THE ABCS OF EVENT TERMINOLOGY
If you’re not in the events or wedding industry, there are probably a handful terms being thrown around for which you couldn’t even fake a definition. With all of the other information that bombards you during wedding planning, let us walk you through the A-Z of wedding terminology. It will be fun!
Attrition
Most wedding hotel room block contracts will include an attrition clause, which refers to a commitment to pay for a specific number of rooms and should your number decrease, this reduction of numbers may require you to pay for the reduction as a penalty. Be sure to read your hotel contracts very carefully!
BEO
A BEO (Banquet Event Order) is a document that outlines every detail of an event and typically comes from your venue or food and beverage provider. This document will include your selected menu items, overall costs, space setup, expected guest count and more.
Cave / Hotbox
In Chicago, there are historical institutions like The Field Museum, Chicago History Museum, and The Chicago Cultural Center that do weddings and events every weekend, but there’s actually no kitchen on-site to cook food. A cave is a large metal box that, by any skilled caterer, can be turned into a portable oven and be used to create a mobile kitchen to cook literally anywhere. For venues like The Chicago History Museum, caterers are not allowed to use any “open flame,” so, these caves become a locker of sterno (that goopy gel that’s used to keep buffet food warm) and turned into ovens with no gas, butane, or any fire at all.
Duet Plate
If you’re having trouble deciding between two protein options for your seated reception, consider opting for a duet plate which offers both on a single plate! One benefit to the duet plate is that you and your guests get the best of both worlds, the drawback may be that you and your guests prefer either fish or beef and with the duet plate you will be getting a smaller portion of your protein choice.
Escort Card
Little cards which have the name of a guest and at which table they are sitting. An escort card lets each guest choose which specific seat they sit on at their specific table and who they are seated next to.
First Look
Typically, the couple will get ready in separate rooms, each with their respective wedding party members. Before the ceremony starts, the couple will usually have an unveiling of sorts where they see each other for the first time in their wedding attire. This is called a first look. Not only does this create a lovely photo opportunity for the couple, but it also diffuses some of the emotion and anxiety of walking down the aisle. We even have some couples who choose to have first looks with their parents and/or wedding party!
Guest Books
Not only is a guest book an easy way for the newlyweds to have physical evidence of all of their guests, but it also allows guests to congratulate and send their best wishes to the happy couple. What a wonderful and one-of-a-kind souvenir from your big day! Some fun ideas we love instead of traditional guest books: a beautiful coffee table book, a cookbook, vintage postcards or an oversized photo mat.
Hashtag
Originally made famous by Twitter, having a unique hashtag for your wedding allows you and your guests to have a collection of memories on social media that’s easily compiled throughout your wedding weekend. If you’re looking for a unique wedding hashtag check out the Wedding Hashers.
Igloo
If you’ve ever been to an event, you’ve seen a multitude of Igloos without even knowing it. No, we are not talking about a house for eskimos. We are talking about the insulated bins that hold liquid. In the world of events, igloos can be ice buckets, wrapped in linen and used as table risers, used to batch specialty cocktails, or even to transport hot soup.
Junior Bridesmaid
A junior bridesmaid is a younger member of the wedding party who falls between the age gap of flower girl and bridesmaid (usually about 8 to 16). She might be a younger sister or sister-in-law, a daughter, or anyone in that age range who you want to be included in the ceremony and celebration of your special day.
Ketubah
A Ketubah is a special type of Jewish prenuptial agreement. It is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the bride. Contemporary Jewish couples are adapting the traditional language of the Ketubah to make it more gender-inclusive. The Ketubah is signed by the couple and 2 witnesses in a ceremony overseen by a Rabbi just before the wedding ceremony.
Limo Bus
Think of a limo bus as a party on wheels. It has the ambiance of a limo, cushy seats, mood lighting, and probably a snazzy driver, but also has the height of a bus so you can get your groove on, on your way to your next destination. Limo buses are great because they are large enough to both safely transport your wedding party and then some, as well as gives you the flexibility and space to move around in your gown.
Meal Choice
Usually included on wedding invitations in the RSVP cards, a meal choice allows guests to choose their entree preference such as beef, fish, or vegetarian. There are lots of fun options for you to choose from when it comes to indicating guests’ meal choices on the wedding day. Check out these vintage designs from Etsy!
