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wedding venues new orleans la
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wedding venues new orleans la
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wedding venues new orleans la
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January 10, 2025
wedding venues new orleans la
How Long is a Typical Wedding Ceremony and Reception?
January 30, 2025

Your Bridal Dictionary: “Wedding” and Other Terms Explained

When it comes time to plan your wedding, it is almost inevitable that you will come across a number of wedding-specific phrases, potentially leaving you feeling lost and a little overwhelmed during conversations with planners and vendors. That is where our team at The Four Columns comes in. Since 1977, we have helped create unforgettable memories for brides, grooms and wedding parties through our event coordinating and catering services. Now, we’ve used our wealth of wedding knowledge to compile a list of some of the most common wedding terms you may hear in order to make navigating the planning of your big day a little easier. 

Planning Your Wedding

  • Invitation suite: A collection of paper goods—often including an RSVP card and envelope, directions and accommodation details, and the invitation itself—that provide guests with necessary wedding information.
  • Registry: A ‘wish list’ of gifts compiled by the bride and groom which guests have the option to choose from when purchasing wedding presents. These may be things the couple would like to have, or things which will be useful when building their new life together, such as high-quality cookware.
  • Save the date: A precursor to the actual wedding invitation, save-the-date cards give guests advance notice that an invitation will be coming, allowing them to reserve space in their calendar for the wedding if they choose to attend.
  • Rehearsal dinner: A chance for the couple to celebrate and socialize with their wedding party, as well as close friends and family. This event often occurs the day prior to the wedding.

Wedding Ceremony Terminology

  • Aisle: The pathway between rows of seating which the wedding processional walks down during the ceremony.
  • Altar: During weddings, the term altar generally refers to the location in which the couple stands and exchanges vows.
  • Declaration of intent: A legally required part of wedding ceremonies, the couple’s declaration of intent is a verbal affirmation of their desire to get married—oftentimes, “I do.”
  • Marriage license: A legal document signed by the couple, officiant and at least one witness which gives official permission for the couple to get married.
  • Marriage certificate: Provided after the wedding, this document shows that you and your spouse are legally married.
  • Processional: The moment in which the wedding party, in a set order, walks down the aisle. It may also refer to the music which plays during the entrance of the bride, as well as the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
  • Vows: Often written by the couple themselves, wedding vows are the promises or commitments couples make to each other during the wedding ceremony.
  • Wedding ceremony: A ritual presided over by an officiant during which rings and vows may be exchanged and a couple is officially united in matrimony.

Wedding Reception Traditions

  • Bouquet toss: A tradition which takes place during the wedding reception in which the bride tosses her bouquet over her shoulder into a crowd of single women. The assumption is that whoever catches the bouquet will be the next to get married.
  • Cake cutting: A newlywed couple jointly cuts a slice of wedding cake, after which they feed each other a bite of the cake to symbolize their commitment. 
  • First dance: The first dance of the wedding reception, shared between the newlyweds. This dance traditionally opens the floor for other guests once complete.
  • Grand entrance: When the newlyweds are introduced to their wedding guests at the beginning of the reception.
  • Grand exit: The couple’s official exit from the reception
  • Guest book: A recording of not only the names of wedding attendees, but also their well-wishes or advice for the newly married couple. 
  • Parent dance: Typically, a dance between a bride and her father and/or a groom and his mother following the first dance.
  • Reception: A celebration of the union between the newlyweds following the wedding ceremony. This event often includes food, drinks, dancing and socialization.

Members of the Wedding Party

  • Attendants: Those playing a role in the ceremony; also known as the wedding party.
  • Best man: Often a close friend of the groom. Typically the senior groomsman, the best man is in charge of keeping the groom’s side of the wedding moving smoothly.
  • Bride: A woman who is about to be married, or who has just gotten married
  • Bridegroom: A man who is about to be married, or who has just gotten married
  • Bridesmaids / Groomsmen: Friends and family members who support the bride and groom, as well as the maid / matron of honor and best man, before and during the wedding.
  • Flower girl: Often a young child, they are in charge of scattering flower petals down the aisle before the wedding.
  • Maid / Matron of honor: A maid of honor is unmarried, while a matron of honor is married. The person filling this role is often a close friend of the bride and offers support during the wedding planning period as well as the ceremony.
  • Officiant: The individual who leads the ceremony. This may be a civil officiant, religious leader, or even a friend or family member.
  • Ring bearer: Also often a young child, they are in charge of delivering the wedding rings to the couple.
  • Wedding planner: Assists couples with pre-wedding planning and ensures that the event itself runs smoothly. 

Wedding Clothing and Accessories

  • Black tie: A formal dress code, typically for events which will be held in the evening. Men are expected to wear tuxedos, while women have a little more leeway. Floor-length dresses, formal cocktail dresses and tuxedos may all be appropriate.
  • Black tie optional: While formal attire is still expected, guests have more clothing options to choose from.
  • Bouquet: A floral arrangement carried by the bride as she walks down the aisle.
  • Boutonnière: A single flower or miniature bouquet typically worn on the left lapel by male members of the wedding party.
  • Cocktail attire: Semi-formal attire; this may include a dress shirt and pants, knee-length dress, or sophisticated jumpsuit.

Bring Your Wedding Dreams to Life with The Four Columns

As a bride- or groom-to-be, knowing as many wedding terms as possible before diving into the world of the wedding industry can make all the difference in keeping the planning process running smoothly. Of course, this is not a comprehensive list of wedding terms—there are many more to consider. That is where research and asking for assistance comes in. Taking to the internet, talking to your wedding planner, and making sure that you and your vendors are on the same page can help keep stress and confusion to a minimum as you plan for your big day.

At The Four Columns, we understand that wedding planning can be an overwhelming process. There are locations to reserve, food and decorations to order, and invitations to send out—and plenty more to do besides. It is important to take advantage of assistance when the opportunity arises, and that is where we come in. Our “A Taste of The Four Columns” bridal show is an exquisite visual and culinary experience, as guests can tour our venue, sample our catering menu and meet with a variety of vendors. So if you’re looking for some wedding inspiration, or if you’d like to discuss hosting your wedding at The Four Columns, Click Here a call or RSVP for our bridal show today. 

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