Terms Every Husband and Bride-to-be Should Know About

Ascot Tie - This is a wide type of necktie that is reserved for the most formal of daytime weddings and occasions. It is worn with a gray cutaway (morning) coat that is longer in the back than at the front and gray striped trousers.

Backpiece - This is an often highly decorated comb that sits on the back of a bride's head and is used for attaching her veil.

Ballet - Also known as a waltz, this is a veil length that drops below the bride's knees, but above her ankles.

Basket Weave - A type of decorative piping on the wedding cake which features interlinked horizontal and vertical lines of icing.

Best Man - The best man will have numerous duties, the most important of which is to keep the bride's ring safe until it's time for the vows, when he hands it to the groom for putting on her finger. His other duties include announcing speeches at the reception and making his own. He will also sign the marriage license, and make sure the groom gets to the wedding!

Biedermeier - A type of posy where the flowers are arranged in rings according to their color. (See Posies).

Black Tie - Don a floor length evening gown or tuxedo when the attire is black tie. This is the dress code chosen for evening weddings, specifically after 6 o’clock in the evening. Men’s attire includes a tuxedo, waistcoat, white dress shirt, a black bow tie, and black dress shoes. Ladies should expect to wear a long evening gown or formal cocktail dress and dress shoes.

Black Tie Optional - Tuxedos encouraged, but not mandatory. Women may wear short dresses but ensure it’s a formal cocktail dress, and not a sundress. Also, no wedges.

Boutonnière - Wondering if the groom has a cute younger brother? Look for this. It’s a single flower, or small grouping of flowers, pinned onto the jacket lapel of the groom, groomsmen, ushers, and male relatives of the groom.

Branding - An excuse to place your new monogram on…everything. A stationer can create a wedding logo that embodies your wedding aesthetic and it can be placed on invitations, cocktail napkins, koozies, the dance floor, you name it.

Bridal Party - This is the full entourage, motley crew, or #squad. Traditionally, the betrothed man carried the title “bridegroom” so the bridal party is not limited to the bride and her bridesmaids. It also encompasses the groom, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, ushers, house party, wedding officiant, and the mother and father of the bride and groom.

Bustle - First comes bustle, then comes the dancing. The bustle gathers up the wedding dress train with buttons or ribbons to prevent the train from dragging and helps the bride move around. Short for “bust a move.”

Buttercream - Created by creaming butter with sugar, buttercream fills and dresses a traditional wedding cake beautifully and tastefully. But don’t expect it to hold it’s shape for complex designs or watercolor details—leave that for fondant.

Blusher - A short, single layered veil that covers the bride's face before the ceremony.

Bomboniere - This is an Italian word which is sometimes used to refer to wedding favors. (See Favors).

Boutonierre - This is a single flower or flower bud or a small group of flowers or buds; worn by the groom, best man, ushers and the male relatives of the bride and groom, on the left (over the heart) lapel of their jackets.

Bow Tie - The most popular choice of tie to wear with a tuxedo. May also be known as a 'dickey bow.'

Bridal or Bride's Bouquet - The bunch of flowers given by the groom to his bride.

Bridal Procession - Every girl's chance to be a princess. Resplendent in her gown, and on her doting father's arm, the accompanying entourage can be as lengthy as she wishes (venue and cost permitting).

Bridesmaids - These are the gals who are good friends with the bride, supporting her emotionally both before and on her big day. Although they pay for their own gowns, the bride should give them an idea as to what sort of styles and colors she expects them to wear, as some in this group may try to outshine the star of the show.

Buffet - A self service style of meal at a wedding reception, where the food and drinks are presented on a long table, or a series of tables, and the guests collect a plate and help themselves whenever they wish (queues permitting). A buffet is usually the most affordable option as considerably less waiters are needed (if any), but the costs can rise as less control over food portions can be exercised.

Buttercream - A soft and creamy icing that can be colored, flavored and used for decoration or filling for a wedding cake.

