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Wedding Glossary
Every wedding term explained in plain English. Bookmark this page — you'll come back to it.
A
- A-line
- A dress silhouette that is fitted at the bodice and gradually flares out from the waist to the hem, resembling the shape of the letter A.
- Aisle runner
- A long strip of fabric or paper rolled down the aisle before the ceremony. Protects the bride's dress and adds a decorative touch.
B
- Banns
- A public announcement of a forthcoming marriage, read aloud in church on three consecutive Sundays before the wedding. Required for Church of England ceremonies.
- Bespoke
- Custom-made to order. A bespoke wedding dress or suit is designed and tailored specifically for you, rather than bought off the rack.
- Best man
- The groom's chief attendant, responsible for looking after the rings, organising the stag do, and giving a speech at the reception.
- Bouquet toss
- A tradition where the bride throws her bouquet over her shoulder to a group of unmarried guests. Whoever catches it is said to be next to marry.
- Boutonniere
- A single flower or small arrangement worn on the lapel of a suit jacket. Also called a buttonhole in the UK.
- Bridal party
- The group of people who stand with the couple during the ceremony, including bridesmaids, groomsmen, the best man, and maid of honour.
- Bridal suite
- A hotel room or private area designated for the bride to get ready before the ceremony and for the couple to stay on their wedding night.
- Bridesmaid
- A female attendant chosen by the bride to support her on the wedding day. Duties include helping with planning, getting ready, and standing alongside the bride during the ceremony.
- Budget
- The total amount you plan to spend on your wedding, including venue, catering, attire, photography, entertainment, and all other costs.
- Bustle
- A method of tucking or hooking up the train of a wedding dress so it can be worn comfortably during the reception.
- Buttonhole
- A single flower or small arrangement pinned to the lapel. The UK term for boutonniere. Traditionally worn by the groom, best man, and fathers.
C
- Canapes
- Small, bite-sized appetisers served to guests during the drinks reception, before the wedding breakfast.
- Celebrant
- A person authorised to perform wedding ceremonies. In the UK, this can be a registrar, a religious leader, or an independent celebrant (whose ceremonies are not legally binding without a separate legal marriage).
- Centrepiece
- A decorative arrangement placed at the centre of each guest table. Typically flowers, candles, or a combination of both.
- Ceremony
- The formal part of a wedding where the couple exchange vows, rings, and are legally or symbolically married.
- Chapel train
- A dress train that extends 3-4 feet from the waist. Shorter than a cathedral train and suitable for most venue types.
- Civil ceremony
- A non-religious wedding ceremony conducted by a registrar. Can take place in a register office or an approved venue.
- Civil partnership
- A legal relationship available to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples in the UK. It gives the same legal rights as marriage but is formed by signing a civil partnership document rather than exchanging vows.
- Confetti
- Small pieces of paper, dried petals, or biodegradable material thrown over the couple after the ceremony. Many venues restrict confetti types for environmental reasons.
- Corkage
- A fee charged by a venue for serving wine or drinks that you supply yourself rather than buying from the venue's bar.
- Corsage
- A small flower arrangement worn on the wrist or pinned to clothing, typically by the mothers of the bride and groom.
- Cravat
- A wide, formal neckpiece worn instead of a tie, often as part of a morning suit. Common at traditional UK weddings.
D
- Deposit
- An upfront payment made to secure a venue or supplier booking. Typically 20-50% of the total cost and usually non-refundable.
- Destination wedding
- A wedding held in a location away from where the couple lives, often abroad. Guests travel to attend.
- Dry hire
- Hiring a venue without catering, drinks, or other services included. You arrange everything separately. Often cheaper but requires more planning.
E
- Elopement
- A small, private wedding — often just the couple and two witnesses. Modern elopements may include close family but skip the traditional reception.
- Engagement
- The period between a proposal being accepted and the wedding taking place.
- Escort card
- A card at the reception entrance telling each guest which table they are seated at. Different from a place card, which marks their exact seat.
- Exclusive use
- Hiring a venue so that only your wedding takes place there on that day. No other events or guests from other parties share the space.
F
- Favour
- A small gift given to each guest as a thank-you for attending. Common favours include sweets, candles, seeds, or donations to charity.
- First dance
- The couple's first dance together as a married pair, traditionally performed at the start of the evening reception.
- First look
- A private moment arranged before the ceremony where the couple see each other for the first time in their wedding outfits. Increasingly popular as an alternative to the traditional reveal at the altar.
- Florist
- A supplier who designs and creates flower arrangements for your wedding, including bouquets, buttonholes, centrepieces, and venue flowers.
- Flower girl
- A young girl who walks down the aisle before the bride, sometimes scattering petals.
G
- Garter
- A band worn on the bride's thigh. The garter toss is an American tradition where the groom removes it and throws it to unmarried male guests.
- Groomsmen
- Male attendants chosen by the groom to support him on the wedding day. Duties include helping the groom get ready and ushering guests.
H
- Head table
- The main table at the reception where the couple, their parents, and the wedding party sit. Also called the top table.
