Wedding Glossary

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Aisle Runner

A long piece of fabric traditionally rolled out before the bridal procession to indicate the arrival of the bride.

Category: Ceremony Decor

All-Inclusive

A flat fee that covers a variety of wedding services. Most often associated with destination weddings at resorts.

Category: Destination Weddings, Honeymoon

Arbor

A shelter of branches under which a couple stands to exchange vows. Can also be made of latticework covered with vines.

Category: Wedding Ceremony Venues

Asymmetric

A dress neckline where one shoulder is covered and the other is bare, or a style that begins at the natural waistline and angles down to one side.

Category: Bridesmaid Dresses

B&B

Short for "bed-and-breakfast." Typically, a house converted into a place to stay, similar to a hotel, where guests can rent overnight rooms. The atmosphere is similar to a home and often includes hearty breakfasts but no other meals. Serves as a popular destination for honeymoons.

Category: Wedding Guest Accommodations

Bandstand

A raised platform where the band performs.

Category: Wedding Bands and DJs

Basket Weave

An icing technique that mimics the look of a wicker basket, with piped lines of vertical and horizontal icing crisscrossing.

Category: Wedding Cakes

Bedeken

An Orthodox Jewish ceremony where the bride and groom's families meet and the groom confirms that the bride is his intended, then covers her face with a veil. Also spelled badeken.

Category: Wedding Traditions

Big Band

A style of music that traditionally involves many musicians and incorporates horn instruments and vocalists. Popular in the '30s and '40s.

Category: Wedding Bands and DJs

Biscotti

An Italian cookie often flavored with anise or nuts. Common as a wedding favor because of their long shelf-life. Traditionally oblong-shaped.

Category: Wedding Favors

Black Tie

A semi-formal dress code; men wear tuxedoes, while women wear cocktail dresses or gowns.

Category: Wedding Tuxedos

Blackout Dates

Dates unavailable for events, either due to holidays or a venue's lack of availability.

Category: Honeymoon, Destination Weddings

Blended family

A family where members are not all biologically related. Typically, a result of a marriage when spouses and children from a former relationship or marriage form the family unit.

Category: Parents of the Bride and Groom

Block of Rooms

A group of rooms reserved at a hotel for guests, often at a discounted rate. The block is usually held in the couple's name, with guests paying for the reservations themselves.

Category: Wedding Guest Accommodations

Blusher Veil

A short veil worn over the bride's face while walking down the aisle that is lifted back to present her to the groom.

Category: Bridal Accessories

Bodice

The portion of a woman's garment that covers the upper part of a woman's body, above the waist.

Category: Bridesmaid Dresses

Body Shapers

An undergarment used to mold the bride's body into a smooth silhouette.

Category: Bridal Accessories

Bon Bon

A type of candy that is covered in fondant or chocolate.

Category: Bridal Showers

Brazilian Blowout

A process to straighten hair with a flat iron, with a combination of formaldehyde and keratin.

Category: Wedding Hairstyles

Breaking of the Glass

A Jewish tradition where grooms -- and, occasionally, also brides -- step on a glass at the end of a wedding ceremony.

Category: Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Traditions

Bridal Boot Camp

A high-intensity workout regime for brides to lose weight and tone up before the wedding.

Category: Wedding Workouts

Brides Room

An area at the ceremony venue for the bride and her attendants to prepare for the wedding in private.

Category: Wedding Reception Venues

Bronzer

A lotion, spray or powder that darkens the skin's color, resembling a tan.

Category: Wedding Makeup

Budget

A list of planned expenses for a wedding that serves as a helpful guide to keep track of spending.

Category: Wedding Finances

Buffet

A type of dining style where guests line up and either serve themselves or request food from the server.

Category: Wedding Menus

Burlap linen

A tablecloth made of or resembling burlap, a material of woven jute or hemp.

Category: Beach Weddings

Bustle

When a wedding gown's train is gathered below the waist to prevent it from dragging on the floor, often done after the wedding ceremony but before the reception.f

Category: Bridal Attire

Butler Service

A type of catering service where servers offer food and drinks to guests on platters.

