If you are just starting out as a new wedding dj, there are MANY terms used during the wedding day, it would be a very good idea for you to become familiar with them. Here at VanDJs we have made you a list of the most commonly used wedding specific words and their definitions.
Glossary of Wedding Terms
Altar
Normally, this phrase refers to the structure or table in front of a place of worship, but on your wedding day, it has a broader connotation. Whether the ceremony is religious or not, the altar is the actual location where you and your significant other will exchange vows. Investigate some unusual concepts if you’re building an altar from scratch.
Appliqué
Once you begin clothing shopping, you’ll hear this expression frequently. Pieces of lace or other fabric are appliquéd to a foundation cloth to produce a textured, frequently 3D impression. How adorable is the “Love You” message tucked away on Danielle Snyder’s Reem Acra dress?
Bach Party
A bach party, often referred to as a bachelor or bachelorette party, is an event when one’s wedding party, as well as frequently extra close friends or family members, get together to celebrate the bride or groom making the commitment to marriage. This usually occurs before their wedding festivities. A weekend away with friends, a joint bachelor party with their fiance, or a night out to mark the end of their “single era” are just a few of the modern-day pre-wedding customs that engaged couples are casting aside to make sure their celebrations reflect their distinct personalities and interests.
Black Tie
The wedding invitation will always include a black-tie dress code. Men should wear a tuxedo to such a formal event, which normally starts after 6 o’clock. For the event, women are welcome to dress in either a fancy cocktail dress or a long evening gown.
Black Tie Optional
The dress code in this situation suggests that anything a little less formal than black tie will work. Men can wear a suit, while women can still choose between long or short gowns. (but a tux is still very much appropriate).
Bouquet
These are the bouquets of flowers that you and your wedding’s dignitaries will carry. The size and design of bouquets may vary, from little nosegays to rich and organic forms, so this is a perfect opportunity to express your unique style.
Bridal Dresser
A skilled seamstress with a focus on delicate textiles is a bridal dresser. To prepare the bride’s and her wedding party’s clothes, this person shows up the morning before the wedding. Their services often include last-minute modifications and repairs, steaming/pressing the bridal gown and any additional formalwear, support during pictures, helping with the veil and bride’s accessories, aid with the groom’s/men’s clothes, and more. In the sense that they are there to assist with any outfit hiccups, we prefer to think of our wedding dressers as an insurance policy.
Boutonniere
Traditional boutonnieres for men (placed on their left lapel, over their heart). For close family members, such as your grandma, you can choose a flower boutonniere as an alternative to a corsage.
Bustle
Ever wonder exactly how you’ll move after the ceremony in your wedding dress while dancing and walking? Enter the commotion. This tailoring technique uses loops, buttons, or ribbons to lift up and tuck a dress’ train to facilitate movement. The majority of the train is concealed by a French bustle that is attached to the fabric’s underside and tucks it under. The fabric is pulled up towards the waist to produce a lovely and noticeable drape with an American bustle, which is attached to the exterior of the skirt. At your final dress fitting, a stylist can decide what will suit your dress the best.
Canapé
Although the phrase “canapé” is often used to refer to a cracker or puff pastry with a savoury topping, it may also refer to tiny snacks, hors d’oeuvres and apps that are served before dinner. Whatever you choose to offer at cocktail hour, we advise you to make each item bite-sized by taking a cue from the original canapé.
Candle
It’s time to brush up on your knowledge of candle terminology because there are many of choices. Votive candles are a good place to start because they are little and around an inch and a half tall. They’re low and understated and frequently strewn around focal points. Then there are taper candles, which are lit using slim candlesticks that are elevated over tables. You may use a candelabra or individual candle holders to hold them. (made of marble, lucite, metal, you name it). The last type is pillar candles, which are seen here. These may be exhibited on tabletops as well as inside lanterns because they stand alone (i.e., they don’t need to be combined with any form of holder or base).
