A collection of wedding terms, definitions and phrases that will help you along the way and make you and expert in wedding lingo.
Bridal Party
- BM – Best Man
- FOB – Father for the Bride
- FOG – Father of the Groom
- MOB – Mother of the Bride
- MOG – Mother of the Groom
- MOH – Maid of Honor
Ceremony
- Ceremony Rehearsal – A run through of the wedding ceremony with all participants in attendance – typically usually happens the day before the wedding
- Prelude – An elegant term for background music typically played while guest arrive
- Processional – The music that begins the ceremony starting as the bridal party walks down the aisle ending with the bride
- Recessional – The music that plays as the ceremony ends and the newly weds and bridal party walk out to
Details
- Floor Plan – A layout of the reception noting table layouts
- Seating Chart – A complete list of all guests attending the event and where they will be sitting
- Timeline – A list of times, locations and details for the wedding weekend’s activities
- Wedding Website – a site that couples use to communicate the details and aid in planning for their wedding
- Prelude – An elegant term for background music typically played while guest arrive
- Processional – The music that begins the ceremony starting as the bridal party walks down the aisle ending with the bride
- Recessional – The music that plays as the ceremony ends and the newly weds and bridal party walk out to
Flowers
- Filler Flower – A cost-effective way to fill in the gaps in your floral arrangements
- Posy – A small round flower bouquet that is made up of tightly bound stems typically given as a gift
Food & Beverage
- Consumption Bar – You are billed based on the number of drinks consumed. Good if you do not have a large drinking crowd
- Flat Rate Bar – You are billed on price per person aka $25 per guest per hour. Great for if you have a large drinking crowd
- Food Station – A style of dinner service consisting of multiple buffets set up at stations throughout the wedding reception. Food stations allow wedding guests to mingle with others and sample a variety of menu items.
- Grooms Cake – A small cake of the grooms liking often served at the rehearsal dinner
- Menu Tasting – Generally this will occur at your venue a month prior to your actual wedding in order to get a look and feel for the food being produced at your wedding
- Signature Cocktail – A unique or original drink that expresses the couple – they can be fashioned to represent a theme, color or mix in local culture
Formalities
- Cake Cutting – An old wedding tradition where the bride and groom cut into the cake together and share a small bite symbolizing commitment
- First Dance – Typically, this is the first dance shared between the bride and groom that then opens the dance floor for the rest of the guests
- Introductions – “And now for the first time, let’s give it up for the new Mr. and Mrs. Smith”
- Parent Dances – Typically, once the first dance has occurred the bride and her father will then dance followed by the groom and his mother
- Send-Off – A way which people can express good wishes and say goodbye to the couple as they leave the reception
Lighting
- Gobo – Love seeing a monogram lit up on a dance floor… want to create a cool pattern projected on the ceiling of the tent – this is a gobo
- Up lighting – Light placed around the perimeter of a tent or venue to illuminate walls or the ceiling, sometimes by using various colors to create “a vibe”
Photography
- First Look – A moment staged and set up by a weddingphotographer for the couple to see each other before the ceremony
- Shot List – A list of all family and friends you would like photographed
Printing
- Escort Card – Printed cards that inform guests of what table they’ll be seated at – typically displayed as guests enter the reception or during the cocktail hour
- Paper Suite – All stationary needs for your wedding: the save-the-dates, invitations, reply cards, reception cards, and any other invitation enclosures.
- Place Card – Printed cards that inform guests where they will be sitting at their assigned table – these would be placed at each table setting
- Signature Signs – These are specialty sign you can create for you signature cocktail, your wedding hashtag or bar menus. You can have a lot of fun with these
- Table Number or Names – A number or name (typically framed) assigned to each table showcasing where guests as sitting as it coincides with their escort card
Tables
- 60s – A 60 inch round dinner table that seats 8-10 people
- 72s – A 72 inch round dinner table that seats 10-12 people
- Farm Table – A wooden rectangular table that seats 8-10 people
- High Top – A high table typically used during cocktail hours
- Low Top – A low table typically used during cocktail hours
- Sweetheart Table – A table set for two, which the newlyweds would sit at
- Royal Table – A rectangular folding table that seats 8-10 people
*Tables are always dressed in linens except Farm Tables
Tablescape
- B&B Plate – Bread and butter plate
- Charger – A decorative plate that is set at each place setting that is usually taken away before the meal is served
- Overlay – A directive cloth extending halfway down the table to add color or texture
- Place Setting – Flatware, glassware, napkin, china (salad plate, dinner plate and bread and butter plate)
- Underlay – Full-length linen that falls to the floor found under the overlay
- Votive – Small accent candles