Category: Wedding Food and Beverage

Cabana

A hut or a structure draped in fabric, typically found on a beach. Can be a relatively small 4-by-4 foot structure intended for shade or large enough to house an entire reception.

Category: Beach Weddings

Candelabra

A decorative candlestick that has multiple arms to hold multiple candles. Sometimes used as part of the unity candle lighting ceremony.

Category: Wedding Ceremony Venues

Candle Lighters

Members of the wedding party, often older children or young adults, who walk up the aisle with lit candles to light candles for the ceremony.

Category: Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

Capacity Charts

A chart that shows how many people a venue can accommodate.

Category: Wedding Guests

Cardstock

A type of paper commonly used for wedding invitations. Thicker than normal printing paper and comes in varying colors and textures.

Category: Wedding Announcements and Invitations

Carving Station

An area manned by catering staff who carve slices of meat, such as prime rib or chicken, in a buffet setting at the request of guests.

Category: Wedding Caterers

Cascade Bouquet

A bouquet style in which the flowers cascade downward from the bride.

Category: Bridal Bouquets

Cash Bar

A beverage-service system where wedding guests pay for their drinks.

Category: Reception Beverages

Cathedral Veil

The most formal of veils, also known as a royal veil. Standard length is 108 inches; the veil extends onto the floor.

Category: Bridal Accessories

Cava

A white or pink sparkling wine from Catalonia.

Category: Engagement Parties

Cerulean

A color blue, resembling the sky.

Category: Wedding Color Themes

Chafing Dish

A large dish that sits over a low flame to keep its contents warm. Popular at buffets.

Category: Wedding Food and Beverage, Wedding Caterers, Wedding Event Rentals

Champagne flute

A slim glass with a stem, designed to retain Champagne's carbonation.

Category: Rehearsal Dinners, Wedding Speeches and Toasts

Charger Plate

A plate, larger than a dinner plate, that is purely decorative and displays the meal's china.

Category: Wedding Food and Beverage

Chartreuse

A bright yellow-green appropriate for a spring wedding

Category: Wedding Color Themes

Chauffeur

A person responsible for driving a vehicle, such as a limo. Often the bridal party is chauffeured to the ceremony.

Category: Wedding Transportation

Chill Table

A table that can be filled with ice, over which food is placed to keep fresh.

Category: Wedding Event Rentals

Cocktail Hour

A festive gathering where guests mingle as cocktails and hors d'oeuvres are served, typically preceding dinner.

Category: Reception Beverages

Comb

A decorative hairpiece attached to a comb that slides into the hair.

Category: Wedding Hairstyles

Common law marriage

When two people live together as if they are man and wife without going through the formality of marriage.

Category: Eloping

Conflict-Free Diamonds

A diamond that comes from an ethical source. A certification of origin guarantees that child labor, human labor abuse, violence and environmentally unsound methods were not part of the diamond's history.

Category: Engagement Rings

Crown

An ornamental, often bejeweled, headpiece that circles the head. Veils can be attached.

Category: Bridal Attire

Cuban Cigars

A popular cigar for celebrations, rolled from Cuban tobacco leaves.

Category: Bachelor Parties

Day of Planner

A wedding planner enlisted to help only on the day of the wedding to make sure that all parts of the event run smoothly.

Category: Wedding Planning

Destination Wedding

The term for when an engaged couple travels away from home for the wedding ceremony. A destination wedding may or may not include guests.

Category: Weddings Themes and Ideas

Down Payment Registry

A registry where the bride and groom request monetary contributions towards the down payment of a home.

Category: Wedding Registries

Eggshell blue

A greenish blue resembling the color of a robin's egg. Also called robin egg blue.

Category: Wedding Color Themes

Elbow Veil

A veil that extends to the bride's elbow, typically about 25 inches long.

Category: Bridal Attire

Elopement

When a couple steals away to get married without notifying friends and family.

