Wedding Glossary

Floral Terms

Cascade
A waterfall-like spill of blooms, often composed of ivy and long-stemmed flowers, that is wired to cascade gracefully over the bride's hands.

Classic bouquet
A dense bunch of blooms that can be anchored in a bouquet holder, wired, or hand-tied.

Composite
A handmade creation in which different petals or buds are wired together on a single stem to create the illusion of a giant flower.

Crescent
Composed of one full flower and a flowering stem, often orchids, wired together to form a slender handle that can be held in one hand. Designed as either a full crescent -- a half circle with a central flower and blossoms emanating from two sides -- or a semi-crescent, which has only one trailing stem.

Nosegays
Small, round bouquets, approximately 16-18 inches in diameter, composed of densely packed round flowers, greenery, and occasionally herbs. Nosegays are wired or tied together.

Oasis
Special foam used in flower arrangements. Oasis fits in a bouquet holder and retains water like a sponge, hydrating flowers for extended time periods.

Pomander
A bloom-covered ball suspended from a ribbon. Ideal for child attendants.

Posies
Smaller than nosegays but similar in design, posies often include extras like ribbons or silk flowers. Perfect for little hands.

Presentation
Also known as the pageant bouquet, this is a bunch of long-stemmed flowers cradled in the bride's arms.

Taped and wired
Arranging technique for bouquets, boutonnieres, headpieces, and wreaths. The head of a flower is cut from the stem and attached to a wire, which is then wrapped with floral tape. Taped and wired flowers are more easily maneuvered into shapes and styles.

Tossing
This copy of the bridal bouquet is used solely for the bouquet toss ritual.

Tussy mussy
From the Victorian era, a tussy mussy is a posy carried in a small, metallic, hand-held vase. Today, the term is often used in reference to the holder itself.

Boutonniere
A single bloom or bud (or several small buds) attached to the left lapel of the jacket. Boutonnieres can be worn by grooms, attendants, ushers, and the bride's and groom's fathers.

Candelabra
A floral centerpiece created at the base, neck, or top of a multi-armed candelabra. Such a centerpiece is usually touched with flowing greens or ribbons, depending on the wedding's style.

Corsage
A single bloom (or small cluster of blooms) arranged against a lace or tulle doily and/or accented with ribbon. Corsages come in pin-on, wrist, and hand-held styles and are typically worn by mothers and grandmothers. Orchids and gardenias are popular choices.

Dais
The centerpiece at the head table (where bride and groom are seated), which drapes to the front of the table for visual effect.

Fish bowl
Low centerpiece style that consists of flowers clustered in a glass bowl.

Growing garden
Centerpiece featuring abstract wildflowers. The composition is airy and less full than other designs. Lisianthus, hollyhock, rambling roses, digitalis, and smilax are well suited to this arrangement style.

Garland
Elaborately woven rope or strand arrangement, typically used to adorn pews and doorways. A garland can also be paraded down the aisle by two or three little ones.

Huppah
A wedding canopy decorated with flowers that is an integral part of the traditional Jewish ceremony.

Ikebana
Japanese-style flower arrangements that are aesthetically in unison with space, size, earth, and air.

Topiary
Flowers or foliage trimmed into geometric shapes, often resembling miniature trees or animals.

Trellis
A woven wooden frame used as a screen or support for climbing plants and flowers.

Wreath
A ring of flowers or other decorative materials that can function as centerpiece, headpiece, or door hanger.

Wedding Cake Glossary

Anniversary Cake
A smaller version of the wedding cake to enjoy on your first anniversary.

Back-Up Cake
An undecorated sheet cake of the same flavor as your wedding cake, kept in the kitchen and used to serve a very large guest list after your display cake is used up.

Buttercream Icing
The classic icing, made of butter, confectionery sugar and milk. It is inexpensive and versatile in texture.

Centerpiece Cake
A specialty cake that takes the place of flowers as your table decorations.

Chocolate Ganache
A thick, delectable icing made of chocolate and heavy cream.

Marzipan
Almond paste mixed with egg white and sugar used for sculpting.

Croquenbouche
A specialty wedding cake formed with profiteroles (cream puffs) filled with hazelnut pastry cream, dipped in hot caramel, and placed on top of one another.

Groom's Cake
A smaller version of the wedding cake or cake theme to the groom's interests. Usually served at the engagement party or the rehearsal dinner.

Royal Icing
Sugar and egg white mixture piped through a bag to create flowers and other decorations that are allowed to dry and placed individually on the cake.

