03/07/2022
WEDDING TERMINOLOGY MADE EASY
ALTAR
The altar is usually the structure or table at the front of a church or a house of worship. It can take on a more generic meaning on your wedding day where it can signify the physical place where you and your significant other exchange vows,
APPLIQUE
Appliqués are pieces of lace or other fabric that are sewn onto a base fabric, creating a textured and often 3D effect.
BLACK TIE
A black-tie dress code will always be indicated on the wedding invite. Such a formal affair typically takes place after 6 p.m., and men should be dressed in a tuxedo. Women are welcome to wear either a formal cocktail dress or a long evening gown for the occasion.
BOUTONNIERES (Also see corsage)
Men traditionally wear boutonnieres (placed on their left lapel, over their heart). You might opt for a boutonniere-style floral as an alternative to a corsage for loved ones like your grandmother, as well.
BUSTLE
Ever wonder how you'll walk and dance in your wedding dress once the ceremony is over? The bustle is a tailoring trick features loops, buttons, or ribbons used to pull up and tuck the train of a dress to make moving easier. A French bustle attaches to the underside of the fabric, tucking it under so most of the train is hidden. An American bustle, on the other hand, attaches to the outside of the skirt, pulling the fabric up toward the waist to create a pretty and visible drape. \
CANAPE
A canape is typically a cracker or puff pastry topped with something savoury, but the term can be used interchangeable for small bites or hors d'oeuvres served before dinner. No matter what you decide to serve during cocktail hour, it is suggested that each be dish bite-size.
CANDLES
There are votive candles, petite styles about an inch and a half tall. They're low and subtle and often scattered around centre-pieces. Then, there are taper candles, which are skinny candlesticks that stand tall on tabletops. They can be placed in candelabra or individual candle holders. Finally, there are pillar candles which stand on their own (meaning they don't have to be paired with any kind of holder or base) and can be displayed on tabletops as well as inside lanterns.
CELEBRANT
Whether they're a member of the clergy, a judge, or your best friend who got ordained online, a celebrant is a person who will officiate your ceremony and has the power to pronounce you "married."
CENTREPIECES
Floral arrangements on reception tables are called centrepieces. They fill the "centre" of the table and set the tone of the night's decor. While vessels and vases are typically filled with blooms, they don't have to be
CHARGER
No, it's not for your phone! In a wedding context, a charger is a larger plate that is used as the base of a place setting, essentially taking the place of a placemat. Plated courses are placed on top of “the charger”, which can also be removed before the serving of the main course if you prefer.
CHUPPAH
Jewish wedding ceremonies are performed beneath a chuppah. This structure consists of a cloth canopy and four poles. The four sides are left open to represent hospitality to wedding guests.
COCKTAIL HOUR
Cocktail hour is a chance to mix, mingle, sip, and snack before sitting down for dinner. It usually occurs after the ceremony, acting as a transition from a more serious and emotional moment to the party to come. A great cocktail hour needs three things: refreshing drinks (a signature cocktail, a small selection of wine and beer, or a full open bar), flavourful food (think small bites and grazing stations), and entertaining music
CORSAGE
You probably saw these at your high school prom, and you'll see them again at your wedding. Corsages are most often given to mothers and grandmothers and are petite floral accessories worn on the wrist. For a modern take, swap out the elastic for a metal cuff with flowers attached.
CO-ORDINATOR
If a full-service wedding planner isn't in your budget, we highly recommend investing in a DOC, (day-of coordinator), This person will take over the production side of your wedding day, overseeing the set-up and making sure the timeline runs smoothly so you can focus on being the bride and your loved ones can celebrate instead of stressing over whether they've accurately brought your vision to life.
DESTINATION WEDDINGS
Destination weddings are a fantastic way to share a place you love with your favourite people. A destination wedding is any location where you and your guests will want to book a hotel room instead of driving home at the end of the night.
ES**RT CARDS
Es**rt cards OR place cards are the two most-confused pieces of wedding terminology. Es**rt cards are displayed at the entrance to the reception area, ultimately directing each guest to their assigned dinner table.
ES**RT CARD DISPLAY
Rather than have individual cards, some couples choose to direct guests with a single statement sign. In this case, table assignments are noted on a larger sign or display with guest names arranged either by table or in alphabetical order, usually at the entrance to the reception venue.
FAVOR
Thank your guests for a take-home treat at the end of the night. These gifts can be whatever you like, e.g. chocolate truffles in personalized boxes or candied nuts. You often find that guests appreciate something to munch on after hours of dancing.
FIRST LOOK
Can't imagine not seeing your future husband or wife before you walk down the aisle? A first look might be for you. This moment, which happens before the ceremony, is a chance for you to reveal your big-day looks and spend time together before family and friends surround you. It's also a great way to squeeze in some photos before the ceremony—freeing you up for cocktail hour later!
FLOWER WALL
If you're looking to make a major statement, a flower wall is a good place to start. These dramatic installations of florals and greenery are exactly what they sound like: Walls of flowers! A flower wall makes for a stunning ceremony backdrop, a creative way to display es**rt cards, a gorgeous photo booth, or an eye-catching backdrop for the band.
FONDANT
This sugary dough is used to give cakes a smooth and sleek exterior, whether it's the finished look or a canvas for hand-painted details or a cascade of flowers. Fondant can be dyed, marbled, moulded, and sculpted to take your wedding cake to the next level.
GARLAND
Garlands are strands of greenery and flowers that can be used to dress up just about any surface at your wedding. Weave them amongst candles on your reception tables, drape them across the front of the bar, string them from chandeliers, and more.
