Because Knowledge is Power

 

A

A-line: Slim on top, fitted through the waist andsoftly flares away from body.

Altar: This term specially refers to the structure or table at the front of a house of worship, but, when it comes to your wedding day, it takes on a more general meaning. In the wedding world, the altar is the physical spot where you and your S.O. will exchange vows, whether the ceremony is religious or otherwise.

Appliqué: You’ll hear this term a lot once you start dress shopping. Appliqués are pieces of lace or other fabric that are sewn onto a base fabric, creating a textured and often 3D effect. 

Architectural Arrangements: A clean, contemporary look that makes use of sculptural flowers. Clear glass vessels naturally complement the style. A single type of flower is typically used in each vessel.

 

B

Ball Gown: Boned bodice, full skirt supported by crinolines, petticoats, etc.

Beveled Edge: A slanted edge, usually used on heavy card stock or inside embossed panels.

Black Tie: A black tie dress code. will always be indicated on the wedding invite. Such a formal affair typically takes place after 6 p.m., and men should be dressed in a tuxedo. Women are welcome to wear either a formal cocktail dress or long evening gown for the occasion.

Black Tie Optional: Here, the dress code indicates that something slightly more casual than black tie will do. Women can still opt for long or short gowns and men have the option of wearing a suit (but a tux is still very much appropriate!)

Boutonniere: A Boutonniere is typically worn by the important men in the bride and groom’s family as well as the groom and his wedding party. It is designed using one single bloom/flower or a small cluster of greenery and blooms, usually complementingthe bridal bouquet in flower type or colour, and is traditionallyworn on the lapel of a jacket. If the groom and groomsmenare not wearing jackets, don’t get boutonnieres. Readers and ushers also get to wear boutonnières so that the guestsmay identify them easily.

Bouquet: These are the bundles of flowers you and your wedding VIPs will carry down the aisle. Bouquets can range in size—from petite nosegays to lush and organic shapes—and style

Buffet: A good way to offer several entrees in a free-flowing atmosphere. Not recommended for couples with limited space.

Bustle: Ever wonder how, exactly, you’ll walk and dance in your wedding dress once the ceremony is over? Enter the bustle. This tailoring trick features loops, buttons, or ribbons used to pull up and tuck the train of a dress to make moving easier. A French bustle attaches on the underside of the fabric, tucking it under so most of the train is hidden. An American bustle, on the other hand, attaches on the outside of the skirt, pulling fabric up toward the waist to create a pretty and visible drape. A stylist can determine what will work best for your dress at your final dress fitting.

Buttercream: The most common type of cake icing. It's soft, creamy and sweet, made of butter, sugar and milk. Your baker can use it to cover the outside of your cake and/or as a filling in between the layers.

 

C

Canapé: Any bite-size appetizer served on a small bread, cracker or vegetable (e.g., blinis with crème fraiche and caviar).

Candle: It's time to read up on your candle vocabulary as there are many options available. To start, there are votive candles, which are petite styles that are about an inch-and-half tall. They're low and subtle and often scattered around centerpieces. Then, there are taper candles which are skinny candlesticks that stand tall on tabletops. They can be placed in a candelabra or individual candle holders (made of marble, lucite, metal, you name it). Finally, there are pillar candles, which are shown here. These stand on their own (meaning they don't have to be paired with any kind of holder or base) and can displayed on tabletops as well as inside lanterns.

Cascade: A bouquet style in which the blossoms are woven into a waterfall effect; when held, it flows down below your waist.

Centerpiece: Floral arrangements on reception tables are called centerpieces. Unsurprisingly, they fill the "center" of the table, and set the tone of the night's decor. While vessels and vases are typical filled with blooms, they don't have to be. We love seeing couples experiment with fruit, greenery —or even just candlelight!

Ceremony: The ceremony is the “main event” for a wedding. It is the time when the marriage becomes legal with the words spoken by the officiant or celebrant.

Colour-processed Colour: A technique that produces ultra-saturated colours. An arresting effect for select portrait; particularly striking during an outdoor shot.

Charger: No, it’s not for your phone! In wedding context, a charger is a larger plate that is used as the base of a place setting, essentially taking the place of a placemat. Plated courses are placed on top of the charger, which can also be removed before the serving of the main course if you prefer.

Chuppah: A temporary structure consisting of four poles with a canopy partially covering them. The Chuppah is a central component to the Jewish ceremony, representing the couple’s first home. It can be covered in fabric or flowers or both. The four sides are left open to represent hospitality to wedding guests.