Category: Eloping

Emcee

An individual who moves the wedding reception forward by announcing speakers, songs and dances. Comes from the phrase Master of Ceremonies or MC.

Category: Wedding Bands and DJs

Engagement Party

A party thrown at the beginning of the engagement, sometimes to announce the engagement to friends and family. Traditionally thrown by the bride's family but may be thrown by the couple.

Category: Engagement

Engagement Session

A series of photos taken by the wedding photographer during the engagement. Often used in wedding announcements, save-the-date cards or at the wedding.

Category: Wedding Photographers

Euro Tie

A long tie with a square bottom that is a cross between a regular necktie and the more formal ascot.

Category: Groom and Groomsmen

Exfoliation

A skin care technique that involves the removal of the outermost layer of skin cells, usually with a product that contains microbeads that act as a mild abrasive. Involves using scrubs with fine particles and can be used for both face and body.

Category: Bridal Beauty

Facials

A common spa procedure consisting of several beauty treatments to the face. May include masks, extractions, exfoliation and peels.

Category: Prewedding Pampering

Favor Tags

A decorative label, sticker or hanging tag on a wedding favor. Usually printed with the couple's names or initials and the wedding date.

Category: Personalized Wedding Items

Final Guarantee

The final head count given to the caterer. The bride and groom will pay for this number.

Category: Wedding Caterers

Finger sandwich

A small sandwich meant to be eaten in a couple of bites, often part of a buffet.

Category: Bridal Showers

Finger Wave

A hairstyle popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Created by guiding the hair in alternating directions with the fingers to create a wave by the face.

Category: Wedding Hairstyles

Fondant

A sweet icing that is rolled out and draped over a wedding cake for a smooth finish.

Category: Wedding Cakes

Food Stations

A style of dinner service that consists of multiple buffets set up at stations throughout the reception location. These stations are often chef-attended and may be themed by food type or cuisine style.

Category: Wedding Menus

Foundation primer

A product, often silicone-based, that is used under foundation to create a barrier between the skin and the foundation and extends the life of the makeup application.

Category: Wedding Makeup

Frame Tent

A type of tent that can be installed without stakes or internal poles; these tents are typically small, no wider than 40 feet.

Category: Outdoor Wedding Venues

Full Service Planner

A wedding planner who assists the couple with every step of the wedding process, from selecting vendors to day-of coordination.

Category: Wedding Planning

Garland

A full circle of flowers. Can be part of decor or worn in the hair.

Category: Wedding Flowers

Gerbera daisy

A flower from the sunflower family that comes in many different colors; appropriate for a casual, spring wedding. Sometimes called Gerber daisy.

Category: Seasonal Weddings Styles

Gobo

A template attached to a light source to create a design, such as a monogram, that shines on the floor, wall or ceiling.

Category: Wedding Decor

Gown Preservation

The method for preserving a dress after the wedding day. Typically involves a professional cleaning and boxing it to prevent damage over the years.

Category: Wedding Dresses

Green/Eco Wedding

A catchall term that can refer to different aspects of environmentally friendly weddings; can include serving organically grown food, using recyclable items, cutting down on waste, etc.

Category: Weddings Themes and Ideas

Groom's Cake

A secondary cake to the traditional wedding cake. Often masculine in design, reflective of the groom's interests or hobbies, and traditionally chocolate.

Category: Wedding Cakes

Head Table

A long, straight table set up for the meal during a reception. Typically the bride and groom sit at the center of the table, facing guests, with the bridal party and their dates flanking the couple.

Category: Wedding Reception

Hen party

The term used in some countries for a "bachelorette party," celebrating the last days of a bride-to-be's single life.

Category: Bachelorette Parties

Honeymoon Package

A vacation package marketed to honeymooners. Usually includes accommodations and local or romantic activities.

Category: Honeymoon

Honeymoon Registry

An online service that allows couples to register for activities and upgrades for their honeymoon stay. This can be used instead of or with more traditional gifts and registries.

