Updated: Nov 23, 2020
Whilst planning your wedding you may come across some words or phrases that you are not 100% sure on what they mean. Below is a list of abbreviations, words and phrases that I have found are the most uncommon with couples planning their wedding. I hope this helps some of you!
FH - Future Husband
FW - Future Wife
BM - Best man or Bridesmaid
MOH - Maid/Matron of Honour
MOTB - Mother of the Bride
FOTB - Father of the Bride
MOTG - Mother of the Groom
FOTG - Father of the Groom
FMIL - Future Mother in Law
FFIL - Future Father in Law
FG - Flower Girl
Bustle - Fastening on the wedding dress to hold up the train. Usually used around the reception period.
Charger - A large plate that sits until the plate of food for decorative purposes. Below is a beautiful gold charger from Party Squared Weddings
Corkage fee - Fee to use the venues bar or bring in your own alcohol. Usually applies mainly to dry hire venues.
Day of Planner - Also known as on the day coordinator. This is a supplier you would hire to run the wedding day for you.
Dry hire - A - Cards that show which table each guest is sitting at. Can be used instead of a table plan. occasionally use of their tables and chairs.
Elope - Going away secretly to get married.
Escort Cards - Card that show which table each guest is sitting at. Can be used instead of a table plan.
First look - When the bride and groom see each other in their attire privately before the ceremony.
Floor plan - An birds eye view of how each space should be set up.
In house catering - Caterers that are based at the venue and sometimes a condition of you being able to use the venue is using the in house caterers.
Open Bar - Drinks paid for by bride and groom and are free for guests.
Place setting - The individual setting for each person at the table.
Pomander - Round ball of flowers usually carried by the flower girls
Receiving line - An old tradition of the bride and groom welcoming every person into the wedding breakfast. This traditionally also has both sets of parents in the line too.
Shot list - A list of formal photographs you would provide to your photographer ahead of time to make sure all family are photographed.
Sweetheart table - Table for just the bride and groom instead of a top table with parents.
Tablescape - The arrangement of the place settings, centrepieces, table numbers, and other decorations on the reception tables.
Turnaround - Some venues have a turnaround time if the wedding breakfast space is also being used for the evening reception.
Usher - Ushers (can also be groomsmen) are there to help guests to their seats in the ceremony and escort guests down the aisle.
Vendor - Another word for a supplier
Wedding breakfast - The main meal at the wedding. This is not a breakfast! It simply means your first meal as a married couple.