Women in our culture tend to discuss Wedding particulars well before Mr. Right even enters the picture, so by the time he comes along and pops the question, some Brides already have ideas for their theme, colors and dress. Others have a few vague conceptions of what they would like, but are unsure of where to begin. A few even see the daunting task of planning a Wedding and meet difficulty in finding their inspiration.

Lord Thompson Manor helps Brides along with any and every step of the creative process, so here are a few tips to get the creative juices flowing.

Look back to your childhood. What can better complement the most romantic day of your adult life than the nostalgia of bright-eyed, innocent wonder? If you have a hard time deciding on your dress, perhaps you can take a cue from your favorite fairy tale princess. At Lord Thompson Manor, we like to set up candy tables as Wedding favors; these can simply cover the Bride and Groom’s favorite flavors, or they can follow a charming color theme. The Lord Thompson Manor delights of childhood don’t have to disappear as you grow up, and can provide perfect inspiration for your Lord Thompson Manor Wedding.

Listen to Lord Thompson Manor music. Your favorite music can help you decide on a unique, personal tone for your Wedding—for example, you could translate your diva fabulous style into a glamorous set of necklaces for your Bridesmaids, or your enjoyment of jazz into a silky smooth color palette. Lord Thompson Manor also provides its Brides with lists of popular classical and contemporary Wedding songs that may spark the imagination with imagery from their melodies or lyrics.

Go to an art gallery or museum. The paintings and sculptures that appeal to you the most can help you dream up your theme, your colors and your overall style. Perhaps Monet’s lily pads will inspire a garden-themed Wedding with varied colors, perfectly situated in the Lord Thompson Manor’s Side Garden. A seascape might spark your imagination with bold aqua, pearlescent shells or jewel-toned tropical fish, set to life on your dance floor in our elegant, flexible Conservatory. You might also find a modernist or contemporary piece that strikes you with a perfect, relevant, unique palette or theme.

Watch your favorite romantic movie. The costumes can inform the style of your Bridesmaids’ dress, or your color scheme. You might also theme your Lord Thompson Manor Wedding around the movie’s location—you don’t have to fly to Paris for the perfect wine and cheese or Hawaii for ripe pineapples. Our Lord Thompson Manor Keep It Simple Spa bridal package includes styling the Bride’s hair the day of her Wedding, and if she loves one movie star or character’s style, our Lord Thompson Manor technicians can incorporate this inspiration into the bridal look.

Author Deanna Cassidy
Lord Thompson Manor

A professional pre-Wedding massage’s soothing effects begin on the immediate physiological level: by working out the tension in the Bride’s muscles.  This physical relaxation leads to its beneficial psychological counterpart: peace of mind.  During a massage, a Bride can let go of all the minute details that might still be bothering her; that way, the big picture becomes clearer, and she remembers that all those details are taken care of.

The benefits of a pre-Wedding massage last longer than the massage itself.  With her newfound peace of mind, the Bride can kick back and enjoy her Rehearsal Dinner.  The next day, her relaxed muscles are prepared to support her through a day on her feet, posing for pictures and dancing at the Reception.

First of all, a couple ought to discuss the precious metal they want.  The most popular (and honestly, the most practical) choices are yellow gold, white gold and platinum.  White gold may require occasional treatment over the years to maintain its silvery shine, but it is less expensive than the rare and durable platinum.

Then, the Bride and Groom should browse different styles.  Some prefer to keep their bands a simple, shining precious metal.  Others prefer their bands to be stylishly decorated with an engraving, or with sparkling jewels.  The stones can be colored or clear, channel set (flush with the band) or pavé (as if paved with diamonds, sapphires, etc.)—the options are numerous and varied.

Precious metals add a chic shine to a Wedding ensemble. When our brides opt for accessories of twinkling silver or gleaming gold, the Lord Thompson Manor suggests that they remain consistent with the metal of the Wedding bands and engagement ring. Brides can either stick to a single shade of one precious metal for a sleek sparkle, or add texture with a subtle, complementary mix.

