The Glossary of Wedding Planning Terms
The world of wedding planning is a blast to dive into, but it’s also full of new terminology that many couples may not know. Your vendors, venue, and wedding planner will likely use words and phrases specific to their fields that you may not be familiar with. QC Wed Me has compiled this handy glossary to some of the most common wedding planning terms you may hear as you start planning your special day!
Altar
the physical spot where you and your partner will exchange vows
Banquet Table
30” tall rectangle tables in 4’, 6’ or 8’ length
Boutonniere
a small floral arrangement worn by men on their left lapel
Bridal Suite
a room in a venue specifically for the bridal party to get ready in
Bustle
loops, buttons, or ribbons used to pull up and tuck the train of a dress to make moving easier
Cake-Cutting Fee
a fee charged by the venue or caterer to cut the wedding cake
Candid Photography
also known as photojournalistic or documentary photography; includes natural images captured as they happen; not posed
Cash Bar
bar sales where guests pay for drinks individually; least expensive way to serve alcohol
Charger
a larger plate used as the base of a place setting
Cocktail Table
small round table; 15-30” in diameter; up to 42” high; used for standing and mingling
Color Palette
the colors you plan to use in your décor, flowers and bridal party attire
Corkage Fee
fee often charged by the bottle at a wedding venue for any alcohol that is not provided by the venue itself
Corsage
a small floral arrangement worn on the wrist by mothers, grandmothers, and other special female attendees
Day of Coordinator
a wedding professional who oversees your actual wedding day, ensuring that vendors are in place and everything runs smoothly and stays on schedule
E-Session / Engagement Shoot
a photo session to document and celebrate your engagement
Escort Cards
cards that direct guests to the table where they are supposed to sit, instead of a specific seat; less formal than place cards
First Look
time set aside before the ceremony to see your partner in private; captured by the photographer and/or videographer
Fondant
frosting type used to decorate cakes; generally used for fancier wedding cakes
Golden Hour
the time just before sunset; perfect for portraits
Grand Entrance
when the newlyweds are introduced at the reception
Head Table
a large VIP table where the newlyweds sit with their bridal party or families
In-House Catering
the venue provides catering or works only with a specific caterer
Invitation Suite
an array of coordinating paper products, including a save the date, invitation, RSVP card, as well as optional information cards, maps, itineraries, menus, programs, and place cards
Micro Wedding
a small wedding and/or reception with fewer than fifty guests
Naked Cake
cake with no frosting on the outside
Officiant
person performing your wedding ceremony; aka celebrant
Open Bar
a full offering of wine, beer, liquor, and non-alcoholic beverages paid for by the host(s); the most expensive way to serve liquor at your wedding
Pipe and Drape
light-weight tubing and drapery used as a backdrop or to cover up ugly walls or areas
Place Cards
cards that show each guest their assigned table and seat at the reception
Plated Meal
food service style where food is arranged on individual plates in the kitchen and served to seated guests by waiters
Prelude
music played while guests are being seated for the ceremony
Processional
the part of the ceremony where bridal party members (and the bride eventually) walk down the aisle
Receiving Line
the couple (and sometimes their parents) form a row to greet guests immediately following the ceremony or after they arrive at the reception
Recessional
the part of the ceremony when the wedding party exits after the ceremony is over.
Rehearsal Dinner
a pre-wedding event that occurs the night before; takes place after the rehearsal; includes the couple, their wedding party, and immediate family members
Room Block
reserved rooms at nearby hotels for out-of-town guests
Room Flip
the complete transformation of a space for separate parts of your wedding day; most commonly a ceremony space re-arranged into a reception space
Save the Date
cards sent to guests prior to your official wedding invitations to inform them of the date of your wedding
Send-Off
when the couple exits the reception; the couple walks past all their guests who generally line up in two rows, creating an aisle for the couple to walk down; often include streamers, bubbles, flags, flowers, or sparklers
Service Charge
a fee added to a customer’s bill by the venue or caterer
Shot List
a list of photos that you would like captured during your wedding ceremony and reception
Signature Cocktail
a drink that you and your partner love that is displayed and served at your reception
Sweetheart Table
a table set for the happy couple at the reception
Toss Bouquet
a smaller (cheaper) version of the bride’s bouquet; used for the bouquet toss
Uplighting
small lights placed around the perimeter of the room and pointed upward to light walls/ decor in a desired color
Usher
members of the bridal party who escort guests to their seats
Vendor / Supplier Meal
meal provided specifically for vendors by some venues/ caterers; typically includes a cold sandwich, fruit, chips
Venue Coordinator
an employee of the venue who works as a liaison between the bride and groom to the venue’s operations team
Vow
promises partners make to each other during the ceremony; may be written or traditional
Wedding Planner
a wedding professional who assists you in planning and executing your wedding day
Wedding Registry
a service offered by a store where a couple provides their wish list for family and friends to purchase from; aka bridal registry or gift registry
Did we forget anything? Let us know in the comments!
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