YOUR A-Z GUIDE TO WEDDING TERMINOLOGY
Navigating wedding planning can feel like learning a new language, with so many unique terms. To help make your planning journey easier, we’ve created a comprehensive wedding guide to terminology from A to Z. You’re welcome!
A
Aisle: The path that the bride walks down during the ceremony. It is often decorated with flower petals, lanterns, or candles to add to the ambience.
Altar: The focal point where the couple exchanges vows. This can range from a traditional religious setup to a creatively designed arch adorned with flowers and fabric, perfect for photo opportunities.
Arbor: A decorative archway typically made of wood or metal, covered in flowers, greenery, or fabric. It’s a beautiful backdrop for ceremonies and photographs.
B
Boutonniere: A small floral arrangement worn by the groom and groomsmen, usually pinned to the left lapel of their jackets. These often match the bridal bouquet or the wedding’s colour scheme.
Black Tie: A formal dress code where men wear tuxedos with black bow ties, and women opt for floor-length evening gowns, adding a touch of timeless elegance to the wedding celebration.
Bridal Shower: A pre-wedding celebration where friends and family “shower” the bride with gifts, love, and good wishes. It’s a fun event filled with games, food, and often a few heartfelt speeches.
C
Charger Plate: A decorative base plate placed under the dinner plate to enhance the table setting’s elegance.
Celebrant: An officiant authorised to conduct a wedding ceremony. In Australia, a celebrant can perform both civil and religious ceremonies, adding a personal touch to the proceedings.
Centrepieces: The decorative arrangements placed at the center of each table at the reception. Centrepieces can include flowers, candles, lanterns, or themed decorations that reflect the couple’s style.
D
Destination Wedding: A wedding held at a location away from the couple’s home, often in a picturesque or exotic location. This allows for a more intimate celebration and doubles as a holiday for guests.
D-Floor: Slang for dance floor, this is the place that you want guests to spend the night dancing away.
E
Elopement: A small, intimate wedding, often involving just the couple, an officiant, and a few witnesses. Elopements can take place anywhere, from the beach to a backyard.
F
First Look: A private moment where the couple sees each other before the ceremony. This can calm nerves, provide a special memory, and allow for additional photo opportunities.
Favors: Small gifts given to guests as a thank you for attending the wedding. Favors can range from personalised keepsakes to locally made treats.
Factory51: Our rustic chic venue combines exposed brick, warm timber, and handcrafted details to create an intimate atmosphere.
G
Garland: Long strands of greenery or flowers used to decorate the venue. Garlands are versatile and can be draped across tables, wrapped around arches, or hung from ceilings.
Golden Hour: The magical period shortly before sunset or after sunrise when the light is soft and warm, creating perfect conditions for stunning wedding photographs.
Grazing Table: A popular prelude to the main meal, featuring a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, and other finger foods. Perfect for a relaxed, communal cocktail hour.
H
Hand Lettered Stationery: Custom-made invitations, menus, or signage featuring beautifully crafted, handwritten calligraphy, adding a personal and artistic flair to your wedding details.
I
Illuminated Letters: Large, freestanding letters lit from within, often spelling out “LOVE” or the couple’s initials. These make for great photo opportunities and a fun decorative element.
Installation: Large-scale styling elements, such as hanging floral arrangements or fabric draping, that create dramatic visual impact and enhance the wedding venue’s ambiance
J
Jitters – The natural feelings of excitement and anxiety that a couple might experience before walking down the aisle, often helped by taking a few deep breaths or sharing a private moment together.
K
Keepsake: A special item, such as a guest book, piece of jewelry, or a framed invitation, that serves as a memory of the wedding day.
Kitchen Cake: A supplementary cake kept in the kitchen to ensure there’s enough dessert for all guests; it’s not on display but is served alongside or instead of the decorative wedding cake.
L
LED TrueFlame Candles: Battery-operated candles that mimic the appearance of real flames, providing a safe, ambient glow that enhances the romantic atmosphere without the risk of fire.
Letterpress: A printing technique used for invitations that leaves an impression on thick paper, creating a tactile, elegant feel.
M
Marriage Certificate: Your Officiant will provide you with a commemorative marriage certificate on the day, however you must apply to receive an official marriage certificate that can be used for legal purposes (e.g. name changes).
