Design & Decor Terms
Welcome to All Events Party & Wedding Rentals, your go-to resource for understanding event design and decor terminology. Familiarizing yourself with common terms not only enhances your planning experience but also ensures you’re well-prepared for your event. From “open flame” to “focal points,” knowing the lingo will help you communicate your vision effectively. Let’s break down the essential terms to keep you in the know and ready for your next celebration in Columbus!
Candles – While most everyone knows what candles are, there are different types to make sure you are familiar with.
Pillar Candles: A thicker (usually around 3" wide) candle that come in various heights.
Taper Candles: A thinner candle that tapers at the top and is held upright by a candlestick holder.
Tealights: A small compression molded candle set in aluminum cups.
Votive Candle: A small candle that burns longer than tealights.
Floating Candles: A disc candle, typically 2-3" diameter that floats in water.
Pillar Candle
Taper Candle
Tealights
Votive Candle
Floating Candle
LED/Flameless: Battery operated candles. No real heat or flame.
LED / Flameless Candle
Taper Sleeves / Chimneys: Open ended glass sleeves/tubes that fit around the candlestick base and fit the total height of the candles and holder combined.
Before buying or renting taper chimneys it's imperative that you have the measurements of the widest part of the candle holder, as well as the total height of the holder to the top of the candle. There are many chimneys available online at a cheaper cost, however they are typically not tall or wide enough to fit the standard taper candles.
To ensure you do not waste your money, be sure to do your research prior to purchasing.
Taper Sleeves / Chimneys
It's important to understand and clarify your venue's candle policy prior to purchasing or renting your centerpieces. Many venues such as museums, historic buildings, and barns have a policy against real candles. Most venues that do allow real candles have a policy against Open Flame due to the risk of fire and damage related to the open flame. Many people confuse the term "open flame" with real candles. Below is an example of Open Flame candles and what is and isn't acceptable.
Open Flame: Refers to any real candle in which the flame is not properly protected by a glass container.
Open Flame
Enclosed Flame
Chargers – No, we're not talking about charging your phone. Charger plates or service plates are large plates used at full-course dinners and/or to dress up your table setting. Charger plates have been in use since the 19th century. They are usually larger than dinner plates, typically 13" in diameter.
Since they are not used to serve food, charger plates can be found in a variety of materials, from traditional china to metal, wood, glass, and plastic, and they may be decorated with substances that can be toxic if ingested.
Notes: Typical dinner plates measure 10-10.5" in diameter. Depending on the size of tables your venue provides, you will need to be sure not to seat more guests than the table is designed for as chargers are typically 13" and will limit space for flatware settings.
60" Diameter Table: Charger limit = 8
72" Diameter Table: Charger limit = 10
6' Banquet Table: Charger limit = 3 per side
8' Banquet Table: Charger limit = 4 per side
Charger with Dinner Plate
Chargers Typically 13"
Place Setting – A full set of dishware and cutlery arranged for a single guest at a meal.
Sweetheart Table – This is a smaller, intimate table for the couple to sit at for dinner and formalities. This can be completely separated from the bridal party or built into a head table set up with minimum separation to focus on the couple.
Centerpieces & Tablescaping – Gone are the days of a simple single item in the center of your guest table, referred to as a "centerpiece". Today's couples and vendors refer to your table centerpieces as your "Tablescape". Essentially this is a collection of items (flowers, candles, greenery, other decor) arranged on your guest tables and usually coordinates with table linens, dinnerware and glassware for a coordinated and cohesive look.
Palette - A set of colors you want to use for your wedding decor. Brides generally select color palettes bases off of the season/time of year they are getting married, current wedding trends, favorite colors, aesthetics of their venue.
Need help deciding on a color palette? Check out our Pinterest page for inspo!
Mood Board - A collection of photos that create an idea or aesthetic for what you want your wedding to look like, usually made on Canva or Pinterest.
Need inspo? Check out our Pinterest page.
Ceremony Structures - There are a variety of structures available for couples looking to hold their wedding ceremony in a non-traditional church or place of worship. While most of the structures have become an aesthetically pleasing focal point for ceremonies, there are traditional structures designated for cultural wedding traditions.
Chuppah: A chuppah is a canopy or covering that a Jewish couple stands under during their wedding ceremony. A chuppah requires 4 posts and a fabric top/canopy connected to the posts.
Mandap: A mandap is a covered structure with pillars that serves as the altar for Hindu and Jain weddings in India.
Arch: There are various shapes and styles of arches that can be used for any style or denomination of wedding. These arches range from traditional squares, to circles, "broken" arches, hexagon, and other creative styles. Ceremony arches are a personal style and can be adorned with fabrics, flowers and other creative decor.
Lighting & Fabric Treatment - There are a variety lighting options that can provide dramatic effects and create ambiance in your room. Some venues have built in lighting options, while others may offer a 3rd party company to set the mood you desire.
A/V: Audio Visual. This refers to any sound or video equipment needs such as screens, projectors, microphones, etc.
Uplighting: Lighting on the venue's perimeter that shines lights upwards at the walls and ceiling. Good for illuminating large installations or changing the color of a room.
Gobo: A lighting technique that uses a stencil to project specific designs and shapes onto a surface to enhance a wedding’s theme. This can be projected on walls, ceilings and dance floors. Many brides have a gobo projected onto the dance floor with the monogram.
Cafe Lighting: Typically string lights with Edison style bulbs that are strung from the ceiling to create ambiance.
String Lights: Typically string light with Christmas style bulbs strung in various ways such as ceilings or behind fabric backdrops to create an ambient effect.
Ceiling Sweeps: Fabric that is draped from ceiling to create dramatic effect and soft touches.
Installaction: A catch-all term for any large art piece constructed for your wedding, whether it be floral, lighting, or some themed structure.
Flowers- The luxury of flowers at your wedding is a long standing tradition. Depending on your budget and type of wedding you are aiming for the following flowers may be utilized for you, your bridal party, and room decor.
Boutonniere: A single flower or other plant worn traditionally on a lapel.
Corsage: A small arrangement of flowers worn on the wrist or on a dress. Traditionally worn by special wedding guests such as mothers and grandmothers of the couple.
Filler: Typically used in reference to the wedding bouquet, a bundle of flowers held by the wedding party.
Garland: Any chain or loop of floral material, often used as a piece of wall or table decor. Greenery has been the most popular garland for the last few years.
Flower Cloud: This whimsical installation can be suspended above the dance floor, framing the altar, or creating a stunning photo backdrop.
Arch Clusters: Arrangements of flowers with textures, colors, and cascading elements to create a dramatic effect for your ceremony arch.
Compote Centerpieces: Arrangements of flowers that are low to the table, designed in a pedestal style dish.
High Centerpieces: A dramatic high centerpieces that create a focal point on your reception tables. This is a great option for larger venues or if you want to add a touch of grandeur to your décor.
Flat Lays: Lose flowers used for photographers to capture detail shots.
Photographer Flat Lays