Weddings are an incredibly special time, but can quickly become the most stressful event you’ll ever plan. From the date to the invitations, the table seating plans and menus, the cake, the venue, and so much more, the stress of planning a wedding often conjures up fantasies of eloping. At Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, your wedding planning couldn’t be made any easier!

Considered one of the most romantic venues in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, weddings at Granny Mouse are truly spectacular. With everything you could need based on-site, from the idyllic chapel with panoramic views over the Caversham Valley, a reception venue catering for up to 120 guests, a culinary team ready to create your unique wedding feast to surprise and delight, and pastry chef to sculpt your perfect wedding cake, it’s little wonder Granny Mouse is a sought after venue.

Your wedding guests are well catered for, with an array of accommodation options available, including the 12-sleeper Farmhouse, located a mere 900 metres from the Hotel, as well as an on-site spa to assist you in preparing for your big day.

Host the wedding of your dreams with our dedicated on-site team, ready to assist you in tailor-making your big day. With no detail being too big or too small, the Granny Mouse team will take the stress out for your wedding experience.

For any of you who wondered, and didn’t know, what the basic roles and responsibilities are of a wedding party, we have formulated a list for interest sake.

The most important people in this whole celebration are the bride and groom and they form part of the planning decisions, as it’s their big day. Ideally they work together on all of the decisions and share the load, ensuring they are both equally happy. The basic list that must be mutually agreed upon includes budget, wedding date, venue, invites, shopping for wedding rings and the writing of their wedding vows, if they wish, as well as sending out thank you notes post wedding.  The bride chooses her bridesmaids and her maid of honour whilst the groom will select his groomsmen and best man.

In the past, parents of the bride had to foot the bill for the majority of expenses, but these days, this tends to not be the norm. Traditionally, and if possible, the father of the bride walks his daughter down the aisle and mum will possibly help her daughter with the guest list.

The grooms parents will look to the bride’s parents with regards to dress code and may also contribute to wedding expenses.

If you are having a maid of honour she is probably the bride’s best friend or sister and she is responsible for the bridesmaids, bridal shower and the bachelorette party, as well as keeping record of gifts and invitations. She is by the bride’s side to help her get ready for the ceremony and signs the register, officiating the marriage.

Depending on how many bridesmaids you have the role is to assist the maid of honor and help wherever needed and, with regards to the bachelorette party, contribute to the costs. They are also meant to pay for their own attire, transport and accommodation.

The best man is either the grooms best friend or brother and he is in charge of organizing the bachelor party, gets the groom to the wedding on time, brings the brides ring, signs the marriage certificate and toasts during the reception.

So for those who are looking for an all-inclusive packaged deal, look no further than Granny Mouse Country House & Spa – your one stop wedding venue and experience.

For more information visit to www.grannymouse.co.za and start planning the wedding of your dreams.

Inspired by: https://www.bridalguide.com/etiquette/roles-responsibilities/who-does-what & https://www.brides.com/wedding-party-roles-4845435

Emotional wellness is a term that refers to an awareness, understanding, and acceptance of your emotions, and your ability to manage effectively through challenges and change. When you’re tuned into your feelings, then you can more easily become aware of your bodily sensations.

Being aware of all the signs of emotional wellness is being able to talk to someone about your emotional concerns and sharing your feelings with others. Don’t feel guilty about saying no.

Emotional wellness also knows you have a strong support network of people that genuinely care about you, allowing you the opportunity to feel relaxed and feel good about yourself.

Checking in on your emotional wellness is so important, especially during this time of the “new normal” and all the changes that we have all been subjected to.

Are you aware of your behaviour? Are you feeling more aggressive than normal? Are you not able to express your feelings?

There are many ways to balance emotional wellness; also, as part of this emotional journey, one must also take time out which is so important for your mental and physical health.

Modern life has us beating deadlines, ensuring we bring in an income to survive during these uncertain times, virtual home offices, homeschooling, and information overload from multiple social media sites. All this over and above keeping your home clean, cooking, remembering to shower, and trying to maintain a social life while social distancing.

Your current lifestyle is likely bombarding you with stressors that impact not only your physical body but your mental health as well.

Trying to juggle so many demands can leave your body and mind stuck in fight or flight mode. This translates into problems, such as not being able to concentrate, being unable to sleep, and feeling anxious and depressed. These mental health issues, if left unchecked, attempt to get your attention by manifesting themselves in more physical ways, including muscle pain and inflammation, heart disease, and other chronic health issues.

A day at the spa is no longer just a luxury getaway enjoyed by the rich and famous. More and more people realize the importance of a reset for your body and mind that today’s modern spa treatments provide. Spa therapy can offer you an enjoyable way to release accumulated stress from your body and reap the benefits that relaxation can provide as a part of your health.

Modern spa therapy not only includes water-based therapies, but also various types of massage therapy, including Thai, deep tissue, and stone massage, facials, body treatments, and more.

The purpose of a spa remains the same – to provide a space where you can go to relax your body and your mind. Spa therapy provides physical, mental, and spiritual healing crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and promoting longevity.

The health benefits of going to a spa are both physical and mental. Spa’s offer various treatments, including massage therapy, hydrotherapy, facials, manicures, foot therapy and pedicures, body wraps and aromatherapy

A day at the spa can help you renew your spirit and allow space for your mind to regain clarity. Below you will find a few ways that spa therapy can provide benefits for your mental health:

1. Combat Depression – Spa’s provide several treatments such as massage therapy which can help combat symptoms of depression. Massage therapy can provide up to a 50% reduction in the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Massage also increases the body’s production of serotonin and dopamine. Both are mood-stabilizing neurotransmitters that provide a natural “feel good” mood boost. Massage therapy can reduce physical symptoms of depression, such as joint pain and muscle tightness.

2. Boost Confidence – People who suffer from low self-esteem are less likely to feel deserving of positive outcomes and spa therapy can assist in improving self-confidence. Massages can be a mood boost, increasing dopamine and serotonin and together with exercising more and good eating habits.

3. Promote Relaxation – Relaxing regularly helps you to recover from stress that we deal with daily. Soaking in a warm tub or being in Granny Mouse’s Spa’s Shimmer Milk Hydro Bath can assist in reducing stress and anxiety. Having a facial hydrates the face, relieves tension in the neck as well as helps you drift off to a happy place. Foot massages also assist in relaxing muscles in lower legs and helps with increased blood flow. Aromatherapy also helps with relaxation so no excuses for much need self-care.

4. Sleep well – It’s so important to get a good night’s sleep, which is not always easy especially if you are menopausal and under lots of stress. Having a day at the spa will definitely help you get a better nights rest. Both massage therapy and hot tub therapy can improve your circulation. Improving circulation and lowering blood pressure can improve your body’s ability to rest properly. By choosing to spend the day at the spa, you can reap the mental health benefits of a great night’s sleep.

Most spas choose to incorporate products that enhance the stress reduction benefits of your therapy option. Adding to the benefits of aromatherapy, using soothing scents of eucalyptus and lavender in various lotions and scrubs increases your relaxation and reduces stress.

Regular spa treatments result in better quality sleep, fewer sick days, and an overall sense of well-being. Taking a spa day is a great way to help you achieve emotional wellness in its most natural form.

So book a day and night at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa to get away from it all for that emotional and physical wellness treat.

For more information go to www.grannymouse.co.za

Inspired by: https://compoundingrxusa.com/blog/spa-benefit-mental-health/ & https://www.unh.edu/health/emotional-wellness