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. A great cocktail hour needs three things: refreshing drinks (a signature cocktail, small selection of wine and beer, or a full open bar), flavorful food (think small bites and grazing stations), and entertaining music. Looking to shake things up? Have cocktail hour before your ceremony so everyone can toast your vows with their favorite drink!

Column: Quite similar to sheath, it is a straight-lined skirt with no flare or fullness at the hem.

Completer Set: Items that are not included in basicchina place setting, but coordinate with the pattern — platters, serving dishes, salt and pepper shakers, and so on.

Corkage Fee: Many caterers charge a fee per bottle of alcohol just to open it during your reception. The charge applies only if you have provided the alcohol yourselves instead of getting it through your caterer. The price ranges from $5 to $10 per bottle.

Cornelli: A form of piping that creates a three-dimensional pattern of lace and squiggles on your cake.

Corsage: A corsage is typically worn by the important womenin the bride and groom’s family. It can be attached to a bracelet and worn on the wrist or wired to be pinned on to a blouse or dress. These do not have to match the bridal bouquet.

Cotton Rag: Rich, creamy paper made from cotton fibre. Used in many top-quality invitations and it will not discolour over time. The softness of the paper lends itself to letterpress printing.

Crudités: An appetizer of raw vegetables (like carrots, celery, cucumbers and peppers), sliced up and served with dip.

 

D

Dais: A raised platform for the head table.

Destination Wedding: Get out of town! Destination weddings are a fantastic way to share a place you love with your favorite people. So what qualifies as a destination? Really any location where you and your guests will want to book a hotel room instead of driving home at the end of the night. So it might require a long flight, or it could be just an hour or two away. Either way, a destination wedding creates an intimate and personal experience that you really get to share with your guests.

Dingbat: A topographical term for a decorative motif used on stationery. A palm tree, pinecone, or eternity symbol can convey something about your theme, location or personality.

Dome or Nosegay Bouquet: Round, dome-shaped, possibly a trailing ribbon. It can be tightly packed or loose and the stems are hand-tied. Rarely consists ofmore than three types of flowers.

Dragees: Decorative silver-coated balls made of sugar.

 

E

Embossed: A raised image created when the paper is squeezed between a die and a counter-die. Typical for monogramming.

Empire: A high-waisted style that is nipped in just below the bustline. Good for small-busted women or curvy figures.

Engagement Photos: Consider this a dress rehearsal. Engagement photos have become more and more common, and are now often included in packages offered by wedding photographers. It’s an opportunity to get more comfortable in front of the camera, get to know your photographer (so you’re all friendly by the time your wedding day arrives!), and come away with a few gorgeous photos to use in your save the dates or wedding website.

English Garden Arrangements: Fluffy and full, but with more colour. A traditional look that is less formal than romantic and can look lush in silver containers or charming in a basket.

Engraving: A traditional, formal printing style, distinguished by slightly "raised" lettering and indentations that can be felt on the back of the invitation. It's a labour-intensive job and therefore an expensive process.

Escort Cards: These cards serve the purpose of “escorting” guests to their assigned table at the reception. They're usually placed on a large table near the entrance to the reception room, and guests pick them up as they go into the party. They should be arranged in alphabetical order and have the name of the guest and the table number they are to be seated at.

 

F

Filler: Inexpensive flowers and foliage (ivy, baby's breath or ferns, for example) that are usedto fill out bouquets and other floral arrangements.

First Look: The First Look takes place before the ceremony where the bride and groom are staged to see each other for the first time. This is usually done in private with just the photographers. It allows you to get all the couple + wedding party picturesdone before the ceremony so that during the cocktail hour, your wedding partywill be able to enjoy it and the couplemay enjoy the tail-end of cocktail houras well!

First Touch: Similar to the First Look, the First Touch is where the couple is staged where they WILL NOT see each other before the wedding, rather just touch hands. The growing popularity of this allows the bride and groomto talk to each other, pray, or just get out their little nerves before they walk down the aisle.

Fish-eye lens: Very wide-angle lens that rounds the edges of the frame; not something you want for all of your wedding photos, but it’s good for shooting in tight spaces — the entire width of the church or all the members of your wedding party crammed in the back seat of the limo.

Fondant: Icing made of sugar, gelatine, corn syrup and glycerine that has a firm yet tender texture and a smooth, porcelain-like finish. It's more expensive than buttercream because decorating with it is more complicated and labour-intensive.

Freeze-Dried Petals: Petals that retain their colour and texture longer than fresh ones. These are great for guests to toss as you leave the reception, or for the flower girl to toss down the aisle.

