Basic Linens - Linens provided by a site that may or may not be floor length. Usually supplied in your choice of white or ivory, but may vary vendor to vendor.

Consumption Rates - This is one of several ways sites usually charge for alcoholic and other beverages. Under this rate structure, the client will be charged per drink. Bartenders and servers keep track of the total and the client is charged at the end of the function.

Floor-length Linens - These linens are usually preferred for evening or more formal functions and fall the full length from the table top to the floor.

Food and Beverage Minimum - This is one of several requirements caterers may place on clients to ensure that they receive a minimum payment for the function. This may be given in a dollar total, i.e. $3,000 food and beverage minimum; it may be outlined in a per person price, i.e. $125 per person; or it may be given by minimum number of guests. Regardless, most venues or caterers require you to reach this minimum before the service fees and tax rates are added on.

Hosted Bar - This is one of several ways sites usually charge for alcoholic and other beverages. In this case, the host of the event pays for all drinks, usually in a per person, per hour price structure, i.e. beer and wine rates are $3 per person, per hour, or $12 per person for a 4 hour reception.

International Special Events Society (ISES) - The International Special Events Society (ISES) was founded in 1987 to foster enlightened performance through education while promoting ethical conduct. ISES works to join professionals to focus on the "event as a whole" rather than its individual parts. ISES has grown to involve over 4,000 members active in 41 chapters throughout the world. Membership brings together professionals from a variety of special events disciplines including caterers, meeting planners, decorators, event planners, audio-visual technicians, party and convention coordinators, educators, journalists, hotel sales managers and many more professional disciplines. The solid peer network ISES provides helps special events professionals produce outstanding results for clients while establishing positive working relationships with other event colleagues. The Greater Triangle Chapter of ISES includes more than 80 members. For more information on your local chapter, log onto www.ises-gt.org.

Limited Special Occassion Permit - This is a state-issued permit to host an event serving liquor on a site that does not typically allow such service. The cost for this permit is $50 and is issued by the NC ABC commission. The appropriate form and instructions for submission can be found online: http://reports.ncabc.state.nc.us/uploads/resources/757bfff6872a40938ba4a0c20e1c87c4.pdf.

Linens - Refers to the guest table, buffet, bar and other table cloths, as well as napkins used at a social gathering.

National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) - NACE is the oldest and largest professional association that addresses all aspects of the catering industry. Through Chapter involvement, members have an opportunity to work on community service projects and voice opinions about issues that affect them locally and nationally. The Triangle chapter of NACE includes more than 120 members. For more information, log onto www.trianglenace.com.

Plus-Plus (++) - This term refers to the charges usually added to food and beverage costs to cover service fees, staffing costs and state and local taxes. It is important to note these plus-plus charges because in many cases they can add an additional 25 to 28 percent onto your total reception bill.

Preferred Vendor List - This list refers to vendors that sites prefer to have working within their space based on good service and familiarity with the site's rules, regulations and set-up, break-down, delivery and pick-up schedules.

Room Fees - These are the rental fees associated with use of your reception site or space.

Seasonal Pricing - While not all venues offer seasonal pricing, many may during typically slow calendar months like November, January, February and sometimes March. July may also be on this list, if it is an outdoor venue. If you are open to hosting your event in an off-month, this may be a great way to save. You may also consider a Friday or Sunday function as well. While these days are becoming more popular for events nationwide, they are not as busy as Saturdays and may give you more options, not only for locations, but for budget as well.

Seated Capacity - This refers to the maximum capacity the site may host for a seated dinner. If you are planning to host a cocktails or other event where not everyone will need to be seated at the same time, then you will be able to fit more in the same space.

Service Fees - These fees are usually added to your reception bill after the food and beverage charges have been totaled. Depending on the site, these fees usually cover costs for service equipment and staff and may be charged by percentage or a flat fee.

Site Type - In the reception site category, the site type refers to the kind of space you should expect to see, as in a restaurant, hotel or art gallery.

Triangle Bridal Association (TBA) - The Triangle Bridal Association is your local resource in the wedding industry. Its 50 member base includes a respected, diverse group of quality-oriented companies. Each provides a service to the newly engaged. And each has been approved for membership by the Executive Committee. Central to Triangle Bridal Association is its code of ethics, which every member has signed and committed. The code requires that each member pledge themselves to honesty and integrity, to an understanding of their client's needs, and to comply with the standards of the Association. For more information about the Triangle Bridal Association, log onto www.trianglebridal.com.