A

• Altar – The spot where a couple exchanges vows, whether in a church or outdoor setting.

• Appliqué – Decorative fabric pieces sewn onto a wedding dress for texture and detail.

• Aisle – The walkway between rows of guests where the wedding party processes.

• Ascot Tie – A formal tie worn with a morning suit, tied loosely in a wide knot.

B

• Bach Party – A celebration for the bride or groom with close friends before the wedding.

• Black Tie – A formal dress code where men wear tuxedos and women wear gowns.

• Black Tie Optional – A slightly less formal version of black tie; tuxedos are optional.

• Bomboniere – Italian term for wedding favours—small guest gifts.

• Bouquet – A collection of flowers carried by the bride or wedding party.

• Boutonnière – A small floral decoration worn on the lapel.

• Bridal Dresser – A professional who helps the bride with her attire on the day.

• Buttonholes – Single flowers worn on the suit lapel by male wedding party members.

• Bustle – A method for fastening the train of a dress to allow easier movement.

C

• Canapé – A bite-sized appetiser often served during cocktail hour.

• Candle – Decorative lighting, available as taper, votive, or pillar styles.

• Celebrant – A person who conducts the wedding ceremony.

• Centerpiece – A decorative focal point for the centre of a table.

• Ceremony – The official part of the wedding where vows are exchanged.

• Charcuterie Board – A platter of meats, cheeses, fruit, and accompaniments.

• Charger – A decorative base plate used in formal place settings.

• Chuppah – A canopy under which Jewish wedding ceremonies are performed.

• Cocktail Hour – A social time with drinks and nibbles between ceremony and dinner.

• Corkage – A fee charged by a venue for serving drinks you bring in.

• Corsage – A small floral wrist arrangement, usually worn by mothers or grandmothers.

• Cravate – A formal, loose-fitting necktie often worn with morning suits.

• Cummerbund – A sash worn around the waist with tuxedos for formal dress.

D

• Day-Of Coordinator – A planner who manages the wedding day logistics.

• Dance Floor – The area designated for dancing at the reception.

• Dress Code – Guidelines provided to guests about what to wear.

E

• Elopement – A small or private wedding, often with just the couple.

• Engagement Photos – Pre-wedding photography session with the couple.

• Escort Card – A card that guides guests to their assigned table.

• Escort Card Display – A decorative area where escort cards are arranged.

• Event Designer – A person who creates the visual concept of the wedding.

• Exit – The couple’s grand departure, often with sparklers or confetti.

F

• Favor – A small thank-you gift given to guests.

• Favours – Traditional wedding guest gifts like sweets or trinkets.

• First Look – A private moment when the couple sees each other before the ceremony.

• Flower Girl – A young girl who scatters petals ahead of the bride.

• Flower Wall – A decorative wall made of flowers, often used as a backdrop.

• Fondant – Smooth icing used to decorate wedding cakes.

G

• Garland – A string of greenery or flowers used as decoration.

• Garter – A piece of bridal lingerie traditionally tossed by the groom.

• Gobo Lighting – Projected patterns or monograms created with lighting equipment.

• Golden Hour – The ideal time before sunset for beautiful, natural photos.

• Gown – Another word for a wedding dress.

• Groomsmen – The groom’s main supporters in the bridal party.

H

• Head Table – The table where the newlyweds and VIPs sit during the reception.

• Hors d’oeuvres – Small bites served before the main meal.

I

• Installation – A dramatic decorative structure like a floral arch or ceiling feature.

• Invitation Suite – All the wedding stationery including invites, RSVPs, and info cards.

J

• Justice of the Peace – A civil official who can perform legal wedding ceremonies.

K

• Ketubah – A Jewish marriage contract, signed and often displayed.

L

• Letterpress – A traditional printing method used for elegant invitations.

M

• Marriage License – A legal document required to marry.

• Master of Ceremonies – The announcer or host for the reception events.

• Micro-Wedding – A small wedding with fewer than 50 guests.

• MOH (Maid/Matron of Honour) – The bride’s principal attendant.

• Mood Board – A collection of visual inspiration for the wedding design.

• Morning Suit – A formal suit with tails, traditionally worn at daytime weddings.

N

• Nosegay – A small, round bouquet often carried by bridesmaids.

O

• Officiant – A person authorised to conduct the ceremony.

P

• Page Boy – A young boy who may carry the rings or the bride’s train.

• Palette – The set of colours chosen for the wedding theme.

• Place Card – Indicates a guest’s specific seat at the table.

• Place Setting – The arrangement of cutlery, crockery, and glassware at each guest’s seat.

• Plus One – A guest’s additional invitation for a partner or friend.

• Pomander – A floral ball carried by flower girls or used as décor.

• Preparation Room – A space where the bridal party gets ready.

• Procession – The sequence of the bridal party entering the ceremony.

• Processional – The music played as the bride walks down the aisle.

Q

• Queen Anne Neckline – A wedding dress style with a high back and sweetheart front.

R

• Rain Plan – The backup plan for outdoor weddings in case of poor weather.

• Real Wedding – A featured wedding based on a real couple’s big day.

• Receiving Line – The couple formally greets each guest after the ceremony.

• Recessional – The music played as the couple exits the ceremony.

• Registrar – A legal official who performs a civil ceremony.

• Registry – A wish list of gifts created by the couple.

• Rehearsal Dinner – A pre-wedding meal for close friends and family.

• Ring Boy – A child who carries the wedding rings.

• RSVP – A request for guests to confirm attendance.

S

• Sample Sale – A discounted sale of floor sample wedding dresses.

• Save-the-Date – A pre-invitation that tells guests when and where the wedding is.

• Signature Cocktail – A custom drink served in honour of the couple.

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• Sunday Brunch – A relaxed post-wedding meal for guests.

• Sweetheart Table – A table set for just the bride and groom.

• Sweethearts Table – Another term for the sweetheart table.

T

• Tablescape – The complete table decor and design.

• Toastmaster – Another term for Master of Ceremonies.

• Top Table – The main table for the couple and key guests.

• Tossing the Bouquet – A tradition where the bride throws her bouquet to the crowd.

• Train – The extended back of a wedding dress.

• Trial – A practice run for hair, makeup, or other wedding elements.

• Trunk Show – A special event where new designer dresses are showcased.

U

• Usher – A person who helps seat guests and distribute programmes.

V

• Veil – A bridal headpiece often made of lace or tulle.

• Videographer – A professional who films the wedding day.

• Vows – The promises made by each partner during the ceremony.

W

• Walk-Through – A venue visit before the wedding to finalise plans.

• Welcome Bag – A gift for guests staying overnight, often filled with snacks and info.

• Welcome Party – A pre-wedding gathering to greet guests.

• Wedding Breakfast – The first meal after the ceremony.

• Wedding Planner – A professional who helps organise and manage the wedding.

• Wedding Reception – The party and meal following the ceremony.

Y

• Yichud – A Jewish tradition where the newlyweds spend time alone post-ceremony.

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