 

G

Ganache: A dark, rich combination of chocolate and cream used as a filling or icing.

Garland: Garlands are strands of greenery and flowers that can be used to dress up just about any surface at your wedding. Weave them amongst candles on your reception tables, drape them across the front of the bar, string them from chandeliers, and more.

Genoise: A French sponge cake that’s drier than American cakes. Typically soaked in a liqueur syrup and layered with fruit fillings or flavored whipped cream.

Gobo: A lighting technique, a gobo is a die-cut stencil of a monogram or pattern that slides into a projection unit and casts an image onto the wall or ground during the Reception.

Golden Hour: Photographers often refer to the time just before sunset as "golden hour." During this time, the light is soft and perfect for post-ceremony photos.

Groom’s Cake: This is typically an additional cake, created using the groom’s favourite flavourcake, their hobby, sports team, inside joke, etc. Many brides want the groom’s cakeat the wedding reception,but do not realize how much cake that actually means there will be. A good option would be to have the groom’s cakeas dessert after the rehearsal dinner.

 

H

Hand-tinted: Vintage technique in which colouris applied by hand to black-and-white photos, with to specific areas or as a wash. Can be achieved digitally.

Head Table: A head table is most commonly used for the bride and groom to sit with the wedding party, but can also be used for the bride and groom to sit with their family members. There is no “rule” saying that the bride and groom MUST sit with their wedding party. Keep in mind, your wedding party may bring a date and would want to sit with them during the reception.

 I

In-house Catering: This means the food & beverage is handled by your venue and not an outside vendor. An in-house team has the home court advantage, meaning they know the venue and how to operate in the space. Some vendors require you to work with their team, so ask about this at your first site visit.

Installation: If you’ve been wowed by photos of floral chandeliers, flower walls, or other towering arrangements, the thing that’s catching your eye is called an installation. These statement-making designs may require a little more time and technique to put together, but the end result is totally priceless. If you want to make a statement without lowing your budget consider a single dramatic installation over the dance floor and more simple centerpieces. 

Interlude: A song during the lighting of the unity candle or at another point in the ceremony. It can be instrumental or vocal.

Invitation Suite: The invitation suite includes everything you need to know to tell guests the who, what, where, and when of your wedding. A suite typically includes a save the date, invitation, and RSVP card, and may also feature an additional information card (calling out things like your wedding website URL or travel information), a map, or a weekend itinerary. Further add-ons include coordinating menus, programs, escort cards, and place cards.

 J

Jack & Jill: A shower for the bride and groom to which both male and female guests are invited. A coed shower can be a cocktail party at a nightclub or restaurant or a more casual picnic or barbecue.

Justice of the Peace: A justice of the peace is a judge—often of a more local jurisdiction—who, in addition to overseeing and keeping the peace in court, is able to perform civil marriages. This official is a secular alternative to having your ceremony performed by a religious leader or a loved one who is ordained just for the occasion. A justice of the peace may perform the ceremony in a courthouse setting, while some are also available to perform weddings at your venue.

 

L

Letterpress: One of the most popular styles of printing used on wedding invitations, letterpress printing occurs when a plate with raised text (think a rubber stamp) is inked, and then pressed into paper. Letterpress doesn’t usually produce a noticeable relief texture—ask your stationer about embossing and debossing if you want more of a 3D effect—however when applied to thicker papers, letterpress can produce a subtle texture when ink is applied and the plate is pressed into the paper.

 

M

Marzipan: Hardened almond paste and sugar, this confection is traditionally used to make realistic cake toppings. It can be rolled and used as icing.

Mermaid: This shape tightly hugs the torso, then flares out from the knee or just below it. Very similar to the trumpet.

MOH: MOH stands for Maid or Matron of Honor. This woman (maid is unmarried and matron is married) is the one to stand directly by the bride’s side on the wedding day, and is usually a sister or close friend—though your mom or grandma could absolutely be MOH, too! The maid of honor is often responsible for planning the bachelorette party, and may also play a role in the bridal shower. Come wedding day, she may wear a dress that is slightly different from the other bridesmaids, or may carry a distinct bouquet so she stands out from the crowd.

Mood Board: A mood board is the original Pinterest board, a collection of colors, swatches, and images gathered to inspire and guide you as you work on your wedding design. You and your planner or florist might work on a mood board to help narrow down and solidify your vision—it’s a great tool to keep your design on track and help you figure out which details and colors work best together. Also known as a “storyboard".