Calligraphy - This is an ornate highly stylized form of handwriting seen on expensive wedding invitations and other places.

Candle Lighters - These are children (hopefully responsible ones) who light candles at the altar when the bride's mother (who is the official hostess of the ceremony) takes her seat. Sometimes these candle lighters are uniquely dressed.

Cathedral - The longest of veils, this is three and a half yards in length.

Chapel - This is the name for a length of bridal veil that will reach the floor, extending two and a half yards from the headpiece.

Comb - A bridal headpiece attached to her hair with teeth like a comb. May be as ornate as the bride wishes it to be.

Cornelli - A complicated decorative form of icing which resembles a lacework on the wedding cake.

Corsage - A single flower bloom or a small spray of blooms which are attached to a lace and pinned to either the front of a woman's dress, or at her wrist. Orchids are among the most popular flower choices for corsages, and at weddings they are usually only worn by female relatives of the bride and groom.

Crown - One of the things a bride may choose to wear, it is a fully circular gemstone or bead adorned head piece that is larger than both a half crown and tiara. In Greek Orthodox Christian weddings; both the bride and groom have crowns placed on their head by the Koumbaro, who then swaps the crowns between the couple three times.

Cummerbund - This is a broad sash worn around a man's waist on top of his shirt but under the jacket. They are usually black, but may be any color required.

Canape - That small bite, typically served during cocktail hour, that leaves you wanting more. It’s a small bread or pastry with a savory topping passed as an hors d’oeuvres.

Cathedral Veil - It’s a formal veil that extends past the wedding dress train measuring around 120 inches. The name originates from dramatic veils processing long, Cathedral chapel aisles.

Charger - A decorative base plate for all the other plates to stack on top of used to anchor the tablescape. Essentially, what the perfect handbag is to an outfit.

Cocktail Attire - Men wear a dark suit and women wear a short dress that is ready to party. Your LBD never fails.

Cocktail Hour - An hour to two hour event directly after the ceremony that gives the wedding’s guests time to mingle over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while the bridal party and family pose for portraits.

Dais - This is a podium or platform raised from the floor. In wedding receptions, it is where the bride and groom are seated. The word is also used to indicate the flower display on the happy couple's table, which often tumbles over the front.

Damask - This is a linen or fabric with raised patterns woven into it. Brocade is similar but of a heavier weight. The word is derived from Damascus, the capitol of Syria.

Dotted Swiss - A method of decorating the wedding cake which involves small random dots of icing.

Double Tier - A two layered veil. Usually, one layer will be longer than the other.

Dragees Round - These are the edible and brightly colored balls of sugar seen on wedding cakes.

Day of Planner - They keep the show going. Whether you hire your own or utilize your venues coordinator, a day-of planner is mandatory to ensure wedding day runs smoothly. If a guest or bridal party member has a question, they go to the day of planner. Drunk Uncle tries to make a toast? Day of planner will, courteously, takes the mic.

Embossing - Essentially, ink-less engraving. This technique creates a raised-relief surface and often used for border motifs, monograms, or subtle details on invitation suites and paper goods.

Engagement Party - A party celebrating the engaged couple hosted typically within the first two months after the proposal, but often even hosted on the night of the engagement.

Engagement Photos - First chance to show off that bling. Shortly after a proposal, couples schedule a photoshoot to have professional photography to be used for a save the date, wedding website, and local engagement announcement.

Engraving - The most formal and swankiest of stationery methods. Engraving creates a raised surface on the front of an invitation and a subtle indention on the back of the invitation.

Escort Card - Each escort card will have a guest’s name or couple’s name with their table assignment.

Elbow - A length of veil which reaches down to the bride's elbows.

Embellishments - These are extra adornments either sewn or glued onto a bridal gown. The additions may include; embroidery, lace, glass or crystal beads, ribbons, bows, shiny plastic circular pieces called sequins, fringes, pearls, and others.

