Alternative to rowdy bachelorette party: Makeovers for everyone! - New Hampshire Sunday News (Manchester, NH)

Union Leader, The/New Hampshire Sunday News (Manchester, NH)

January 16, 2011 - By BARBARA LEECH

Special to the Sunday News

STRATHAM -- For the bride-to-be, coming up with ideas for a suitable pre-wedding party for her attendants and guests has gotten a little easier.Rather than a rowdy celebration, some brides are settling down to a little pampering instead.  The Wingate Salon and Spa in Stratham has been a popular pick, serving as party headquarters for more than 45 bridal and bachelorette parties during the past year.  The Wingate has been offering a private bridal and events suite since 2008, said Jennifer Woodside, marketing and events manager. She noted that the private spa party trend seems to be growing.

 "It all started because we had so many bridal parties already coming to the spa that it made sense to renovate and create a private space for just that sort of celebration," Woodside said. "But, I think there is a huge emphasis on weddings and all that leads up to the event now. It just keeps getting bigger and better. Bachelorette parties have become more elaborate, and more family is getting involved in the pre-wedding preparations."

This means the stress of planning that perfect day for everyone involved has also stepped up a notch. With a handful of reality shows about planning the perfect wedding, finding the perfect dress and bridal beauty makeovers, the pressure for today's bride to make everything memorable and unique is greater than ever before. But some brides are finding that a spa party is a perfect way to take away the tension and make everyone happy.

 "We are seeing groups of all sizes in our bridal and event suite. The trend seems to have brought more aunts and mothers into the party to make it a really nice family celebration," Woodside said. "The suite also allows us to provide the perfect setting for the wedding party to get ready in private, together before the ceremony or a bachelorette party to get pampered and celebrate."

In 2003 the renovated Wingate Tea room began offering tea and scones, fruit and cheese as an add-on option to spa groups looking for a little extra pampering.  Woodside said so many bridal parties were booking group treatments and choosing time in the tea room that it was the logical next step to renovate yet again and create the bridal and event suite in 2006.  The suite offers a lounge area with sofas and chairs and stations around the perimeter for hair and makeup with a separate changing room for brides to get dressed right at the spa if they choose. From pre-wedding day pampering, to bachelorette, to wedding-day beauty for everyone, the suite has served parties up to 22 people.

 "We are seeing larger groups, and more and more brides get dressed here, which is so nice because we get to see them start to finish," Woodside said. "The photographer shows up and captures all the preparation, and we have beautiful grounds for photographs once everyone is ready."

The Wingate Spa offers several packages to choose from and a menu of services and food and beverage options to create a personalized party. Bachelorette party packages typically range from $130 to $162 per person and include a pedicure, French manicure, a 30-minute or classic massage and a brunch of tea, quiche, seasonal fruit salad and freshly baked scones.  Other items on the menu include champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, mimosa and scones, an appetizer buffet and deli wrap sandwiches offered in partnership from "On the Vine," a fresh-food market in Exeter.

"Partnering up with 'On the Vine' lets us offer high-end deli selections catered by those who do it best," Woodside said. "We do scones very well, but we let professionals provide the rest."

As for the pampering, the spa has a staff of 45 to insure that the party experience moves at the speed that the bride and guests desire. Furniture in the bridal and events suite is movable to accommodate group hair, makeup and pedicures in one private setting.  One of the offerings the Wingate is most proud of is its bridal hair styling, which twice won the spa a reader's poll at New Hampshire Magazine's Bride, naming them "Best Wedding Day Hair Stylists" for 2009 and 2010.

 "Our staff receives continued training on all the latest in up-style trends," Woodside said. "We are very proud of the recognition this award brings and I think we are getting better known for what we offer as things like this get noticed."

Bridal up-styles start at $85, and bridal party up-styling starts at $65 per person. But Woodside said that along with all the packages the staff can work with the bride to create a package that is right for her budget and choices. Each package includes the popular Wingate Tea Time, which provides a wide selection of teas, fresh-baked scones with whipped butter and fruit and cheese. Basic prices and packages are available on the spa's website at www.wingatespa.com.  Brides and bachelorette party planners need to be thinking ahead, according to Woodside. Most parties are booked months before an event though the spa will try to accommodate those who wait until the last minute.

