How To Speak 'Event Planner'
Every industry has its own language and terms. These words and phrases can be confusing to anyone who is not part of the daily operations of a specific industry, and the event planning business is no exception.
To help you understand the terms, acronyms, and phrases regularly used when availing of party planning services, Houston Event Planning has created this handy reference guide. Here you’ll find valuable information allowing you to comprehend and communicate your event needs effectively.
Attrition. It refers to reducing your initial contracted guest count. Some venues may allow this and some venues may not. It may also refer to a clause in a hotel room block where you must have a guaranteed number of rooms or face a penalty.
Charger. A large, decorative base setting for which other dinnerware is placed on top.
Overlay. An overlay is used to partially (or entirely) cover a tablecloth while also introducing another fabric or color element to the tablescape.
Consumption Bar. A budget-friendly alternative to the open bar. You set a limit (either dollar amount or number of drinks), and drinks are charged toward that limit.
Liability. Liability insurance (also known as Commercial General Business Liability) protects a company’s assets and pays for obligations like medical costs, incurred if someone gets hurt or when there are property damages or injuries. Most venues require liability insurance for vendors who are not partnered with them to ensure that they are covered if any accidents or injuries occur.
Processional. The entrance portion of the wedding ceremony that begins with the bridal party, and is followed by parents, and the bride.
Recessional. The exit portion of the wedding ceremony.
Promotional Product. Any product or item which is given for the promotion of a company or event. They usually carry the name, logo, tagline or message of a company or an event. They are intended to promote that particular activity through advertising.
Rigging Point. These points can take many forms, and some types are unique to specific venues. They are all ultimately designed to enable lifting equipment to attach to equipment or items and to elevate them to various heights safely. For example, this could include loudspeakers, lighting systems, video screens, graphics or themed items.
Room Block. A reservation for a certain number of rooms in which the minimum is usually ten.
Social event. A social event is an event hosted by individuals, couples, and families such as weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, vow renewals, and other life celebrations.
Skirting. Material or decorative covering around risers or staging used to hide the support structure. In audio-visual terms, material hung around or at the bottom of screens to hide screen supports and to create a movie-house effect for rear-screen projection.
Strike. In exhibit terminology, it means the dismantling of exhibits, including audiovisual equipment. (To strike a room).
Venue Coordinator. The coordinator is the point of contact between the client, venue staff, and any vendors secured through the venue. Signature Manor’s venue coordinator meets with the client multiple times to establish layouts, timelines, and other details depending on the services being secured through the venue.
Wedding Planner. The wedding planner is the point of contact between the bridegroom and all vendors, including the venue. The wedding planner is the key person to assist with details such as invitations, programs, florals (boutonnieres and corsages), and other items as well.
If you’re looking for professional event planners, reach out to the experts at Houston Event Planning. We offer our services to clients across Sugar Land, Katy, Houston, Cypress, Cinco Ranch, and Galveston. We are professional event planners in Houston, TX with fifteen years of experience in this industry. We have planned and executed thousands of events. Our expert services include planning for corporate events, weddings, and casino parties.
To view our full list of services head on to our website by clicking here, check out our gallery to see the events we’ve successfully planned, or get in touch with us here.