Wedding  Definitions

• ARRANGED MARRIAGE - Marriage arranged by someone other than the couple getting married; thereby, bypassing the process of courtship.
• ASCOT  OR "ASCOT TIE" - A wide, formal tie that is normally patterned, folded over, and fastened with a stickpin or tie tack.   This tie is traditionally made of pale gray patterned silk and is reserved for the most formal of daytime weddings. It is worn in combination with a gray cutaway (morning) coat that is longer in the back than the front and striped gray trousers.
• BEACH WEDDING - Cceremony is conducted on a beach, frequently at sunrise or sunset.
• BEST MAN - The Best Man normally has numerous duties, the most important of which is getting the Groom to the ceremony on time, ensuring delivery of the rings to the ceremony and then passing them to the Bride and Groom at the appropriate point in the ceremony.  The Best Man's other duties may include, but are not limited to, organizing the bachelor party, assisting with unforeseen incidents at wedding, supervising Groomsmen or Ushers, acting a legal witness, announcing speeches at the reception, giving his own speech, thanking Bride's parents and making a toast to Bride and Groom.
• BLACK TIE EVENT - Semi-formal event normally requiring men's clothing to be: black tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants, white shirt, black cummerbund and tie, or matching tie, cummerbund or vest, and formal shoes.
• BOMBONIERE - An Italian word which is sometimes used to refer to wedding favors given to guest on special occasions. They traditionally contain five sugared almonds which, for wedding, symbolize health, wealth, happiness, fertility and long life.  Sugared almonds are put inside a bag made of tulle or satin and tied with ribbons in assorted colors. White sugared almonds are used for weddings.
• BOUTONNIERE - A single flower, flower bud or floral decoration worn by men. Traditionally, a boutonniere has been worn pushed through the buttonhole of a jacket, but in modern times is often pinned onto a jacket lapel. At weddings the boutonniere is customarily worn by the Groom, Best Man, Ushers and the male relatives of the Bride and Groom.  Boutonniere is normally worn on the left (over the heart) lapel of the jacket.
• BOW TIE - Men's necktie popularly worn with formal attire, such as suits or dinner jackets. The most popular choice of tie to wear with a tuxedo. Non clip-on ties consist of a ribbon of fabric tied around the collar in a symmetrical manner (same size and shape on both sides) such that the two opposite ends form loops.
• BRIDAL BOUQUET - A collection of flowers in a creative arrangement given by the Groom to his Bride.
• BRIDAL PARTY - Consists of the Maid of Honor (Matron of Honor if she is married) and the bridesmaids.
• BRIDAL PROCESSION - The order of wedding processionals varies according to religious traditions, but follow a general pattern.  Basically the Bridal procession is the Bride, splendidly attired in her gown, on her doting Father’s arm, being escorted down the aisle, accompanied by her entourage, i.e. Maid of Honor, Bridesmaids, etc., which can be as lengthy as she wishes.
• BRIDE - Female participant in a wedding ceremony or a female about to be married.
• BRIDEGROOM – (See Groom)
• BRIDESMAID - A girl, young woman or good friend who attends to the Bride, supporting her emotionally before and during the wedding ceremony. Traditionally, Bridesmaids were chosen from unwed young women of marriageable age.
• BUFFET - A self service style of meal, where the food and drinks are presented on a long table, or a series of tables, and the guests serve themselves whenever they wish.  Since a buffet involves people serving themselves, it is considered an informal form of dining, less elegant than table service; however, it is commonly the preferred serving method for large groups, even in formal settings such as weddings.  A buffet is usually the most affordable option as considerably fewer waiters, if any, are needed.
• CEREMONY - A formal act prescribed by law, infused with ritual significance, performed on a special occasion.
• CHIEF BRIDESMAID - See Maid / Matron of Honor.
• CHUPPAH - A flower adorned canopy normally considered to be an essential part of a Jewish wedding. Usually fabric stretched over four poles and is sometimes carried by attendants to the ceremony's location. Used to cover the Bridal Couple and the Rabbi. Marriage canopy that symbolizes the couple's first home together.