"We go to bridal shows in January and February, and the results fill our scheduling book pretty quickly," she said. "We already have 10 weddings scheduled for 2011, so it looks like this will be a very busy year."

For more information or to book an event, contact the Wingate Spa at 772-8400 or visit online atwww.wingatespa.com.

Copyright, 2011, Union Leader Corp.

Record Number: mandc5-5xxd312f0l5125su9p38

All I Want For Christmas...

I remember before I worked here my husband would purchase me a Wingate Spa beauty package each year.  It was his "thing".  And it was easy.  I am sure that was the motivating factor.  1.  Drive up to Wingate Spa.  2. Walk to front desk.  3. Ask nice lady for a spa package.  4.  She wraps it up nicely.  5.  Pay and leave.  6. See happy wife on Christmas Day.

Now that I work at the Wingate he says I can get those services all the time so I am  back to getting things like scarves, electronics and other items to clutter my home.  You would actually be suprised.  Just like you out there, we don't take enough time to pamper ourselves.  Sometimes it takes Jo saying to me...."Jenn, your roots, really" or Maria leading me upstairs for a little stress relief.  It is funny because when the staff does take the time to treat themselves to a Wingate service as we slink out of the room fully relaxed we always say "Now I remember why people love coming here".

I can remember those good old days.  Finding the perfect day to come was not always easy, but scheduling it seemed simple.  Then the big day would arrive and relaxation could begin!  My mother always says the minute you walk in to the Wingate you begin to relax.  I think it is true.You walk through the door and that warm smell of the Wingate signature scent takes you in.   When I first started working here, I remember thinking I was going to be able to take in that great smell every day of work.  Now it is something taken for granted, I will have to take it all in again.

My spa days always consisted of facials, massage, manicures and pedicures.  Checking in a familiar face is always ready to greet you and send you on your day.  The pure sense of having your stress level go down to zero is worth it all.

Facials have always been a favorite of mine and until I went somewhere else I did not realize how special the Wingate services were.  The facials are definitely beyond a typical experience combining both a massage of your face, head, neck and shoulders with some great skin care.  Of course you leave glowing.  The massage is always therapeutic along with relaxing with the therapists reaching out to learn more about your specific aches and pains.  Don't we all have them.  Then on to the pure relaxation of pedicures in big puffy chairs...really not the typical pedicure chair at all!   Finally, the manicure.  This one always made me nervous because I bite my nails.  I bite my nails while stressed...so being nervous and stressed about getting a manicure is kind of funny.  My  nails are too short, I am worried about them being long enough for a  manicure, don't bite them...don't bite them.  But really I found those nail technicians can work with almost anything and they made my nails look pretty in the end and the hand massage was always well worth that initial panic attack.

Did I forget to mention the tea?  How could that happened.  The popular and legendary Wingate Tea.  Yummo.  Those scones are to die for and they come presented so nicely with the cheese and fruit and cute little tea pot.  That was one of my favorite parts.  Having that break in between appointments to enjoy the delicious snack and unwind even more before heading to another luxurious treatment was perfect.

Of course once you experience this 3-4 hour day of bliss, you want to share it with someone.  The year after I enjoyed this treat by myself I called my friend Jamie and convinced him to buy a spa package for his wife and my best friend Stephanie.  The whole day is even better experience alongside someone you know and love.  I highly recommend it.  Pedicure, Manicures and Tea side by side are such a treat.  And you still get your alone time during the facial and/or massage.

I wondering if this year my husband is really buying me the Shark Steam Mop?  Or can I convince him to go back to our old ways?  Maybe I can make pretend I'm not a loyal Wingate employee for one day and see that spa through your eyes?

Lucky for you it is a no brainer.  Tell your husband it is tops on your list.  Or log on to the website and order one for you wife - have it shipped for free or pick it up at the spa.  We even have wish lists in our waiting room that you can fill out and conveniently drop in front of your husband, wife, family member, friend or boss.  Drop a major hint!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season!  See you next time...