Category: Wedding Registries

Honor Attendant

The attendant the bride wants by her side for the entire wedding process. Also called the maid of honor if the person is unmarried or matron of honor if married.

Category: Bridal Party

Hora

A folk dance, usually performed at Jewish weddings, where guests hold hands and dance in a circle together. The wedding couple is sometimes raised by friends and family on chairs.

Category: Wedding Reception

Hors d'oeuvre

French for "outside of work," referring to a food item served outside of the main body of the meal. Often used interchangeably with the word appetizer.

Category: Wedding Menus

Hosted Bar

A beverage service system where the host pays for all drinks ordered by the guests. Also known as an open bar.

Category: Reception Beverages

Hydrotherapy

The use of hot or cold water to soothe and relax. Soaking in a Jacuzzi is a popular method.

Category: Prewedding Pampering

I Corinthians 13:1-13

A popular Bible reading for weddings that includes the statement, "Love is patient, love is kind."

Category: Wedding Ceremony Readings

In-House Catering

Catering services supplied by the wedding venue. If a venue offers in-house catering, typically off-site caterers are not permitted.

Category: Wedding Reception Venues, Wedding Venues

In-Law

The parents of a spouse, such as a mother-in-law or father-in-law.

Category: Parents of the Bride and Groom

Jewelry Roll

A pouch used to transport jewelry when traveling. Often made of cloth and contains pockets that can be zipped. The pouch is then rolled and secured with an attached ribbon.

Category: Bridal Party Gifts

Jordan Almond

A candy-coated, often pastel almond that serves as a popular wedding favor.

Category: Wedding Favors

Junior Bridesmaid

A female who is too old to be a flower girl and too young to be a traditional bridesmaid. Often participates in the bridal shower, ceremony rehearsal, rehearsal dinner and the ceremony processional but not the bachelorette party.

Category: Bridesmaids

LED

A type of light popular for creating a dramatic event atmosphere; acronym for light-emitting diode.

Category: Wedding Decor

Locally Grown

Items that are grown near the location they will be used; an encouraged element for eco-friendly weddings.

Category: Sustainable Weddings

Low emission vehicle

A vehicle that emits relatively low air pollutants. Popular with couples who are having an eco-friendly wedding.

Category: Wedding Transportation

Luminaria

A decorative lantern most commonly made from a paper bag, then weighted with sand and lit inside with a candle.

Category: Beach Weddings, Wedding Reception Decor

Man of Honor

The title of the chief attendant to the bride when he is male.

Category: Bridesmaids

Map cards

A card sent with the invitation that contains a small map and directions to the wedding ceremony and reception from the places that guests will likely stay.

Category: Wedding Announcements and Invitations, Wedding Transportation

Marquee Tent

A large tent used in place of a building at outdoor events. Almost always professionally installed.

Category: Wedding Event Rentals

Marquise

The shape of a diamond that resembles an oval with pointed ends, like a football.

Category: Engagement Rings

Matron of Honor

The title of the chief bridesmaid when she is married, referred to as "maid of honor" when unmarried.

Category: Bridesmaids

Microderm Abrasion

A non-invasive cosmetic procedure that removes the outermost layer of dead skin to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, scars and sun damage.

Category: Prewedding Pampering

Micro-Pave

A band with many tiny stones embedded in it, typically set around a larger diamond.

Category: Wedding Rings

Milgrain Edging

A beaded or textured edge on a wedding band.

Category: Wedding Rings

Mineral Makeup

Makeup made from finely ground minerals that doesn't contain chemicals, dyes and preservatives. Often favored by women with makeup sensitivity.

Category: Bridal Beauty

Mocktail

A mock cocktail that resembles a drink with spirits but contains no alcohol.

Category: Wedding Weekend Activities

Monogram

The initials of a person's name, often appearing in an ornate, overlapping form and can be used on wedding invitations, piped on cakes as icing, etc.

Category: Personalized Wedding Items, Wedding Favors

Nosegay

A small, round bouquet of flowers wired together. Sometimes called a "posy."