Nosegay
A nosegay is small bouquet of flowers that originated in the 15th century (and yes it’s still trendy). Nosegay literally means ornament that is appealing to the nose, so the nosegay is usually a small bouquet of flowers that also smells good. Because nosegays are typically a smaller bouquet they are usually carried by bridesmaids and the bride has a larger bouquet. A nosegay is also wrapped in some form of decorative fabric or ribbon to coordinate with their dresses.
Officiant or Celebrant
You know the person standing at the front of the ceremony who’s sort of emceeing the wedding? Says the classic line “I now pronounce you...” That’s the wedding officiant. In religious ceremonies the wedding is often officiated by a Priest or Rabbi, but if the couple doesn’t have a religious affiliation or they are going for a more casual ceremony, weddings can be officiated by a Celebrant or even a friend or family member. It’s important to have an officiant who understands the kind of ceremony the couple wants to have as they are often leading the tone of this very important part of the wedding day!
Parent Dances
Traditionally, parent dances are when the bride dances with her father and the groom dances with his mother but really any sort of dancing between the couple and their parents constitutes a parent dance! We’re suckers for sentimental parent dances!
Quotes / Proposals
This isn’t the typical getting-down-on-one-knee proposal you might be thinking of when you hear wedding and proposal in the same sentence. This quote/proposal is an initial document that provides a detailed description of services, products and costs from wedding vendors including caterers, venues, florists, etc.
Room Block / Rooming List
Hotels will offer discount group travel rates if you are looking to block more than 10 rooms. Once you have decided on a date for your wedding, you should start reserving rooms at a hotel for out of town guests. It’s one way to thank them for traveling for your wedding day!
Seating Chart
What happens if your parents are divorced, you have a guest who doesn’t know anyone else at the wedding or or you feel like playing matchmaker for 2 of your single friends? A seating chat can easily solve all of these problems without any issues on your wedding day. Seating charts can be used for wedding party table(s), family tables, couples, singles, and kids. If you’re looking for a slightly more informal seating arrangement, consider escort cards!
Tasting
Whether your wedding venue is providing catering or you're using an outside vendor, most reliable caterers offer potential clients a wedding tasting where you can sample their food, from hors d'oeuvres and salads to main courses and desserts — and it's a good idea to take them up on it. The tasting has become increasingly important as couples choose to personalize everything from a signature cocktail to their desserts, and this is the only dress rehearsal for food that you'll have before the big day!
Uplighting
If you’re getting married in a space with historic architecture and details on the ceiling, chances are you’re going to want uplighting at your reception. Uplighting is a specific type of lighting that helps point the focus upward, i.e. highlighting those elements that made you choose your wedding venue.
Vessels
At your consultations with your florist or caterer you may hear your vendors reference “vessels.” If this leaves you with a puzzled look on your face, you are not alone. A vessel could be anything from a vase for your centerpiece, the receptacle for cards from your guest, or those cute tasting forks that are holding one of your delicious hors d’oeuvres.
Wedding Party
Not to be confused with your wedding reception, the wedding party includes bridesmaids, groomsmen, and the officiant. Basically, all of those involved in the ceremony of the wedding. This is a much more inclusive term than the traditional “bridal party” and we’re here for it!
eXchange of Vows
So, maybe we cheated a little bit on this one but seriously, how many “x” words do you actually know? Exchanging vows is a component of the ceremony where the couple essentially makes promises to their partnering, such as vowing to always giggle at their bad jokes or vowing to always do the dishes. Your vows should be personal and will vary in length, formality, and content in order to best suit you as a couple.
Your Toasts
We’ve all seen those elaborate wedding toasts in romantic comedies where suddenly the best man professes his love for the bride or family member who’s had a little too much to drink reveals a family secret. Luckily, most wedding toasts are full of joy, laughter and appreciation. The toasts may include the best man, the maid of honor, parents of either spouse, and the couple themselves.
Zzz
Sleep! Finally, after months (maybe years) of planning for your big day, and actually experiencing the long day of love and celebration, it’s finally time for the newlyweds to get some shut eye during their first night as a married couple before jetting off to an exotic locale for your honeymoon!
HAPPY PLANNING!
