Wedding Glossary
APERITIF: Very light, pre-dinner alcoholic beverage.
ASCOT TIE: Wide type of necktie usually for very formal daytime
weddings.
BACKPIECE: Highly decorated comb (see comb) sitting on the back
of a bride’s head and used for attaching the veil.
BALLET: Also called a waltz, it’s a veil length that drops below the
bride’s knees, but above her ankles.
BEST MAN: The best man usually keeps the bride’s ring safe until the
vows during the ceremony. He then hands the ring to the groom who
puts it on his bride’s finger. Other responsibilities include ding his own
speech and announcing people to give their speeches at the reception.
He also signs the marriage license and makes certain the groom gets
to the wedding.
BIEDERMEIER: Tightly arranged cluster of flowers arranged in
concentric circles and made in a circular shape, intricately-wired and
arranged according to color.
BLUSHER: Short layer of veil worn over the face before the ceremony,
then either
flipped over the head or removed afterwards.
BOMBONIERE: Italian word which sometimes refers to wedding favors.
BOUTONIERRE: Single flower or bud worn in the lapel of the groom,
best man, ushers and the male relatives of the bride and groom.
BOW TIE: Toe normally worn with a tuxedo and also called dickey bow.
BRIDAL OR BRIDE’S BOUQUET: Flowers given by the groom to
his bride.
BRIDAL PROCESSION: Bride’s entrance to the wedding ceremony,
usually on her father’s arm, with an accompanying entourage.
BRIDESMAIDS: Good friends of the bride who support her emotionally
before and during her wedding. Bridesmaids normally pay for their own
gowns, but the bride should advise them on required styles and colors.
CANDLE LIGHTERS: These are children who light candles at the altar
when the bride’s mother is seated.
CASCADE: Bouquet spilling downward into a sweeping collection of
greens and flowers. (See Shower)
CASH BAR: Guests are charged for each drink they order as opposed
to an open or hosted bar where guests are not charged because the host
pays for everything.
CATHEDRAL: The most formal veil extending 3½ yards from the
headpiece.
CEO/BEO: This stands for "Catering Event Order" and "Banquet Event
Order". Caterers use a special document or spreadsheet for all the
requirements of your function, such as the menu, overall table setup and
staffing requirements.
CHAPEL: Formal veil extending to the floor to a length of 2½ yards from
the headpiece.
CHEF: Executive cook in the kitchen. The sous chef is second-in-command
in the kitchen.
CHIEF BRIDESMAID: (See Maid of Honor)
CLASSIC BOUQUET: This is the classic wedding bouquet which is a
cluster of blooms, attached in a bouquet holder, wired, or hand-tied.
COMB: Another term for a haircomb which may be worn as the headpiece
itself, or used in securing the veil.
COMPOSITE: Multiple flowers or petals wired together to resemble an
oversized flower.
CORSAGE: Single flower bloom or small spray of blooms attached to lace
and pinned on the front of a woman’s dress or on her wrist. Orchids are a
common flower used for corsages and are usually only worn by female
relatives of the bride and groom.
SET: Tight-fitting top – which may be strapless or not -- with boning for
support and lace-up or snap closures in the back
CRESCENT: Half circle comprising large central flowers and smaller
flowers on either side which could be made into a semi-crescent with flowers
extending from one side.
CROWN: The bride may choose to wear a fully circular bead or gemstone
adorned head piece that is larger than both a half crown and tiara.
CUMMERBUNDS: Pleated circles of fabric worn at the waist and without
a vest. They are usually black, but may be any color.
DAIS: Podium or platform which is raised from the floor and where the bride
and groom are seated during the reception. .
DIGESTIF: After-dinner drink such as cognac or Cointreau.
ELBOW: Length of veil which ends just above or below the elbow and
comes in 6-, 8-or 10-button lengths.
EMBELLISHMENTS: Extra adornments on a bridal gown, such as
embroidery, lace, glass or crystal beads, ribbons, bows, sequins, fringes, and
others.
EMPIRE: Rounded bodice that ends just below the bust line.
ENGRAVING: Very formal method of printing which creates raised letters
on the front of the invitation and an indentation on the back.
