Wedding Lingo - our A-Z guide
The wedding world has a whole other language! You might have thought the potential language barrier would be the Italian; but if you’re not up to speed on the old wedding lingo, you might find yourself a little confused!
Let’s get fluent in wedding…
Photo: Georgia Verrells
A
Aperitif - The traditionally Italian drinks enjoyed pre-meal. Popular options include Spritz, Bellini, Negroni or a simple Prosecco is always a winner
Antipasto - Small portions of food served before the main meal, often as a buffet whilst your guests enjoy the aperitif.
B
Boutonnière - Worn on a man’s left lapel (over his heart), these are small floral posies or single flowers. Also known as a buttonhole.
Bustle - This ingenious piece of dressmaker magic will help you hitch up the train of your dress for ease of movement and dancing freedom. Normally ribbons or buttons, which your dress maker can add if you need.
Brindisi - An Italian word, meaning to make a toast.
Bomboniere - Another Italian word, meaning your wedding favours.
C
Charger - A fancy word for the plate which sits under your dinner plate. It tends to be decorative in style to act as part of the table decor and is not eaten on.
Coordinator - A person or team to come onboard for the day of your wedding to organise all elements of the day. Normally you brief them a few weeks before, so they have the chance to liaise with suppliers / venue etc.
Commission - Some wedding planners, suppliers and venues have relationships where by the supplier or venue might kickback some money to the planner, for example, for getting them the job. Read more about this here.
Cin cin - Cheers in Italian.
Confetti - Confusing as this may be, this is an Italian word meaning favours. Wedding favours are an Italian tradition and serving sugared almonds in bowls at the end of the night is a classic Italian custom.
D
Dinner - In Italy, this is the seated part. You may have antipasti at the table, followed by your Primi Piatti, then Secondi. Then, if your stomach can handle it, the dolce and wedding cake! Want to know more about the Italian courses?
E
Pre/ Post wedding event - event after event is common at Italian weddings. Pre-wedding you might throw a pizza night, organise wine tasting or tour round local olive groves. Post-wedding, think chilled vibes - pool party, gelato and a whole load of reminiscing!
Elopement - Don’t think sneaky get-away; these days elopements are intimate, stunning and utterly unique.
Photo: Lee Allison
F
Favour - You can spoil your guests with treats to take home after the wedding. Whether you choose something from your home country, something traditionally Italian or perhaps just sack off the favours and have everyone do a limoncello shot after the speeches! Check out our fav favours!
First look - We love this! Catching a moment pre-ceremony for a quick bride and groom only time. Nerves and anticipation too much? Then take some time together, do a spin in your dress and calm those wedding nerves together. It’s still a big reveal, just privately.
First Dance - Again, not keen on being centre-stage, then have a private dance just the two of you. Knowing Italian venues, there is sure to be somewhere completely magical for this moment.
G
Gift List - With destination weddings, it’s tricky to ask guests for presents on top of the money they have paid for the trip!
Guest Book - Have a beautiful book out for guests to pop down their wishes and wise words for you both. We love when polaroids are stuck in too.
Gelato - Ice cream, but not like you’ve ever tasted before!
Glass - The breaking of a glass intentionally by the couple as another Italian tradition.
H
Wedding Hashtag - What is a wedding these days without a social media hashtag! Get guests snapping and tagging so you have these epic photos all in one space for all to swoon over.
I
Installation - Think ceremony arches, floral walls and hanging chandeliers dripping with flowers. All have that wow-factor.
J
Jitters - For some walking out or dancing in front of a whole crowd of guests might bring on those butterflies. Consider a first look between you and your partner before the ceremony to calm each other. Or have a private first dance - secluded and intimate.
Videographer: Roo Films
K
Kids - Children may not be even on your radar for your wedding, but here is some helpful tips on how to handle making that decision.
L
Limoncello - A traditional Italian liquor made from lemons. A perfect post-dinner digestif - must be served ice cold - cin cin!
M
Master of Ceremonies - The big MC, the person you who will choose to announce dinner, introduce the speeches, call for an epic cheer as you enter the dinner as Mr & Mrs! Choose someone reliable and who doesn’t mind projecting their voice or standing on a chair to get everyone’s attention!
Menu Cards - These come from your stationery suite and will include the menu for the dinner.
Millefoglie - Think layers on layers of flaky puff pastry, perfectly whipped cream and berries, lemon curd (or any other filling which tantalises those tastebuds!) Oh, it is a beauty for sure!
