Your Guide to the Most Confusing Wedding Receptions Terms

As Taylor’s new intern, I have learned so much the past few months about weddings and all that goes into planning them. I remember being so overwhelmed because the wedding industry was so foreign to me and had such specific terminology and traditions. Writing the blog has been one of my favorite tasks in this job because it has given me the opportunity to share a lot of the knowledge I have been gathering with all of you. Trust me, if you have ever been confused about the difference between a crudité and a canapé or thought someone’s phone was dying when discussing chargers, than this is the post for you! I will be breaking down my favorite wedding terms (reception edition) so you never have to raise your eyebrows in confusion at them again.

Charger

I have a vivid memory of working at a styled shoot with Taylor one day and my job at the moment was to set up the table. When Taylor was explaining what she wanted, she told me which chargers she wanted and how she wanted it set up. I stared at her wide-eyed and very confused. As it turns out, a charger is the large, decorative plate that is set under other plates in a formal place setting. These plates are just for decoration and not used for actual food. I will say though, they make all the difference in design and can really elevate your table settings.

Estate Table

Estate tables are all about the seating chart when it comes to wedding receptions. At an estate table, or head table, your close family and bridal party all sit at a long table at the front of the reception space with the couple. Estate tables are great to surround yourself with your loved ones on your wedding day!

Sweetheart Table

Unlike an estate table, only the couple sits at the sweetheart table. Sweetheart tables are great to have some time for the couple to really feel like they are getting some alone time together but also encourages the couple to get up and mingle with other people a little more.

In-House Catering

In-house catering is the catering that is provided by your reception venue. Many couples love in-house catering because it means one less vendor to search for when planning your wedding. On the flipside, we also have many couples that want specific food or a specific caterer for their wedding. Therefore, in-house catering or not is just a personal preference for our couples!

Open Bar + Cash Bar

In one of our past blog posts here, we talked a little about cash bars vs open bars and why we never recommend a cash bar. With a cash bar, guests are paying for their drinks as they purchase them. In an open bar, the alcohol is provided by a vendor and paid for or budgeted for in the planning of the wedding. This is always a little more comfortable for the guests and should typically be included in your wedding budget.

Signature Cocktail

Signature cocktails are a fun way to personalize your wedding. They are typically advertised on a sign at the bar and are named after the couple or something special to the couple. They are a fun little detail to add to your wedding and makes for some yummy drinks for your guests!

Crudités + Canapés

These two are all about the appetizers and cocktail hour at your wedding and often confused for each other. Crudités are sliced or whole veggies (often served with a dipping sauce) while Canapés are typically a bread, cracker, or puff pastry under a savory topping. Both are very delicious and very popular appetizers for your cocktail hour!

Photos By Rustic White Photography