Celebrant
A celebrant is a person who will preside over your wedding and has the authority to declare you “married,” whether they are a clergy member, a judge, or your best buddy who underwent online ordination.
Centerpiece
On reception tables, flower arrangements are used as centrepieces. Naturally, they take up the “center” of the table and choose the décor for the evening. Flowers are commonly placed in vases and other containers, but this is not necessary. We like seeing newlyweds experiment with fruit, plants, or even just candles.
Ceremony
Two individuals get married in a procedure known as a wedding ceremony. Based on location, religion, cultural background, and other factors, there are many distinct kinds of ceremonial customs.
Charger
A charger is a larger plate that is used as the base of a place setting at weddings, essentially replacing a placemat. Plated courses are placed on top of the charger, which can also be removed before the serving of the main course if you prefer.
Chuppah
Under a chuppah, Jewish wedding ceremonies are conducted. Four poles and a fabric canopy make up this construction. The four sides are left unlocked to signify the wedding guests’ kindness.
Cocktail Hour
Before heading down for dinner, you may mix, mingle, sip, and nibble during cocktail hour. It generally takes place following the ceremony and serves as a bridge from a more solemn and emotional period to the next celebration. A perfect cocktail hour requires three things: tasty food (think small snacks and nibbling stations), refreshing beverages (think a specialty cocktail, a modest selection of wine and beer, or a complete open bar), and enjoyable music. Trying to make a change? Before your wedding, have a cocktail hour so that everyone may toast your vows with their preferred beverage.
Corsage
These were most likely there at your high school prom, and they’ll be there at your wedding as well. Corsages, which are simply little flower ornaments worn on the wrist, are most frequently presented to mothers and grandparents. Change the elastic with a metal cuff with flowers for a more contemporary look.
Cost Per Person
Due to the fact that venues and caterers’ overhead expenses are affected by a couple’s overall guest count in order to serve enough food and beverages for each person at an event, they most frequently refer to the cost per person. Since there are other expenses that might be affected by the number of guests in addition to food and drink, wedding planners also take into account the cost per person when determining overall budgets for clients. The number of guests may also affect expenses for flower arrangements, rentals, invites, favours for guests, transportation, and a great deal more.
Day-Of CoordinatorIf hiring a full-service wedding planner is out of your price range and your venue doesn’t offer one, we strongly advise paying for a DOC, or day-of coordinator. In order for you to concentrate on being the bride and your loved ones to rejoice without worrying about whether they’ve precisely realised your vision, this professional will take over the production aspect of your wedding day, supervising the setup and ensuring the timetable goes well.
Destination Wedding
Leave the city now! Weddings at a destination are a wonderful opportunity to bring your loved ones together in a location you both like. What then constitutes a destination? Basically somewhere you and your guests would prefer to reserve a hotel room than making the drive home at the end of the night. Therefore, it may be a long flight or only a few of hours away. A destination wedding, in any case, delivers a private and intimate event that you can truly enjoy with your guests.
Elopement
Eloping, as used historically, referred to couples who left their homes in secret to wed without their parents’ permission. Today, it refers to a couple that decides to have a private wedding ceremony that frequently takes place in a picturesque setting without the presence of their loved ones. When a couple decides to elope, they frequently throw a grander party for their loved ones apart.
Engagement Photos
This is a dress rehearsal, so to speak. Engagement shots are becoming more and more popular and are now frequently given as part of wedding photography packages. It’s a chance to get more at ease in front of the camera, get to know your photographer (so you’re all on the same page by the time your wedding day comes), and leave with a few lovely pictures to use in your save-the-date cards or wedding website.
Escort Card
The two terms associated with weddings that cause the most confusion are “escort cards” and “place cards” (see below). At the reception area’s entry are escort cards that point each visitor to the designated dining table.
Escort Card Display
Some couples decide to use a single statement sign to lead visitors rather than individual cards. In this instance, the names of the guests are arranged either by table or alphabetically, along with table assignments, on a bigger sign or display.