Euro Tie - Often worn with a spread collar, this is a long tie that is more formal than a regular necktie, but less so than an ascot. (See Ascot).

Father of the Bride - He used to pay for everything at a wedding but nowadays both families often share the costs. What has not changed is his duty of escorting his daughter down the aisle in her last few moments of being single.

Favors - These are small inexpensive gifts that may be given to all guests at a wedding as a thank you for their attendance, and also to serve as a souvenir.

Fiancé - This is the title of the groom or husband-to-be between the engagement and the wedding.

Fiancée - This is the 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 as the name suggests, extends to the fingertips.

Fish Bowl - A centerpiece in floral decorations where flowers are together in a, ornate or otherwise, low and broad glass bowl.

Flower Girls or Flower Children - These are small children (usually girls) that pave the way down the aisle for the bride by holding a pomander or scattering flower petals from a small basket. (See Pomander).

Flyaway - This is a many layered veil that will barely reach to the shoulder.

Fondant - This is a sweet icing made from sugar, syrup and gelatin that has supple qualities which enable a layer to be draped over the wedding cake like a fabric. It is then used as the base for other elaborate decorations and designs.

Formal - At a formal wedding, dress codes come into force, so don't make a mistake guys, or your date will give you hell.

Fountain - This is the name of a veil style, where part is gathered up atop the bride's head and the remainder set loose to fall around her face. A fountain veil will reach to either the shoulder or the elbow, depending on preference.

Fascinator - To Americans, these gravity-defying headdresses are fascinating but in England, they are wedding required.

Filler - Lighter floral and foliage that fills gaps between your larger blooms. Cost-effective and efficient.

First Dance - The first time you and your spouse take the dance floor as a married couple. Couples usually waltz, two-step, or swing to a tune significant to their love story. Check out our playlist for first dance song inspiration.

First Look - A private moment between the bride and groom before the ceremony that helps break up (and slow down) the day. It also makes for a great photo-op opportunity. This is in-place of the groom seeing his bride for the first time at the opening of the chapel doors.

Flower Girl - The last, and often cutest, bridal party attendants that walk the ceremony aisle before the bride, often scattering floral petals or holding a sign to prepare guests for the special moment. The flower girls are also typically the youngest family members, alongside the ring bearers.

Flower Wall - Often times, this decorative element is used for a ceremony backdrop or to frame your wedding cake.

Fondant - If you’ve seen a groom’s cake in the shape of a football stadium or Yeti cooler, it’s most likely covered in fondant. A thick paste of sugar and water that can be molded and folded into elaborate cake designs and is an ideal canvas for painting on details. Downside, often not as delicious as buttercream or cream cheese frosting.

Full Bar - Let the champagne flow! Full bar means full beverage service open to all—supply of liquor, beer, wine, and beverage selection.

Ganache - This is a mixture of chocolate and cream, used either to fill or garnish a wedding cake.

Garlands - These are flower and / or green leaves twirled into ropes or loops that are often hung from the likes of doorways, stairs and railings. The word can be interchangeable with wreath, but properly this is always circular, and a garland need not be so. A garland may also be worn by the bride as a headpiece. (See Wreath).

Groom's Cake - A smaller, second cake that may or may not be included in the wedding ceremony. If it is, then it is often served at the rehearsal dinner.

Gum Paste - This is a mixture of sugar, starch and gelatin. It's what many of those realistic looking flowers, fruits and ribbons are made of on a wedding cake.

Garlands - Greenery, with or without flowers, twirled together to make long strands. Can be hung in the reception area, in doorways, and around railing and columns.

Groom’s Cake - Ladies, give the man what he wants. The groom may not get a Dallas Cowboys-themed reception, but at least he can get a cake that represents his team spirit. The groom’s cake is the second cake served at the reception that is typically more “playful” or themed.

Half Crown - An ornate headpiece for the bride which lies between a crown and tiara in size and weight.