Category: Bridal Bouquets

Nuptial Blessing

A blessing by a priest occurring at the end of a Roman Catholic wedding ceremony.

Category: Wedding Traditions

Officiant

The person in charge of the wedding ceremony. They must be legally able to marry someone in their state but are not required to be a clergy member.

Category: Wedding Vendors

Online Proofing

An online service that allows a person to review print pieces, such as invitations or photography, before ordering them.

Category: Wedding Photographers

Organic Catering

Catered food grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. The food is often sourced from sustainable, local vendors

Category: Sustainable Weddings

Organic Flowers

Flowers grown without the use of chemical pesticides.

Category: Sustainable Weddings

Pages

A person who holds the train of a bride's gown when she walks down the aisle. This position is usually fulfilled by a boy under the age of 10 but older than the ring bearer.

Category: Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

Palladium

A silver-white pure metal; does not react with oxygen and will not tarnish, unlike silver or gold.

Category: Marriage Proposals, Wedding Rings

Parure

A matching set of jewelry, such as earrings and a necklace, sometimes intended to be worn at the wedding when presented as a gift by the bride.

Category: Bridal Party Gifts

Pashmina

A wrap of fine cashmere wool that women drape over their shoulders to keep warm when wearing formal attire.

Category: Bridal Party Gifts

Personal Vows

When the bride and groom express their commitment to each other with vows they've written rather than recite vows from the Book of Common Prayer.

Category: Eloping, Wedding Vows

Petit four

A small, individual cake covered on all sides with fondant.

Category: Bridal Showers

Pew Vase

A container for flowers that is placed on or by a church pew.

Category: Wedding Flowers

Photojournalism

The use of unposed images to tell the story of an event.

Category: Wedding Photographers

Pilates

A type of exercise that focuses on spinal alignment, muscle control and breathing.

Category: Wedding Workouts

Plantable Favor

A gift for guests that includes seeds, sometimes embedded in paper, that one can plant as a reminder of the wedding.

Category: Personalized Wedding Items

Playlist

The list of songs given to the DJ or band to play during the reception. Sometimes an iPod is used instead.

Category: Wedding Music

Plus-one

A notation on an invitation indicating that a guest can bring a significant other or date.

Category: Wedding Etiquette

Prelude

Music played while guests are being seated for the wedding ceremony.

Category: Wedding Musicians

Premarital Counseling

Counseling that the couple receives before the wedding and specific to potential marital issues. Required by some religions before the couple can marry in the church.

Category: Wedding Officiants

Prenuptial Agreement

A contract where a bride and groom agree how property should be divided in the event of death or divorce. Also referred to as a "prenup."

Category: Engagement, Marriage Proposals, Wedding Legal Services

Procession

The order in which the bridal party enters the ceremony. Differs depending on religion or style of ceremony, but generally begins with male attendants, followed by female attendants, and ends with the bride and her escort, if she has one. Or, male and female attendants walk down the aisle side by side, followed by the bride.

Category: Bridal Party, Wedding Ceremony

Processional

The song played as the bride walks down the aisle, traditionally "The Bridal Chorus" or as it is more commonly known, "The Wedding March."

Category: Wedding Musicians

Proof of Residency

A document that proves residency of a country or state. Can be an electric bill, apartment rental receipt, etc. Often required to obtain a wedding license.

Category: Wedding Legal Services

Prosecco

A dry sparkling Italian wine.

Category: Engagement Parties

Pub crawl

A party that travels to different pubs or bars within walking distance on the same night.

Category: Bachelorette Parties

Push Pole Tent

A traditional style of tent where a series of poles and stakes hold up the fabric.

Category: Outdoor Wedding Venues

Quran

The primary spiritual text of Muslims. Also spelled Koran.

Category: Wedding Ceremony Readings

R.S.V.P.

A request for invitees to accept or decline an invitation. French for "Répondez s'il vous plaît," meaning "Respond, if you please." An invitee should send an R.S.V.P. whether or not they can attend the event.