Event Designer
Someone who specialises in the aesthetics of events is known as an event designer. Designers concentrate on every aspect of an event’s aesthetic appeal, from floor layouts and colour schemes to flower arrangements, lighting production, and paper products, to make sure the whole event (or series of activities) feels elegant, elevated, and reflects the personalities and tastes of the couple.
Favor
Thank your guests with a take-home treat at the end of the night. These gifts can be whatever you like, from charitable gifts in a guest’s honor to chocolate truffles in personalized boxes (as shown here). We’ve learned that guests appreciate something to munch on after hours of dancing.
First LookAt the conclusion of the evening, give your guests a take-home goodie as a thank you. These presents can be whatever you like, such as chocolate truffles in custom packaging or charitable contributions given in a guest’s honour. (as shown here). We’ve discovered that after hours of dancing, people like a snack.
Floor Plan
A floor plan is a mock-up of an event space that shows all of the current furniture, permanent structures, and any new objects that will be provided by outside suppliers for the event. This is often made by the location, the event designer, or the event organiser.
Flower Wall
A floral wall is an excellent place to start if you want to create a big impression. These striking floral and foliage artworks are exactly what they sound like: flower walls! A floral wall may be used as a unique method to display escort cards, a beautiful backdrop for a photo booth, or a striking backdrop for the band. It also provides a beautiful ceremony backdrop.
Fondant
Cakes’ smooth and streamlined exteriors, whether they be the final look, a canvas for hand-painted features, or a shower of flowers, are achieved with the help of this sweet dough. To elevate your wedding cake, fondant may be colored, marbled, molded, and sculpted. Although fondant may be eaten, many people prefer to scrape it off before giving portions to guests since it can be quite gummy.
Garland
Almost any surface at your wedding may be adorned with garlands, which are strands of greenery and flowers. You may thread them from chandeliers, wrap them over the front of the bar, weave them among the candles on your reception tables, and more.
Gobo Lighting
Gobos can come up if you’re working with a lighting designer for your reception. To give depth and texture, these stencils are attached to the front of lights to form designs that may be projected onto the ground or a wall. For an even more immersive experience, reflect a leaf or flower pattern on your tent’s walls and ceiling. Alternatively, have your lighting designer construct a personalised gobo with your monogram to shine on the dance floor.
Golden Hour
Golden hour is a term used by photographers to describe the period right before sunset. The light is gentle and ideal for post-ceremony photographs at this time.
In-House Catering
This indicates that your venue manages the food and beverages rather than an outside provider. The home-court advantage belongs to an internal team since they are familiar with the setting and have experience using it. Ask about this on your initial site visit because some suppliers want you to collaborate with their staff.
Head Table
While head tables are still in fashion, sweetheart tables will never go out of style. The newlyweds sit at this larger VIP table with either their wedding party or their relatives. The head table is positioned in the centre of the reception, sometimes close to the dance floor for the best toast watching, and it frequently has more extravagant decorations than the other reception tables.
Installation
An installation is what you’re looking at if you’ve been mesmerised by pictures of floral chandeliers, flower walls, or other towering arrangements. These designs that make a statement can take a bit longer and more skill to put together, but the outcome is absolutely priceless. Consider one spectacular display above the dance floor and simpler centrepieces if you want to make a statement without going overboard with your spending.
Invitation Suite
Everything you require to inform guests of the who, what, where, and when of your wedding is included in the invitation package. A suite normally consists of a save-the-date, invitation, and RSVP card. It may additionally contain a map or a weekend schedule, as well as an additional information card with details like your wedding’s website address or travel arrangements. Coordinating menus, programs, escort cards, and place cards are additional add-ons.
Ketubah
The Jewish wedding document, which is used to formalise vows and commemorate commitments, looks like this. Following the exchange of vows, newlyweds sign the ketubah. Many contemporary couples decide to commission works of permanent art that include their contracts.