Raised Tiers
Layers are separated by columns to make the cake appear taller. Solid Cake
Cake layers are held together with icing as opposed to filling.

Tiers
Cakes that are stacked on top of one another to create a multi-layered cake.

Torted Cakes
Cakes that are layered with mousse or fruit preserves.

Rolled Fondant
This icing is made of gelatin, confectionery sugar and water. It has a beautiful porcelain finish suitable for beading or tiny flowers.
(keep in mind that this icing is temperature sensitive!)

Trompe L'oeil
Specialty cake made of square layers instead of round that can be decorated with ribbon and wrapping paper to make it look like a pile of gifts. The perfect Christmas cake!

Jewish Wedding Glossary

Our major source for this glossary was The New Jewish Wedding by Anita Diamant. See our book list for details about this and other titles about Jewish weddings.

Askenazic
Those Jews whose traditions and culture originate from Central and Eastern Europe. Compare to Sepahardim.

Aufruf (OOF-roof)
calling up of a couple to the Torah on the Shabbat before their wedding.

B'deken (b'DEKEN)
The ritual veiling of the bride by the groom. This custom developed from the biblical story of Jacob, who married Leah by mistake, instead of Rachel, the woman he loved.

Breaking of the Glass
The symbolism of the smashing of the glass by the Chatan at the conclusion of the ceremony has a variety of explanations. One is that the shattering ushers in the outbreak of merriment that should immediately follow the pronouncement. Guests usually respond with "Mazel Tov!" ("Congratulations!") Another explanation is that the breaking recalls the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Even at height of personal joy, sadness is remembered. The breaking also reminds us of the fragility of personal relationships. The glass is shattered with the implication that the marriage should always remain intact. Finally, the breaking of the glass is sometimes explained as symbolic of the breaking of the bride's hymen. In Jewish marriage, sexual union is expected and required. Today, some couples chose to break the glass together.

Chatan (ha-TAN)
The groom. In Yiddish, "Chossen."

Chupah (hoo-PAH)
The wedding canopy. It is usually a fabric whose with four corners attached to four poles and stretched over the couple. Like many couples, we used a tallis. It is a sign of G-d's prescence and symbolizes the couple's new home.

Groom's Tish
The groom's table. This is where the Chatan, his groomsmen, and male family members gather for song and dance before the wedding ceremony. Traditionally, the groom attempts to deliver a learned discourse about that week's Torah portion. However, the assembled throng do everything possible to ensure that the groom's discourse is not delivered.

Kallah (KAH-lah)
The bride.

Ketubah (k'too-BAH)
Marriage contract.

Mizinke (meh-ZINK-a)
A joyous dance towards the end of the simcha (reception), which honors parents who have brought their last daughter or son to the wedding canopy. The parents are seated on the dance floor, and the guests encircle them -- lavishing them with flowers and kisses. Sometimes the parents are crowned with a wreath of flowers, which is called the "Krenzl." The dance is to "Die Mezinke Oysgegeben" ("The Youngest Daughter is Given"). One version is on "Jewish Folksongs" by Theodore Bikel. Tara Publications is one source.

Sephardim
Those Jews whose traditions and culture originate from the Mediteranean, including Spain and Portugal. Compare to Askenazic.

Shabbat (shah-BAHT)
The Hebrew word for "Sabbath."

Simcha (seem-CHAH)
The celebration of joy and a joyous occasion. At a Jewish wedding, it is a post-ceremony party whose purpose is to highten the jubilation of the bride and groom.

Tallis (tal-lis)
The prayer shawl. It is worn by married Jewish men in Orthodox synagogues and all adult men (and some women) in Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist synagogues. It is a rectangular garment with four tzitzit (fringes) on each corner.

Torah (to-RAH)
The first five books of the Hebrew bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) portions of which are read every Shabbat. Traditionally, a reading of the entire Torah is complete in one year.

Yichud (YEE-hood)
A short time of seclusion immediately following the marriage when the Chatan & Kallah spend a period alone together. Because of this, receiving lines are not a traditional part of Jewish weddings.

Tzedakah (tz'dah-KAH)
The obligatory Jewish requirement of righteous giving and just behavior that ensures the basic well-being of fellow human beings.

Wedding Industry Glossary

B2B
Bride-to-be.

BM
Bridesmaid. Acronym often used in newsgroups or email messages.

Blusher
The part of the veil that covers the bride's face.