Category: Wedding Etiquette

Recessional

Music that plays as the bridal party is leaving the ceremony.

Category: Wedding Musicians

Refundable Deposit

Money given to hold a venue or service that will be returned if the event is cancelled due to extenuating circumstances.

Category: Wedding Finances

Rehearsal Dinner

A tradition, typically held the night before the wedding, where the wedding party celebrates with dinner after practicing for the wedding ceremony.

Category: Engagement, Wedding Weekend Activities

Response Card

A card accompanying an invitation to a wedding that allows the recipient to accept or decline the invitation. It typically includes meal options. Sometimes called "reply card."

Category: Wedding Announcements and Invitations, Wedding Guests

Responsive Vows

Answering "I will" or "I do" to a series of commitment questions asked of the bride and groom by the officiant.

Category: Wedding Vows

Ring Pillow

A small cushion carried by the ring bearer in the procession. Traditionally holds the rings for delivery to the officiant, but now often holds decorative rings as a representation.

Category: Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

Roast

A type of toast that consists of poking fun at the honoree.

Category: Rehearsal Dinners, Wedding Speeches and Toasts

Save-the-date

An announcement of the date of the wedding, requesting guests to "save the date" so they can attend the wedding; sent before the official invitation with the specific details.

Category: Wedding Etiquette

Scavenger Hunt

An activity where teams compete against each other to find all the objects on a list.

Category: Wedding Weekend Activities

Scotch

A type of whiskey distilled in Scotland.

Category: Bachelor Parties

Seating Cards

Cards propped up at place settings that indicate who sits where during a meal.

Category: Wedding Guests

Secular Officiant

An official unrelated to a religion who can legally wed two parties, such as a judge.

Category: Wedding Officiants

Sheath

A dress style with a narrow fit that's ankle-length and hugs the bust, waist and hips.

Category: Bridesmaid Dresses

Shoulder Season

Refers to the time between the high and low seasons of travel, often offering lower rates to travelers.

Category: Destination Weddings

Site Coordinator

A venue staff member who serves as the contact person and coordinator for events in a role that is less extensive than the wedding planner.

Category: Wedding Planning

Solitaire

A simple metallic band with one stone.

Category: Engagement Rings

Soy-Based Products

A product made from soybeans, a legume native to Asia. Often these products, such as soaps or candles, are considered sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Category: Bridal Beauty

Sparkling wine

A bubbling white wine that comes from a location other than the Champagne region of France.

Category: Engagement Parties, Rehearsal Dinners, Wedding Speeches and Toasts

Spiritual Officiant

An individual, usually associated with a particular faith, who performs weddings, in addition to other life events such as christenings.

Category: Wedding Officiants

Spray

A single branch or stem with many blooms or leaves on it.

Category: Wedding Flowers

Stag and doe party

A combined bachelor and bachelorette party.

Category: Bachelorette Parties

Stag party

The term used in some countries for a "bachelor party," celebrating the last days of a groom-to-be's bachelorhood.

Category: Bachelor Parties

Stargazer lily

A brightly colored, extremely fragrant flower sometimes found in bridal bouquets.

Category: Seasonal Weddings Styles

Stepparent

The parent of the child by marriage, not biologically.

Category: Parents of the Bride and Groom

String Quartet

A musical ensemble of four musicians playing string instruments, which typically includes two violins, a viola and a cello.

Category: Wedding Music

Swagging

A decorative element where fabric is draped to form a curve between two points. Often seen on the skirts of tables or as an effect to create the ceiling of a tent.

Category: Wedding Decor, Wedding Reception Decor

Tailcoat

A coat with tails. Seen primarily at weddings with white tie attire. May be a dress coat with a squarely cut away front or a morning coat with a tapered cut.

Category: Wedding Tuxedos

Tails

The two tapered extensions on the back of a formal tuxedo jacket.