Hattabin - These are the male friends and family of the groom at a Moslem wedding.

Honor Attendants - These are 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 high on chairs.

Huppah - A flower bedecked canopy that is an essential part of a Jewish wedding.

Head Table - This is where the bride, groom, bridesmaids, and groomsmen dine together during the reception. The “altar” of the reception, if you will.

In-house Catering - In-house catering means look no further for service because your venue exclusively works with one caterer.

Ikebana - This is an extremely dramatic and artistic form of flower arranging that originated in Japan, but is now popular all over the world and often seen at weddings.

Imam Zamin - This is a good luck tradition after a Moslem wedding where the mother of the bride ties a coin that is wrapped in silk around her daughter's arm.

Juliet Cap - This is a close fitting cap that is often decorated with precious stones sometimes worn as a bride's headpiece.

Ketubah - In Jewish weddings, this is the wedding contract between the bride and groom. It is usually highly decorated and often framed and put on a wall in the couple's home.

Koumbaro - This is the title of the best man in Eastern Orthodox Christian weddings. (See Crown).

Letterpress - Letter indented on the front, slightly raised on the back.

Lace - A decorative mesh of interlaced threadwork which is plaited, knotted, looped and turned to make either simple or complicated patterns and raised work. There are many different styles of lace, which has a long history of romance, and in some form or other it is very often included on a wedding gown. Alencon, Chantilly, Spanish and Venise are just a few of the many lacework types available.

Latticework - An icing adornment on a wedding cake that zigzags.

Maid of Honor - The gal you call your BFF. This appointed head bridesmaid typically plans the bachelorette or pre-wedding parties, manages the bridesmaids, attends dress appointments and fittings, and makes a speech at the wedding.

Matron of Honor - A maid of honor, but already married.

Maid Of Honor - Known as the chief bridesmaid in some countries, she is the last bridesmaid to walk down the aisle before the bride herself. If the couple are exchanging wedding rings, then it is her duty to hold the ring destined for the groom, and hand it over to the bride at the right time, as the best man does in reverse. She will also hold onto the bouquets during the vows, and see that the bride's dress is properly turned out.

Man Of Honor - Some brides prefer to have a male friend attending to the duties of the maid of honor. If so, this is his title.

Mantilla - This is a Spanish word literally meaning 'little cloak.' It is a lace or tulle shawl that the bride can wear around her head and shoulders.

Marzipan - Made of sugar, egg whites and almonds, this substance can be used as a base for icing, or to mold decorative forms such as flowers from, on the wedding cake.

MOH - This abbreviation stands for maid / man / matron of honor. See respective entries.

Nosegay - A wedding bouquet of nice and tight blooms bunched together in an arrangement. Historically, this style dates back to the 14th century when it was used to mask unpleasant odors—hence the name.

Oasis - This is the name of a specialist hard foam used by florists in bouquet holders or vases. Holes are made in it for the flower stems to fit into, as an oasis (as its name suggests) will preserve water for a long time. This will naturally allow for fresher looking flowers at the wedding.

Officiant - This is the cleric or secular official that carries out the ceremony. For non religious weddings, he or she might be a justice of the peace, magistrate or even the Captain of a ship (when onboard).

Officiant - “By the power invested in me.” The officiant leads the wedding ceremony and must be legally certified by state to perform the marriage.

Place Cards - Not to be confused with an escort card, the place card sits at each guest’s individual table setting to signify the guests specific seat. Only used for seated dinners at formal events.

Place Setting - Made-up of everything set out for each guest at a table from cutlery, plates, napkin, and beverage glasses.

Posy - A bouquet style of tightly-bound blooms that fit in the hands and consist of mostly flowers. Classic brides traditionally favor this round-bouquet style.

Prelude - A sophisticated term for background music. The prelude is the music selection played in the ceremony space softly in the background as guests mingle and find their seats.

Procession - All bridal party members walking down the aisle ending with the bride.

