When you’re new to the wedding planning world, you’ll also be new to lots of new words and phrases that you might not have ever heard before, so this blog is all about getting to grips with them!

You’ll find some terms exclusive to Sparth House here too - so you’ll know what we mean when we talk about certain parts of your day - these terms are hightlighted!

Show Round - A private appointment with a member of the wedding team to view the venue and discuss dates and quotes

Garden Apartment - Where, usually, the Bride stays the night before with her Bridal Party. This is your getting ready room in the morning and where you camp out until it’s time to get you married!

Civil Ceremony - Your wedding ceremony conducted by a Registrar. This is a legal service.

Registrar - The officals, from Lancashire County Council, who will conduct your civil ceremony

Celebrant - A professional who can conduct your ceremony instead of a Registrar, though this is not a legal service, don’t let that put you off!

Drinks Reception - The time after your ceremony where you and your guests enjoy drinks, canapés and lots of photos!

Welcome Drink - This isn’t a drink to welcome your guests to the venue like most would think. This is the drink served during your drinks reception. Traditionally and still called the welcome drink as it would be when guests are welcomed to the reception venue after the Church service

Canapés - Bitesized portions of food, small enough to hold in one hand whilst holding a drink in the other! They are served during the drinks reception by the waiting on team, usually on boards and carried around to wherever your guests happen to be.

Wedding Breakfast - Nope, you’re not being served bacon & eggs on your wedding day! This is your three-course sit down meal after the drinks reception. It’s called a breakfast because it’s the first meal you’ll have together as a married couple.

Centrepieces - These are the decorations for the middle of your wedding breakfast tables. You may have an arrangement of candles, bud vases or giant floral arrangements - it can be whatever you dream of - but you definitely need them.

Flower Bomb - These are flower arrangements done by a venue dresser or florist and can be real or faux; they usually sit on top of tall scructures like a plinth, stand or vase and are a type of centrepiece.

Charger Plates - Decorative plates that sit on the tables at each place setting. The plates with your food on are placed on top of the charger plates and they stay throughout your meal. They are a very effective way to add simple but beautiful decoration to your tables.

Room Turnaround / Turnaround - Not a glamorous name, we know. This is the time after the wedding breakfast, when we ask all your guests to head back to the lounge and bar for tea and coffee, whilst the event team turn your wedding breakfast room in to your evening reception room.

TOP TIP - Turn room turnaround into Cocktail Hour with our little upgrade - have cocktails waiting for you on your return to the lounge and bar from your wedding breakfast.

Evening Reception - This is the party bit. You may have a few (or a lot!) of extra guests joining you for evening celebrations; it usually involves a DJ and more food!

Carriages - This is the time when your wedding finishes and guests should make their way either up to bed or to get their taxis.

Got any more? Comment below and we’ll answer!

Love Olivia, Katie & Emma xxx

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