 

N

Nosegay: A nosegay is a small, handheld bouquet of flowers. A nosegay is differentiated by its petite stature, and is often carried by bridesmaids or junior bridesmaids for a contrast in size against the bride’s larger and more ornate bouquet.

 

O

Open Bar: Like at other parties and receptions, an open bar means you have wine, beer, and a full bar of liquor to offer guests. This option is the most expensive way to serve liquor at your wedding, so feel free to get creative if it's not in your budget. 

Open stock: A term that applies to the sale of china and cookware, meaning that guests can purchase components of a set or pattern individually (as opposed to having to buy the entire ensemble at once).

Out-of-town Guest: Any guest who needs to book a hotel room to attend your wedding—and isn’t just spending the night so they don’t have to drive after the party!—is considered an out-of-town guest. As a courtesy, many couples opt to invite out-of-town guests to some sort of welcome event, ranging from a full-on dinner to just drinks and desserts once the rehearsal dinner is over. And those Instagram-worthy curated welcome bags? They’re always a nice touch, especially if you’re in a destination with unique needs (think a reusable water bottle for a wedding at high altitude, or a mini bottle of sunscreen if you’re tying the knot on the beach).

Overlay: An optional decorative cloth that sits on top of the underlay to provide contrast in colouror texture. It extends halfway down the sides of the table and is usually sheer and decorated with light beading or embroidery.

 

P

Palette: Your palette is the selection of colors you’ve chosen to work with on your wedding day, influencing everything from linens to flowers to even the ink on your invitations. Most palettes feature at least three colors—a main color, a neutral, and an accent—though you may also include a few different shades of each color for depth (think blush, pink, and fuchsia or French blue and navy).

Pickups: Table skirt fabric is randomly “picked up” and held in place with flowers, appliqués or embroidery. It is used to create volume.

Pin spotting: A narrow field of light used to pick out and highlight an item. An effective way to draw attention to beautiful architectural elements.

Place Cards: Not to be confused with escort cards, place cards are what tell your guests exactly where to sit once they’ve gotten to their table. These aren’t always used—you can opt for open table seating, meaning you tell your guests which table to sit at and then let them choose their own chair from there—but are commonly used at head tables even for more casual weddings. However they’re essential for more formal and black tie weddings, where each guest’s seat is carefully chosen in advance.

Place setting: Time to set the table! Place settings are the pieces used at each guest’s seat at the dinner table. Weddings tend to feature more formal service and a larger number of courses, so place settings are often more complicated than what you’d see at home on a regular weeknight. Formal wedding place settings include a charger, a dinner plate, a salad plate, a bread plate with a bread knife, salad and dinner forks, salad and dinner knives, a soup spoon, a dessert spoon and fork, a water glass, and at least one wine glass.

Plus One: This is always a point of pre-wedding conversation, and for good reason! A plus one is an additional invite for a wedding guest to invite a date...and some guests get one, while others don't. The rules can vary here (depending on the couple's budget, wedding size, and wedding vision) but generally married couples and established couples (who live together, et cetera) get plus ones. It's also nice to consider a plus one for any attendee who may not know anyone else at the wedding. 

Pomander: A round "ball" of flowers suspended from a ribbon handle. Use it as a bouquet or have your flower girl carry one, in lieu of a basketful of petals.

Postlude: Music that plays until every last guest has exited the ceremony area. It should revert to the background and last around fifteen minutes. “All You Need is Love” by The Beatles is a contemporary surprise to end of the ceremony.

Prelude: Quiet, gentle "background" music played at the beginning of the ceremony as guests arrive and are seated.

Procession: During this part of the wedding ceremony, bridal party members walk down the aisle, eventually ending with the bride's grand entrance.

Processional: The music playing during the bridal party and bride's entrance is called the processional. This song—or combination of songs—officially begins the ceremony.

Proofs: All the shots your photographer has taken during your wedding (untouched and uncropped). You'll likely review these to decide which photos you want printed in a larger size and at the best possible quality.

 

R

Reception: The reception takes place after the ceremony. This is where your guests will enjoy cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. It is typically 4-5 hours long.

Recessional: Upbeat, triumphant music played at the end of the service as the bride and groom make their way back up the aisle for their grand exit from the ceremony. It's one of our favorite photos from the day, so be sure to enjoy every chord.