GOBO LIGHTING
Gobos are stencils placed on the front of lights to create patterns that can be projected on the floor or the wall to add depth and texture. Shine a leaf or floral pattern on the walls and ceiling of your tent for an even more immersive feel, or have your lighting designer create a custom gobo with your monogram to shine on the dance floor.
GOLDEN HOUR
Photographers often refer to the time just before sunset as the "golden hour." During this time, the light is soft and perfect for post-ceremony portraits.
IN-HOUSE CATERING
This means the F&B (food and beverages)is handled by your venue and not an outside vendor. An in-house team has the home-court advantage, meaning they know the venue and how to operate in the space. Some vendors require you to work with their team, so ask about this at your first site visit.
HEAD TABLE
Head tables / Sweetheart tables is a larger VIP table where the newlyweds sit, surrounded by either their wedding party or their families. The head table is centrally located—often right next to the dance floor for optimal toast viewing!—and often features more elaborate decorations than the other reception tables.
MOH (Main/Matron of Honor)
This woman (maid is unmarried and matron is married) is the one to stand directly by the bride's side on the wedding day, and is usually a sister or close friend. The maid of honour is often responsible for planning the bachelorette party, and may also play a role in the bridal shower. Come wedding day, she may wear a dress that is slightly different from the other bridesmaids or may carry a distinct bouquet so she stands out from the crowd.
MOOD BOARD
A mood board is a collection of colors, swatches, and images gathered to inspire and guide you as you work on your wedding design.
OPEN BR
An open bar means you have wine, beer, and a full bar of liquor to offer guests. This option is the most expensive way to serve liquor at your wedding, so feel free to get creative if it's not in your budget.
PALETTE
Your palette is the selection of colours you've chosen to work with on your wedding day, influencing everything from linens to flowers to even the ink on your invitations. Most palettes feature at least three colours—the main colour, a neutral, and an accent’
PLACE CARDS
Not to be confused with es**rt cards, place cards are what tell your guests exactly where to sit once they've gotten to their table. You can opt for open table seating, meaning you tell your guests which table to sit at and then let them choose their chair from there.
PLACE SETTINGS
Place settings are the pieces used at each guest's seat at the dinner table. Formal wedding place settings include a charger, a dinner plate, a salad plate, a bread plate with a bread knife, salad and dinner forks, salad and dinner knives, a soup spoon, a dessert spoon and fork, and a water glass, and at least one wine glass.
PLUS ONE
A plus one is an additional invite for a wedding guest to invite a date...and some guests get one, while others don't. The rules can vary here (depending on the couple's budget, wedding size, and wedding vision) but generally married couples and established couples (who live together, et cetera) get plus ones.
PROFESSIONAL
During this part of the wedding ceremony, bridal party members walk down the aisle, eventually ending with the bride's grand entrance.
RECESSIONAL
The recessional is technically the music playing as the couple makes their grand exit
REHEARSAL DINNER
A rehearsal dinner is a pre-wedding event that often occurs the night before the wedding itself. It typically takes place after the wedding rehearsal (hence the name!) and includes the couple, their wedding party, and immediate family members. There is no set rule on who is invited to this dinner, and some couples choose to welcome out-of-town guests, the wedding party plus-ones, and close friends as well.
RSVP
RSVP is a polite way to ask your guests to please let you know if they'll be attending your wedding. Most wedding invitations feature an RSVP card—or, nowadays, a URL where guests can RSVP online—asking guests to specify how many people will be attending.
SIGNATURE COCKTAIL
You've finally tied the knot, so mark the occasion with a signature cocktail that you and your partner love
SAVE THE DATE
Save the Dates are the perfect way to get on guests' calendars before you send out your wedding invitation.
SWEETHEART TABLE
This is a table set for two! This is an option for couples who want to enjoy a dinner date surrounded by their nearest and dearest.
TABLESCAPE
A tablescape is what you get when your entire table design theme comes together, from the plates and flatware to the flowers and candles.
TRAIN
If you're looking to make a grand entrance, consider a gown with a dramatic train. (Most guests will be looking at the back of your dress throughout the ceremony, after all!) This extension of the skirt of your dress can range from a few extra inches to multiple feet trailing behind you and can look oh-so-dramatic when expertly fluffed just before you walk down the aisle.
TRIALS
The most common trials are with hair and makeup artists and are a test run so you can see if you like their style and get an idea of what you'll look like on the big day.
USHERS
Ushers serve an important role during the ceremony, helping es**rt guests to their seats and keeping things organized before the processional begins. Often friends or family members of the couple, these gents (and sometimes ladies!) let guests know which seats are reserved and whether there is a bride's and groom's side of the aisle.
VEILS
Veils are synonymous with brides for a reason. There's something about adding this hair accessory that makes you feel like a real bride. Veils can vary in length, material, and pricing, so read up on everything you need to know here.
VIDEOGRAPHER
This is one wedding investment many couples are thankful for—or wish they'd made. A videographer is a fantastic addition to your vendor team, providing live and moving memories of moments that you'll cherish.
WALKTHROUGH
There are two types of venue walk-throughs: The initial visit, where you'll tour the venue and be able to ask questions before you sign a contract, and the pre-wedding walk-through, where you and your vendor team will get to see the space one last time and tweak your designs as needed before your big day arrives. Use the former to figure out if a venue is right for you, and the latter to finalize the details and make sure every aspect has been addressed.
EXIT
When the night is over, cap it all off with a grand exit as you make your way into married life. From sparklers and glow sticks to confetti tosses and even fireworks, there are dozens of ways to signify that the party may be over, but your life together is just beginning.