Moodboard - Get on Pinterest and pin down those styling goals. Better yet, check out our Moodboard Monthly for sensational ideas.
N
Negroni - Again, Italy delivers on the drinks! A classic Italian cocktail served over ice and made from gin, Vermouth Rosso and Campari.
Naked Cake - You guessed it…a cake without the icing or fuss around it. Decorated with berries or flowers this is exquisite!
O
Order of Service/ of the day - Order of Service is the little book which tells guests how your ceremony will run. It might include names of friends or family doing a reading and might even include your written vows. Order of the day tends to be a canvas or board which will inform guests the detailed timings of your entire wedding day.
Officiant - Someone who has been ordained to carry out wedding ceremonies and can legally marry you both.
Open Bar - ‘Drinks on me’! Well on you both for your guests to enjoy a paid bar for the whole wedding or part of. Our suggestion at destination weddings would be to have a free bar for your guests to enjoy.
P
Pillar candles - These candles stand on their own and don’t need a candlestick / candelabra
Processional - The music played during the brides walk down the aisle.
Petali - An Italian word meaning petal and used as confetti. Stunning in photos when real rose petals are used.
Q
Quiet moments - Be sure to plan some of these in for the two of you. Your day will be full of energy and everyone will want some time with you, but don’t miss the time together.
R
Recessional - The music played as you walk back up the aisle past all your guests officially Mr & Mrs. Pressures on to make it a good song!
Receiving line (with a twist) - as you leave the ceremony, you greet all your guests as they exit.
Rice - Traditionally thrown over the bride and groom as they are just married. Let’s be honest who wants a load of rice chucked at them, so perhaps consider a small amount in with the petali - to bring good luck.
S
Spritz - A bright orange drink made from Prosecco, aperol, soda water. Served cold and delicious! An absolute aperitif for an Italian wedding!
Stationery - The suite of invitations, save the dates, menus, seating cards which you will have designed. Bespoke or not, there are some fab options out there.
Show cooking - Whether it be mozzarella made in front of you, cured meats carved as guests watch. Or the epic Millefoglie prepped in bellavista. Your caterers will know how to put on a show!
Salud - Another Italian word and a toast meaning ‘to good health’.
T
Tapered candles - Long, thin candles which need to be placed into candlesticks or candelabras.
Tablescape - The entire design of your table(s), from the cutlery, the flowers, plates, candles and any decor pieces. Now to choose a style!
Table Plan - Perhaps one of the hardest things to sort - where everyone will sit! Consider the shapes of your tables, whether you are wanting a top table etc. We just love long tables whilst the bride and groom sitting amongst everyone.
U
Umbrella - We don’t doubt you know what this word means, but did you know it does rain in Italy! So get a wet weather plan sorted and perhaps purchase some of these saviours just in case!
Photo: Sam Docker
V
Vendor meal - Consider your vendors/suppliers and make sure they have food and drink. It will be a long day for them.
Videographer - This person is solely responsible for film on your day. Sometimes a photographer and videographer come as a team but if not, make sure they have met and discussed where each of them needs to be on the day to capture those unforgettable shots.
W
Welcome hamper - For destination weddings it is common to provide arriving guests with a small welcome bag / hamper. Thoughtful local products for their stay and to keep are great here - pasta, traditional sweets, straw hats and personalised totes.
Wedding Planner - From the start of your planning, booking venues, suppliers, menu tastings, invitations and guest comms, all the way to the end of the night and a wedding planner will orchestrate it all (NB: check with individual WP as to what their services include.)
Wedding Stylist - A super talented person who comes and styles your day. From the table, the flowers, lights, candles, to the menu and the music, ensuring every guest has a multi-sensoral experience.
X
(E)Xtreme heat - Okay, we cheated slightly with this one, but Italy gets hot! Do plan for this by getting married later in the day, having parasols, fans, water for guests.
Y
You - Remember this day is about the two of you!
Z
Zen - Take time to find it as the wedding day approaches.
Zzzzz - You deserve some shut-eye after all that partying! See you at the post-wedding pool party!
Feeling fluent in the language of weddings? Check out our Youtube channel to learn everything else you need to know to have the best Italian wedding ever.
Written by Emily Jennings, marketing person and wedding day-dreamer; lover of a boho vibe and a wedding night filled with a thousand lights.