Rehearsal: Sometimes referred to as the “ceremony rehearsal” takes place in the day(s) prior to the wedding dayto rehearse how the wedding partywill walk down the aisle, in pairs or single file, and stand at the front of the alter. This is most useful for the wedding party, because they will be the most concerned on how to stand, where to stand, and when to walk. Tell your family and wedding party to arrive 30 minutes early to the rehearsal, because everyone is always late and want to spend the first 15-20 minutes talking and catching up.

Rehearsal Dinner: The dinner that comes after the ceremony rehearsal. Traditionally, this was for your family, wedding party and all out of town guests. With many weddings being in locations that are destinations or families flying in to where “the couple/bride/groom grew up” you will find that your entire guest list could be considered an “out of town guest”. Keeping that in mind, invite just the family and wedding party to the rehearsal dinnerto not make the night before another “wedding”.

Return Policy: No matter what, you are going to have things to return. Tape receipts to merchandise as it comes in, check the return policy and return the gifts as soon as possible. Remember: when returning, don't feel pressured to choose another gift on the spot.

Romantic Arrangements: Fluffy arrangements in white, blush, cream and perhaps pink. Most often used in traditional, somewhat formal arrangements in silver containers and accented by lots of candles.

Royal Icing: A hard, brittle and not-very-tasty type of icing made of sugar and egg whites. It's used mostly for sculptural decorations, like roses, swirls and dots.

RSVP: Répondez, s’il vous plaît! RSVP is a polite (and French) way to ask your guests to please let you know if they’ll be attending your wedding. Most wedding invitations feature an RSVP card—or, nowadays, a URL where guests can RSVP online—asking guests to specify how many people will be attending, and might also include details like meal choices, where guests will be staying, or even a song they’d love to hear on the dance floor.

 

S

Sample Sale: Looking to get a wedding gown at a steal? Keep an eye out for sample sales at your favorite salons. These sales are a chance for salons to clear out some of their past inventory (including floor samples) while giving brides the opportunity to buy the gently-used gown of their dreams at an incredible price. Keep in mind that these samples have been tried on by many brides, so they may need to be cleaned before you wear them down the aisle. Ask the salon to recommend their favorite local dry cleaner, as well as a fantastic seamstress to make this off-the-rack dress fit like a glove.

Save the Date: The perfect way to get on guests’ calendars before you send out your wedding invitation. They’re particularly useful if you’re having a destination wedding or have chosen a particularly popular wedding date (like a holiday weekend), as you’ll be able to let guests know to expect an invitation before they’ve made other big plans. Be sure to include your wedding website, where you can provide lodging and travel tips so guests can start shopping for flights and booking hotel rooms!

Seating Chart: Rather than have individual escort cards, some couples choose to direct guests with a single statement sign In this case, table assignments are noted on a larger sign or display with guest names arranged either by table or in alphabetical order.

Send-off: Sometimes referred to as the “farewell”. This event creates a special moment for the couple to be “sentoff” onto their wedding nightafter the reception is over. It can be done as simply as a big group dance on the dance floor with the brideand groomin the centre, rose petal toss, bubbles, or streamers.

Sepia: An optional special effect that can give your photos an antique look — it's similar to black and white, only the pigment used is a reddish brown.

Sheath: A close-to-the-body shape that outlines every curve; very similar to the column but with less structure at times.

Signature Drink: Sip, sip, hooray! You’ve finally tied the knot, so let’s head to cocktail hour to celebrate. Mark the occasion with a signature cocktail that you and your S.O. love, whether it’s a classic (think a margarita or a boulevardier) or a creative seasonal concoction crafted by your caterer just for the occasion. Don’t forget a sign telling guests what’s in their drink!

Suite: What you would call your entire invitation package.

Swagging: Two tablecloths are layered, and the top one is extremely gathered and draped in soft arcs.

Sweetheart Table: A small, romantic table that is designated for the bride and groomto share by themselves during the reception. This allows the couple to have a moment to spend with each other and eat without (much) disruption

 

T

Table Cakes: Can be used as a substitute for floral centrepieces, which can save you money. These individualized cakes can be used as centrepieces throughout the meal.

Table Number: A table number is necessary if having assigned seating, which we highly recommend. Table numbers should be displayed prominently on a table, facing the direction that guests will be entering the reception area. In lieu of numbers and for a bit of a twist, table names can also be used.

Tablescape:A tablescape is what you get when your entire table design comes together, from the plates and flatware to the flowers and candles. As you’re working on your wedding design, think about this overall picture and work with your florist, planner, and rental company to fill in the finishing touches (like low compotes of fresh fruit or playful objects that will bring your theme together).

