Wedding planning can be super confusing; decisions flying at you left, right and centre, the unwarranted opinions of your nearest and dearest and the terminology. Wedding suppliers seem to talk in a language of their own! It was only when I was planning my own wedding, that I realised my fiancé (now husband!) didn't have a clue what a charger plate was. And he's certainly not alone, wedding planning throws up all sorts of terms that are rarely used in everyday life.
But, worry not! I've got your back! I have compiled a dictionary of commonly misunderstood wedding terms explained in every day language so you can go into meetings with your wedding suppliers and know exactly what they're talking about!
Aisle Meadow - Floral arrangements that line the aisle, creating a focal point. They are created in a naturalistic "just grown there" style, like a meadow (see below).
Broken Arch - A modern, organic take on a traditional wedding arch, asymmetric in design as if it were "broken" in two.
Booking Fee - Many vendors will require a booking fee in order to reserve your wedding date. This is usually an non-refundable fee which confirms your booking with them.
Boutonniere - In then UK we usually refer to all buttonholes and boutonnieres as a "buttonhole". A boutonniere is cluster of smaller flowers attached the the lapel of the groom and groomsmen's suits (see below).
Bud Vases - A small vase containing one or two stems of flowers or foliage.
Buttonhole - A traditional buttonhole is a single flower attached to the lapel of the groom and groomsmen's suits. In the UK we tend to use the term "buttonhole" to mean, any flowers attached to a suit lapel using a pin.
Bustle - Gathering the train of the wedding dress up to allow for easier movement. This is often done to longer dresses during the evening party to allow for dancing!
Centrepieces - Floral designs for the tables at your wedding breakfast. They sit in the "centre" of the table.
Charger Plate - A large decorative plate used as a base setting. They are not to be eaten directly from, each course is then served on a separate plate on top of the charger plate.
Cocktail Hour - Also known as a drinks reception, after your wedding ceremony but before your wedding breakfast, when you mingle with your guests often whilst drinks and canapes are served. *can be more than an hour! (see below).
Corsage - A small floral adornment typically worn by female members of the couples immediate family. They come in a number of different forms; a pin corsage is worn similarly to a buttonhole or a wrist corsage adorns the wrist either on ribbon or a bracelet.
Elopement - A wedding small informal wedding ceremony where the couple travel somewhere to get legally married without inviting any or many of their family and friends.
Favours - A small token or gift given from the couple to their wedding guests.
First Look - When the bride and groom have a "first look" of each other in their wedding attire before the ceremony starts.
Floral Installation Piece - A large scale flower arrangement that is made on site, this can include staircase flowers, fireplace flowers and hanging floral arrangements.
Garland - Individual foliage pieces are bound together to create long strand of foliage (sometimes with flowers) attached to a rope or wire.
Golden Hour - The hour before sunset hen the light is infused with gold tones. Photographers love the light tone during this time so it is often used for photographing portraits of the couple and/or wedding party (see below).
Hanging Floral Arrangement - A suspended floral arrangement, usually hanging from a ceiling.
Micro Wedding - A small intimate wedding with a handful of close family and friends.
Moon Gate - A circular shaped arch (in the shape of the moon!), often used as a backdrop for wedding ceremonies and adorned with flowers.
Pew Ends - Also called swags. Bunches of flowers or foliage attached to the chairs or pews linings the aisle during your wedding ceremony (see below).
Proposal Document - A supplier proposal document is a list of their proposed input in your wedding day. It usually contains details of the services they will provide for your wedding and pricing details.
Room Turn Around - A room turn around is when a room is used for both your wedding ceremony and reception. The room is "turned around" to go from having an aisle and rows of seating to tables set for your wedding breakfast.
Run Sheet - The scheduled timeline of key events on your wedding day. The run sheet is used by your wedding venue and suppliers to ensure the day is kept on time and organised.
Sweetheart Table - A small separate table for just the couple to eat their wedding breakfast meal together.
Tablescape - The design elements used to make up the table décor for your wedding breakfast. This usually includes decorative items such as flowers, candles and stationery alongside practical items like linen, plates, cutlery and glassware (see below).
Table Runner - A piece of material running along the centre of a table (usually a trestle table) used to add colour and texture to a table set up.
Thank You Bouquets - Gift bouquets of flowers used to thank those who have paid a key part in the wedding preparations for example, mother's of the bride and groom.
Top Table - Traditionally, the couple would sit with their parents on a "top table" at the front of the room during the wedding breakfast.
Trestle table - Long, rectangular tables often used to dine in a banqueting style. (Think Hogwarts!)
Urn Arrangement - A large flower arrangement created in a vase like vessel, often displayed on plinths (see below).
Wedding Breakfast - Your wedding reception meal, called a "breakfast" as it is your first meal as a married couple.
Wedding Coordinator - Someone who helps coordinate the events on your wedding day. They often, help direct suppliers, move furniture and assist the couple in the running of the wedding. They do not usually help organise the wedding before the day itself.
Wedding Planner - Someone who assists the couple with planning in the lead up to the wedding day and on the day itself, this can include getting quotes from suppliers, organising invitations and RSVPs and attending appointments.
My top tip for wedding planning is this; if your suppliers are using terminology you don't understand - just ask! Communication is key and any good wedding professional will have no problem in explaining their terms.
If you would like to book a consultation to talk all things wedding flowers, simply fill in our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible! We can't wait to hear from you!
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