Processional - The music that plays as all bridal party members—and bride—walk the aisle and step into place. This music initiates the ceremony.

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).

Pillars - These are the supports used to prop up the varying tiers of a multi-tiered wedding cake. They may be made from cardboard, plastic or wood. They are also known as columns.

Piping - This is a way of making shapes like bows, leaves, stars, flowers, or design patterns using icing. A pastry bag is filled with soft icing, then squeezed through a selection of different shaped tips onto the wedding cake, where it hardens. Royal icing is often used for this, as it can easily be colored and is not strongly flavored.

Pomander - This is a round ball completely covered by flower blooms. They are carried by flower girls in the bridal procession who hold them by a ribbon.

Posies - These are the small and roundly shaped flower bouquets that are tightly packed and also will include greenery, which can often be sweet smelling herbs. They are held together by a twine or sometimes a wire. A posy can also be known as a nosegay, as these are similar but generally a proper posy is slightly smaller.

Pouf - This is a piece of netting that is gathered up and attached to a headpiece or comb, to allow for extra height to the veil.

Presentation - This is an elegant bouquet of long stemmed flowers that the bride carries in her arms.

Qazi - This is the title of the cleric who holds a Moslem wedding ceremony.

Ring Bearer - This is a usually a small boy, sometimes a little girl, who walks down the aisle as part of the bridal procession carrying an ornamental cushion that has two rings tied to it. (Not the actual wedding rings).

Rukhsat - A ritual tradition in Moslem weddings where the father of the bride gives her hand in marriage to her groom, on the promise that he will look after her.

Recessional - The music that plays after the bride and groom share their first kiss as man and wife, ending the ceremony.

Registry - A bride and groom “register” for a selection of items at 2-3 stores to receive as wedding gifts. The registry typically includes, but not not limited to: everyday and fine china, linens, kitchen appliances and accessories, and home decor. Family and friends of the couple purchase gifts off the couples registry—in-store or online—and send to their home or bring to pre-wedding showers.

Response Card - Wedding guests, make sure you remember this one—the reply card comes with the wedding invitation suite and asks each guest to R.S.V.P. if they can or cannot attend. For seated dinners, this card can also ask a guest to select one of two dinner menu options (i.e. chicken or beef).

Ring Bearer - A young boy, who walks down the aisle before the flower girl, carrying a small pillow with the bride and groom’s wedding bands tied to it.

Semi-formal - At these weddings; a less restrictive choice of clothing applies, but you still can't get away with much.

Shower - A spray of long stemmed flowers, often mixed with ivies that cascades downwards as the bride holds it in her hands.

Silk - This expensive, lustrous, and fine but strong natural thread is used for the most costly of wedding gowns. Many different weaves are available, which are used for different parts of the gown as they vary in density, suppleness, and sheen. Satin, Organza, Chiffon, Shantung, and Velvet are some examples.

Snood - A snood is a knitted net the bride may wear at the back of her head to enclose her hair.

Stroller Coat - This is a semiformal jacket colored gray or black that resembles a tuxedo, but worn for daytime weddings.

Save the Date - A preliminary announcement sent before the official wedding invitation for the purpose to notify all ceremony guests to mark their calendars. Often, the save-the-date is designed with an engagement photo or in a style that teases the entire stationery suite.

Sheet Cake - A cake baked in a large, rectangular sheet tray often one to two layers.

Signature Cocktail - Gives your guests the opportunity to sip your favorite poison. At the recent royal wedding, guests sipped the “When Harry Met Meghan,” which featured a hint of ginger—a nod to the Prince’s famous red hair.

Stationery Suite - All of your designed paper goods for wedding day celebrations. Includes your save the date, wedding invitation, outer and inner envelope, response card, accommodations card, wedding program, escort and place card, menu card, and thank you cards.

String Quartet - An ensemble of four musicians (two violinists, a violist, and a cellist) typically hired to play during the ceremony.

