Bachelorette: Term used for a bride while she is engaged and before she is married.
Bachelor Party: A special party arranged on the night before the wedding by the grooms' friends as a symbolic end to bachelorhood.
Backpiece: This is an often highly decorated comb that sits on the back of a bride's head and is used for attaching her veil.
Back-Up Cake: A sheet cake of the same flavor as your wedding cake, used to serve a very large guest list after your display cake is finished.
Baguette Cut Diamond: A diamond in the shape of a small rectangular stone. May be tapered at one end.
Ballerina skirt length: Hem reaches just above the ankles.
Ballet (veil): Also known as a waltz, this is a veil length that drops below the bride's knees, but above her ankles.
Ball gown (Silhouette): A tight, fitted bodice and definite waistline with a gathered or pleated full skirt (bell shape).
Balloon sleeve: Full from the shoulder and over the upper arm, then narrow over the lower arm and wrist.
Band Collar: Collar that stands up around the neck and above the buttons; this is the most contemporary style.
Band Neckline: A high neckline that circles the neck like a turtleneck but shorter.
Bar Station: A station set up with either a bartender serving drinks to your guests or a self-service bar where your guests can make their own drinks. You can also set up two different bar stations, one serving lighter alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages and one serving specialty drinks and hard liquor.
Basket Weave: A type of decorative piping on the wedding cake which features interlinked horizontal and vertical lines of icing.
Basque Neckline: A neckline that follows the collar bone.
Basque waistline: A waistline that is below the waist and dips down to a point in the front.
Bateau Neckline: A neckline that goes straight across the shoulders with just a small dip in the front. Also known as a boat neckline.
Batiste: A light transparent wedding gown fabric.
Battenberg: A heavy lace made with patterns of linen braid and tape connected with decorative linen stitching.
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.
Beaded alencon lace: A re-embroidered mesh lace with pearls and sequins sewn onto the lace.
Bell sleeve: Tight and narrow at the top of the arm, extending down into a wide, open bell shape.
Bertha collar: Nine to 18 inches of fabric or lace attached all around neckline (or yoke). May or may not reveal the shoulders.
Best Man: The best man will have numerous duties, the most important of which is to keep the bride's ring safe until it's time for the vows, when he hands it to the groom for putting on her finger. His other duties include announcing speeches at the reception and making his own. He will also sign the marriage license, and make sure the groom gets to the wedding!
Bias cut Silhouette: Dress silhouette that is cut on a diagonal grain, so that it gently curves to the body through the hips then falls into soft folds at the hem.
Biedermeier bouquet: A type of posy where the flowers are arranged in rings according to their color. A nosegay made up of concentric circles of different flowers for a striped effect of rings (think of an archery target).
Birdcage veil: A veil that falls just below the chin and is worn at informal weddings. Also known as a Madonna veil.
Bishop sleeve: Puffs a bit at the shoulder, then expands fuller over the arm, then gathers over the wrist.
Blackout Periods: Days or periods of peak travel when special rates are suspended or unavailable.
Blemish (on a diamond): An imperfection on the exterior of a diamond, such as a scratch or chip.
Blind Embossing: Blind embossing is a printing method where an image is pressed into paper resulting in a raised design. The embossing is termed "blind" because the design is formed without ink or foil. (Debossing is an image stamped onto paper or a napkin without ink or foil; it appears "indented.")
Blouson: Fabric is gathered just at or below the waist, creating a soft fullness.
Blusher: A short, single layered veil that covers the bride's face before the ceremony.
Boat Neckline: A neckline that goes straight across the shoulders with just a small dip in the front. Also known as a bateau neckline.
Bodice: The close-fitting upper part of a dress.
Body Shapers: Sheer hosiery that provides support and control for under a garment.
Bolo tie: A western look, this one is a thick string tie fastened at the neck.
Bomboniere: This is an Italian term which refers to wedding favors which are passed out to wedding guests as a keepsake in appreciation of their attendance.
Boning: Flat plastic inserts sewn into a bodice´s understructure. Boning gives shape and support. It allows for a smoother appearance around a body´s curves because it stiffens the outside fabric and prevents creases at the waistline.
