Read these 210 Glossary Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Wedding tips and hundreds of other topics.
Empire: A waistline that starts just below the bust. An empire waistline can run straight across or curve down the sides to hit the small of the back.
Fish bowl: a centerpiece in which flowers are arranged in a glass bowl
Juliet Cap: a skullcap (small round cap), often set with pearls or other gems, worn by women for semiformal or bridal wear. Usually decorated with pearls or semi-precious stones.
Madonna veil: a veil that falls just below the chin and is worn at informal weddings. Also known as a birdcage veil.
Presentation: flowers with long stems arranged so that the bouquet is
cradled in the bride's arms (think beauty pageant).
Collar Necklace: a necklace consisting of three or more strands of pearls fitting snugly around the neck, this style looks good with low necklines.
Trumpet: Dress silhouette that is form-fitting over the bust, waist and hips and then flares out at the top of the thigh. Fuller at the bottom then an A-line. Not the same as a mermaid style that flares out lower at the knee.
Crown: similar to a tiara, but is a full circle rather than a half-circle. It sits on your head and is usually decorated with rhinestones, beads or pearls. Looks especially good with short hairstyles.
Blusher: A short, single layer of veil material, it's usually worn over your face during the wedding ceremony and then flipped back over your hair when you kiss.
Sheath: a modern dress silhouette with a narrow skirt that is form-fitting through the torso.
Illusion: fine netting used for veils, headpieces, and on the sleeves and necklines of dresses.
Opera Glove: featuring 16 buttons, this glove is worn only at formal weddings, and usually with strapless or sleeveless or spaghetti-strap-style gowns. It goes all the way up to the upper part of your bicep.
Alencon: A mesh lace background that has been re-embroidered to outline the pattern. Traditionally used in wedding gowns, this lace usually has a scalloped border that can be used as an accent and along the hem.
Girdle: The outer edge or the widest part of the diamond forming a band around the stone.
Glimmer: Sheer or opaque hose which have high reflection properties from the yarn, mainly from a trilobal yarn which gives the glimmer effect by reflecting the light.
Basque waistline: A waistline that is below the waist and dips down to a point in the front
Ballet: A veil that falls somewhere between the knee and the ankle. Also known as a Waltz veil.
Cathedral: The most formal veil, it's usually three and a half yards long. Also known as the ‘royal veil.'
Cummerbund: These are pleated swatches of silk or satin worn around the waist and covering the trouser's waistband.
Full Dress Jacket: Usually worn at very formal weddings (read: evening), these jackets are short in front and have two long tails in the back.
Short Glove: good for semi-formal or informal weddings. The end of the glove falls an inch or two above your wrist and is perfect paired with a long-sleeved dress. They often have one button, but there are two-button and four-button styles that end somewhere between your wrist and your elbow.
Notched lapel: A triangular indentation is cut where the lapel joins the collar; the least formal lapel style.
Garden: an airy floral arrangment featuring abstract wildflowers such as lisianthus, hollyhock, rambling roses, and foxglove.
Flyaway: a less formal veil, it has multiple layers and reaches just to the bride's shoulders.
Gore skirt: Nope, this has nothing to do with Al Gore! It's a flared skirt that is fitted at the waist and full at the hem. There are no gathers or pleats at the top. All the fullness comes from the shape of the panels. A gore skirt has more flare than an A-line in the front.
Tiffany: A simple 2-3mm ring setting with a head that holds a single diamond.
Boutonniere: A single bloom or one or more buds worn by men on the lapel
of their jackets. Usually worn by grooms, attendants, ushers, and the bride's
and groom's fathers.
Cascade: resembles a cascade or waterfall with the flowers flowing downward
in a free-flowing, loose appearance. Traditionally made using white flowers
such as roses, stephanotis, and white or calla lilies.
Tussy Mussy: a silver carrying cone for flowers made popular in Victorian
times, often used by brides to carry a nosegay-type nosegay.
Leg o' Mutton Sleeves: sleeves that are very full at the shoulder and narrow to become very fitted at the forearm.
Detatchable train: An extension of fabric that attaches to the wedding gown to make a trailing extension of the gown. It can then be detached at the reception to avoid bustling the dress.
Extended Cathedral: extends 12 feet or more from the waist. Also known as a monarch train.
Wing collar: A band that encircles the neck with turned-down points in front. The most formal choice and the collar style most often worn with tuxedo jackets.
Poet sleeve: A sleeve that is fitted at the top and fuller at the bottom, where it is gathered into a cuff.
