we also sampled a few other products from the self care body set (£58.00) which includes ishga Invigorating Organic Body Oil 30ml, ishga Hebridean Sea Salt Scrub 50ml, the 9cl ishga Hebridean Dreams Candle and ishga Invigorating Bath Salts 60g.
Ashleigh road-tested the Invigorating body scrub and was impressed!
“This body oil is such a treat for brides and bridesmaids looking to boost their pre-wedding glow!” she says.
“I decided to throw it in my bath as the bottle suggested, and wow, it felt like stepping into a five-star spa right at home.
“My skin came out super smooth and silky, and the lovely scent hung around for hours, creating the perfect chill vibe.
“Packed with natural ingredients, this oil will leave you feeling hydrated and rejuvenated, making sure you look radiant for all those photos while keeping you calm during the wedding craziness.”
I waited until I was home to try out the bath salts, following my first dance class after the October holiday with an indulgent soak.
Containing a blend of rejuvenating pure, white, crunchy sea salt granules, they include 60 naturally occurring elements to soothe aches and pains.
What’s more, they’re scented with that signature fragrance which blends the lemongrass, lavender and juniper berry essential oils and believe me, after flinging my unaccustomed body around for an hour after a fortnight off this was a welcome treat.
It only takes a small scattering of salts to transform your bath and I reckon this would be the perfect way to unwind the night before the big day.
Plus it would make a gorgeous gift for your maids.
Island retreat
I’ve been a lover of Arran Sense of Scotland products for years and first visited the store on the island two decades ago.
And the After the Rain scent combines my all-time favourite sandalwood with lime and rose to create an uplifting fragrance which would be great to set the tone while you and your ‘maids get ready on the morning of your wedding.
I actually first lit this candle (£35 for a 35cl candle) when I arrived home from the weekend’s show to a power cut.
Rather than reaching for the bog standard pillar candles, I opted for After the Rain, which quickly filled the house with it’s captivating scent.
We’ve talked about scenting your big day and a few of these gorgeous candles dotted around your venue will enhance the mood.
However, if candles aren’t an option at your venue or you feel they’re a little risky, you’ll love that Arran have also captured this fragrance in their reed diffusers and room sprays.
Natural goodness
Purbeck Candles is the award winning natural candle company based in Dorset which won the Gift of the Year title for two years running, a ringing endorsement if you’re on the search for nice mindings for your ‘maids or mums.
Owner Phaedra is a trained natural perfumer who’s committed to using only the finest natural ingredients.
She’s a strong advocate for the scent’s ability to conjure mood, with different smells evoking different feelings.
So I love that the candles she gifted us to try are named after the mood or feeling they strive to create.
There’s a running joke at YSW that I’m all about the mindfulness (and yes, also about everything being “very mindful, very demure”) so the girls decided the mindfulness candle had to be mine.
Jokes aside I love this candle from the Signature range.
Poured in a beautiful pastel jar, the 270g Mindfulness candle (£32), would make a perfect gift for your girls, or is one to burn the night before your wedding, to instil calm and relaxation.
Blending frankincense, rosemary, patchouli, myrrh and sweet orange it’s got that earthy, woody scent I adore.
Abbey tested out the gorgeous Purbeck Chelsea Flowers Candle.
“It has a refreshing floral scent that makes you feel like you’re in a spa in your own home!” she says.
“The scent lasts a long time and fills a room even after blowing it out. Would highly recommend this candle for a calming and relaxing experience at home.”
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly gift for your girls let me recommend the Relax jar candle from Purbeck.
At just £10 for a 120ml candle, it combines ylang ylang, may chang, lavender, rosemary and cedar pure essential oils for a feeling of calm in a jar.
One thing we think would be a brilliant pressie for one of your besties is the Purbeck Candles Spa Days Gift Set (£35), which includes wax melts, a reed diffuser and a candle, all in the signature Spa Days scent.
Testing out the candle, Ashleigh says, “All I wanted to do after a busy weekend at The Scottish Wedding show was switch off and unwind and my Purbeck mini spa days candle helped me do just that.
“The scent is so relaxing— With notes of flowers, earthy patchouli, and fresh green top notes, it really does feel like a little escape to a spa right in my living room.
“I love how it burns evenly and fills the whole space without being overpowering.
“It’s perfect for winding down after a long day or setting the mood for a cosy night in, making it an ideal treat for brides and bridesmaids who need some pampering amid all the wedding chaos!”
Our night of relaxation and pampering was just what we needed after a day on our feet, to reset the batteries, chill out together and prepare for day two of the show.
If you’re feeling the need to recharge and step away from planning for a night, gather your girls together, pop on your fave tunes and chill with some gorgeous pampering products.
Get the diaries out and schedule a girls’ night in, YSW-style!
