Wedding Glossary: Your Easy Guide to Understanding New Zealand Wedding Industry Terms

Planning your wedding can feel like learning a whole new language, especially with all the wedding industry terms that are thrown around. From engagement shoots to RSVPs, the wedding world is filled with terminology that can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with it. While there are plenty of guides available, many are U.S.-centric and don’t apply to New Zealand weddings. That’s where this glossary comes in—here’s a helpful guide to some of the most common terms you’ll encounter in the New Zealand wedding industry.

Photo Credit: Stacey Cavalier Photography

Engagement Shoot

An engagement shoot is a pre-wedding photo session that typically takes place a few months before your wedding day. These photos are not only a lovely way to celebrate your engagement but also provide a chance to get comfortable with your photographer ahead of the big day. Many couples use these photos for save-the-dates, wedding websites, or simply as a way to create beautiful memories. It's also a perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company before the wedding day.

Marriage License

In New Zealand, you’ll need a marriage license to legally marry. This document can be obtained through government services and is a requirement before your wedding ceremony. During the ceremony, the officiant and witnesses will sign the license, and it must be returned to the issuing office to receive your marriage certificate—the official proof of your marriage.

Save the Date

A save the date is a notice sent to guests well in advance of the wedding day. It gives your loved ones an early heads-up about the date and location of your wedding so they can save the date on their calendars. While not all couples send save-the-dates, they are particularly helpful for guests who will be travelling from afar or for destination weddings.

RSVP

RSVP stands for “Répondez s’il vous plaît,” which means "Please respond." This is included with your invitations and helps you track who will be attending your wedding. Guests are asked to confirm their attendance by a specific date, ensuring you can plan accordingly.

Rehearsal

A rehearsal is a practice run of the wedding ceremony, typically held a day or two before the event. It’s an opportunity for the couple, bridal party, officiant, and any immediate family to walk through the ceremony and get comfortable with their roles. A rehearsal helps ensure the ceremony runs smoothly and helps everyone feel confident on the big day.

Wedding Registry

A wedding registry is a list of items you’ve selected for guests to purchase as gifts. Wedding registries are commonly set up at retail stores or online, allowing guests to choose from a list of desired gifts. It’s also common for guests to gift money, and in that case, a simple card box will often suffice.

Photo Credit: George & Jane Photography

Run Sheet

A run sheet is the detailed timeline of your wedding day, outlining when key events and activities will take place—from the ceremony to the reception and everything in between. The run sheet serves as a guide for you, your wedding planner, and vendors, ensuring everyone knows what to expect. It’s the backbone of your wedding day, so make sure it’s thorough and includes vendor contact details and specific timings.

Photo List

A photo list is a detailed list of the specific moments, people, and groupings you want to be captured on your wedding day. It’s essential for ensuring no important shots are missed, such as family portraits, ceremony moments, or candid photos with specific guests. Sharing this list with your photographer in advance will help make the process more efficient.

Seating Plan

The seating plan is a visual layout of where each guest will sit during the reception. It’s often displayed at the entrance or provided to guests in advance. For plated meals, the seating plan is also helpful for your caterers to know which guests have which meal preferences.

Cocktail Style Wedding

A cocktail style wedding is a more relaxed, social style of wedding reception. Rather than having formal seated meals, guests enjoy roaming the venue, mingling, and sampling food from grazing tables, canapés, or food stations. This style allows for a more casual and fun atmosphere, often featuring bar leaners, couches, and lounge areas.

On-the-Day Coordinator

An on-the-day coordinator is a wedding professional who manages all the logistics and ensures everything runs smoothly on the wedding day itself. They focus on the final details to make sure the ceremony and reception flow seamlessly. If you’re looking for an experienced coordinator to handle the details, Waipuna Estate offers this service to ensure your day is stress-free.

First Look

A first look is a private moment when the couple sees each other before the ceremony. It’s often set up by the photographer to capture intimate pre-ceremony photos and helps ease any nerves. Some couples choose to do a first look to have more time for portraits before the ceremony. It’s a personal decision, and we’ve got a blog dedicated to the pros and cons of a first look.