EURO TIE: Very often worn with a spread collar, this long tie is more formal
than a regular necktie, but less formal than an ascot. (See Ascot)
FAVORS: Small inexpensive gifts given to all guests at a wedding to thank
them for coming.
FIANCE: Title of the groom or husband-to-be between the engagement and
the wedding.
FIANCEE: Title of the bride between her engagement to her betrothed and
the wedding day.
FINGER TIP: One of the most popular lengths of veil which extends to the
fingertips.
FINGERLESS: Glove with open finger holes.
FISH BOWL: Table centerpiece where flowers are together in a low, ornate
bowl.
FLOWER GIRLS OR FLOWER CHILDREN: Small girls or children that
pave the way down the aisle before the bride. Usually, they hold a pomander
or scatter flower petals from a small basket. (See Pomander)
FLYAWAY: Informal style of veil reaching to the shoulders or a couple of inches
below.
FOUNTAIN: This veil creates a visual effect around the face by gathering at
the crown of the head.
FRENCH SERVICE: Style of service where food is prepared in large trays
and portioned to patron's plates by the staff.
GARLANDS: Flower and/or leaves twirled into ropes that are hung from
doorways, stairs and railings. A garland may also be worn by the bride as a
headpiece. (See Wreath)
GAUNTLET: A long glove that does not cover the fingers and the end can
come to a point over the hand.
GROOM’S CAKE: Smaller, second cake that may or may not be included
in thewedding ceremony or served at the rehearsal dinner.
HALF CROWN: Ornate headpiece for the bride which lies between a crown
and tiara in size and weight.
HALTER: Blouse-type top in which straps wrap around to tie or fasten
behind the neck.
HEADBAND: Fabric band which holds back hair.
HONOR ATTENDANTS: The best man and the maid (or matron or man)
of honor.
HORA: A dance at a Jewish wedding where the bride and groom are lifted
while they sit on chairs.
HUPPAH: A flower canopy which is an integral part of Jewish weddings.
INTERLUDE: The interlude may be many different moments in the wedding
ceremony, such as lighting the unity candle, memorial candle, or making the
rose presentation. Interludes are moments of quiet reflection, and so the music
should support this mood.
JACKET (TUXEDO, TUX): Classic tux jacket is worn at formal and semiformal
events and comes in either a single-breasted (with a one- to four-button front)
or a double-breasted (with a two- to six-button front).
JACKET (FULL DRESS, TAILS OR TAILCOAT): This jacket is cropped in
front, with two tails in the back and a two- to six-button front and is worn at
extremely formal evening weddings.
JACKET (CUTAWAY OR MORNING COAT): The cutaway coat is short in
the front, long in the back, and tapers from the front waist button to a wide back
tail. This style of jacket comes in black or gray, and is paired with matching
striped trousers.
JACKET (STROLLER COAT): This suit jacket is cut like a tuxedo jacket,
but in a semi-formal way, in black or dark gray and normally worn for weddings
before the evening.
JULIET CAP: A close-fitting cap often decorated with precious stones and
sometimes worn as a bride’s headpiece.
KETUBAH: In Jewish weddings, this is the wedding contract between the
bride and groom that is usually decorated, framed and later put on a wall in
the couple’s home.
KOUMBARO: Title of the best man in Eastern Orthodox Christian weddings.
(See Crown)
LACE: A decorative mesh of interlaced threadwork which is plaited, knotted,
looped and turned to make either simple or complicated patterns and raised
work.
MAID OF HONOR: Also known as the chief bridesmaid, she is the last
bridesmaid to walk down the aisle before the bride walks down. When the
couple are exchanging wedding rings, it is her duty to hold the ring destined
for the groom, and hand it to the bride at the right time. She will also hold onto
the bouquets during the vows, and make certain the bride’s dress is properly
turned out.
MAN OF HONOR: Some brides have a male friend responsible for the duties
normally assigned to the maid of honor.
MANTILLA: Circular Spanish-style lace or tulle attached with a comb or
jeweled clips which the bride can wear around her head and shoulders.
MATRON OF HONOR: Proper title if the maid of honor is married.
MIDRIFF: This bodice fits tightly around the ribcage and reveals the stomach.
MISE EN PLACE: Refers to all the preparation for service, including table
settings, beverage supplies, china, silverware, etc., or to the pre-cooked
ingredients made by the chef before final cooking and presentation.