Sweetheart neckline: A neckline that dips in "Valentine" fashion to the bustline.
Blemish: An imperfection on the exterior of a diamond, such as a scratch or chip.
Wreath: A ring of flowers or other decorative materials that can function
as centerpiece, headpiece, or door hanger.
Halter Neckline: a neckline that scoops down in front and ties behind the neck, leaving the arms bare. Think of Marilyn Monroe's white dress from The Seven Year Itch.
Reinforced: The stress areas such as the toe or panty portion have been strengthened with yarns of heavier weight.
Strapless: A bodice style that comes around from under the arms. Can be straight across in the front or in a sweetheart style.
Waltz: A veil that falls somewhere between the knee and the ankle. Also known as a Ballet veil.
Gum paste: A paste made from powdered sugar, starch and soaked gum tragacanth
that is used to make realistic-looking fruits and flowers for cake garnishes.
Gum paste decorations are edible and will last for a long time if you want to
keep them but they don't taste as good as marzipan.
Dotted swiss: A piping technique for cake frosting that makes tiny dots
in patterns that resemble a dotted swiss fabric.
Sleeve band: A bodice style that has a band of fabric extending up from the bodice, going around the top of the arm. In some designs, this can be used in place of a sleeve.
Satin-Back Shantung: A reversible fabric with a slightly irregular surface on one side and a high luster satin on the other. Available in silk and polyester.
Taped and wired: a technique for arranging flowers used to make them
easier to maneuver. The head of a flower is cut from the stem and attached to
a wire, which is then wrapped with floral tape.
Body Shapers: Term used to describe sheer or opaque hosiery providing more support and control in the panty and thigh portion of the garment, with maximum support for stomach, hips, thighs, and butt.
Knee Highs: Short hosiery that comes up to just below the knee. They are styled with elastic tops and stay up without the help of garters.
Fountain: a veil that is gathered at the crown of the head to create a cascading effect around the face, it usually falls to the shoulders or fingerips.
Elbow Glove: ends just above or just below your elbow, and can have six, eight, or ten buttons.
Crepe-Back Satin: A lightly textured reversible fabric with crepe on one side and a high luster satin on the other. Very slinky and flows well.
GIA: Gemological Institute of America, an organization that sets and upholds standards for grading diamonds and other precious stones.
Modified sheath: Dress silhouette that is form-fitting through the torso. It is narrow in the front of the skirt, like the sheath, but flares out below the hips in the back to finish in a small train.
Sheer-to-Waist: Pantyhose without visible panty line or reinforcement in the panty portion. It is an all-sheer garment from waist to toe.
Color: Grading color in the normal range involves deciding how closely a stone's bodycolor approaches colorlessness. Most diamonds have at least a trace of yellow or brown bodycolor. With the exception of some natural fancy colors, such as blue, pink, purple, or red, the colorless grade is the most valuable. One of the four C's of diamonds.
Topiary: Flowers or foliage trained and trimmed into geometric shapes,
often resembling miniature trees or animals.
Buttercream: A light, creamy frosting made with softened butter, confectioners'
sugar, egg yolks and milk or light cream. This uncooked frosting is beaten until
light and creamy. It can be flavored and colored in many ways and is used both
as a filling and frosting. It's very smooth and stays soft so it's easy to cut
through, but may melt in very hot or humid weather.
Bateau Neckline: a neckline that goes straight across the shoulders with just a small dip in the front. Also known as a boat neckline.
Fitted sleeve: A close fitting sleeve with no fullness or pouf at the top. There are various lengths: cap, short, above elbow, below elbow, ¾ length, and long.
Round Brilliant Cut: the most common cut of diamond, containing 58 facets. Also the most brilliant cut, in terms of most efficient use of light to increase brilliance and fire, hence the name.
Opaque: Stockings or pantyhose made of yarn which give them heavier, less see-thru appearance.
Sheers: Hosiery that is see-through; dress sheers are hosiery to be worn for daytime glamour. Evening sheers are hosiery to be worn for special occasions.
Sandaltoe: This is a nude toe, meaning no heavier yarn in the toe than is in the leg. Good to wear with open-toed shoes.
Floor length: the dress's hemline falls 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches from the floor.
Duchess Satin: A low luster satin with medium body. An elegant construction that is resistant to wrinkles and is machine washable. Available in polyester.
Royal icing: a mixture of confectioners' sugar and egg whites, it's
a frosting that dries hard. It is often used to make filigree, beading and flower
designs, and should not be refrigerated.
