When you create your own wedding website with wedding hand, you might want to bare in mind some of the wedding jargon you might en-counter.
SLE RUNNER
The long piece of fabric set out between the seats for you to walk down during the ceremony.
BEST MAN
The Groom’s closest friend, who will assist the Groom throughout the day.
BLACK TIE
The formal dress code when men wear tuxedoes, (think James Bond) and the women wear cocktail dresses (think red carpet event)
BRIDESMAIDS
The women who accompany the bride on the day.
BRIDE’S ROOM/BRIDAL SUITE
An area at the ceremony venue for the bride and her attendants to prepare for the wedding in private and also retire during the day.
BUDGET
Some thing you must vow not to go over, nearly as important as the wedding vows themselves!
CANAPES
Small selection of food, usually served during the drinks reception.
CASH BAR
Where your wedding guests pay for their drinks. Not to be confused with The Clash song, ‘Rock The Casbah’.
CEREMONY
The service when the bride and groom take their vows and exchange rings.
CIVIL CEREMONY
When the marriage is conducted by a local council official (see registrar)
CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS
The law which allows same-sex couples to have the same rights to marry as opposite sex couples.
CORKAGE FEE
The fee the venue charge when you bring your own alcohol to the venue. Usually per item.
DESTINATION WEDDING
This term is used should you be marrying abroad.
FAVORS
Small gifts given to each guest, usually set on the table before the wedding breakfast.
FLOWER GIRL
Most often a young girl who scatters flowers in front of the bride before her entrance at the wedding ceremony.
GROOM
The male who is getting married. Sometimes referred to as The Bride Groom… just to confuse matters.
GROOMSMEN
Close friends or family chosen by the groom, to accompany him on his wedding day. Includes the best man and ushers.
HEAD TABLE – ALSO REFERRED TO AS TOP TABLE
Where the bride and groom will sit, flanked by their parents, head bridesmaid and best man.
IN HOUSE CATERING
Food supplied and prepared at the wedding venue.
IN-LAWS
The parents of a spouse, such as a mother-in-law or father-in-law.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Also known as a toast master, usually a male with a loud voice
and more often than not, a rather large stomach. His job is to propose toasts, introduce speakers and make formal announcements.
PAGE BOY
A young male who helps out with simple tasks during the day. Such as, holding the ring cushion.
PERSONAL VOWS
When the bride and groom write or choose their own vows when committing to one another during the ceremony.
PLAYLIST
The song choices given to the DJ or band.
PRE-NUP
A Prenuptial Agreement – where a contract between the bride and groom is drawn out before the wedding, agreeing how their assets and money should be divided up, should they ever divorce.
PROCESSIONAL
The traditional piece of music played for the entrance of the bridal party. There are no set rules for this piece of music. The most famous being Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” the one that you can sing under breath “Here comes the bride…”
RSVP
“Répondez s’il vous plaît,” is basically French for “Respond, if you please.” In other words, “Would You Like To Attend My Wedding Or Not”, but ‘WYLTAMWON’ doesn’t have the same ring to it.
RECEIVING LINE
Where the bride and groom meet and greet all the guests, as they make their way into the wedding breakfast.
RECESSIONAL
Traditionally the upbeat, triumphant music played as the bride and groom walk back up the aisle. The most famous being Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March”
REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT
Money given to hold the venue or supplier, but is agreed it can be returned within a cer- tain amount of time should they decide to cancel. As opposed to ‘Nonrefundable Depos- it’, which is not refunded should they cancel.
REGISTRAR
Local council officiants, who oversee the legal side of the wedding.
RING PILLOW
A small cushion carried by the ring bearer in the ceremony.
SAVE THE DATE
The announcement of the date of the wedding, requesting guests to “save the date” so they can let the wedding couple know if they shall be attending.
SUPPLIERS
General term for any person whose job is to supply a service to a wedding, such as a flo- rist or a photographer.
TABLE PLAN
The list locating guests to certain tables.
THE BEST MAN
Accompanies the groom throughout the day. Will most likely sit on the head table near him and is expected to make a speech. Other pre wedding day duties usually involve organizing the stag party.
TOAST
A short speech in appreciation, or in honor of guests- past or present. Not a piece of burnt bread.
TOSSING THE BOUQUET
When the bride throws the bouquet of flowers over her head for single female guests to catch. Superstition has it that who ever catches the bouquet will be the next person to marry.
USHER
He is involved in light duties on the wedding day, including showing guests to their seats during the ceremony. Not to be confused with the American singer songwriter. It is un- likely he will be showing your guests to their seats.
WEDDING BANDS
The wedding rings, not the musicians who turn up for the night do.
WEDDING BREAKFAST
Name given for the main sit down meal. The term comes from the first meal the bride and groom have together, hence the word breakfast… yes crazy, we know.
WEDDING SEASON
Typically in the UK between April and September.
