Vocabulary for Engaged Couple
Congratulations! You said “YES” and now it’s time to start planning a wedding. As you begin talking to potential vendors, you may find a whole new world of wedding-related terms and phrases you’ve never heard. If it feels like you’re learning a foreign language instead of planning a wedding, this list is for you:
In-House: The additional services offered by a vendor. This phrase usually refers to a venue that offers “in-house” catering or rental services. It could also be used by a florist offering wedding coordination or a photographer who also offers videography services.
Venue Coordinator: This is the person at the venue who will book your wedding and help with any in-house services. Their wedding day role is to make sure the venue's responsibilities are fulfilled throughout the event.
Palette: The range of colors you plan to use at your wedding. You may get asked, “What is your color palette?” While you may have a single color in mind, you’ll want to have a range of colors that work well together. Your wedding planner or primary vendor can help you create this.
Boutonnière: A small flower arrangement worn by the groom and groomsmen on their suit lapels.
Corsage: A small flower arrangement worn by the mothers and grandmothers of the couple. This can be worn on their wrist or pinned to their attire.
Invitation Suite: An invitation suite refers to all the various pieces that come with a wedding invitation, including the wedding invitation, response card, and information card. It often includes wedding stationery, too.
RSVP: An abbreviation for the French phrase, "répondez s'il vous plaît," which means "please respond." This term is used to request that guests let the couple know if they will be attending the wedding.
Room Block: A room block is a reservation for 10+ rooms, typically created to ensure out-of-town guests have a place to stay for the duration of a wedding.
Processional: The entrance of the wedding party and the bride down the aisle during the ceremony.
Recessional: The exit of the wedding party and the newly married couple after the ceremony.
Room Flip: When a single room is completely transformed between the stages of an event. The most common room flip example is having your guests leave the ceremony for a cocktail hour only to come back to the same room for the reception. This is done to economize space and budget as well as to limit the inconvenience of needing multiple locations.
Sweetheart Table: A private table set up just for the newlywed couple at the reception.
Head Table: This is the principal table at the wedding reception where the wedding party traditionally sits. In some cases, the newlyweds sit with the group at the head table. In other cases, they have their own private sweetheart table.
Seating Chart: A chart or display that indicates where tables guests should sit at the reception.
Escort Cards: Cards that direct guests to their assigned tables. These are placed on an entrance table for guests to pick up as they walk into the reception. They typically display the guest's name and table number.
Place Cards: Cards that indicate each guest's specific seat at the table. These are located at each place setting on the guest table. They typically display the guest’s name and a discrete symbol indicating their meal selection for plated dinners.
By familiarizing yourself with these wedding-related terms, you'll be better prepared to communicate with vendors and make informed decisions about your wedding day. Congratulations again, and happy planning!
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