Hmmm....You are "Liking" us on Facebook, but are you "Following" us on Twitter?

The Wingate Salon & Spa Facebook page has been the place to be - with our "Likes" rising every day.  Hey, we like that!  We have offered some great deals on Facebook Fridays and also gave away some prizes to our loyal social media followers.  These included facials, pedicures, massages and more.  Who doesn't want a free spa service?  Right?  Right!  We have found that page is a great way to communicate with our clients on a daily basis.


Our Twitter page is a bit lonely.  I know there is something like 400 million more people on Facebook than on Twitter, so this makes sense.  But we would still love to see you there.  It is another great way to find out more about salon & spa specials - in 140 characters or less.  


Find us here Wingate Twitter Page and start following us today.  Thanks!

Wow...we are having an AMAZING year in the "honors" category!

You like us, you really like us!  It is nice to feel loved by our community and we absolutely appreciate the honors we have received this year.


The Wingate Salon & Spa has now been selected by the readers of New Hampshire Magazine's BRIDE as "Best of Bride 2010 for Bridal Party Spa AND Day of Wedding Hair Styling". This is the second year in a row that the Wingate has received both awards. The winners, who were selected in the online poll, were listed in the September, 2010 issue of BRIDE.


"It's the magazine's second annual poll," said Barbara Coles, editor of BRIDE. "We felt the poll was a way to recognize people in the New Hampshire's bridal industry who strive every day to provide great service for couples who are planning one of the most important days in their life. We also wanted to give those who benefit from the training, experience and expertise of wedding professionals a chance to express their satisfaction".

The poll, which was conducted from the beginning of February to the end of June 2010, had 45 categories. In addition, the members of the editorial staff were asked for their suggestions for an Editor's Pick and their choices of outstanding businesses were added to the winners list.

The Wingate Salon and Spa in Stratham has been a leader in the bridal industry for 10+ years. It has become the top destination on the seacoast for brides and their wedding parties.

BRIDE is a twice-yearly publication of New Hampshire Magazine, the state's largest lifestyle magazine. It is part of the McLean Communications of Manchester, a publishing company that also includes New Hampshire Business Review, New Hampshire Home, Parenting New Hampshire and Destination.

Have you tried it? Revolutionary Skin Care Line at the Wingate

For years we searched for the perfect combination of products to meet the dynamic needs of our skin care clients.  It isn't easy to find products that can do it all - and in the end we offered three different skin care lines in an attempt to cover the diverse skin types of the Wingate clients.  After trying some of these different combinations, the esthetics staff found they were happy with "this" product from "this" line and then would recommend "that" product from "that" line.  It all seemed very disconnected and not the right approach for our community.


The Wingate management along with the Esthetics team decided to take on the daunting task of creating our own skin care products.  In comes the fabulous Dr. Loretta Ciraldo!  Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD is a nationally recognized expert in skin care and a Professor of Cosmetic Dermatology at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Her advice has been featured in many magazines including Allure, Shape, New Beauty and Oprah. Her skincare expertise has made her a recurring guest on Good Morning America, The Rachel Ray Show, the Today Show and on local Southern Florida stations. Dr. Loretta is the author of the book “6 Weeks to Sensational Skin” Our partnership with her was about to create an amazing line of products called Wingate Serious Skin Care.


In conjunction with Dr. Loretta, our skin care line was developed, clinically tested and formulated!  Dr. Ciraldo's dedication and knowledge is the culmination of 30 years of laboratory and clinical experience.

We distinguish our Wingate Serious Skin Care line by providing formulations that incorporate the ideal levels of the most advanced active and natural ingredients to produce clinically significant and often extraordinary results. Further, our formulations specifically avoid ingredients that can cause redness, flaking and other untoward reactions. Our products are non-prescription, medical grade, highly efficacious formulations. We excel at fine-tuning skincare regimens for every Wingate client.  These are now the top selling retail products within the spa after being introduced in late 2009.

Seacoast Kids Calendar Features Wingate for Mother's Day

Wingate Feature on www.seacoastkidscalendar.com - scroll down to find article.


seacoastkidscalendar.com

Award Winning Year - Featured In Exeter Newsletter!

