31 Mar Wedding Terminology You Need To Know
The countless terms and phrases used in wedding planning can be perplexing and confusing – it’s a different language. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with some lingo before you start your wedding planning journey, so we have compiled a list of wedding planning terms to assist you.
Wedding Planning Terms and Lingo You Need To Know
Knowing these wedding planning terms will enable you to speak clearly with suppliers, vendors, and other wedding party members. Additionally, you will be better able to effectively communicate your preferences, make well-informed choices, and help guarantee that every element of your wedding is carried out per your vision.
Al Fresco: This phrase, which translates to “out in the open air,” is frequently used to refer to dining al fresco. An al fresco reception would take place outside.
Bridal Party: The bride and groom and the bridesmaids and groomsmen are typically called the bridal party.
Charger: All other meal plates rest atop a charger, which is a decorative plate. It is the best eye delight for setting a table.
Cocktail Hour: The time after the ceremony when guests sip cocktails and nibble on appetizers.
Coordinator: The individual or organization tasked with managing the logistics of the wedding day and organizing the timeline.
Corkage Fee: The venue or caterer will typically charge a corkage fee, which is a cover charge that you must pay for bringing your own alcohol to the reception. To accommodate the couple’s outside booze, it provides glasses, ice, and other necessary services. To prevent any unwanted surprises on the wedding day, it is crucial to review the corkage cost policy before bringing in outside alcohol.
Crudité: An appetizer during the wedding reception or cocktail hour that consists of a tray of fresh vegetables and dip. Usually served with a delectable dip like hummus or ranch dressing, it features a vibrant array of veggies like carrots, cucumbers, peppers, and broccoli.
Dummy Cake: A dummy cake is a fake cake that appears authentic. An icing-covered Styrofoam cake shape can be less expensive than a genuine cake tier. You can have a whole sheet cake and dummy cake ready to serve, or you can have a fake layer on top of a genuine layer to make your cake bigger.
Escort Card: This card, which is just a place/name card, indicates the table a guest will be seated at.
First Look: When a couple meets one another before the wedding. The bride and her father, the bride and her bridesmaids, or the pair themselves may have their first glance. One or all of the aforementioned are options!
Flatlay: A flatlay is a photograph of stationery, accessories, flowers, or other meticulously arranged wedding elements taken from an above perspective.
Flatware: Cutlery: spoons, knives, and forks.
Flipping the Space: If your ceremony and reception occur in the same location, the suppliers will need to “flip the space” during cocktail hour to convert it to the reception arrangement.
Flower Wall: A floral wall is a gorgeous focal point frequently used for wedding ceremonies, parties, and photo backdrops. It is a decorative backdrop composed entirely of flowers and leaves.
Glassware: Glassware is a fancy term for drinking glasses, like water goblets or wine glasses.
Grand Entrance: The bridal couple is formally and theatrically introduced to their celebration with a grand entrance. In order to provide everyone in attendance a memorable experience, it typically includes music, lights, and occasionally special effects.
Grazing Table: During the cocktail hour or the reception, guests can nibble on delicacies like cheeses, meats, or fruits from the grazing table.
Head Table: A lover’s table, which solely seats the couple, is usually not the same as a head table. Head tables may include the family and the bridal party, depending on who the couple wants at their table. Two long tables—or even three—would be effortlessly adjoined to accommodate the group.
Honor Attendants: The most significant individuals for the couple at a wedding are the honor attendants. The bride’s closest sister-in-age is typically the maid or matron of honor, but if she does not have one, a friend, cousin, or aunt may fill the role. The groom can ask a friend, cousin, uncle, or even his father to be his best man, but he often chooses his closest sibling in age. The bride may also select a man to serve as her honor attendant if she has a close relationship with her sibling or a male acquaintance.
Hybrid Photographer: A photographer who takes digital and film images is known as a hybrid photographer.
Processional: The first person to walk down the aisle to start the wedding ceremony is known as the processional.
Recessional: The second and last walk down the aisle following the conclusion of the wedding ceremony is known as the recessional.
Sample Sale (Gowns): Occasionally, a wedding store will hold a sample sale where gowns are offered off the rack rather than on custom order. This indicates that there is no waiting period, and they are available right away, exactly as is. The sample gowns are typically discounted during sample sales.
Second Shooter: A second photographer, not to be confused with the police or military version.
Sheet Cake: An inexpensive cake prepared on a sizable rectangular baking sheet that is simple to cut and serve to guests is called a sheet cake.
Signature Cocktail: A signature drink is offered on a cocktail menu and is pre-selected by the pair.
Sweetheart Table: A table reserved for the wedded pair is known as the “sweetheart table.”
Tablescape: A tablescape is the complete arrangement of the reception table, including the dishes, centerpieces, and linens.
Tray Pass: This is a service where a caterer circulates the reception or cocktail hour area, serving appetizers or beverages from trays.
Trunk Show (Gowns): A bridal boutique will showcase a sizable collection of gowns from a particular wedding dress designer not typically available in the store. These dresses are frequently on sale during trunk displays, and they are removed from the store as the event is over.
Unplugged Ceremony: An unplugged ceremony is one in which no cameras or phones are used to take pictures. There will be guests at the wedding, and no phones will be in the aisle or above the chairs for the professional shots. The ceremony itself is also referred to as an “unplugged wedding.”
Uplighting: Lighting from many lighting units positioned around the room’s perimeter that shine light upward onto the walls, trees, etc., is known as uplighting.