Bridal Dictionary - Wedding Dictionary

Bridal Dictionary - Wedding Dictionary

Alencon Lace
A needlepoint lace on a fine net background. Characterized by a heavy thread (cordonnet) outlining the design. Although usually machine made, there are instances where the cordonnet is inserted/done by hand.

A-Line
Typically refers to skirt design characterized by a flared hem and a close fitting waist, often gathered into a train.
women's clothing that has a fitted top and a flared skirt that is widest at the hemline; "it is called the A-line because the effect resembles the capital letter A"

Applique
1) Decoration or trimming cut from one piece of fabric and stitched to another, usually with a satin stitch, to add dimension and texture. If the applique occupies a significant amount of the design, the stitch count can be reduced.

2) In Schiffli embroidery, an embroidered motif is usually cut away from the base fabric and then stitched onto the finished product.

Ball Gown
A Ball gown is the female attire for social occasions where white tie is specified on the invitation. It is traditionally a full-skirted gown reaching at least to the ankles, made of luxurious fabric, delicately and exotically trimmed. Most versions are cut off the shoulder with decollete necklines. Such gowns are typically worn with a stole (a formal shawl in expensive fabric), "good" (couture or vintage) jewellery and opera-length gloves.This is considered a romantic gown - and if you are having trouble picturing it, think Cinderella.

Basque
A bodice closely fitted by seaming from the shoulder to waist, with or without a short, skirt-like continuation.

Battenberg
Coarse form of lace popular during the Renaissance, of delicate floral or geometric designs.

Beading
The beads sewn onto fabric either to form a pattern or to cover the fabric's surface completely.

Bell Sleeve
Sleeves that are narrow at the shoulder and widen at the bottom.

Blusher Veil
Called shoulder length veil, simple veiling used to cover the face before the ceremony, then removed or flipped back.

Brocade
Brocade was originally an elegant, heavy silk fabric with a floral or figured pattern woven with gold or silver thread, produced in China and Japan. Currently, any of the major textile fibers may be used in a wide range of quality and price. Brocades are typically ornate, jacquard-woven fabrics. The pattern is usually emphasized by contrasting surfaces and colors, and appears on the face of the fabric, which is distinguished easily from the back. ...

Bubble Shaped Veil
A "bubble" shaped veil in voluminous look

Bugle Beads
glass beads in Long and tubular shape

Bustle
Bustles were originally worn (in the period from 1825 to 1867) under the skirt in back, just below the waist, to keep the skirt from dragging down, especially if the fabric was heavy. Heavy fabric tended to pull the back of a skirt down and flatten it, so a petticoated or crinolined skirt would be out of shape from sitting down or just from moving. ...

Bodice
The fitted part of a dress that extends from the waist to the shoulder; a woman's laced outer garment, worn like a vest over a blouse.

Cap Sleeve
A small, short sleeve which sits on the shoulder, either forming a stiff cap or falling on to the arm to provide minimal coverage

Cathedral Train
(Also known as a monarch train); a cascading train extending six to eight feet behind the gown, for the most formal weddings.

Cathedral Veil
This term describes a tier of veiling that is approximately 126" in length (about 2.5 feet from your waist). Brides often order Cathedral Length veils detachable so that they can be removed during the reception.

Chapel Train
The most popular of all train lengths, it flows from three to four feet behind the gown.

Chapel Veil
This term describes a tier of veiling that is approximately 108" in length (about 1.5 feet from your waist). Brides often order Chapel Length veils detachable so that they can be removed during the reception.

Charmeuse
(SHAR-moose) A lightweight version of satin with a softer and more clingy look. Charmeuse is a common finish with silk or rayon and has less body than traditional silk finishes.

Chiffon
made from silk or rayon, is sheer and transparent, so it's often layered. A popular fabric for the overskirts, sheer sleeves and wraps of wedding gowns.

Comb
A bridal headpiece attached to her hair with teeth like a comb. May be as ornate as the bride wishes it to be.

Cording
Strands of twisted or woven threads stitched between two layers of material for stiffening (used in corsets at the end of c19th, and petticoats in the first half of c19th).

Corset
A form-fitting, usually strapless bodice with boning and either laces or snap closures, styled in the fashion of the ladies undergarment of the same name.

Crown
One of the things a bride may choose to wear, it is a fully circular gemstone or bead adorned head piece that is larger than both a half crown and tiara. In Greek Orthodox Christian weddings; both the bride and groom have crowns placed on their head by the Koumbaro, who then swaps the crowns between the couple three times.

