Wedding Planning Tips: Common Wedding Terms Explained
Photo by Brooke Nash Photography
Planning a wedding is an exciting - and sometimes overwhelming - time for couples! Suddenly a mountain of tasks and communication is to be managed, and just like any other industry, there are specific terms commonly used that can cause added confusion or frustration if you’ve never heard them before.
You're knee-deep in wedding planning mode, diving into contracts, sifting through vendors, and reading all the little details. Suddenly, you stumble upon jargon that makes you pause and go, "Wait, what's the deal with this?"
We’re here to break it all down and guide you with explanations of the most commonly unknown terms + phrases you’ll likely encounter when wedding planning…because when it comes to planning your wedding, no question is a stupid one, so let’s get you started on the right foot!
Photos by Love Flora Fauna
Here are some of the most commonly heard and unknown wedding terms you’ll likely encounter during your planning:
Attrition Rate: Typically referenced with hotel room blocks, attrition is the difference between the number of rooms held for the block and the number of rooms that are actually reserved/occupied. Hotel contracts often include attrition clauses to protect the hotel's revenue if the event doesn't meet projected occupancy levels, and it varies from hotel to hotel.
BEO: (Also referred to as FEO) - An acronym for Banquet Event Order (or Function Event Order), this document(s) is commonly used by venues and caterers to reference the document(s) that list out your wedding details such as menus, timeline, rentals, vendor team, and more.
Canape: A type of starter food, also commonly referred to as an appetizer or hors d’oeuvre; a petite, decorative food often consisting of a small piece of bread or cracker, topped with a savory food, held in the fingers and often eaten in one bite.
Charger/Charger Plate: A charger plate is a large, decorative plate that serves as a base for other dinnerware, often used in formal settings such as weddings and fine dining restaurants to enhance the dining experience and elevate the table scape design.
First Look: A moment the couple shares before their actual wedding ceremony, where they see each other for the first time in their formal attire and wedding look. Usually the couple is alone during this time with their photographer present to capture those first intimate moments, and occasionally exchange private vows or letters during this time.
First Touch: With a first touch, unlike a first “look”, couples don't see each other.This can take place standing back to back or even holding hands around a corner. It's a way to take that time for each other and share a few intimate words of love without seeing each other before the ceremony.
Full-service: A type of professional service, often found with wedding planners, wedding floral designers, and caterers, who offer comprehensive assistance and support to couples throughout the entire wedding planning process, from the initial stages of conceptualization to the execution of the wedding day itself. For instance, a full-service catering company goes far beyond delivering food, but works with you to curate a menu, set up your tables, and provide staffing and rentals for your wedding reception.
Head Table: As part of a reception table layout, a head table is used to seat the newlyweds and their wedding party or family; often confused with a Sweetheart Table, which seats just the couple.
In-house: Services carried out within an organization or its facilities, often used by venues and caterers to refer to food, beverage, staffing, or rental items that are provided onsite.
Processional: The order in which the wedding party walks down the aisle to mark the beginning of a wedding ceremony, which can be customized to each couple’s preference based on their personal preferences, religious customs, and number of attendants.
Raw Footage: A photography term referencing all of the unprocessed, unedited photos + video containing all the colors, details, and lighting exactly as it was captured by the camera.
Recessional: The order in which the newlyweds and their wedding party exit the ceremony, walking back down the aisle, and can follow tradition, religious customs, or the couple's preferences.
Room Flip: A room flip occurs when your wedding ceremony and reception will take place in the same room and the room must be “flipped” from one set up to the next while your guests enjoy cocktail hour or other activities in another room or space.
Shot List: A document that outlines the couple’s desired combinations of family + wedding party formal photos; it ensures the photographer knows which shots are most important to you and prevents any missed must-have photos.
Tablescape: A term that combines your centerpieces and place settings, or the overall decoration of your table. It is a creative arrangement of items gathered and placed on top of the table to create a unique, personal, and memorable aesthetic for your guests.
Photo by Amber Robillard Photography
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What common wedding terms would you add to the list? Drop a comment below!