In the wedding world, you hear all sorts of terms tossed around. Ever wonder what those terms actually mean? We have complied a list of common wedding terms that you need to know when planning a wedding. Have a wedding or event term that you want listed here? Then email us!
A La Carte: An item or service that can be ordered as separate items or add-ons, rather than part of a set package
Action Station: A meal station that requires action (cooking, mixing, adding toppings, etc.). Examples are a carving station or a Smores station.
Aisle Runner: Aisle Runners is traditionally a long piece of fabric in the center of a wedding ceremony. Make sure your aisle runner is of higher quality to ensure it doesn’t easily tear and so that it lays flat.
Antique: Antique refers to anything over 100 years old. Usually referring to design aspects or details in the wedding design.
Banquet Table: A rectangle table that is a standard 30 inches in height and comes in lengths of 4ft, 6ft, and 8ft
Best Man: Traditionally, the Best Man is a close male friend or relative chosen by the Groom to stand up with him at the wedding. The Best Man’s duties typically include planning the bachelor party, delivering an fantastic speech at the reception among others.
Blusher: Blusher refers to a short veil worn over the bride’s face. They are usually attached to a comb, headband or other hair piece.
Bustle: A bustle gathers the extra fabric of the wedding dress or train using buttons or ties to keep the train up.
BEO: BEO is short for Banquet Event Order. A document that outlines the details of an event and serves as a guideline for the caterer to execute and communicate logistics to all necessary departments
Black Tie: A formal dress code of evening wear
Bridesmaids: Bridemaids are women who accompanies a bride on her wedding day.
Bridesman: A Bridesman is a non-traditional term referring to a male friend or relative who accompanies a bride on her wedding day. The Bridesman would wear the same (or similar) as the groomsmen.
Boutonniere: A single bloom or small greenery and blooms typically worn by the Groom and the wedding party and the important men to the couple (the Dads, Grandpas, etc.)
Chargers: Large decorative plate that is the base setting for dinnerware to be place on for formal dinner. It’s more decorative than any thing else!
Corsage: A small cluster of flowers typically worn by the important women in the couples’ lives (the Moms, Grandmas, etc.). Tip: attach the corsage to a bracelet so it doesn’t irate the skin!
Direction Cards: These are typically used when the ceremony and wedding reception are far apart or if the wedding venue is far from the hotel where your guests are staying. The Direction Cards are used to ensure that guests can make it from Point A to Point B. They can be provided in the invitation suite or you can provide them to your guests at the ceremony.
Escort Cards: The Escort Cards escort the guest to their assigned table at the reception. Always place them in alphabetical order so your guests can easily locate their name and table number.
First Look: The First Look is where the couple has a private moment to see each other before the ceremony. This is often staged so the photographer and videographer can capture the moment. This can also be where family members or the wedding party get to see the couple (together or separate) before the ceremony.
First Touch: Traditionally, couples don’t see each other before the ceremony. If you still want to have a private moment together before the ceremony, you can do a first touch. A First Touch is where the couple have a moment to hold hands and talk to each other before the ceremony without seeing each other.
FOB: FOB is short for Father of the Bride.
FOG: FOG is short for Father of the Groom.
Groomsmen: Groomsmen is a male friend or relative officially attending the groom on his wedding day.
Groomswomen: Groomswomen is non-traditional term referring to a female friend or relative officially attending the groom on his wedding day. They would wear the same as the bridesmaids.
HMU: Hair & Makeup
MOB: MOB is short for Mother of the Bride.
MOG: MOG is short for Mother of the Groom.
MOH: MOH is short for Maid/Matron of Honor
Nosegay: Small bouquet
Place Cards: Place cards indicate the guest’s exact place at their assigned table
Processional: The wedding party and family, accompanied by music
Pomander Ball: Floral foam ball
Plan B: Your backup if there is bad or extreme weather. Typically, you will have one when you have an activity happening outside (ceremony, cocktail hour, etc.)
Officiant: The one performing the ceremony
Recessional: The exit of the wedding party and family. They are accompanied by music
Reader: There shouldn’t be more than four (4) per ceremony
Retro: Retro refers to anything from 30 years ago. Usually referring to design aspects or details in the wedding design.
Receiving Line: It is rare at today’s weddings to have a receiving line. Most couples choose to do a “reviving time” and go from table to table at the reception just after the clients finish dinner
Sweethearts Table: A table designated for the couple to share by themselves
Single Point of Contact: the main point of contact between the couple and the vendors
Wedding Party: The collective grouping of the bridesmaids and groomsmen
Wedding Timeline/Itinerary: a detailed breakdown of the wedding day and surrounding events
Vintage: Vintage refers to anything from 30 years ago to 100 years ago. Usually referring to design aspects or details in the wedding design.
Venue Coordinator: The Venue Coordinator that books the weddings and ensures the event runs smoothly on the venue’s side during a couple’s wedding
Votives: A small candle, typically 2inches tall.
Votive Holder: A decorative hold for the votive candle