Cascade
A waterfall-like spill of blooms, often composed of ivy and long-stemmed flowers, that is wired to cascade gracefully over the bride's hands.

Detachable Train
Train that can be removed .

Elbow Length Veil
veil that extends to the elbow.

Embroidery
An embellishment of a fabric or garment in which colored threads are sewn on to the fabric to create a design. Embroidery may be done either by hand or machine.

Empire
High waist that starts just below the bust line.

Fingertip Veil
This term describes a tier of veiling that is approximately 29" to 42" in length. It comes to about your fingertips.

Fishtail
A fan shaped addition to the train of a dress, popular in evening gowns a fish like train follows behind the wearer.

Gauntlet
A long sleeve featuring a generous pouf at the shoulder/upper arm, then a detachable, glove-like piece which tapers to a fitted point. Also, gloves with close-fitting hands and long, wide arms reaching almost to the elbow.

Georgette
A sheer fabric of polyester/silk with a crinkle crepe-like surface.

Halter
A sleeveless bodice with a high choke or wrap neck that may be backless.

Illusion
A gown with a yoke of sheer net and an often ornately decorated satin band, fitting snugly on the neck creating a choker effect.

Juliet Cap
This is a close fitting cap that is often decorated with precious stones sometimes worn as a brideÂ’s headpiece.

Lace
A decorative mesh of interlaced threadwork which is plaited, knotted, looped and turned to make either simple or complicated patterns and raised work. There are many different styles of lace, which has a long history of romance, and in some form or other it is very often included on a wedding gown. Alencon, Chantilly, Spanish and Venise are just a few of the many lacework types available.

Mantilla
This is a Spanish word literally meaning `little cloak'. It is a lace or tulle shawl that the bride can wear around her head and shoulders.

Mermaid
narrow gown with skirt that flares from the knee or just below it.

Natural Waist
A seam or waistband that secures or falls at the natural curve of the body, which is the indentation between the hips and the ribcage.

Neckline
The border at the throat or neck of any garment which covers the upper half of the body. Necklines can be high, modest, low, wide, narrow, scooped, rounded, plunging, off-shoulder, squared, v-shaped, or edged with lace, a collar, or other trim.

Off-the-Shoulder
falls at the pinnacle of the shoulder

Organza
A crisp, sheer, lightweight plain-weave fabric, with a medium to high yarn count, made of silk, rayon, nylon, or polyester. The fabric is used primarily in evening and wedding apparel for women.

Princess Waist
A dress style with a fitted bodice with gently flares to the skirt. Almost anyone can wear it well. It is also called an A-Line.

Ribbon
A ribbon is a thin band of flexible material, typically cloth but also plastic or sometimes metal, used primarily for binding and tying. Cloth (esp.silk) ribbons are often used in connection with dress.

Satin
a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back .

Sequins
Small round flat pieces of shiny metal or plastic sewn onto clothing to add shimmer and reflect light.

Sheath
a slim, body-hugging wedding dress silhouette.

Spaghetti Stra
p A thin tubular strap that attaches to the bodice, named for its likeness to a strand of spaghetti.

Strapless
A neckline created by an absence of sleeves (usually) and collar.

Sweep Train
short train, slightly longer than a brush train, that sweeps the floor.

Sweetheart Neckline
open neckline that begins 2 inches inside the shoulder line and is shaped like a heart.

Taffeta
A lustrous, medium weight, plain weave fabric with a slight ribbed appearance in the filling (crosswise) direction. For formal wear, taffeta is a favorite choice. It provides a crisp hand, with lots of body. Silk taffeta gives the ultimate rustle, but other fibers are also good choices.

Tiara
One of the headpiece options for the bride, a tiara is a thin jeweled semi-circular coronet with a higher front and sloping sides worn at the top of the head. Or if it is regular in height, then it may be worn at an angle.

Tiered
A skirt comprised of layers of fabric of varying lengths.

Tulle
This is a fine mesh used for bridal veils, and sometimes in wedding gowns. Tulle is either made from nylon, silk or rayon (artificial silk).

V-Neck
An open yoke coming to a "V" shape midway down the bodice.

Wreath
A circle of flowers and / or leaves that is often decorated with ribbons and bows. Wreaths are generally used as a centerpiece of a decorated area, or are seen above doorways. A small wreath may also be worn by the bride atop her head, if she so wishes. It may also be referred to as a garland though there are differences.

Bridal Dictionary - Wedding Dictionary