marthastewart.com
Weddings
Wedding Planning & Advice
The A to Z of Planning a Wedding: A Glossary to Help You Master the Lingo

The A to Z of Planning a Wedding: A Glossary to Help You Master the Lingo

July 27, 2011

Skip gallery slides

1 of 67

Place Setting

Trevor Dixon

The table service for a single diner: a napkin, salad fork, dinner fork, dessert fork, service plate or charger, soup bowl, bread-and-butter plate, butter spreader, dinner knife, teaspoon, soup spoon, water goblet, red wine glass, and white wine glass.

Advertisement

Advertisement

2 of 67

Charger

Raymond Hom

A large decorative plate that's placed under the dinner plate to bring color and texture to the table.

3 of 67

Tablescape

Joe Budd

See 50 Great Wedding Centerpieces

Another word for table arrangement or centerpiece. It's most often used when each table has multiple components.

Advertisement

4 of 67

Nosegay

Olivia Leigh Photographie

See More Bridesmaid Bouquets from Real Weddings

A small bouquet or flower arrangement usually given as a gift to the mothers of the bride and groom before the wedding ceremony.

5 of 67

Pomander

See More Flower Girls from Real Weddings

A ball of flowers that is used as a decoration or an accessory (flower girls often carry them in lieu of baskets). They can be suspended from ribbons or hooks, or placed on top of vases.

6 of 67

Handle Wrap

Laura Murray Photography

The ribbon, fabric, or handkerchief that wraps around the stems of a bouquet.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

7 of 67

Cascade Bouquet

See More Bouquets from Real Weddings

An elongated bouquet with a trail of vines, ribbons, or leaves (also referred to as a "waterfall bouquet").

8 of 67

Maid of Honor and Matron of Honor

See More Bridesmaids from Real Weddings

A sister or friend of the bride who stands closest to her at the altar. Although this role is traditionally given to one person, it can be given to two or even three. The maid of honor title is given to a woman who is not married, while the matron of honor title is given to one who is.

9 of 67

Usher

Our Labor of Love

See More Stylish Groomsmen from Real Weddings

A man—or men—selected by the groom, whose main responsibility is to seat guests as they enter the ceremony. This task can also fall to the groomsmen.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

10 of 67

Escort Cards

See More Classic Seating Cards and Displays

Printed cards that inform guests of what table they'll be seated at. They are typically displayed as guests enter the reception, or at cocktail hour.

11 of 67

Place Cards

Printed cards that are placed at each seat at the reception to let guests know which chair they will be sitting at.

12 of 67

Stationery Suite

Lucy Schaeffer

A term to describe all of the stationery, including the save-the-dates, invitations, reply cards, reception cards, and any other invitation enclosures.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

13 of 67

Reply Card

A card that's mailed with the invitation for guests to fill out and return with any or all of the following information: whether or not they will be attending, how many people will be in attendance, and in some cases, their entree choice for the reception.

14 of 67

Letterpress

Lang Thomas Photography

A centuries-old printing technique where blocks or plates of raised type are inked and pressed deep into the paper, giving words and images a grooved texture.

15 of 67

Embossing

Courtesy of Vera Wang Fine Paper

The process of creating a three-dimensional image or design, such as a monogram, on wedding invitations, programs, menus, and thank-you notes.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

16 of 67

Engraving

The most traditional form of invitation printing. Text is etched onto a copper plate, which is then coated with ink and wiped clean, leaving ink only in the indentations. When paper is pressed against the plate, it produces raised text. On this stationery, a drawing of a ranunculus bloom is engraved in deep pink.

17 of 67

Ecru

Bryan Gardner

See More Classic Wedding Invitations

A French word that means "raw" or "unbleached." The natural beige hue has become a traditional color for wedding invitations.

18 of 67

Card Stock

See More Menu Cards from Real Weddings

Paper stock that is thicker and more durable than normal writing paper, but thinner and more flexible than other forms of paperboard. It is often used for wedding stationery including invitations, menus, programs, and escort and place cards.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

19 of 67

Vellum

See More Boxed Wedding Favors

Heavy, transparent paper that is often used as an overlay on wedding invitations. It can also be used for a variety of other things, including these favor boxes.

20 of 67

Typography

Ingalls Photography

See More Modern Wedding Invitations

The art of arranging type; type design.

21 of 67

Serif

A short line at the end of the main strokes of a character.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

22 of 67

Sans Serif

Courtesy of Crane & Co.

Sans, which means "without," is a typeface in which characters have no serifs.

23 of 67

Cathedral Veil

A dramatic veil that extends at least 9 feet. Because of its volume, it demands the wide aisles of a cathedral (hence the name) and deft maneuvering on the part of the bride, as well as the assistance of at least one of her attendants.

24 of 67

Mantella Veil

Chloé Browne of Caught the Light

A Spanish-style tulle veil with a wide lace border that lays over the head instead of attaching with a comb.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

25 of 67

Blusher Veil

A short veil that extends to just below the chin (so as not to interfere with the bouquet).

26 of 67

Fascinator

A hair accessory that's worn to the side and is often made of feathers, flowers, or wisps of fabric. It's often embellished with crystals, beads, or loops of ribbon, and attached with a comb, headband, or bobby pins.

27 of 67

Fingertip Veil

Olivia Leigh Photographie

A traditional veil that reaches the bride's fingertips when her hands are at her sides.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

28 of 67

Bouffant Veil

A cloud of tulle that rises high above the bride's head. This style gained popularity in the 1950s, when brides wore it combined with a tiara or satin headband. Today's bouffants are more understated and are typically worn without a headpiece for a cleaner, more modern look.

29 of 67

Flyaway Veil

A multilayered veil that brushes the shoulders and is perfect for dresses with open or intricate backs.

30 of 67

Three-Piece Veil

A short blusher, wrist-length drop, and sweeping chapel-length veil in one.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

31 of 67