Wedding Terminology to Help You Through Your Planning

If you’ve just entered the minefield of wedding planning, you’re probably Googling away resulting in reading tonnes of blogs with great ideas. But at the back of your mind you’re saying, “but what does that mean?”. I’ve put together a handy list of key wedding planning terminology to help you get to grips.

Canapes: small nibbles of food for your guests to enjoy, usually post ceremony while photos are taken.

Celebrant: a celebrant performs a non-legal wedding ceremony. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, such as in a marquee or tipi, this is a great way to personalise your vows. (Tip: In the UK, outdoor ceremonies are only legally binding in specific circumstances, so consult your wedding planner.)

Corkage: some venues and caterers will allow you to provide your own alcohol, but charge a corkage fee to serve it for you.

Drinks Reception: the time after your ceremony where your guests grab a drink and sometimes canapes (see above) and mingle for a while. The couple and their family often take this time to have the family photos taken.

Dry Hire: a dry hire venue provides the blank canvas (be it land, a marquee, or tipi) for you to craft your dream day with your choice of suppliers. Looking for the perfect dry hire wedding? Let’s chat about how I can help you create your vision!

Favours: small gifts for guests often found at their place settings. Common ideas are seeds to plant in honour of the couple, or something edible always goes down a treat.  

Master of Ceremonies (MC): a person chosen to make announcements for the day i.e. introducing the newly married couple into their reception. This can be a person special to the couple, or someone professionally hired in. Your wedding coordinator may also do this for you too.

On the Day Coordinator: a must have for a marquee, tipi or dry hire weddings! This person ensures everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes.. You can have a look at my On the Day Coordination Service HERE.

Outdoor Wedding: No, this doesn’t mean getting married outside! An outdoor wedding involves hiring a structure such as a marquee, tipi or stretch tent as your wedding venue. It’s an incredible way to create a unique and customizable space. If you’re considering planning an outdoor wedding, have a look at my Outdoor Wedding Planning page.

Save the Date: a card sent by the couple approx. a year in advance of their big day, advising people of the date. This is a way of getting guests to make sure they clear their diaries in advance, without having to have any of the details sorted yet.

Sweetheart Table: traditional top tables can sometimes create family politics. Enter the sweetheart table, where just the two of you can enjoy a special moment during your reception.

Venue Stylist: if you don’t feel like doing it yourself, you can choose to hire a professional stylist to bring your vision to life in making your venue look exactly how you’ve dreamed.

Wedding Breakfast: despite the name, no, this is not the breakfast you eat on your wedding day! Your Wedding Breakfast is the first meal you eat together after you are married. Traditionally, this used to be a three course sit down meal. However, nowadays this can be anything you like: sharing boards, buffet style, or even food from food vans.

Wedding Reception: once the more formal bits are done, the party can get underway. This is your wedding reception, usually full of drinks, dancing and music whether this be from a band, DJ, or your own speaker system.

Wedmin: simply put, this means your wedding admin. This includes everything from writing your guest list, keeping on top of your invoices and budget, and communicating with your suppliers. If you’re not looking forward to this part of your wedding planning, a wedding planner can take over this for you!

Why Choose a Marquee or Tipi Wedding?

Marquee and tipi weddings provide unmatched flexibility and allow you to create a truly bespoke experience. Whether it’s a boho tipi setup or a luxury marquee, the possibilities are endless. If you’re considering dry hire venues, you’ll love the creative freedom to choose your own suppliers and design every detail.

Let me help you plan a stress-free and memorable day that’s uniquely yours. Visit my Outdoor Wedding Planning page or contact me for a free consultation.

Final Thoughts

Understanding wedding terminology is just the first step toward creating your dream day. With the right planner and expert support, your vision for a marquee or tipi wedding can become a reality. If you have any wedding terms you’re confused about and need help with, please reach out to book in a free chat!