Bouffant: The fullest skirt available. It makes your waist look very small. The bouffant is especially effective in Tulle or Duchesse.
Boutonniere: This is a single flower or flower bud or a small group of flowers or buds; worn by the groom, best man, ushers and the male relatives of the bride and groom, on the left (over the heart) lapel of their jackets.
Bow Tie (dickey bow): The most popular choice of tie to wear with a tuxedo. A short tie shaped like a bow that can be worn with a wing or laydown collar.
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. In Jewish marriage, sexual union is expected and required. Today, some couples chose to break the glass together.
Bridal or Bride's Bouquet: The floral arrangement carried by the bride in the ceremony and often later tossed over her shoulder to single guests at the reception. Bouquets come in many different styles, such as "beidermeier" and "cascade."
Bridal Procession: Every girl's chance to be a princess. Resplendent in her gown, and on her doting father's arm, the accompanying entourage can be as lengthy as she wishes (venue and cost permitting).
Bridal salon: One-stop, full-service shop where brides-to-be can purchase designer gowns and accessories.
Bridal satin: A satin with a shiny surface, sometimes used as an accent. Not recommended for an entire dress, as this fabric can be overwhelming.
Bridal shower: Party given for the bride before the wedding to be usually coordinated by the bridesmaids to offer gifts for the bride and groom for their new home.
Bride: A woman on her wedding day.
Bridesmaids: These are the gals who are good friends with the bride, supporting her emotionally both before and on her big day. Although they pay for their own gowns, the bride should give them an idea as to what sort of styles and colors she expects them to wear.
Bright White: Term used to describe very white paper stock. The lightest of white paper stock listed. This shade is the ultimate in white, very crisp, pure and bright.
Brilliance (diamond): The white light that is reflected back from a diamond.
Brocade: An intricately woven jacquard fabric with a raised overall interwoven design giving an embossed effect. The embossed effect is often highlighted by contrasting metallic yarns.
Brule: A burned topping, such as with caramelized sugar on creme brule.
Brunch: A late breakfast combined with lunch, serving menu items from both meal periods, plus dessert.
Brush or Sweep Train: Shortest train. It just sweeps or brushes the floor. Very effective on a slim fitting gown.
Bubbles: Used in place of rice at a wedding to send off the bride and groom.
Bubble Skirt: Attached to the lining at the hemline to create a very full effect. May be used with any waist, can be any length, can even be a double-double.
Buffet: A self service style of meal at a wedding reception, where the food and drinks are presented on a long table, or a series of tables, and the guests collect a plate and help themselves whenever they wish (queues permitting). A buffet is usually the most affordable option as considerably less waiters are needed (if any), but the costs can rise as less control over food portions can be exercised.
Bunting: A loosely woven woollen fabric, often used in making flags, which drapes in a decorative pattern and can be used to adorn tables, bar stations and other areas of your reception.
Bunwrap (headdress): A band that encircles an updo-type hairstyle.
Bustier: A bodice style which has no straps or sleeves. Many religious sites do not allow them and you will need to buy a coordinating jacket for your service.
Bustle: The way a dress with a train is lifted off the ground in a decorative way. There are several different bustle styles available; your seamstress will design a bustle for your individual dress using snaps and/or hooks.
Butlered Service: Waiters pass hors d'oeuvres or beverages from trays, similarly to how a butler would wait on guests in a private home. This is an elegant option, especially as guests won't have to wait in line to get a drink, and it will remind them of the options available to them. Requires slightly more staff than stationary hors d'oeuvres and a bartender.
Buttercream: A soft and creamy icing made of butter, confectionery sugar and milk that can be colored, flavored and used for decoration or filling for a wedding cake.
Butterfly sleeve: Very similar to a Bell Sleeve, but the ends of the sleeves are actually connected behind the back. A very short sleeve that barely covers the top of the shoulder.
Button-close cuffs: Those that close with a button, inviting button-cover accents.
Buttonholes: This is a single flower or flower bud or a small group of flowers or buds; worn by the groom, best man, ushers and the male relatives of the bride and groom, on the left (over the heart) lapel of their jackets. |
Unique Wedding Favor Ideas