• CORSAGE - A single flower bloom, small spray of blooms or bouquet of flowers attached to a lace and traditionally worn pinned to the bodice of a dress or suit at the shoulder.  Orchids are among the most popular flower choices for corsages and at weddings they are usually only worn by female relatives of the bride and groom. 
• COURTSHIP - Traditionally; the period before engagement in which a couple dates, gets to know each other and assesses their compatibility.  Normally; courtship is done in public and with approval of the families.
• CUMMERBUND - A broad waist sash, usually pleated, worn around a man’s waist on top of his shirt but under the jacket and often worn with black tie. They are usually black, but are normally available in other colors.
• DAIS - A raised platform. Generally the seating area for the Bride and Groom. The word is also used by florist to describe a flower display on the Bride and Groom's table, which often tumbles over the front of the table.
• DESTINATION WEDDING – Wedding requiring travel by the engaged couple and/or a majority of thire guest, i.e. beach in Florida, wedding chapel in mountains, adjacent city or friends home.
• FATHER OF THE BRIDE - Traditionally, the Bride's Father has paid for the wedding, but today both families often share the expense.  Nonetheless, what hasn't changed is his duty of escorting his daughter down the aisle during the ceremony. 
• FAVORS - Small inexpensive gifts given, to guests, as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude, from the Bride and Groom as a “Thank You” for their attendance.
• FIANCE - A French word meaning Groom or husband-to-be between the engagement and the wedding.
• FIANCEE - A French word meaning Bride or wife-to-be between her engagement to her betrothed and the wedding day.
• FLOWER GIRL - Normally, a young girl between the ages of 4 and 8 with a special relationship to the Bride and Groom.  She follows behind the bridesmaids (sometimes before and sometimes after the maid of honor) with a basket of flowers, scattering them down the aisle.
• FORMAL WEDDING - An event requiring elegant dress and manners. Formal weddings are ideal for those couples who value elegance and tradition. Formal weddings can often be a very expensive and requires detailed planning.
• GROOM - Male participant in a wedding ceremony or a male about to be married.  Also know as the Bridegroom.
• HATTABIN - A Muslim term for male family or friends who help prepare the groom for and participate in the wedding.
• HONOR ATTENDANTS -The Best Man and the Maid / Matron / Man of Honor are considered honor attendants.
• HORA - A dance at a Jewish wedding where the Bride and Groom are lifted high on chairs. In addition to being danced at Jewish weddings; the hora is frequently danced at bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs.
• LACE - A delicate fabric made of interlaced yarn or thread which has been plaited, knotted, looped and turned to make simple or complicated open web-like patterns and raised works.
• LOVE MARRIAGE - Unification of two persons based upon mutual attraction and love between the individuals.
• MAID OF HONOR – Also known as the “Chief Bridesmaid”, the Maid of Honor is the primary member of the Bride's wedding party and is considered the equivalent of the Groom's Best Man. Customarily; she is the last Bridesmaid to walk down the aisle before the Bride herself. 
• MAN OF HONOR - If the Bride prefers to have a male attending the duties customarily preformed by the Maid / Matron of Honor then that male is known as the Man of Honor. 
• MARRIAGE – Legal unification of one man and one woman as husband and wife. 
• MATRIMONIAL WEB SITES - Matrimonial Web sites allow for user registration, after which Registrants are able to upload their profile onto a searchable database maintained by publishers of the Web site. Registrants looking to find suitors can then search the database with customized searches which includes matters of importance, i.e. nationality, age, gender, availability of photograph, geographic location, etc.  Typically, matrimonial sites are used by people who desire marriage rather than simply dating.
• MATRON OF HONOR - If the "Maid of Honor" is married she is known as the "Matron of Honor".
• OFFICIANT – One who performs a religious rite or presides over a religious ceremony or service, i.e. priest, rabbi, minister, etc.  For non religious weddings, the Officiant might be a Magistrate Judge, justice of the peace or ship’s Captain, when on board.
• PAGES OR PAGE BOYS - Typically; small boys who, when the Bride wears a dress with a long train, follows the Bride down the aisle carrying her train.  Pageboys are normally nephews or young brothers (although they can also be nieces or sisters) their ages normally range from no younger than five years to no older than ten years.