Category: Groom and Groomsmen

Tension Tent

A parabola-shaped tent with clean lines, capable of withstanding winds up to 70 miles per hour. Contains few internal poles, making it a popular choice for large weddings.

Category: Wedding Venues

Theme Wedding

A wedding centered around a specific theme that is not color or pattern focused, such as a winter wonderland.

Category: Weddings Themes and Ideas

Tiffany Setting

A traditional setting for a solitaire engagement ring that includes a plain band with a set of prongs that holds the diamond. Also called a Tiffany mount.

Category: Marriage Proposals

Tinted Moisturizer

A facial moisturizer that contains a sheer color. Used in place of a foundation when a lighter base is desired.

Category: Wedding Makeup

Toastmaster

The person in charge of introducing speakers and proposing toasts.

Category: Wedding Reception

Topiary

A sculpture made out of shrubs or flowers. Floral topiaries can make colorful centerpieces.

Category: Seasonal Weddings Styles

Torah

The founding text for the Jewish faith.

Category: Wedding Ceremony Readings

Tossing Bouquet

A bouquet that is usually smaller than the more formal bouquet the bride carries down the aisle, specifically for throwing to single female guests during the customary bouquet toss.

Category: Bridal Bouquets

Traditional Vows

Vows from the Book of Common Prayer that a bride and groom repeat outloud to each other to express their love and commitment during the wedding ceremony.

Category: Wedding Vows

Trellis

Latticework, often made of wood or metal, that supports climbing plants. Can provide a decorative backdrop to outdoor weddings.

Category: Wedding Ceremony Decor

Tribute Band

A band that plays songs entirely written by a popular band.

Category: Wedding Music

Trousseau

Historically refers to the bride's possessions that she brings to the marriage. Can also refer to the bride's gown or attire.

Category: Wedding Dresses

Trunk Show

A presentation of wedding attire, often by a designer, to bridal shops or brides, typically transported in trunks.

Category: Wedding Dresses

Tulle

A light, netted fabric used for veils, wedding gowns and decor.

Category: Bridal Attire, Wedding Reception Decor

Unity Candle

A large pillar candle the bride and groom light with two taper candles, symbolizing two individuals committing to each other.

Category: Wedding Ceremony Decor

Universal Registry

A single registry where brides and grooms can include gift preferences from many different stores.

Category: Wedding Registries

Usher

Male bridal party member who show guests to their seats before the ceremony. Often also performs the role of groomsman.

Category: Groom and Groomsmen, Wedding Ceremony

Videographer

The person responsible for filming and editing a video of the wedding ceremony and reception.

Category: Wedding Vendors

VIEs

An acronym for "Very Important Extras," where family and friends can fulfill roles extending beyond the bridal party, from usher to soloist.

Category: Bridal Party

Waiting Period

The amount of time legally required between applying for a marriage license and being able to marry. Varies between states.

Category: Wedding Legal Services

Wedding Arch

An arched structure commonly used at outdoor weddings that the bride and groom stand under during the ceremony.

Category: Wedding Ceremony Venues

Wedding Day Coordinator

A coordinator employed for the day of the wedding only; responsible for the execution of the wedding ceremony and reception.

Category: Wedding Reception Venues, Wedding Venues

Wedding Insurance

A policy that prevents financial loss from canceling a wedding due to natural disasters, medical emergencies, etc.

Category: Wedding Finances

Wedding Planner

An individual an engaged couple hires to oversee every aspect of the wedding, including vendors, payment, decor, budget, etc. The wedding planner is onsite during the event to make sure things run smoothly.

Category: Wedding Vendors

Welcome Basket

A basket filled with items such as candles, guidebooks and other small luxuries, left for out-of-town guests in their hotel room or at the reception desk.

Category: Wedding Guest Accommodations

White Tie

The most formal dress attire. For men, this means white bowties and jackets with tails, while women should wear evening gowns. Also called "full evening dress."

Category: Wedding Tuxedos

Yoga

A Hindu philosophy most commonly known for its form of exercise involving specific postures and breathing techniques.

Category: Wedding Workouts

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