Bomboniere
An Italian term for "favors" which are passed out to wedding guests as a keepsake in appreciation of their attendance.

Boutinierre
French boutonni re buttonhole, from Middle French, from bouton button. A tiny flower arrangement usually worn on the lapel of a man's jacket.

Corsage
French, bust, bodice, from Old French, bust, from cors body, from Latin corpus. An arrangement of flowers worn as a fashion accessory; Worn pinned to the bodice of a woman's dress.

Dowry
A gift; endowment. The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride's portion on her marriage.

Fianc
French, from Middle French, from past participle of fiancer to promise, betroth. A man engaged to be married.

Fianc e
French, from Middle French, from past participle of fiancer to promise, betroth. A woman engaged to be married.

FMIL
Future Mother-in-Law. Acronym often used in newsgroups or email messages.

G2B
Groom-to-be Maid of Honor. An unmarried woman who stands by the bride's side.

Matron of Honor
A married woman who stands by the bride's side.

MOH
Maid of Honor. Acronym often used in newsgroups or email messages.

"Save the Date" Card
These informal announcements precedes the wedding invitations several months ahead and allows your guests to make the necessary arrangements to attend your wedding. "Save the Date" cards are ideal when your wedding date falls in close proximity to a major holiday.

Trousseau
French, from Old French, diminutive of trousse bundle. The personal possessions of a bride usually including clothes, accessories, and household linens and wares.

Trunk Show
Usually held at a local bridal shop, a trunk show allows a bridal gown designer to "show off" her/his latest designs to the shop's customers.

Wedding Dress Terms

ANTEBELLUM WAIST:
Dress has natural waistline that dips two inches to a point in the center front.

BASQUE WAISTLINE:
Waistline of dress is two inches below the natural waist; often dips to a point in the center
front.

BERTHA COLLAR:
Cape of fabric or lace attached to neckline for shawl effect.

BISHOP SLEEVE:
Full sleeve that ends in gathered band at wrist.

BLOUSON:
Drooping fullness in fabric from bodice to waist; gathered at or below waist.

BRUSH TRAIN:
Very short train that just sweeps floor during walk.

CAPELET SLEEVE:
Falls several inches below elbow in soft flare.

CAPELET TRAIN:
Flows from back of shoulders.

CATHEDRAL TRAIN:
Material extends three yards from waist.

COURT TRAIN:
Extends a little under three feet from waist.

DOLMAN SLEEVE:
Top of sleeve is wide, cut in one piece with shoulder.

EMPIRE WAIST:
High waisted with short bodice. Skirt begins two or more inches above natural waist.

GIBSON SLEEVE:
Full at shoulder, fitted at wrist.

LEG-OF-MUTTON SLEEVE:
Very full puff at shoulder, tightly fitted on the forearm.

PEEK-A-BOO SLEEVE:
Sheer, puffed sleeve; different fabric showing through underneath.

PEPLUM:
Short flounce or overskirt attached at waistline.

POET SLEEVE:
Pleated at shoulder; very full from shoulder to cuff.

PRINCESS LINE:
Dress style with a slightly flared design; accentuates the waist, but doesn t hug the body.

QUEEN ANNE NECKLINE:
High on sides and back; open bodice in sweetheart shape.

QUEEN ELIZABETH NECKLINE:
High collar stands up in back, comes to a closed V in front.

SABRINA NECKLINE:
Begins two inches inside shoulder; straight across front.

SHEATH:
Silhouette of straight, slim lines.

SHIRRED WAIST:
Fabric is gathered to make a horizontal panel at waist.

SWEEP TRAIN:
Slightly longer than brush train.

TRUMPET SKIRT:
Tapers close to legs, flares at or below knee; think mermaid.

WATTEAU:
Train falls from back yoke of dress.

Groom's Wedding Wear Terms

Ascot
Broad neck scarf looped under chin; fastened with tie tack or stick pin. Should be worn with wing collar shirt.

Cutaway Morning Coat
Long coat; tapers from waistline button to one broad tail in back.

Dinner Jacket
Cut similar to tuxedo; has shawl collar.

Four In Hand Tie
Knotted tie; hangs vertically, similar to business suit tie. Can be fastened with tie tack; should be worn with spread collar.

Spencer Coat
Open coat without buttons; cut right at waistline.

Stroller Coat
Semi-formal suit jacket; cut similar to tuxedo.

Tails
Formal coat; short in front, extends to two tails in back.