- Honeymoon
- A holiday taken by the couple after the wedding. Traditionally the first trip as a married pair.
L
- LGBTQ+
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and other identities. Same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales since 2014, in Scotland since 2014, and in Northern Ireland since 2020.
M
- Maid of honour
- The bride's chief attendant. If married, she may be called the matron of honour. Responsible for helping with planning, the hen do, and supporting the bride on the day.
- Marquee
- A large tent structure erected for outdoor weddings. Available in traditional pole, clear-span frame, or tipi styles.
- Master of ceremonies (MC)
- The person who manages the flow of the reception, introduces speeches, and keeps the event running on time. Can be a professional toastmaster or a friend.
- Micro wedding
- A small wedding with typically fewer than 20 guests. Full ceremony and celebration, but on a deliberately intimate scale.
- Mini-moon
- A short honeymoon break taken immediately after the wedding, often within the UK. A longer honeymoon may follow later.
- Morning suit
- Formal daytime wedding attire for men, consisting of a tailcoat, waistcoat, and striped trousers. Traditional at British weddings.
N
- Notice of marriage
- A legal requirement in England and Wales. Both partners must give notice at their local register office at least 29 days before the wedding.
O
- Officiant
- The person who conducts the wedding ceremony and signs the legal paperwork. In the UK, this must be a registrar, authorised religious leader, or (in Scotland) a humanist celebrant.
- Order of service
- A printed programme given to guests outlining the ceremony running order, including hymns, readings, and vows.
P
- Page boy
- A young boy who walks in the wedding procession, often carrying the rings on a cushion.
- Pew end
- A floral or decorative arrangement attached to the end of church pews or ceremony chairs to line the aisle.
- Place card
- A small card at each place setting showing the guest's name, indicating exactly where they sit at their table.
- Plus one
- An invitation extended to a guest's partner or companion, even if the couple doesn't know them personally.
- Processional
- The entrance of the wedding party and the bride at the start of the ceremony.
R
- Readings
- Passages read aloud during the ceremony, chosen by the couple. Can be religious, literary, or personal. Most ceremonies include one or two readings.
- Recessional
- The exit of the newly married couple and wedding party at the end of the ceremony.
- Register office
- A local government building where civil ceremonies take place and marriages are legally registered.
- Rehearsal
- A practice run of the ceremony, usually held the day before the wedding. Helps everyone know where to stand and when to move.
- RSVP
- From the French "Respondez s'il vous plait" — please respond. The way guests confirm whether they will attend the wedding.
S
- Save the date
- A card or notification sent to guests before the formal invitation, letting them know the wedding date so they can keep it free.
- Seating plan
- A chart showing which guests are assigned to which table at the reception. Traditionally displayed at the entrance to the dining area.
- Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
- A traditional rhyme listing four lucky items a bride should carry on her wedding day.
- Stag do
- A pre-wedding celebration for the groom, organised by the best man. The female equivalent is a hen do.
- Supplier
- Any business that provides products or services for your wedding, including venues, photographers, florists, caterers, DJs, and more.
- Sweetheart table
- A table at the reception set for just the couple, rather than a traditional head table with the wedding party.
T
- Table plan
- See seating plan.
- Tipi
- A cone-shaped tent used as a rustic outdoor wedding venue. Multiple tipis can be linked together to create a larger space.
- Toast
- A short speech followed by guests raising their glasses to the couple. Traditionally given by the best man, father of the bride, and groom.
- Toastmaster
- A professional master of ceremonies who manages the formal parts of the reception, introduces speakers, and keeps the event running smoothly.
- Top table
- See head table.
- Train
- The extended fabric at the back of a wedding dress that trails along the floor. Lengths range from sweep (just touching the floor) to cathedral (extending several feet).
U
- Usher
- A member of the wedding party responsible for greeting guests and showing them to their seats before the ceremony.
V
- Veil
- A piece of sheer fabric worn over the face or trailing from the head. Lengths range from a short blusher to a full cathedral veil.
- Venue
- The location where the wedding ceremony and/or reception takes place. UK venues must be licensed for civil ceremonies.
- Vows
- Promises made by the couple to each other during the ceremony. Can be traditional set wording or personal vows written by the couple.
W
- Wedding breakfast
- The main meal served at the reception after the ceremony. Despite the name, it is not a breakfast — the term comes from "breaking the fast" of the wedding morning.
- Wedding insurance
- An insurance policy that covers financial losses if your wedding is cancelled, postponed, or disrupted. Covers things like supplier failure, illness, and venue problems.
- Wedding licence
- The legal authorisation required for a marriage to take place. Obtained by giving notice at a register office.
- Wedding planner
- A professional who helps coordinate and manage your wedding planning, from budgets and timelines to supplier bookings and on-the-day coordination.
- Wedding registry
- A list of gifts the couple would like to receive, registered with one or more retailers. Guests choose items from the list.
- Witness
- A person who observes the signing of the marriage register. English law requires a minimum of two witnesses.