Wedding Event Dictionary
Understand the words, customs and moments that shape your wedding day.
Wedding traditions, explained
Browse 165 glossary entries across 13 guides, with practical notes for planning wedding photography and video. Explore heritage guides, ceremony types, private exchanges and reception moments. Customs vary by family, faith, region and officiant.
Find your guide
These terms introduce a Catholic ceremony and one Italian celebration custom. Italian heritage does not determine religion; civil, secular and other religious weddings follow their own plans.
The Portuguese terms below describe parts of a Catholic marriage celebration. They are not customs exclusive to Portuguese families. Your faith, parish, language and personal choices determine the ceremony.
These terms describe customs found in traditional Jewish weddings. Practice varies across communities, levels of observance and families. Your rabbi or officiant can explain the ceremony you are planning.
The five terms below introduce a Greek Orthodox marriage service. Greek heritage and Orthodox faith are not interchangeable; civil, secular and other religious ceremonies may be very different.
Indian weddings encompass many religions, regions and languages. The Hindu and Sikh terms below belong to different traditions; they should not be treated as one universal ceremony.
Canadian and non-denominational wedding traditions
Canadian couples draw on many cultures and faiths. These general planning terms describe choices often discussed for personal or non-denominational weddings; none is required or uniquely Canadian.
Spanish heritage and Spanish-language weddings are not a single tradition. These terms introduce a Catholic ceremony; customs vary between Spain, Spanish-speaking communities and individual families.
These terms describe customs included in some Filipino Catholic or Christian weddings. They are not part of every Filipino wedding. Discuss the ceremony sequence and permitted customs with your officiant.
Ukrainian family customs and church traditions are distinct. The Orthodox terms below introduce one form of church marriage, alongside the cultural tradition of wedding bread. Ukrainian Catholic and other ceremonies need their own confirmed sequence.
Ceremonies and personal moments
Catholic wedding ceremony guide
Understand the parts of a Catholic wedding, with or without Mass, and plan respectful photography and video coverage with your parish.
Personal wedding ceremony traditions
A glossary of optional rituals and spoken moments for personal, secular and non-denominational ceremonies. Choose the elements that belong to your own wedding.
First looks, private vows and quiet wedding moments
Plan the exchanges before the ceremony that you want remembered, including moments you choose to keep private.
Wedding reception and family moments
A glossary of personal tributes, surprises and celebrations that can shape the story of your wedding film and photographs.
Plan your own sequence
Tell us which events you are including, who is participating and when each moment takes place. A ceremony or celebration can unfold over several minutes; a meaningful reaction may last only a second. Sharing the sequence helps us anticipate both.
More than one heritage
Mixed-heritage and interfaith weddings can bring several traditions together. You can use more than one guide and leave out anything that does not belong to your day.