As mentioned in my free eBook post, I am getting married this weekend. In fact, tomorrow (and on Saturday). So for today (and I’ll put this here in lieu of a Twitter vocab blast tomorrow), I’ll round off this week’s blog with a brief wedding vocabulary list. Here’s some of the common English words associated with weddings, with definitions and example sentences:
- proposal – when the man asks the woman to marry him – His proposal was a grand romantic gesture. (also note to propose, the act of asking for marriage)
- engagement – the period between deciding to marry and the wedding – Their engagement lasted only 2 months. (also note engaged – when you are to be married)
- engagement ring – a ring showing the woman has accepted a marriage proposal (sometimes also worn by a man)– She had a huge diamond in her engagement ring.
- fiancée – someone who has agreed to be married – While they were engaged, she was a doting fiancée. (also note bride-to-be)
- bride – the female partner in a wedding – The bride should always be the most beautiful woman on the day.
- groom – the male partner in a wedding – The groom did little to help prepare the ceremony.
- register – the book where the marriage is officially recorded – They signed the register after the ceremony. (also note registrar – the official who signs the book)
- wedding rings – bands that are exchanged during the wedding ceremony – They had simple wedding rings, made from precious metals.
- best man – the groom’s main aide – It was difficult to choose a best man because the groom had so many friends.
- maid of honour – the bride’s main aide – The maid of honour did all the work for this wedding.
- bridesmaids – the women who support the bride in the ceremony – The bridesmaids all wore matching dresses.
- groomsmen – the men who support the groom in the ceremony – The groomsmen were a rowdy bunch, but they did a good job.
- flower girl – a girl who carries the bouquet for the bride – The flower girl looked sweet, following the bride.
- page – a boy who helps in the wedding ceremony, sometimes carrying the ring or the bride’s gown – He was asked to be a page, because he was too young to be a groomsman.
- ring bearer – someone who carries the rings – The best man was the designated ring bearer.
- to be given away – when a family member delivers the bride to the groom – Her father gave her away.
- walk down the aisle – the bride’s entrance to the ceremony, also generally used as a synonym for getting married – You’ve been engaged for years, when are you going to walk down the aisle?
- welcome drinks – drinks provided as people arrive to the wedding – The bride’s father paid for hundreds of wedding drinks.
- bouquet – the bunch of flowers carried (and later thrown) by the bride – Whoever catches the bouquet will be the next to marry!
- reception – the party following the wedding ceremony – The reception lasted for six hours, with food and dancing.
- toasts/speeches – speeches given about the bride and groom – The best man gave a hilarious speech about the groom.
- toastmaster – someone who makes announcements and organises schedules during the reception – Her brother acted as toastmaster.
- cold feet / jitters – to become afraid to marry – I thought she had cold feet, but she was just late for the ceremony.
- newlyweds – a couple who have recently married – The newlyweds bought a house together.
- just married – an expression used to label newlyweds, usually seen in a car
- honeymoon – the holiday taken by the married couple after the wedding – They went to Thailand for their honeymoon.
