Wedding Jargon Unfolded

If you’re planning a wedding, you may have noticed by now that weddings speak a language of their own, especially as events took a turn this year and there are now some new and unexpected additions to our wedding glossary!

Take a look through our go-to guide for sector jargon and become an instant expert in all things wedding… 

A is for Acronym

For some this may seem like a secret code, but once you know, you know! Here are the most frequent acronyms you’re likely to come across whilst planning your wedding:

BM – Best Man or Bridesmaid

MOH – Maid of Honor

MOB – Mother of the Bride

FOB – Father of the Bride

MOG – Mother of the Groom

FOG – Father of the Groom

B is for Bridezilla

The bridal version of a prima-donna, this term has been sensationalised by many a movie. We say, it’s your day so you do you! In 10 years of Dewsall we have rarely met a Brideszilla…Groomzilla on the other hand ;) haha!

C is for Ceremony Spaces

It’s quite rare to find a venue which offers beautiful spaces for civil ceremonies and an on-site church, but that’s exactly what we have to offer here at Dewsall. you can choose from one of the many enchanting and picturesque places to say ‘I do’.

D is for Destination Wedding 

Any location where you and your guests will travel to and stay over-night. Whether you’re flying from another country or have a two-hour or two-mile drive; it’s anywhere where you can hold a unique and intimate wedding celebration for you and your guests (aka Dewsall!)

E is for Exclusive Use 

Exclusive use guarantees you the privacy of having the venue, facilities and staff to yourself, for your celebrations only. For example, Dewsall becomes your home away from home for the duration of your wedding weekend and you won’t be bumping into anybody other than your wonderful guests, your suppliers or our staff. 

F is for First Look

Some couples prefer to break the old-age traditions of not seeing each other until the I do’s and arrange a quiet moment together pre-ceremony. The ‘first look’ is also often pre-arranged with the photographer, so that they can capture the intimate and romantic moment perfectly. 

G is for Golden Hour

The dreamy, soft and golden light just before sunset that every wedding photographer hopes to capture for their clients.

H is for Hashtag

Hashtags are an efficient way to keep track of everyone’s photographs from your big day. 

You can combine your names or get creative and come up with a personalised hashtag that your guests will engage with. Don’t forget to spread the word by including it on your wedding stationery! 

I is for In-house Catering

Not every venue offers in-house catering but choosing a venue that does is a wonderful way to feel completely in control of your wedding breakfast. Feel free to take a look at our extensive range of wedding menus here. 

J is for Jewels

Did you know that traditionally for the ceremony no rings should be worn aside from the engagement ring, worn on the left hand, leaving the wedding ring finger free? Post-ceremony, the engagement ring goes back on the left hand to join the wedding ring. 

L is for Lighting (Festoons, fairy or flood!) 

Lighting is key to a magical atmosphere at your wedding. We love to use festoons, fairy lights or uplighted floods pointing up into trees in order to create an ambient glow in and around the Wainhouse. Lighting is a fantastic way to make the barn and gardens look more dramatic, welcoming and stylish.

M is for Master of Ceremonies

Unless you are hiring an official Master of Ceremonies, most announcements will either be made by your event manager or a nominated person in the group – they usually have the loudest voice and often tend to be an usher. Choose wisely!

N is for Naked Cake

A style of cake showcasing the look and texture of the cake itself, with minimal frosting or buttercream. Often festooned in gorgeous fresh flowers, which you can ask your florist to provide.

O is for Officiant

Vicar, registrar or celebrant, the officiant is the person who will officiate the wedding and send you on your way as a newly wedded couple. 

P is for Palette

Your colour palette refers to the selection of colours you choose to use for your wedding theme, influencing everything from bridal party attire and flowers to wedding stationery and table linen. Every supplier will ask you for it so it’s worth thinking about this early on in your planning process and Pinterest is a great place to get some inspiration. 