Tablescape - Everything found on a set table from the linens to the floral arrangements to the place settings.

Tea Light - Tiny, wide candle placed in a metal cup that can be placed in votives for decoration. Ideal for inexpensive mood lighting.

Topiary - A shrub that is in a specific shape, such as a sphere.

Tossing Bouquet - A designated bouquet, mimicking the bride’s “real” bouquet, that is used when the bride blindly tosses her bouquet to all of the single female guests. The benefit of a designated tossing bouquet is that the bride can preserve her actual bouquet if she so desires.

Trunk Show - When wedding dress designers visit a bridal boutique on a set day with their entire line of new dresses. Brides schedule appointments to try on dresses.

Tails - This is an abbreviation for the tail coat worn for formal evening weddings.

Tiara - One of the headpiece options for the bride, a tiara is a thin jeweled semi-circular coronet with a higher front and sloping sides worn at the top of the head. Or if it is regular in height, then it may be worn at an angle.

Tiers - These are the numerous layers of a wedding cake, usually differing in size, they are supported in place by pillars. (See Pillars).

Topiary - This is the skilled art of clipping or trimming foliage or flower arrangements so that they take on the shapes of animals, lettering, numbers, or various but precise geometric forms.

Tossing Bouquet - A copy of the bride's bouquet which she throws over her shoulder towards bridesmaids and other female guests after the wedding ceremony. Traditionally, whoever catches this bouquet will be the next to wed.

Train - This is a long (or extremely long) extension to a wedding gown or other dress that trails along the floor behind the wearer.

Tulle - This is a fine mesh used for bridal veils, and sometimes in wedding gowns. Tulle is either made from nylon, silk or rayon (artificial silk).

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).

Usher - Friend or family of the groom that assists in escorting guests to their seats.

Uplighting - Small lights placed around the perimeter of a venue to create an ambience, usually lit in a specific color tone.

Vows - At the very heart of the wedding ceremony, the vows exchanged between the bride and groom are promises of future loyalty, love, trust and support. There are many different ways to word these sentiments, some couples prefer to write their own, use traditional vows, or combine the traditional with some extra tweaking of their own. Vows may either be spoken as a statement or in response to the officiant's question, and may be the same said by both or individual to each. It’s the promise couples make to each other in their wedding ceremony. These vows can either be scripted or personally written.

Waistcoat (Vest) - For ultra-formal evening weddings, the gentlemen might wear a white tie and waistcoat.

Wali - These are representatives of the bride at a Moslem wedding.

Walima - This is the Moslem name for a wedding reception.

Wing Collar - This is the most formal type of collar, shirts with this are the standard choice for wearing with a tuxedo.

Wreath - A circle of flowers and / or leaves that is 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. It may also be referred to as a garland though there are differences. (See Garlands).

Waiting Period - The time period in which a couple’s marriage ceremony should occur. Some states require that couples satisfy a waiting period from the time the marriage license is applied for to the time the license is issued. Sometimes, waiting period can be waived, for good reason, by a judge.

Wedding Favor - A token of gratitude for coming to the ceremony. The favor can also act as a souvenir of remembrance from the wedding and a fun spot to carry out your wedding “branding.”

Wedding Website - Websites that engaged couples use to aid in planning and communication for their wedding. You can communicate with your guests and inform them of the date, time, location, and the wedding registry.

Welcome Basket - If you want to be a little extra fabulous to your wedding guests, design and prep baskets filled with goods and luxury products for out-of-town wedding guests, usually placed in their hotel room or offered at the hotel reception.

White Tie - The most refined style of dress for an event. Men wear a black tailcoat, a white shirt, a waistcoat, a white bowtie, high waisted pleated black trousers, white gloves, and black shoes. Women wear a long evening gown with dress shoes.

Yichud - This is a period of time in a Jewish wedding which occurs immediately after the ceremony. During this time the bride and groom are allowed to be alone together.