• RING BEARER - In a formal wedding, a page; typically, a small boy, although sometimes a little girl, carries an ornamental cushion that has two rings affixed.   This is almost always symbolic, because the actual wedding bands are normally being safeguarded by the Best Man. Ring Bearers are normally nephews or young brothers (although they can also be nieces or sisters) and are generally between five and ten years of age.
• RUKHSAT - A ritual tradition in Moslem weddings where the father of the bride gives her hand in marriage to her groom, on the promise that he will look after her.
• SEMI-FORMAL – Maybe best described as “Black Tie” (Tuxedos), which is a less restrictive dress code than “White Tie” (Extremely formal evening dress), but more restrictive than a “Lounge Suit” (business suit).
• STROLLER COAT - Semiformal daytime jacket, gray or black with no satin, resembles a tuxedo. Worn for daytime weddings. Usually worn with striped tuxedo pants.
• TAILCOAT / TAILS – Also know as swallow-tail coat; traditionally worn at very formal evening events (White Tie). Tailcoat is waist length in the front and on the sides with two knee length tails in the back.
• TIARA - Headpiece option for the Bride.  A tiara is a thin jeweled semi-circular band, often metal.  When designed with a higher front and sloping sides then it’s worn on the top of the head. However, if it is uniform in height, then it may be worn at an angle.
• TOSSING BOUQUET – After the wedding ceremony; the Bride throws the tossing bouquet (copy her bouquet) over her shoulder towards Bridesmaids and other female guests. Supposedly; whoever catches the bouquet will be the next to wed.
• TRAIN - Fabric of the gown that trails behind the bride. This is a long (or extremely long) extension to a wedding gown or other dress that trails along the floor behind the wearer.
• TRAIN BEARERS – (See Pages or Page Boys).
• TUXEDO - Man's semi-formal, black tie, dress cloths.  Typically consisting of light-weight black or midnight blue wool single-breasted, single-button stance, peaked-lapel coat and matching trousers with side seams decorated with an inch-wide cloth ribbon matching the lapel facing. A white dress shirt with linked cuffs, and a black, gross-grain bow tie, cummerbund, and shoes.  However, gaining in popularity is the white versions of this Tux.
• VEIL - A piece of diaphanous (texture so fine as to be transparent) material used screen or cover the face.  The veil is often said to represent the Bride's virginity.
• VOWS - Solemn promises, assertions, conditions and agreements upon which a union is based.  The vows exchanged between the Bride and Groom are promises of future loyalty, love, trust and support. There are many different ways to word these sentiments; some couples prefer to write their own vows, while other couples use traditional vows, or combination thereof.  Vows may be either verbally expressed or answered in response to the officiant’s question.
• WAISTCOAT (VEST) - A sleeveless upper-body garment worn over a dress shirt and necktie (if applicable) and below a coat as a part of most men's formal wear, and as the third piece of the three-piece male business suit. For ultra-formal evening weddings, the gentlemen might wear a white tie and waistcoat.
• WEDDING - Ceremony that celebrates the beginning of a marriage.
• WEDDING PARTY - Participating in the ceremony with the Bride and Groom is several individuals and groups of individuals.  The wedding party traditionally includes the Bridesmaids, Maid / Matron of Honor, Best Man, Groomsmen, Flower Girls, Page Boys and Ring Bearer.
• WHITE TIE EVENT - Extremely formal event requiring: black tails, black tuxedo pants, white pique wing tip shirt, white pique tie and vest with formal shoes.
• WING COLLAR - Most formal type of collar, shirts with this are the standard choice for wearing with a tuxedo. Especially used in men's formal clothing, in which the front edges are folded down in such a way as to resemble a pair of wings.
• WREATH - A ring of flowers, leaves and/or fruits that is often decorated with ribbons and bows so as to be used as an ornament.  Wreaths are generally used as a centerpiece of a decorated area, hung on a wall, door, resting table or are seen above doorways. A small wreath may also be worn by the bride atop her head as a form of headdress.
• YICHUD - Period of time in which the Bride and Groom are allowed to be secluded in a closed room or other private area.  While unmarried; the man and woman is prohibited from being secluded in this manner to prevent the two from committing promiscuous acts.