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Say What? A Guide to Wedding Day Lingo.

A la Carte – A menu style which allows guests to order from a menu.

Basque- refers to a style of waistline that drops 2-inches below the natural waist and often dips into a point in the center.
Bomboniere - Gifts purchased for the guests by the bride and groom usually passed around or left on the table. Typically an ornament accompanied by sugared almonds.

Bridezilla – A bride that has become unreasonable in her demands expecting nothing less than perfection. Everything must be done her way and reasoning with her becomes futile.

Bunting: A loosely woven woolen fabric, often used in making flags, that drapes in a decorative pattern and can be used to adorn tables, bar stations and other areas of your reception.

Buttercream Icing - the most popular wedding cake icing is made of butter, confectionery sugar and milk.

Button Holes – Flowers used in the grooms attire/ clothing usually matching the brides and bridesmaids bouquet.

Cake Table: Throughout the reception, the wedding cake should stand pretty atop a beautifully adorned table. Generally, the table is located in a special location adjacent to the bandstand or stage. After dinner has been enjoyed, the bride and groom will take part in the traditional cutting of the cake at the cake table.

Candid Photography – Photography which is real and not forced. Pictures are when people least expect it in order to look more natural.

Carrot - The size of the diamond in the wedding/ engagement ring.

Chair Covers – used to the cover the chairs at receptions in order to keep them uniform usually matching the color theme of the bridal party.

Chiavari: The chairs to rent for your wedding. These wooden chairs come in black, silver, gold, cherry, natural and white, and have different cushion options available.

Chocolate Ganache- a thick wedding cake icing made of chocolate and heavy cream.

Citronella: A fragrant scent used to deter bugs. Frequently found in candles and tiki torches, the aroma keeps unwanted creatures from inhabiting the nearby surroundings.

Cocktail Hour: Following the wedding ceremony, and prior to the wedding reception, drinks — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic — and hors d’oeuvres may be offered to guests as they mingle before sitting down to the reception meal. This time generally serves as a graceful interlude between the two events and an appropriate time to take any photographs of the bride and groom and wedding party.

Corset - A bodice with boning which is form fitted on the body.

Damask- a fabric like brocade it has raised designs, but is lighter in weight.

DJ Booth: A sectioned area for the DJ to “spin” (or play) the music of choice. While the DJ should be informed well in advance of the event of the type of music preferred for dining and dancing, guests should be allowed to approach the DJ booth to make song requests.

Estate Rentals: Often grand, stately homes or mansions available for rental for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Impressive and historical, estate rentals are popular sites in many exclusive communities, such as Newport, Rhode Island; Palm Beach, Florida; and Napa Valley, California.
Fascinator- a hair accesory worn to the side that is often made of feathers, flowers, or wisps of fabric and worn either attached to a comb or a headband.

Garland - This is decoration which usually adorns the pews and tables of woven rope, flowers and ribbon.

Garter - The garter is usually worn by the bride and removed by the groom and then thrown into the crowd.

Gauntlet- Wrsit and arm covering of lace or fabric that replaces gloves.

 

Guest Book Table: An area for wedding guests and loved ones to sign a keepsake journal with well wishes for the newly married couple. Often set near the reception, the book — formally designed and bound — should be accompanied by a similarly elegant pen.

Head Table: Commonly the newly married couple will be seated among their parents and wedding party attendants at a specified, primary table, known as the head table. Often the head table is uniquely adorned with a larger centerpiece.

Luminarias: Bags filled with sand and candles to create glowing lights. Often used to line pathways.

Marzipan – Usually used as wedding cake icing made from crushed almonds and sugar.

Maitre d’: The maitre d’ will orchestrate your meal service. He will ensure that the waiters are serving your guests properly and in a timely fashion.

Net Lighting: This kind of lighting works best on low bushes and shrubbery, and is especially captivating if your event begins or is in full swing at twilight. Each net contains approximately 150 evenly spaced lights that can be hung or draped on anything from tree trunks to poles.

Notice of Intended Marriage Form – This form is the legal document which is required to tie the knot. Usually lodged no later than 6 weeks before the wedding.

Parquet: Temporary wooden flooring (available in both real and fake woods) that may be laid on top of carpeting or other materials not appropriate for formal occasions or dancing. Often requires professional installation.

Pin Spots: These top-of-the line spotlights focus very tightly on a small area up to 100 feet away. You can use them to showcase certain key areas of your reception such as your cake table, your tabletops, etc.

Posy Bouquet – A circular bouquet made from round flowers usually roses.

Princess / A – line – Slim fitting, vertical seams flow from shoulders to hem. There is no seam on the waist.

Save the Date Cards – An informal invitation which precedes the wedding invitation advising guests when the wedding will be taking place. It is a good idea when wedding is close to public holidays or the invitations a delayed.

Signage: Easy-to-read indicators or signs for your guests and service providers so everyone will be able to find the ceremony or reception site and designated parking.

Staging Site: When utilizing shuttles, the spot for passengers to board and disembark. Ushers are often stationed at the staging spot to assist, greet and send off the wedding guests.

Swagging: Fabric that is draped in curves usually at equidistant points along tables, pews, walls, etc.

Swarovski - Crystal glass used in gowns and jewellery as embellishment and decoration.

Sweetheart Table: Some brides and grooms choose to sit at a small table for only the two of them. It is often in the center of the other tables in view of all guests. Couples find it a nice way to spend time together at the reception in addition to not having to choose which honored guests to sit with.

Table center pieces – The decoration placed in the center of the table to adorn the venue or location.

Tiara – Crown and hairpieces used to style your hair usually attaching the viel.

Teardrop Bouquet – A bouquet shaped like a tear from with a rounded top and a peak down the bottom.
Thermography- Thermography was developed as a less expensive alternative to engraving. The printer uses ink and powder resin combined with heat to reproduce the raised lettering effect of engraving. THe text has a shiny finish and is often said to not be as sharp as engraving.

Throw away posy - A small less expensive version of the bouquet to throw out to the crowd. This allows the bride to keep her bouquet.

FI- Fiancé
FH- Future Husband
DH- Dear Husband
MIL- mother in law (also works for father- FIL and sister-SIL and brother-BIL.)
FMIL- Future Mother-in-law
IL- in-Law
MOB- Mother of the Bride
MOH- Maid of Honor
BM- Bridesmaid
BP- Bridal Party
GM- Groomsman
FG- Flower girl
RB- Ringbearer
DOC- Day of Coordinator
CP- Centerpiece
STD- Save the Date
OOT- out of town
E-pic, E-ring, E-party- Engagment
RD- Rehearsal Dinner
NWR- Not Wedding Related
SWR- Somewhat wedding related
HM- Honeymoon
GTG- get-together
DW- Destination Wedding
TIA- Thanks in Advance