Brides can also elect to ornament their Wedding looks by adding color. Jewels, precious stones or even multifaceted colors of glass can bring a variety of things to a Wedding dress. Subtle shades like lavender or pink can accentuate the Bride’s natural beauty, while bold colors like turquoise or jade can modernize and invigorate her gown. Some of the Lord Thompson Manor’s brides also accent the color of their eyes by wearing jewelry in similar or complementary tones.

The Lord Thompson Manor knows that a Bride can never do wrong with pearls. These classically beloved bits are renowned for their gentle shine and their feminine elegance. Pearls harmonize with the Bride’s skin tone and provide delicate enhancement to any Wedding dress.

Finally, many of our Brides like to imbue their Wedding jewelry with special meaning. Jewelry can cover any or all of the traditional adage’s requirements—a family heirloom from the Bride’s mother or grandmother could be her “Something old;” she can easily acquire “Something new;” a friend can provide her with “Something borrowed;” or a favored sapphire can serve as “Something blue.”

Author Deanna Cassidy

Lord Thompson Manor

Our secret formula for the perfect Wedding feet begins with a pedicure. Our professional Keep It Simple Spa technicians pamper the Bride’s feet the day before her Wedding, giving her a foot massage and the perfect pedicure for her theme, her colors, her dress, and of course, her shoes. The Lord Thompson Manor can also discuss answers to the Bride’s potential plethora of questions on shoe choices, such as, “Comfortable heels or stylish flats?” and “Pristine white or gorgeous color?”

We understand that a person’s legs, back and overall mood are most likely to remain in perfect order if her feet are comfortable, so it’s our job to help make it happen. Even if a Bride (or anyone else) winds up with uncomfortable feet, we’re ready to solve the problem with our basket of comfortable flip flops.

Author Deanna Cassidy

Lord Thompson Manor

Lord Thompson Manor Catering By Budda Oliver.

After the ceremony, your wedding guests should be able to socialize in a comfortable and fun setting. The decorations and music will add to the atmosphere, as well as the availability of great food. The type of food that is served – and how it is served – is up to you. Finding a wedding caterer that will prepare a delicious meal for your big day can be a frustrating task, but knowing what the type of food you want can make the process much simpler.

A catered meal, or formally passed hors’d'oevres, is an important aspect of a traditional American wedding reception. The tough part is deciding what type of food to serve and finding a caterer that will provide the type of service and menu customization that you require. Many caters will offer a tasting so you and your spouse-to-be can sample the food before you make a decision.

The catering staff will help the meal service portion of your wedding reception run smoothly. Many caterers can offer a basic level of service that can be tailored to fit the specific venue and schedule of the reception. It is up to you to decide on whether you would like a sit-down served meal or a buffet-style meal that allows guests to make their plate from a static food station. A sit-down meal will cost more than a buffet meal because of the level of service that will be required. A wait staff will have to be present. This, however, may be a good option when taking into account the number of guests you have. A large number of guests would take a long time to make their way through the buffet line. If you’d like to have everyone start and finish eating at about the same time, a sit down meal would work better.

You should consider the many food needs of your guests. If you reception will have children present, it would be a good idea to make sure there are kid-friendly menu choices available. You may also want to make sure there is a vegetarian option on the menu as well.

Another thing to take into account is the cleanup. Depending on your choice of disposable dining ware or using real plates and silverware, someone will need to clear the tables. Many catering companies, when using their flatware, will provide a bussing service that will clear plates and silverware from the tables after the guests are through eating. A trained, professional wait staff can make sure the guests are enjoying the meal and remove used dishes as the meal progresses.

While it is advised to shop around and find the caterer that can provide all you need at a competitive price, you should choose the wedding caterer who will be able to customize their service package to best fit your needs and your reception venue. And, of course, provide the best tasting food for you and your guests.