There is a lot of wedding terminology and jargon in the BC wedding business. Unless you are a wedding specialist or have extensive wedding planning experience, it is usual for most brides to be unfamiliar with the wedding dictionary. It's so true since a few of the bride and groom 48 Studio spoke to admitted that they needed help understanding the many wedding glossaries around.

Some of the terms in the wedding terminology are more complex than others, or they have more than one possible meaning. Newly engaged couples in BC may have trouble communicating with vendors like photographers, event organizers, caterers, and others due to the amount of specialized wedding terminology used across the industry. Luckily, you don’t have to be the expert on all things wedding because that's what 48 Studio is here for.

Wedding Terminology For Wedding Photography

Black and White Photography

this is photography with no colour, done to achieve a classic and timeless effect. Normally the photos will be taken in colour by the photographer and edited in post-production so you have both options.

Bridal Session

The bridal session is the bride coming in for a portrait session with the photographer several months before the wedding. She would wear her wedding dress and even carry a replica of her bouquet, almost like a test run for the big day. While they used to be used in engagement announcements, bridal sessions are now a chance to get portraits of the bride in a private, relaxed setting.

Copyright

This gives you the right to print physical copies – for albums, photobooks and thank you cards, etc. – and to share the photos online, but not to sell your photos or publish them. Photographers may request that any you share on social media carry a watermark.

Digital

One of the first judgments you must make regarding your photographer is whether they shoot digitally or on film. Digital is the most common method of shooting wedding images and offers several benefits like HD photos, money saving than buying film rolls, it's possible to preview shots as the photographer is taking them to see if any adjustments are needed. Better at adjusting to very low-light conditions and easy to digitally retouch to make your photos look their best.

Elopement

This can be consider as a wedding photography style that generally tells a story of a couple running away to marry. This style focuses on building intimate moments of lovebirds, create more natural looks for the wedding album. If you are looking for professional photographers in this field, contact us now to start your elopement photos at $499!.

Engagement Photos

First Look

A first-look session is a sequence of images that capture the couple's first glimpse at each other. This differs from meeting at the head of the aisle in that it is generally done privately or with close relatives and friends. It's an opportunity to take images of the couple before the wedding, which means you'll spend less time away from your guests at the drinks reception.

First Dance

The bride and groom have the first dance. Most couples choose a remarkable song that they will remember forever. Following the bride and groom, the bride and her father will have their turn, followed by the groom and his mother. Those are moments you would love to request your photographers to capture carefully 'cause its story will last a lifetime.

Portrait

Portraits are close-up or full-length photos that focus on one person, or a happy couple. These are often the images that end up going on the wall in your home.

Retouching and Editing

A photographer will process your images to correct and enhance colour and exposure and adjust things that don’t turn out exactly as you’d like.

Second Shooter

Simply another photographer there on the day who can capture perspectives that your lead photographer cannot. It's excellent if you want one photographer to capture the groom getting dressed while another captures the wedding party getting ready. They'll be able to roam around your guests during the reception drinks, get a fresh perspective on the walk down the aisle and first dance, and get images of all the elements (cake, table setting, flowers) while your primary photographer focuses on the couple shots.

Wedding Terminology For Wedding Ceremony Preparation

Aisle

Aisles are the long, narrow pathways between rows of seats. It's the first time guests—and usually even the soon-to-be spouse—will see each other for the first time in wedding attire, and it marks the start of the marriage journey. Traditionally, fathers walk daughters down the aisle.

Altar

The altar is where you and your beloved will exchange vows. Also, a place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worship.

Bach Party

A bach party, also known as a bachelor or bachelorette party, is a get-together of the wedding party before the wedding to celebrate the upcoming unions of the bride or groom.

Bouquet

An attractively arranged bunch of flowers, especially one presented as a gift or carried at a ceremony.

Best Man

A male friend or relation of the bridegroom who stands with him and helps him during a marriage ceremony.

Bridesmaid

The sisters and best friends of the bride who give her lots of support for her big day and helps herr during a marriage ceremony.

Colour Palette

A range of colours – usually two or three – is used in the wedding décor.

Maid Of Honor

The head bridesmaid is the Maid of Honor. She will look after the bride's bouquet throughout the vows and ensure that her dress is fluffed and not twisted as she walks down the aisle. A bachelorette party and a bridal shower are also organized by the Maid of Honor. As a result, if the bride and groom wish it, she plays a significant part throughout the planning phase.

Micro Wedding

A micro wedding is a wedding with less than 50 attendees. They are useful for a variety of reasons, such as renewing vows, connecting a tiny celebration to an elopement, or retaining your specific wedding day.

Wedding Planner

A person who oversees much more than simply the wedding day. They are able to handle everything, including planning the budget, choosing the vendors and the venue, attending tastings, and even coming up with a design idea, choosing the details and décor to employ, as well as handling your invites and guest list.

Officiant / Commisioner

The person who performs the marriage ceremony (like a priest). A professional officiant, often known as a celebrant, is a trained and certified someone hired to preside over a wedding. It’s important to speak with potential celebrants before choosing them. Check out 48 Studio's top 5 wedding commissioners!

Procession

This simply means the process of the bride and bridal party walking down the aisle.

