Congratulations on your engagement! As you begin to plan your wedding there are some terms you may not be familiar with, let us help you understand the lingo!
Types of candles:
Taper- these are tall skinny candle sticks that can stand in a holder and an optional hurricane vase
Tea lights- these candles are a micro-sized round candle. They are great for accenting decor!
Candelabra: These are grand and elegant multi-arm candle holders for tapered candles
Pillar - these are cylinder candles with 1 wick, varying in height and can be arranged on their own or in a slightly taller cylinder vase.
Votive- these are a micro version of a pillar candle around 2.5” tall and can sit in a candle holder
Floating- these small round candles appear to be floating atop a water-filled vase. They can be in cylinder vases or Monet-stem holders and vary in height
Dress Codes:
dress codes can be tricky, here is a brief description
Black tie- Ladies: floor-length formal dress or formal cocktail-length dress, Gentlemen: Tuxedo
Black tie optional- Ladies: floor length dress/ formal cocktail dress Gentlemen: Dark suit or tuxedo
Formal Attire- Ladies: Formal cocktail-length dress or floor-length dress/ jumpsuit. Gentlemen: Nice suit and tie (tuxedo not mandatory)
Cocktail Attire- Ladies: formal dress with shorter hemline options. Gentlemen: A nice suit and tie with a white or black shirt
Tableware
Tablescape- this is the term for a completed table design that can vary in detail and complexity. It includes everything from chargers, flatware and plates to the floral, candle and decor design.
Place setting- The arrangement for every guest’s charger, plates, napkin, glasses and any other individual decor you add (ie. menu, place card, etc)
Charger: a decorative plate that will sit under plates that will be served for each course. It adds a bit of glamour to the tablescape and enhances the colour theme of any event
Flatware- Utensils for each course are arranged at each place setting. The flatware can be rented in various hues and designs to match your wedding’s colours or use your venue’s standard flatware.
Coupe- A stemmed glass used for champagne or cocktails
Goblet- A beautiful short-stem water glass. Many venues have a standard goblet however there are many rentals available for upgrading
Head table vs. sweetheart table:
Head table: This is a table that can fit the newly married couple and the whole bridal party
Sweetheart table: This is a table just for you and your partner.
EBE tips: If you choose to have a sweetheart table, your bridal party can be at a table(s) nearby or placed with their significant others at guest tables!
Invitation Suite
This refers to everything sent to your guests to invite them to your wedding and provides all the information your guests will need. You can have a 5-piece invitation suite or 1 with a QR code to your wedding website. The invitation suite includes save-the-dates (sent separately from the following), invitation, RSVP card & envelope, accommodations card, weekend events card, and any other finer details i.e. colours to wear, directions…
Processional & Recessional
the ceremony orders walking down and back up the aisle. A song(s) is required for each and the bride typically has a separate song for the processional. Check out our Rehearsal blog for details on walking down the aisle: HERE
Photography
Shot list: The list of photos you want to have captured at your wedding (getting ready, family (with all names), portraits, flat lays, candid dancing, etc.)
Formals: Your posed pictures looking at the camera, many with your families and bridal party.
Portraits: Both solos posed and with your fiance while looking at the camera and not. Ensure you look at many photo styles so you choose the photographer for you and capture these styled portraits.
Flat lay: Taken before getting ready photos, this is a styled photo to capture the details. Leave out ring(s), fragrance, shoes, invitation, jewelry, vows, veil, etc.
First look: To capture the reaction of seeing your fiance prior to the ceremony on your wedding day. EBE tip: we love a first look because it allows much more time in the schedule for photos before the ceremony and the day feels less rushed. However, there is something special about waiting to see each other at the altar. We recommend you do what feels right for you and will create a schedule that will accommodate what you want ♥️
First Touch: If you would like to keep the first look for the ceremony but want to ease your morning nerves, we have a solution: do what our couple Renee & Thomas did and hold hands before your ceremony.
Florals
Installment: A beautiful floral arrangement hanging from the ceiling. It is a stunning wow moment that is captured beautifully in photos.
Corsage: Small floral arrangement be worn around the wrist of mothers and grandmothers of the Bride & Groom
Boutonniere: Small floral arrangement worn on the left lapel of the suit jacket of the groom, groomsmen, father and grandfathers of the bride and groom
Bouquet: Handheld by the bride and a smaller or different floral held by bridesmaids & MOH
Events
Welcome party: if you have many out-of-town guests or a destination wedding, a welcome party can be combined with your rehearsal dinner to thank those who travelled.
Rehearsal dinner: Often the night before the wedding or after your ceremony rehearsal there is a dinner for immediate family and bridal party.
Sunday brunch: most common for out-of-town guests or destination weddings, the next day a brunch can be held to say goodbye and is the last of the wedding events.
Signage:
Here is a list of the signage you will likely need to have at your wedding to direct your guests:
Welcome sign
Seating chart
Unplugged Ceremony Sign: If you would like your guests to tuck their phones away and enjoy the ceremony we recommend having a sign to give your guests a heads-up. You can have your officiant also make an announcement to ensure your guests follow your wishes and give them a quick moment to take a picture before the ceremony begins.
Memory table sign: On your table honouring loved ones that have passed away, along with a photo that commemorates them include a sign that says “In loving memory of those who could not be here but are in our hearts”.
Card box sign
Guestbook sign
Favours sign
Bar Sign (Signature drinks)
Reserved ceremony seats
Place card
Table numbers
Menus
Logistics
Run sheet/ schedule: This is the order of events/ schedule of the wedding day. Incredibly detailed from the moment the bridal party begins to get ready until the end of the night. Created with the help of vendors by your wedding planner/ coordinator. Each vendor working the event is given one to ensure the day runs on schedule.
Floor plan: This is the layout of the room(s) for your wedding. It will detail the tables, the number of people at each table, where the entertainment is set up, the bar, dance floor, cake table, etc.
Room flip: Some venues that do not have a ceremony space will allow for you to have the ceremony and reception in the same room, to make this work, during cocktail hour your vendor team will transform the space from a ceremony set up to your reception floorplan!
Walk-through: There are a few times that you will walk through your venue before your wedding. The two to highlight: the first time you tour venues with many questions to decide if it is the place for your event and the walk-through/ meeting just before the wedding date when final decisions are made.
Hard stop: There are a few uses for this. 1: This is the very end of the night when all guests have to leave the venue. And 2: When creating your schedule for photos this is the time you decide posed photos are to be finished.
Rain plan: Simply put: your Plan B if it rains on your wedding day. If there is any part of your wedding planned to be outdoors (ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, photos) there must be a plan B or rain plan in place to swiftly proceed without missing anything in your day!
EBE tips:
1. When choosing your venue make sure to tour their plan B before you book!
2. We recommend that when picking your plan B, you LOVE it because you may have rain but if you like the plan B location as much as plan A, you won’t have any regrets
BONUS!
Receiving line: This is a traditional way to greet your guests at the welcome table during your cocktail hour. However is is less popular now as many couples prefer to mingle. Standing in a line it can include the bride, groom and parents, or bride, groom, parents and members of the bridal party.
Mood board: Simply put, this is your inspiration for your wedding. It is a combination of reference photos that you would love your wedding day to be inspired by for your decor, types of florals, venue, and colour schemes that your vendors can work from to bring your vision to life.
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