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WeddingsOnline.ie

The morning of the big day has finally landed and you are up early, with about seven hours to kill before you walk down the aisle. The flowers have arrived, the telegrams are coming in fast, and you are getting more and more nervous. What you need right now is someone to come to your house and pamper your worries away.

Having a relaxing massage in the comfort of your own living room is a pleasurable way to ease the tension and stress of the days gone before and set you up for the day ahead. A reflexology session will also release tension, and a one-on-one yoga session is an excellent way to balance your emotions and calm your nerves.

Other people might prefer a mini-facial or to have their nails painted with a beauty therapist, and others still will find that even getting their make-up done at home can be calming. We've looked at what's out there and have come up with a few suggestions.

Massage
What's available? Ki massage, the most common massage, is an energising therapy designed to relax your body and mind by easing muscle knots and tension. Aromatherapy oils and calming music are used. Other treatments are a Hydrotherm massage (which uses warm-water filled cushions to surround your body while you relax) and Swedish massage, which uses less oils and concentrates more on the muscle. An Indian head massage is concentrated on the pressure points of the scalp and neck areas. Reflexology works on the pressure points in the feet.

What the experts say about it. "Sometimes a massage or foot rub can be the perfect tonic for nervous brides and grooms," says Karen Ward, an experienced masseuse and reflexologist who has been working on the shoulders of tense brides and grooms for many years. She says it "centres the mind and sets you up perfectly for the day ahead."

Contact: Karen Ward is a Ki massage specialist who will come to your door on the morning of the wedding. She also does one-on-one yoga, stress management and relaxation therapy. Contact her on Tel. (087) 239-9571. For a full list of mobile masseurs call Tony Quinn Health Centre on Tel. (01) 830-4211.

Nail Treatments
What's available? Manicures and pedicures are a must for any twinkle-toed bride on her wedding day. And getting both at home is always decadent. Every expert offers a variety of treatments, so be sure to ask for details in advance.

What the experts say about it. "It is better for a bride to have her manicure and pedicure done a few days before the wedding rather than on the day", advises mobile manicurist and beautician Karen Shields. "I think nails need a bit of time after they are treated to lose the look of redness. The best thing to do is to have your manicure done in advance and then on the day all you will need is a quick touch-up with nail varnish."

Contact: Karen Shields can be contacted on Tel. (01) 284-3454. For other enquiries contact Patricia's Nail Salon, Dundrum Tel. (01) 215-7940 or Perfect 10 Nail salon, Cabinteely Tel. (01) 285-1427.

Beauty Treatments
What's available? Waxing, tinting and shaping of eyebrows and eyelashes, false tan application, facials. Facials, in particular, vary according to the products the beautician uses but all follow the same basic routine. The therapist will cleanse, tone and scrub your skin and then apply hot compresses to help extraction and peeling. This will be followed by a deep moisturising treatment. The facial will usually end with a massage of the face, neck and shoulders.

How much will it cost? Prices vary per treatment but typically start at £25. Enquire about a "Matisse, radiant facial" specially designed for brides on their wedding day.

What the experts say about it. "I think it is better for a bride to have her facial done before the day of the wedding", says Karen Shields. "The skin needs to relax and lose any blemishes which the facial brings up."

Contact: Karen Shields is also a mobile beautician and can be contacted on Tel. (01) 284-3454. Southside Dublin customers can contact Rachael at Tel. (086) 805-9755.

Make-Up
What's available? There are as many different make-overs as your imagination can think of. Just make sure that when it comes to doing something special for your wedding day that you have tried and tested the look before. Often, with make-up it is the case that less is more, so keep your look as natural as possible.

What the experts say about it. Professionals advise brides to have their make-up done for another event (possibly the hen) beforehand. This session would involve testing colours to suit your features, hair and skin. Fake tan should be applied three days before the big day.

Contact: For home wedding make-up contact Valerie Craven, Clondalkin Leisure Centre at Tel. (01) 457-1900 or try Beauty First in Crumlin on Tel. (01) 456-3200, Bellazo Clinic in Ranelagh on Tel. (01) 496-3484 or the Malahide Beauty Clinic on Tel. (01) 845-4271.