Instead of flowers and chocolate, think cloves, vanilla, and natural herbs. Those are some of signature elements that drew together two leaders of the health, wellness and beauty industry all the way to the altar — and beyond.

 

A mixologist’s herb-infused potions threw off joyful bubbles as a loving crowd of well-wishers congratulated Georgetowner Ada Polla and Edwin Neill III of New Orleans on their recent nuptials. The couple were married New Year’s Day in the French Quarter among a small group of friends. Celebrations around the globe continued Saturday at Alchimie Forever, the home of Polla’s company, where dozens of friends and neighbors snapped photos and proposed toasts to the couple’s happiness and health.

 

Polla and Neill know something about both. Polla is co-creator of Alchimie Forever, a Swiss skin care line, and treasurer of the Washington Spa Alliance. Born in Switzerland, Ada’s interest in skin care is in the genes — her father Dr. Luigi Polla is a noted dematologist and owner of the Alchimie Laser Institute in Geneva, with his wife Dr. Barbara Polla, a biochemist.

 

Neill’s family is known globally for its innovation in the spa industry. The family’s company is the largest independent distributor of Aveda products in the world. In addition, Neill Corp. has 11 Aveda Institutes throughout the United States (including the one near the Verizon Center), and has created SalonBiz and SpaBiz management software.

 

The two met for the first time in 2005, during the International Spa Association Conference’s annual Alex Szekely dinner honoring the son of Deborah Szekely, founder of Rancho La Puerta and Golden Door. “It took a few years until we started dating, but I remember everything from that dinner, including the dress I wore, which I still have.”

 

And the rest, as they say, is history.

 

 

 

Tags: Ada Polla, spa professionals, Washington DC