By KATHLEEN D. BAILEY

newsletter@seacoastonline.com

March 30, 2010 2:00 AM

STRATHAM — Tom McDermott, co-owner of Wingate Salon and Spa, is a man with an eye for details, be it the scalloped edging on his cloth napkins, the lemons floating in a glass pitcher of water, or his skin care line. The "Wingate Serious Skin Care" line is only available at the spa, and it's the only skin care line he sells.

"I don't want to sell five brands of product," McDermott said. "I want to pick one that's best for our clients."

The Wingate Salon and Spa is celebrating its 10th year at the Stratham Circle and the eighth year under the ownership by Tom and Claire McDermott. The McDermotts are keeping the spa going in a tough economy by giving their clients that little bit of extra luxury, and by seeking the best staff and teaching them the newest techniques, they said.

Attention to detail has garnered the spa several awards. In 2010 Salon Today Magazine named the Wingate one of the Top 200 Salons/Spas in the country. In 2009, the salon was recognized by New Hampshire Magazine's "Best of New Hampshire" as the state's best day spa; New Hampshire Magazine's "Bride," named it "Best Bridal Party Spa" and "Best Day of Wedding Hairstyling;" and the national New Beauty Magazine, named Wingate a "Five-Star Beauty Destination."

The antique Colonial home that houses the spa was built in 1786 by John Wingate. The high ceilings, molded trim and wainscoting echo an earlier gracious era, as does the reproduction wallpaper and chandeliers. George Washington actually visited the home — not necessarily sleeping there — during his tour of his infant country in 1789.

As he relaxed in the cream-colored sofas of the "party room," Tom McDermott said he wasn't looking to open a spa. He originally checked out the Wingate when the first owners were seeking investment partners. He said he and Claire fell in love with the property and the concept, and ended up buying it outright.

"As a businessperson, I could see that people came in happy, they left happy and we'd be providing a service."

When the McDermotts acquired the Wingate, the clientele was smaller and the services basic, Tom McDermott said. "It was hair, skin, nails, a little massage." They modernized the business end, including accounting, bookkeeping and registration services. They started a Web site, run by marketing Director Jenn Woodside, that gives regular updates to "premier" clients.

The McDermotts determined from the start that their salon would be cutting-edge. "We wanted to take what's out there and have our people gain more knowledge," Tom said. The hair care staff, for example, attends seven to 10 trainings per year.

The McDermotts added a "hospitality" service. Clients can relax with a glass of wine, tea or water in a crystal goblet and nibble on fresh strawberries. The tea room has mint-green tablecloths, matching cloth napkins and relaxing, piped-in music. Guests can also drink or snack while having a pedicure, he said.

The McDermotts expanded the skin care offerings. Clients can get a waxing, an eyelash extension or relaxing facial. They offer chemical peels, microdermal abrasions and laser hair removal. A new technique, PhotoFacial, is done under a doctor's supervision and involves a heat-based laser reacting with chemicals in the skin. It's not as painful as a chemical peel, Tom said.

The spa has also beefed up the massage portion of the business, looking for trained massage professionals. "There are a lot of signs by the side of the road and you're never quite sure," he said, "but we stand behind our massages." Several rooms in the new part of the building are set up for "couples' massages," with two tables, he said.

The party room may be what makes Wingate a destination spa for people outside the Seacoast, the McDermotts and Woodside agreed. The room with deep sofas and coffee tables can accommodate up to 22 people, McDermott said, for wedding parties, bachelorette parties, family reunions, birthday parties. While the guests are waiting for their services, they can "sit around, hang out, enjoy a glass of wine," Tom said. Brides often come to the party room to get dressed and have a final hair check before setting out for their big day, he said.

A current goal, Tom said, is to expand the skin care offerings. There's room in the building, and he's hoping to add another esthetician to the five currently on staff.

But no matter where their business grows, the McDermotts are determined to stay in the Wingate House. "A strip mall down the road," he said, "would not have the same ambience." For more information, call 1-888-379-7979; 772-8400; or write info@wingatespa.com.