Photo Credit: Robin & Andie Photography

Processional

The processional marks the entrance of the wedding party into the ceremony space, usually accompanied by music. This is when the bridal party walks down the aisle, followed by the bride. It’s one of the most anticipated moments of the day.

Recessional

The recessional is the formal exit of the newlyweds and their wedding party at the end of the ceremony. It signals the beginning of the celebration as the couple heads off to the reception.

Unplugged Ceremony

An unplugged ceremony is when you ask your guests to refrain from using phones, cameras, or other electronic devices to capture the ceremony. This allows everyone to be fully present in the moment while ensuring your professional photographer has a clear shot of the special moments.

Canapés

Canapés are bite-sized appetizers served during the cocktail hour before the reception. They’re perfect for keeping guests satisfied between the ceremony and dinner, providing a chance to socialize and enjoy light bites.

Charger Plate

A charger plate is a decorative plate placed under the dinner plate at each guest's seat. While it’s not for actual use during the meal, it adds an extra layer of style and elegance to your table setting.

Flat Lay

A flat lay is a style of photography where wedding items like invitations, rings, shoes, and other accessories are arranged and photographed from above. It’s a beautiful way to capture the little details of your wedding day.

Photo Credit: Kirsten J Photography

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour is the time between the ceremony and reception when guests can mingle, enjoy drinks, and nibble on canapés or grazing tables. It’s a relaxed period before the formality of the reception begins.

Elopement

An elopement traditionally referred to a spontaneous marriage, often without a formal ceremony. In today’s terms, an elopement typically refers to a smaller, intimate wedding, sometimes in a scenic or unique location, with just the couple and a few loved ones. Waipuna Estate also offers luxury elopement packages for couples looking for an intimate experience.

Favour

A favour is a small gift given to guests as a token of appreciation for attending the wedding. Whether it’s a sweet treat or a personalized keepsake, favours are a nice way to thank your guests for being part of your celebration. However, it’s entirely up to you whether you include favours in your wedding plans.

Floor Plan

A floor plan is a detailed layout showing how your tables, chairs, and other elements are arranged during the reception. It helps visualize the space and ensures the reception area is accessible and organized.

Garland

A garland is a decorative arrangement of flowers, greenery, or fabric, often draped over tables, arches, or the aisle. Garlands bring a lush, natural touch to your wedding décor.

Golden Hour

Golden hour is the period shortly before sunset when the natural light becomes soft and warm. Many photographers love capturing couples during golden hour for its romantic and glowing quality. Be sure to chat with your photographer if you'd like to schedule time for these photos.

Photo Credit: George & Jane Photography

Place Setting

A place setting includes the tableware (plates, glasses, cutlery) at each guest’s seat. It may also include a menu, name card, or wedding favour, helping guests feel welcomed and creating an elegant dining experience.

Grazing Table

A grazing table is a large spread of finger foods such as cheeses, fruits, meats, and dips, often served during cocktail hour. Grazing tables offer variety and allow guests to help themselves in a relaxed, social setting.

Shared Platters

Shared platters are large platters of food served to guests, who then help themselves. This communal style of dining creates a relaxed, family-style atmosphere during the reception.

Buffet

A buffet is a self-service dining option where guests help themselves from a variety of dishes. Buffets are more flexible than plated meals and allow guests to choose from a wider selection of foods.

Plated Main

A plated main refers to a formal meal service where the main course is individually plated and served to each guest. Guests typically choose their meal in advance from a limited menu.

Alternate Drop

Alternate drop is a dining style where two or more different dishes are served in rotation to guests. This style accommodates a range of tastes and helps streamline meal service.

Guest Book

A guest book is a book or creative alternative where guests can sign their names and leave personal messages for the couple. It’s a meaningful keepsake that allows you to remember who attended and read heartfelt notes from loved ones.

Understanding wedding terminology can make your planning process much smoother. With this glossary, you’ll feel more confident navigating the language of New Zealand weddings and ready to take on every step of your wedding journey. We hope this guide helps you feel more informed and at ease as you plan your big day.