Glossary
Wedding words, explained.
Every tradition has its own language. Here's a plain-English guide to the events, rituals and terms you'll come across.
Hindu
- Mandap
- The decorated canopy under which the Hindu wedding ceremony (Vivah) takes place, where the couple performs the sacred rites.
- Baraat
- The groom's joyful procession to the wedding venue, with music and dancing, where he is welcomed by the bride's family.
- Vivah
- The Hindu wedding ceremony itself, held at the mandap, including the exchange of garlands and the pheras around the sacred fire. We call it the Mandap ceremony in your plan, so the name is recognisable to everyone you share it with.
- Mehndi
- A celebration where henna is applied to the bride and her guests in intricate designs, usually the evening before the wedding.
- Haldi
- A pre-wedding ritual where turmeric paste is blessed onto the couple for good luck and glowing skin.
- Sangeet
- A lively evening of music, dance and performances from both families before the wedding.
- Roka
- The formal engagement of a Hindu couple, where the two families commit to the match.
- Vidaai
- The bride's emotional farewell as she leaves her family home to begin married life.
Sikh
- Anand Karaj
- The Sikh marriage ceremony, meaning 'blissful union', held at the Gurdwara in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib.
- Laava
- The four hymns sung during the Anand Karaj; the couple circles the Guru Granth Sahib once for each.
- Milni
- The warm meeting of the two families on the wedding morning, usually with garlands and breakfast, before the ceremony.
- Langar
- The community meal served free to all guests at the Gurdwara after the ceremony.
- Maiyan
- A turmeric paste blessing applied to the bride or groom at home in the days before a Sikh wedding.
- Doli
- The bride's farewell as she departs with her new family after a Sikh wedding.
Muslim
- Nikah
- The Islamic marriage contract and ceremony, where the couple give consent before witnesses and the nikah-nama is signed.
- Mahr
- A gift given by the groom to the bride as part of the marriage contract, agreed between the families.
- Walima
- The reception feast that follows the Nikah, traditionally hosted by the groom's family.
- Rukhsati
- The moment the bride departs with her husband after the Nikah.
- Mehndi
- A henna night for the bride and her guests before a Muslim wedding, often with music and celebration.
- Dholki
- An evening of drumming, singing and celebration in the run-up to a Muslim wedding.
Jewish
- Chuppah
- The canopy under which a Jewish couple is married, symbolising the home they will build together.
- Ketubah
- The Jewish marriage contract, setting out the couple's commitments, signed and witnessed before the chuppah.
- Bedeken
- The veiling of the bride, which takes place before the chuppah ceremony.
- Sheva Brachot
- The seven blessings recited over the couple during the ceremony and again at the festive meal.
- Yichud
- The couple's first private moments together immediately after the chuppah ceremony.
- Hora
- The celebratory circle dance at a Jewish wedding reception, often with the couple lifted on chairs.
Greek Orthodox
- Stefana
- The two wedding crowns, joined by a single ribbon, that the priest places on the couple, marking them as king and queen of their home and their shared self-sacrifice. Kept afterwards, often displayed at home in a stefanothíki case.
- Mystirion tou Gamou
- The Orthodox Sacrament of Marriage: a priest-led, sung service with no spoken vows, made up of the betrothal (the blessing of the rings) and the crowning (the stefana).
- Koumbaros
- The wedding sponsor (koumbáros / koumbára), a spiritual role: they provide the crowns and candles and perform the three ring and crown exchanges in the ceremony, and traditionally become godparent to the couple's first child.
- Koufeta
- Sugared almonds given to guests, always in an odd (indivisible) number, usually five, one each for health, wealth, happiness, children and long life. The bitter almond and sweet sugar stand for the bitter and sweet of married life.
- Bomboniera
- The Greek wedding favour: koufeta wrapped in tulle or a small box, given to each guest as a keepsake and thank-you. Traditionally served from a silver tray (dískos).
- Dance of Isaiah
- The 'Isaḯa chóreve', the couple's first steps as a married pair, led by the priest three times around the ceremony table for the Holy Trinity.
- Krevati
- The making of the marriage bed before the wedding, when family shower the new bed with money, koufeta, rice and rose petals for prosperity and fertility. In Greek Cypriot weddings it is a large, invited event in its own right.
- Stolisma
- The Greek Cypriot wedding-morning dressing ceremony: the couple are dressed and blessed before church, including the tying of the red zóni sash three times for protection and fertility.
- Resi
- A traditional Greek Cypriot wedding dish of cracked wheat slow-cooked in meat broth, prepared in great cauldrons by the village and served at the feast as a symbol of abundance.
Western & civil
- Wedding breakfast
- The main seated meal after the ceremony, with speeches. Despite the name it is not a morning meal.
- Drinks reception
- The gap after the ceremony where guests enjoy canapés and drinks while the couple has photos taken.
- Order of the day
- A short running order shared with guests and suppliers so everyone knows where to be and when.
- Giving notice
- The legal step of registering your intention to marry at your local register office, usually at least 29 days ahead.