R is for Receiving Line

A tradition where the newly-weds and their parents greet and acknowledge guests individually.  Depending on guest size, this can take a while – so always let your event manager know if you’re going to be doing this so as not to delay other key elements of your day.

S is for Signature Cocktail 

Designing a cocktail either together or separately can be a perfect way to add personality to your wedding reception. If you’re thinking of doing this we highly recommend it, our well trained in-house team will be sure to help you create something spectacular. 

T is for Tablescape 

Tablescape is the official name for the way you design your dining tables. Done well, a tablescape display can set the mood for the entire event. Head over to our Pinterest for some gorgeous tablescape inspiration!

U is for Umbrella 

In an ideal world, you’d hope this word wouldn’t be associated with weddings, however, if some autumnal precipitation is forecast then brollies at the ready and include the weather in your day. If you want to go all-out country, then keep a pair of wellies to hand as well!  

Wedding 1 – Weather 0. And always remember, if it does pour, rain on your wedding day is good luck!

V if for Videography

Wedding videos are increasingly popular and a wonderful way to capture those moments that photos simply cannot. Vows, speeches, the first dance and your favourite song all safely preserved for generations to come. They are also a great idea if special family members or friends cannot be there on the day.

W is for Wedding Breakfast 

If you’re having food at your wedding, this is a phrase you need to be prepared to come across, because hearing it for the first time may throw you if you aren’t already privy to the meaning. The ‘Wedding Breakfast’ is the first meal you will share with your significant other as a newly married couple. It is one of the more traditional terms but still used today by venues, caterers and planners alike. 

Z is for Zero-Waste and Environmentally Friendly Weddings

Unfortunately, the wedding industry is one of the most wasteful of them all. Luckily, from fashion to favours, the focus is shifting to recyclable or reusable items with biodegradable confetti being a must. If going green is something you’re considering, you can also check out Still White, who offer over 51,000 pre-loved wedding dresses to fit with all kinds of budgets and we think a preloved wedding dress is an excellent way to incorporate sustainability into your day. 

COVID-Wedding Buzzwords

As events took a turn this year, there have been some new and unexpected additions to our wedding glossary. Read on for the lastest COVID-19 buzzwords from the wedding sector…

Mini-Marry / Mini-Monies

With the government’s restriction on guest list numbers, couples are opting for smaller and even more meaningful miniature ceremonies, known as mini-monies or a mini-marry.

Here at Dewsall, we are offering the chance to marry with your nearest and dearest present whilst restrictions are in place, before returning to Dewsall next year with all your guests for the party of a lifetime! 

Sequel Wedding

This term is used to refer to the time when festivities can commence and loved ones can come together for a long-awaited marriage celebration. Expect a blessing, a feast and a rocking party! 

Friends-Moon

Closest friends will be invited by the couple for a ‘friends-moon’ at their chosen venue as soon as they can, especially if the couple has opted for a 2020 mini-marry with family only. 

#LoveIsNotCancelled 

Follow this hashtag for plenty of heartwarming inspiration – a must-follow for all 2020 couples! 

Lockdown Love

The love that has kept couples strong and that has bound people together through these challenging times. A reminder that love will always win. 

Virtual Wedding

Stream your intimate wedding ceremony to your whole guest list in real-time, no matter where they are in the world! The internet offers a range of suitable streaming platforms for you to broadcast your celebrations.

#WhatAboutWeddings –  The #WhatAboutWeddings campaign has been created to highlight awareness of the critical need for assistance for the £14.7bn wedding industry. Wedding suppliers, venues and couples are paralysed as a result of the pandemic restrictions which have not been lifted in any recognisable form for weddings, and this platform provides the advice, guidance and support all parties are in need of. Visit the What About Weddings website for more information.

If you’re ever unsure about anything or have questions to ask, our team are here to assist you in planning the wedding of your dreams. 

Don’t forget, you can also stay up to date with all of our latest news, real weddings and our team’s tips and tricks by following us on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook! 

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