All weddings are different of course, but nevertheless they also have many

things in common, so here is a look at some of the terms and definitions that

are associated with them.

It can be useful to know in advance what you might expect, whether you will

be attending as a guest, a family member (who may be footing some of the bill

for these things), or even looking for ideas if you are a prospective bride or

groom.

A wedding glossary can also be used as a precautionary measure as well, as if

something goes wrong on such an important occasion; then blame will surely have to be placed somewhere, and if you find yourself not knowing what's what -then that somewhere might just be you!

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).

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).

Boutonnière

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.

Cascade

See Shower.

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.

Chief Bridesmaid

See Maid Of Honor.

Columns

See Pillars.

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. (See Koumbaro)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

Matron Of Honor

This is the proper title given where the maid of honor is herself married.

MOH

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

entries.

Nosegay

See Posies.

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).

Pageant Bouquet

See Presentation.

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.

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 an 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.

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.

Train Bearers

See Pages or Page Boys.

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).

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

Officiants question, and may be the same said by both or individual to each.

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.

Waltz

See Ballet.

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)

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.

So, that's a collection of wedding terms given a meaning to. If you're having

a wedding soon, then good luck for the big day, you're probably nervous, maybe

been dieting. And if it is a simple affair, without much pomp and finery, don't

let that worry you. All the extra stuff is only a way of showing celebration;

people with more money will naturally spend more (Scrooges aside).

But all this doesn't necessarily reflect on the true magic of the occasion,

which is the love between a man and a woman, that can shine through any setting,

grand or humble. Money can't buy that, and never will.