Save-The-Dates

Announcements are sent out prior to the wedding to alert guests to keep the wedding date free.

Seating Chart

An alternative to escort cards that informs a guest which table they are to sit at.

Day of Wedding Coordinator (DOC)

If a full-service wedding planner isn’t in your budget, we highly recommend investing in a DOC, or day-of coordinator. They focus primarily on putting all the final logistics and details together as the wedding planning process comes to a close. finally carrying out all of the arrangements for the bride and groom on their wedding day.

Escort Cards

Informs a guest which table they are to sit at.

Wedding Terminology For Wedding Attire

Appliqué

Appliqués are pieces of lace or other fabric that are sewn onto a base fabric, creating a textured and often 3D effect.

Black Tie

This is a wedding dress code that is commonly seen in invitations. The men attending such an event are expected to dress formally in tuxedos and to begin arriving at the venue no earlier than 6:00 p.m. Women are encouraged to dress to impress in either a short cocktail dress or a long evening gown.

Boutonniere

Men in weddings often wear single flowers or little blooms on their lapels.

Blusher

Before the ceremony, the bride wears a blusher, a one-tiered short veil that hides her face.

Bustle

Refers to the process of transitioning a wedding gown to function as if it has no train ( train here is the length of fabric which extends out along the floor). This tailoring trick features loops, buttons, or ribbons used to pull up and tuck the train of a dress to make moving easier. Without a bustle, gowns with trains will be stepped on all night long. In order to dance and move around comfortably, the dress must be bustled, which nearly all dresses are. Unless your dress is short or tea-length, you're going to need one.

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail attire is semi-formal attire. For males, a nice traditional suit, shirt, and tie, along with dress shoes, would be appropriate. Women should wear something classy, such as a dress cut just above the knee and high heels.

Cummerbund

This is a thick waist sash worn by men wearing a formal dinner suit – it is usually made from a silky material.

Corsage

Corsages are most often given to mothers and grandmothers and are basically petite floral accessories worn on the wrist.

Garter

At the wedding celebration, the husband pulls the garter from the bride's leg and throws it to unmarried males. The bridal garter has been used for hundreds of years to represent good luck. Another custom is that most brides pick blue garters to wear on their wedding day.

Overlay

Decorative linen placed on top of the underlay is used for contrast in colour or texture.

Pomander

A small ball of flowers usually held by flower girls.

Wedding Terminology For Wedding Venue

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour is a chance to mix, mingle, sip, and snack before sitting down for dinner. It usually occurs after the ceremony, acting as a transition from a more serious and emotional moment to the party to come.

Favour

When it comes to weddings, a favour comes in the form of a small gift for your guests. This is usually served at the wedding breakfast, but can also be a welcome or parting gift.

Flower Wall

A stunning ceremony backdrop, a creative way to display escort cards, a gorgeous photo booth, or an eye-catching backdrop for the band.

Place Cards

Designates a guest’s specific seat to sit in at a table.

Prelude

Background music played as guests arrive prior to the ceremony beginning.

Processional

Music played as the families, wedding party and bride walk down the aisle.

Recessional

Music played at the end of the ceremony as the bride and groom exit.

Stationery Suite

Save-the-dates, invites, RSVP cards, and even supplementary reception paper goods like menus and escort cards are all included in the term “stationery suite,” which refers to all of the wedding stationery as a whole.

Tablescape

This essentially just means the overall style of your table as a whole – including place settings, centrepieces and any other decoration.

Toastmaster

This is someone who practically hosts the wedding – they declare the toasts (thus the name), they present the newlyweds as they enter the wedding breakfast, they organize the attendees for pictures, and they generally keep the day running along beautifully.

Venue Coordinator

An employee of the wedding reception venue that acts as a liaison between the bride and groom and the venue’s operations team. Every venue’s Coordinator’s roles may vary, but oftentimes their focus is solely to deliver their contracted services and oversee the building as a whole.

Wedding Terminology For Wedding Catering

Banquet Event Order (BEO)

A written description of your event, often prepared by the caterer or the venue. It will help them stay on track while they carry out logistics and disseminate that information to the appropriate team members.

Buffet

A meal where people serve themselves food that is arranged on a table.

Caterer

The person or business in charge of supplying the meals for your special day is known as a caterer. Start interviewing early to choose one that best matches you and your budget, whether it is a little or big party.

Canape

A canapé is typically a cracker or puff pastry topped with something savory, but the term can be used interchangeably for small bites

Charger

A large decorative plate that’s placed under a dinner plate brings colour, texture and elegance to the table.

Corkage Fee

A fee that a caterer may charge just to open bottles during your reception if you provided them yourselves.

Champagne

A sparkling wine is used to toast the bride and groom on the wedding day.

Fondant

This sweet dough is used to give cakes a smooth and sleek surface, whether as a completed appearance or as a canvas for hand-painted features or a cascade of flowers. To take your wedding cake to the next level, fondant may be coloured, marbled, molded, and sculpted.

Hors D'oeuvres

Sometimes known as appetizers, are usually served hot or cold at a reception or cocktail party before the main meal.

Head Table

The table where the bride and groom, together with their bridal party, families, and/or close friends, will be seated! Traditionally, the maid of honor and best man sit next to the bride and husband at the head of the table.