Tea Light: A tiny half inch candle that is easily blown out and burns out in four hours or less. They are pointless candles and are no substitute for the larger votive candles.

Thermograph: A machine-printing process that uses heated powder to give print a raised look. To the untrained eye, it appears virtually identical to engraved print but costs far less.

Toss Bouquet: The toss bouquetis a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet (or sometimes a bridesmaid’s bouquet) that is used to “toss” during the time in the reception that all the single ladies are asked to come on the dance floor and the bride tosses the bouquet to them blindly with the hopes that whoever catches the bouquet is the next to get married. This tradition is becoming one that is often left out of the reception timeline due to brides not having many single friends or friends that want to be outed as being single.

Train: If you're looking to make a grand entrance, consider a gown with a dramatic train. (Most guests will be looking at the back of your dress throughout the ceremony, after all!) This extension of the skirt of your dress can range from a few extra inches to multiple feet trailing behind you, and can look oh-so-dramatic when expertly fluffed just before you walk down the aisle. Add a bustle to get the train out of the way when it’s time to dance. 

Trial: It can be hard to imagine how things will turn out on your wedding day, which is where trials come in handy. The most common trials are with hair and make-up artists and are basically a test run so you can see if you like their style and get an idea of what you’ll look like on the big day. However, other vendors (like florists and rental companies) also offer trials and mock-ups so you can visualize and tweak designs in real time.

Trousseau: An old-fashioned term for the new linens, lingerie and clothing a bride assembles in honour of her upcoming nuptials.

Trumpet: A fitted gown that flares out at the knee. It is great for brides who want to show off some curves. Similar to the mermaid silhouette. 

Trunk Show: Unlike a sample sale, a trunk show is an opportunity to purchase the newest collection of made-to-order wedding dresses at a great price—and often with the designer by your side.

Tuscan Arrangements: Warmer and earthy, these rely on sunny shades of yellow and orange and deeper shades of red and often incorporate fruit. These arrangements mix well with natural wood tables, rust-coloured or verdigris candelabra, and fat cylinder candles.

Tussy mussy: A cone-shaped, metallic bouquet holder popular during the Victorian era. It's rarely used today, but is perfect for an elegant, "vintage" wedding.

 

U

Underlay: A full cloth that covers the entire table and falls to the floor.

Uplighting: Uplighting can either be provided by your music entertainmentteam or by an event design company. They will discuss a “colour wash” design with you to transform your reception space to take on a different ambiance for the night.

 

V

Venue Coordinator: This person will typically book your wedding, help you create your menu, and make sure that the back of the house runs smoothly during your reception.

Vendor Meal: A meal that each vendor presents at your reception. Many times this is a “box lunch” that is glamorized by venues to the brides as a quick and easy option to offer their vendors. In reality, it is a cold deli meat sandwich, a bag of chips, and a pickle. Ask what the box lunch is and confirm with your vendor’s contract if they need a hot meal. Keep in mind they have been working for at least 6 hours when it becomes “dinner time” and a hot meal will give them that little boost of energy to finish the night strong!

Videographer: Videographers will capture your wedding dayon film for you to watch all the special moments for years to come. They work in conjunction with your photographer.

Vellum: A thin, transparent type of paper that looks somewhat like frosted glass. Your stationer can print text on it directly or use it as a decorative overlay.

Votive: A small 2inch candle that will burn between 9-12 hours. When purchasing candles for your wedding, make sure that they are already in a holder!

 

W

What to toss: The tossing of rice actually stems from an ancient fertility rite. But as rice can be harmful to birds, many people are opting for the tossing of rose petals, either freeze-dried, real or fabric ones. Another option is to have guest blow bubbles, throw confetti or birdseed.

Wedding Cake: The tradition of cutting the cake during the reception is with the wedding cake. Sometimes referred to as the “bride’s cake” but is most commonly known as a wedding cake. Trends do seem to come and go with regards to the wedding cake, from keeping it all white, adding colour or opting for a dessert display of mini treats and a small cake for the bride and groomto cut. 

Wedding Planner: If a couple decides to hire a wedding planner, they are tapping an outside individual to orchestrate their wedding from start to finish. This pro handles pre-wedding planning (budgets! spreadsheets! you name it!), as well as the installation and run of show on the big day.

Welcome Bag: If you have out-of-town guests, consider greeting them with a welcome bag—or box! This gesture can be as simple or as complex as you’d like, but we recommend including the weekend’s itinerary and something edible (like wine, snacks, and water). No matter what you offer, remember to include one important item: a note thanking each guest.

 

 

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