Menu Cards: Cards placed at each seat, detailing the meal options. At Factory51, our menu cards can showcase our handcrafted Italian dishes, designed to tantalise your taste buds.
Mood Lighting: Soft, ambient lighting used to create a romantic atmosphere. This can be achieved with candles, lanterns, or soft fairy lights.
N
Napkin Fold: A decorative way of presenting napkins on a table. Napkin folds can complement the table setting and add a touch of sophistication.
No-show: A guest who RSVPs but does not attend the wedding.
O
Officiant: The person who conducts the wedding ceremony. In Australia, this is often a celebrant, who is legally authorised to marry couples.
Open / On Consumption Bar: A bar where guests do not have to pay for their drinks, adding to the festive spirit of the occasion.
P
Place Cards: Cards placed at each seat that indicate where a guest should sit. They help to organise seating and add a personal touch to the table setting.
Photo Booth: A fun addition to any reception, where guests can take candid or silly photos with props. It’s a great way to create memories and provide entertainment.
Processional: The formal entrance of the wedding party, including the bride’s walk down the aisle, marking the start of the ceremony and creating a memorable moment for all attendees.
Q
Questions: When you first start wedding planning, it’s normal to have a bunch of questions! We recommend writing these down, or thinking which questions to ask ahead of meeting with wedding vendors. At Factory51, we’d be happy to show you around our venue and answer any queries you may have.
Nikolas David Photography
R
Recessional: The joyful exit of the couple and their wedding party down the aisle after the ceremony, often accompanied by celebratory music or confetti.
Rehearsal: An opportunity to practice the ceremony in the week prior to the wedding. The rehearsal is often accompanied by a Rehearsal Dinner, which is a meal held with the bridal party and close family to celebrate together.
Room Flip: The quick transformation of a space from the ceremony setup to the reception setup, often involving a change in styling and seating arrangements to create a new atmosphere.
S
Save the Date: A pre-invitation sent to guests to inform them of the wedding date, allowing them to make travel plans.
Shared Feasting: A style of dining where large platters of food are placed on each table, encouraging guests to help themselves and share, creating a communal and interactive dining experience.
Sweetheart Table: A small table for just the bride and groom at the reception, allowing them to enjoy a few moments together while still being visible to their guests.
Seating Plan: A chart or diagram that shows where each guest will sit during the reception. It’s often displayed at the entrance to the dining area.
T
Tablescape: A creatively arranged table setting that combines table linens, centerpieces, place settings, and decor to reflect the wedding theme and elevate the dining experience.
Toast: A speech given to honor the couple, usually delivered by the best man, maid of honor, or a close family member. It’s a highlight of the reception and often emotional.
U
Unplugged Ceremony: A wedding ceremony where guests are asked to refrain from using phones, cameras, or other devices, allowing them to be fully present in the moment.
Usher: A close friend or family member of the couple responsible for welcoming guests to the ceremony, handing out programs, and answering any queries.
V
Vows: Personal promises exchanged by the couple during the ceremony, often reflecting their love story, values, and hopes for the future.
Venue: The location where the wedding takes place. At Factory51, our venue combines rustic charm with modern amenities, creating the perfect setting for your dream wedding.
W
Wedding Planner: A professional who assists in organising and coordinating every detail of your wedding day, ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish.
Welcome Sign: A decorative sign placed at the entrance of the venue to welcome guests. It often includes the couple’s names, wedding date, and a warm greeting.
X
X-Factor: The unique element that makes your wedding stand out, whether it’s a surprise performance, a custom cocktail menu, or a breathtaking venue.
Y
Yard Games: Games like croquet, giant Jenga, or bocce ball that can be set up for guests to enjoy during the cocktail hour or reception. They’re a great way to keep guests entertained and encourage mingling.
Z
Zoom: Live-streaming is still a great option for those guests that cannot make it to your wedding. Whether you use Zoom, or another platform, be sure to circulate the link ahead of time.
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but understanding the terminology in our wedding guide will help you navigate the process with ease and confidence. Whether you envision a grand celebration or a more intimate affair, Factory51 is here to help you create an unforgettable experience. Our rustic chic venue, coupled with a handcrafted Italian menu and personalised service, will make your wedding day truly special. Reach out to us for more information or to schedule a visit!