Cutaway: Jacket which tapers from the front waist button to a long, wide back tail; accessories include a wing-collar shirt with an ascot and a coordinating vest. Worn by the groom for formal daytime weddings, they're usually gray or black and come with matching striped trousers.
Fingerless Glove: can be either long or short, and is good for when you're putting on those rings (you don't have to take off your glove or cut a slit in the finger).
Boat Neckline: a neckline that goes straight across the shoulders with just a small dip in the front. Also known as a bateau neckline.
Backpiece: a comb or a barrette that goes on the back of your head. The veil then attaches to the backpiece.
Chantilly: Delicate bobbin lace of scrolls and florals on a soft mesh background, often with scalloped edges. Good for all-over use on bodices and sleeves when a soft, romantic look is desired.
Sweep: the shortest dress train, it goes back 8 to 12 inches after touching the floor.
Ultra Sheer: The sheerest possible hosiery made with a fine denier fiber which gives the ultimate in sheerness.
Half Crown: similar to a tiara but taller, it's a half-circle decorated with rhinestones or other jewels.
Nosegay: Round in shape and usually smaller than the other styles, it's
made using flowers all cut to the same length and usually made with one dominant
flower or color. They're often wrapped with ribbon or lace.
Light Support: Pantyhose made with a low denier spandex in the leg to give light compression.
Graduated Support: support hosiery that's more comfortable because there are no sudden changes in the tightness of the spandex going up and down the leg.
Morning Coat: Jacket which tapers from the front waist button to a long, wide back tail; accessories include a wing-collar shirt with an ascot and a coordinating vest. Worn by the groom for formal daytime weddings, they're usually gray or black and come with matching striped trousers.
Certified Diamond: diamond that has been graded based on an internationally accepted system for color, clarity, cut and carat weight. The grading is performed by an independent gemmological organization, and the certificate details all of the characteristics that the diamond possesses, including and estimated retail replacement value for insurance purposes.
Off-shoulder: A bodice style that stops just below the shoulder. Different neckline variations include: straight, straight with notch in center, curved, sweetheart, and v-neck.
Bow tie: A short tie shaped like a bow that can be worn with a wing or laydown collar. Most bow ties adjust to fit al neck sizes and are available in a variety of widths, colors, and patterns to match the vest or cummerbund, though black is classiest and doesn't scream ‘high school prom'. Be sure to get a real bow tie and not a clip-on.
Jewel Neckline: a high neckline that follows the natural shape of the shoulders and neck.
Monarch: extends 12 feet or more from the waist. Also known as an extended cathedral train.
Cloud: A group of tiny white inclusions that result in a milky or cloudy appearance.
Classic Hand-Tied Bouquet: gives the illusion of a "just picked" bouquet
of flowers anchored in a bouquet holder, wired, or hand-tied.
Four-in-hand Tie: A standard, long, knotted necktie worn with a laydown collar. Also known as a necktie.
Wreath: a circle of flowers, twigs, foliage, and/or ribbon that sits on the crown of the head. Also known as a garland.
Pomander: A bloom-covered ball suspended from a ribbon, sometimes carried
by flower girls instead of the usual basket of flowers.
Control Top: Pantyhose with spandex in the top for soft girdle or "control" effect for thighs, stomach and hips.
Cut: The proportions and finish of a polished diamond (also called make). Cut can also mean shape, as in emerald cut or marquise cut. Proportions are the size and angle relationships between the facets and different parts of the stone. Finish includes polish and details of facet shape and placement. One of the four C's of diamonds.
Thigh-Highs: Stockings that just reach the thigh and are held up by elastomer bands; can also be worn with a garter belt.
Dais: a flower arrangement at the head table that usually hangs over
the front of the table.
Band Collar: collar that stands up around the neck and above the buttons; this is the most contemporary style.
Snood: a netlike hat or part of a hat that encases the hair in the back, often made of lace or knitting.
Crosswyck: This collar style crosses in front and is fastened with a shiny button.
Bias cut: 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.
Mantilla: A long, Spanish-style circular or triangular piece of lace that is draped over the bride's head. It's usually made of lace or lace and tulle and is held in place with a comb.
Gemologist: someone who has been trained and certified in diamonds and colored stones.
Crown: The top of a diamond above the girdle. Consists of a large flat area on top called a table, and several facets below it.
Sleeveless: A bodice style that doesn't have any attached sleeves. This style may end cut-in from the shoulder, on the shoulder, or dropping down slightly off the shoulder.
