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!

We’re excited to be the Quad Cities region’s FIRST all-inclusive wedding blog and vendor directory! We are celebrating all things love in the QCA and helping couples plan their happily ever after!

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