MOH: Stands for maid/man/matron of honor.
NOSEGAY: Small, round bouquet of densely packed round flowers,
greenery, or herbs. (See Posies)
OFFICIANT: The cleric or secular official that carries out the ceremony.
For non-religious weddings, the officiant may be a justice of the peace,
magistrate or even the captain of a ship.
ONE MAN BAND: (Definition provided by Gigmasters.com) Gone are
the days when the term "one man band" referred to someone who resembled
Dick Van Dyke in the movie Mary Poppins. One man bands are extremely
talented individuals that pack quite an entertainment punch! With numerous
abilities, these performers are able to deliver a lot of value for the money.
Within the GigMasters database, you'll find artists that play multiple musical
instruments, those that play and sing, many who sing and DJ plus impersonators
who also sing and dance. Because one man bands consist of one person and
a few instruments, needed space is usually small but will typically require
electricity. A great addition to weddings, anniversary parties, corporate events
and more, the one man band is a fun way to deliver big entertainment even in
small venues.
ONE-SHOULDER: (aka Asymmetrical) Having only one sleeve, or revealing
one shoulder.
OPERA: A full, long glove that extends to the top or middle of the upper
arm, most often with 12-16 buttons.
PAGES OR PAGE BOYS: These are small children (usually boys) who
follow the bride down the aisle carrying some of her train. They can also be
known as train bearers. (See Train)
PETIT FOURS: Bite sized, iced and elaborately decorated cakes, often
served in addition to the wedding cake.
PILLARS: Supports, also known as columns, used to prop up the tiers of
a multi-tiered wedding cake. They may be made from cardboard, plastic
or wood.
PLATED SERVICE: Style of service where food is presented by the
chef before the dishes are delivered to the tables.
POMANDER: Small, round cluster of blooms attached by a ribbon circle
which are carried by flower girls in the bridal procession.
POSIES: This is a smaller version of a nosegay. Posies are the small
and roundly shaped flower bouquets tightly packed with greenery and
held together by a twine or sometimes a wire.
POSTLUDE: The musical postlude sets a pleasant atmosphere as
guests are leaving and can last 10 to 30 minutes.
POUF: A gathering of netting secured with a headpiece or comb to give
extra height to the veil.
PRELUDE: The purpose of the prelude music is to welcome guests as
they are being seated before the ceremony. It also should give a cheerful
yet subdued atmosphere, setting the stage for the solemnity of the event.
The prelude generally begins 15 to 20 minutes before the ceremony starts.
Because the prelude sets the tone for the rest of the ceremony, the music
should be similar to the music used later in the ceremony.
PRESENTATION: A collection of long-stemmed flowers, tied together
and held in one arm.
PRINCESS-LINE: This bodice has two seams that run over the bust line
to the seam, elongating the chest and stomach.
PROCESSIONAL, BRIDE’S: Music played during the bride’s entrance
to the wedding ceremony. The traditional choice is Wagner's Bridal
Chorus ("Here Comes the Bride"), but a number of classical selections
can be played as well.
PROCESSIONAL, WEDDING PARTY’S: The wedding party's
processional is the official beginning of the wedding ceremony.
Therefore, the music should have be slow, elegant and dramatic as
the bridesmaids and other members of the wedding party walk down
the aisle. One favorite classical song is Canon in D.
RECESSIONAL: This selection of joyous music signals the officiant's
pronouncement of husband and wife and the bridal couple walk back up
the aisle. The most popular selection of music for the recessional is
Mendelssohn's Wedding March, followed by Beethoven's Ode to Joy
and Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary.
RING BEARER: Usually a child who walks down the aisle as part of
the bridal procession carrying an ornamental cushion with the two replicas
of the wedding rings on it.
SEMI-FORMAL: A less restrictive choice of clothing for semi-formal
weddings.
SHORT: This is the end of the glove which is two inches above the wrist
and may also be called a ‘one-button’ glove.
SHOWER: A spray of long-stemmed flowers which are often mixed
with ivies which cascade downward as the bride holds it.
SNOOD: A knitted net worn by the bride at the back of her head to
enclose her hair.