Beidermeier: A nosegay made up of concentric circles of different flowers for a striped effect of rings (think of an archery target).
Slubs: the knotty bumps that can be found on natural silk. Often fabric will be referred to as 'slubby.'
Ball gown: a tight, fitted bodice and definite waistline with a gathered or pleated full skirt.
Mandarin collar: A collar that stands up around the neck and above the buttons; this is the most contemporary style.
Juliet fitted sleeves: a tightly fitted sleeve with a small pouf at the shoulder.
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.
Piping: Decorative details on a cake made using frosting with a pastry
bag and frosting tips. They include flowers, borders, leavers and basket-weave
patterns.
Fondant: A sweet, elastic icing made of sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin that's literally rolled out with a rolling pin and draped over a cake. It's a smooth, firm base for gum paste flowers, decorative details, and architectural designs, and has a porcelain finish. A fondant cake should not be refrigerated.
Choker Necklace: a single strand of pearls worn around the collar; the most classic style of pearl necklace, it looks good with a jewel or bateau neckline.
Baguette: a diamond in the shape of a small rectangular stone. May be tapered at one end.
Gauntlet Glove: not as much a glove as it is a long sleeve that goes from wrist to elbow, not even covering the hand. Sometimes they'll come to a point on the back of your hand.
Pocket Square: A small pocket handkerchief tucked into the left breast pocket worn by groomsmen instead of a boutonniere.
Double Tier: A veil of two layers (either two veils or a veil and a blusher), usually of different lengths.
Girdle Top: Pantyhose with a sewn-on girdle, for the firmest possible tummy control.
Birdcage veil: a veil that falls just below the chin and is worn at informal weddings. Also known as a Madonna veil.
Duchesse:lace with floral designs using a lot of raised work with irregularly shaped spaces between designs.
Chapel: A formal veil that extends to the floor, the chapel veil is usually seven or eight feet long. Often paired with a blusher veil or another shorter veil.
Suspenders: Two supporting bands worn over the shoulders to support the trousers. They can coordinate, in color or pattern, with a cummerbund.
Composite: A handmade bouquet in which different petals or buds are
wired together on a single stem, creating the illusion of one giant flower.
Beaded alencon lace: A re-embroidered mesh lace with pearls and sequins sewn onto the lace.
Ankle length: a dress that just barely reveals the ankles, a tad shorter than floor length.
Band Neckline: a high neckline that circles the neck like a turtleneck but shorter.
Whipped cream: Heavy cream beaten until very thick, it's not a good
choice for frosting since it has to be refrigerated and can easily melt.
Basketweave: A cake frosting technique that features interweaving vertical
stripes and horizontal lines of frosting to look like a wicker basket).
Decolletage Neckline: a deep, plunging neckline that reveals the decolletage.
Wide satin band: A decorative accent that uses a wider band of satin on the skirts hem.
GIA: Gemological Institute of America, an organization that sets and upholds standards for grading diamonds and other precious stones.
Halter bodice: A bodice style that has a band that fastens in the back of the neck, but leaves a lot of the back bare. Necklines for this style include round, v-neck, curved v-neck, square, curved square, and sweetheart.
Latticework: A cake frosting technique that criss-crosses with an open
pattern.
Firm Support: Support pantyhose that give more support because heavier weights of spandex are used.
Cap Sleeves: the shortest sleeve style, it usually covers only the shoulder, though off-shoulder dresses sometimes also have small cap sleeves.
Seamless: Stockings knit in one operation on circular machines (one continuous operation) so that there is no seam up the back.
Iridescent Taffeta: A shiny fabric that changes color from different angles and feels crispy. Looks good with velvet and in full dresses.
Pulled sugar: A technique in which boiled sugar is pulled and stretched
to produce flowers, ribbons and bows.
Queen Anne Neckline: a neckline that's high in back and sides of neck, curving to a center front point
Clarity: A stone's relative position on a flawless to imperfect scale, and one of the four C's of diamonds. Clarity characteristics are classified as inclusions (internal) or blemishes (external). The size, number, position, nature, and color or relief of characteristics determine the clarity grade. Very few diamonds are flawless.
Peaked lapel: A broad V-shaped lapel that points up and out just below the collar line.
Stroller: For formal daytime weddings, attendants wear the stroller/walking coat, which is usually charcoal gray and is cut slightly longer than a suit jacket. This jacket is worn with a lay-down collar shirt and a four-in-hand tie.
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