Wedding Cheat Sheet: Must-Know Terms & Vocabulary

A

Appetizers: Light bites served during cocktail hour to keep guests happy before dinner.

Aisle: Where you walk during the ceremony to your spot.

Arch: The spot you, your lover and the officiant stand during the ceremony.


B

Bouquet: The floral arrangement the bride carries.

Boutonniere: Small floral piece worn by the groom and other important men.

Bridal Party: Your people. Bridesmaids, and anyone standing beside you.


C

Corsage: A small floral piece worn by mothers, grandmothers, or special guests.

Cocktail Hour: The time between ceremony and reception with drinks, apps, and mingling.

Ceremony: The main event where you actually get married.


D

Dance Floor: Where the party happens. Size and placement matter more than people think.

DJ or Band: Your entertainment and the person controlling the vibe all night.


F

First Dance: Your first dance as a married couple.

Family Photos: Formal photos after the ceremony. These need a plan or they take forever.

Floor Plan: The layout of your reception space including tables, dance floor, bar, and more.


G

Guest Book: A place for guests to leave messages. Can be traditional or something creative.

Group Photo Trick: A quick way to get a photo with all guests at once, usually right after ceremony. Saves a ton of time.


H

Head Table/Sweetheart Table: Where the couple sits, sometimes with the wedding party.


L

Linens: Tablecloths and napkins that pull your whole design together.


M

Mock Photos: Practice or inspo photos you share with your photographer so they know your vision.


O

Officiant: The person who marries you.

Open Dancing: The part of the night where guests join the dance floor.


P

Processional: The walk down the aisle.

Place Cards: Assigned seating cards for guests.

Photographer/Videographer: The people capturing everything. Your memory makers.


R

Reception: The celebration after the ceremony. Food, dancing, all the fun.


S

Speeches/Toasts: Usually given by Maid of Honor, Best Man, and parents.

Special Dances: Parent dances like father daughter and mother son.

Strike (Cleanup): End of night breakdown. Who takes decor, gifts, leftover items, all of it. This needs a plan.


T

Timeline: The schedule of your entire day. This is everything.

Table Numbers: Helps guests find their seats.


U

Unplugged Ceremony: A ceremony where guests are asked to put phones away and be present.


V

Vendors: All the pros you hire. Planner, photographer, caterer, florist, DJ, rentals, and more.

Venue: The location where your wedding takes place.


W

Welcome Table: Usually holds guest book, cards, and sometimes favors.

Wedding Party: The entire bridal party, groomsmen, best man, groom and you.

Wedding Party Entrances: The fun intros into the reception.


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