Do you panic that new clients will think you’re not up to the task if you don’t understand all the need-to-know wedding styling terms?
If you’re thinking yes that’s me please don’t worry!
Any newbie to any industry will tell you that there is nothing like a conversation peppered with ‘industry terminology’ to make you feel like a complete fish out of water. It’s is no different when it comes to weddings.
We’ve all been there and heard words we’re not familiar with when ‘working’ a wedding or event.
That’s why we’ve put together this handy Glossary of Wedding Styling Terms. So you can avoid those blank face moments.
But this is by no means an exhaustive list of wedding styling terms. We could fill a dictionary with words and phrases associated with weddings.
What we have here is the foundation knowledge you can build upon as you move forward in your wedding styling career.
Wedding Styling Terms
Colour Palette: A range of colours grouped together in a scheme, chosen because they complement one another.
Mood Board: An arrangement of images, materials, pieces of text, etc. intended to evoke a particular style or concept.
Tablescape: A table arrangement. This term is most often used when referring to the styling of multiple elements on the table.
Centrepiece: A centrepiece is a central object which serves a decorative purpose on a wedding table. This is most commonly made from flowers and/or foliage.
Escort Cards: Printed cards that tell guests what table they’ll be seated at. They are typically displayed at the reception entrance, or during cocktail hour.
Place Cards: Printed or handwritten cards that are placed at each guest’s seat at the table they are sitting at. The Place Cards are one of the elements within the Tablescape.
Charger: A large decorative plate that is placed under the actual dinner plate. The Charger is for looks only and helps to add colour and texture to a place setting.
Flatware: Utensils such as knives, forks, and spoons, used at the table for serving and eating food. In other words, cutlery.
Linens: Linens are the cloths used to cover tables and the coordinating napkins. They come in a range of colours, patterns and materials.
- Chairs: There are quite a number of different styles of chairs used for weddings. These are a few of our favourites:
Chiavari – A faux bamboo style that is quite elegant.
Ghost – A modern looking chair made of acrylic often clear but comes in a range of tinted colours too.
Bentwood – A popular option associated with laid-back, effortless elegance.
Cross-back – A Tuscan-style chair with a natural wood finish and a signature cross-back design. Think rustic elegance.
Wedding Styles
You will often hear wedding professionals referring to style of a wedding.
Below are some of the styles of weddings that are popular with couples. But there are so many more so do some research to discover all of the different styles of weddings you can create for a couple.
Romantic: A wedding featuring an enchanted, vibe. Think soft and floaty.
Eclectic: A mix of different styles and colours and not tied to just one aesthetic.
Vintage: Inspired by the past, often using original props and decor.
Art Deco: Inspired by the 1920s era of The Great Gatsby.
Whimsical: Full of fanciful and charming details.
Minimalist: Clean, architectural lines with little to no embellishment.
Rustic: A more understated countryside aesthetic, popular in barn venues.
Natural/Organic: Includes lots of details that are found in nature such as wood, stones, antlers, branches, greenery, and more.
Boho: An aesthetic that is unconventional, creative, and free-spirited.
Lighting Lingo
Lighting can be used to great effect when styling a wedding. Below are some of the key terms you should know.
Pin Spot: A focused beam of light that shines directly onto an object, for example, a centrepiece, wedding cake, dance floor.
Colour Wash: A blanket of coloured light covering an entire area to create a mood or change the look of built-in décor.
Gobos: Circular stencils that are put over a light to project a design or pattern onto a wall, ceiling or floor. Monograms are an example of popular gobo designs.
LED (light-emitting diode): LED lights use much less electricity than regular incandescent lightbulbs. They can also be wireless, which makes them even more discreet. LEDs are great for colour changes and vibrant hues.
String lighting: This comes in lots of lengths and styles and can be used to great effect. But whilst string lights can be a budget alternative stringing them up can be timely (think Christmas lights).
If you want to discover more of the ins and outs of wedding styling then you’ll want to check out our comprehensive course for aspiring Wedding Stylists.