SOMMELIER: The wine expert at the location of the reception who has
taken courses to earn the title. Others who have not take courses are
known as wine stewards.
STROLLER COAT: A semiformal gray or black jacket resembling a
tuxedo, but worn for daytime weddings.
SURPLICE: Fabric is crossed over the front or the back, giving a low
neckline or low backline.
TASTING: The chef prepares a few samples of the menu for final
approval before the wedding.
TIARA: A partial crown piece that affixes to the top of the head which
may be worn as a headpiece or used to affix the veil.
TIE (BOW): The accessory for a formal tuxedo which forms a bow
at the neck and may be worn in black or white. Groomsmen may wear
different colored ties or choose the opposite or same as the groom.
TIE (NECKTIE): The traditional long tie for a formal or casual look.
TIE (ASCOT): A wide, formal tie that is usually patterned, folded
over, and fastened with a stickpin or tie tack. This one is used for
very formal daytime weddings, paired with a cutaway coat and
striped gray trousers.
TIE (BOLO): This western-type tie has a thick string tie fastened
at the neck.
IE (EURO): A combination of the ascot and necktie, this is a
square-bottomed tie knotted in style at the neck and worn with a
spread collar or wing collar.
TIERS: These are the layers of a wedding cake supported by
pillars. (See Pillars)
TOSSING BOUQUET: This bouquet, which is a copy of the bride’s
bouquet, is thrown over the bride’s shoulder towards bridesmaids
and other single female guests after the wedding ceremony.
Traditionally, whoever catches this bouquet will be the next to wed.
TRAIN: This is a long (or sometimes very long) extension to a
wedding gown or other dress that trails behind along the floor.
TRAIN (CATHEDRAL): Extending some eight behind the gown,
this train is used at very formal weddings.
TRAIN (CHAPEL): This is the most popular train for formal
weddings which extends some three to four feet behind the bride’s
gown
TRAIN (COURT): The train extends one to two feet behind the
bride’s gown.
TRAIN (SWEEP): This is the shortest train which falls slightly
behind the bride and just touches the floor.
TRAIN (WATTEAU): The train extends from its attachment at the
shoulder blades and reaches just down to the bottom hem of the gown.
TRAIN BEARERS: (See Pages or Page Boys)
TULLE: This is a fine mesh used for bridal veils and wedding gowns.
TUSSY MUSSY: A posy carried in a small, metal vase.
TUX OR TUXEDO: This is a formal or semi-formal men’s black
evening jacket that may be either single-breasted (1-4 buttons) or
double-breasted (2-6 buttons).
VOWS: During the wedding ceremony, the vows are exchanged
between the bride and groom as their promises of loyalty, love, trust
and support. Vows may be spoken as a statement or in response
to the officiant’s question.
VESTS (WAISTCOATS): A vest is worn under the jacket.
WAISTCOAT (VEST): For very formal evening weddings, men
may wear a white tie and waistcoat.
WEDDING: Defined as the act of marrying, the ceremony or
celebration of a marriage, the anniversary of a marriage (a silver
wedding) or the act or an instance of joining closely. There is no
mention in the Bible of weddings as religious ceremonies because
they were simply a legal and social occasion. Reportedly, there
was a procession from the home of the veiled bride to the home
of the groom which was followed by a banquet.
WEDDING MUSICIAN ASSOCIATION (WMA): Members of the
Wedding Musician Association are professional musicians
committed to provide the best possible music and service to their
clients. All Members of the Association have agreed to comply
with prescribed musical performance standards and ethical
business practices.
WEDDING PLANNER: The job of the wedding planner is to
coordinate all of the details involved in the process of two people
being married, celebrating the marriage at a receptions and
sometimes the travel arrangements for the honeymoon. They
may order flowers, negotiate contracts with a photographer and
videographer, arrange for musicians and book all other wedding
vendors. They may also advise on color selections, ceremony
and reception locations, and menu choices.
WING COLLAR: The most formal type of collar for shirts worn
with a tuxedo.
WREATH: A circle of flowers an*d/or leaves often decorated
with ribbons and bows. Wreaths are generally used as a centerpiece
of a decorated area, or are seen above doorways. A small wreath
may also be worn by the bride atop her head, if she so wishes.
(See Garlands)
XYZ: Darned if I know!
