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RK Bridal’s Bridal Industry Glossary

A-line - or Princess gowns have vertical seams flowing from the shoulders down to a flared skirt 

Antebellum Waist - Dress has natural waistline that dips two inches to a point in the center front. 

B2B - Bride-to-be.

Ball gown - or ballerina gown, is the most traditional wedding gown. It has a full bodice and a synched waistline that falls into a full skirt

Basque Waistline - Waistline of dress is two inches below the natural waist; often dips to a point in the center front. 

Bertha Collar - Cape of fabric or lace attached to neckline for shawl effect. 

Bishop Sleeve - Full sleeve that ends in gathered band at wrist. 

Blouson - Drooping fullness in fabric from bodice to waist; gathered at or below waist. 

Blusher - The part of the veil that covers the bride's face.

BM - Bridesmaid. Acronym often used in newsgroups or email messages.

Brocade - A thick woven fabric with raised designs, typical in Victorian wedding gowns and traditionally popular in fall and winter wedding gowns.

Brush Train - Very short train that just sweeps floor during walk.

Caplet Sleeve - Falls several inches below elbow in soft flare. 

Caplet Train - Flows from back of shoulders. 

Cathedral Train - Material extends three yards from waist. 

Charmeuse - A lightweight, semi-lustrous fabric, much like satin.

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.

Court Train - Extends a little under three feet from waist. 

Crepe - A lightly thin fabric with a crinkled effect.

Dolman Sleeve - Top of sleeve is wide, cut in one piece with shoulder. 

Duchesse Satin - A silk and rayon hybrid woven to look like satin.

Empire Waist - High waisted with short bodice. Skirt begins two or more inches above natural waist. 
  
FMIL - Future Mother-in-Law. Acronym often used in newsgroups or email messages.

G2B - Groom-to-be

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

Gibson Sleeve - Full at shoulder, fitted at wrist. 

Halter - A sleeveless bodice that wraps at the neck.

Illusion - Sheer net-like fabric used for the sleeves or necklines of wedding gowns.

Leg-of-mutton Sleeve - Very full puff at shoulder, tightly fitted on the forearm. 

Matron of Honor - A married woman who stands by the bride's side.

MOH - Maid of Honor. Acronym often used in newsgroups or email messages.

Off-the-shoulder - A neckline that sits below the shoulders or drapes over the upper arm.

Organdy - Stiff transparent dress fabric.

Organza - Similar to tulle, but flows freer in wedding gown skirts, sleeves and overlays.

Peek-a-boo Sleeve - Sheer, puffed sleeve; different fabric showing through underneath. 

Peplum - Short flounce or overskirt attached at waistline. 

Poet Sleeve - Pleated at shoulder; very full from shoulder to cuff. 

Princess Line - Dress style with a slightly flared design; accentuates the waist, but doesn’t hug the body. 

Queen Anne Neckline - High on sides and back; open bodice in sweetheart shape. 

Queen Elizabeth Neckline - High collar stands up in back, comes to a closed V in front. 

Sabrina Neckline - Begins two inches inside shoulder; straight across front. 

Satin - The most popular wedding gown fabric, glossy on one side.

Shirred Waist - Fabric is gathered to make a horizontal panel at waist. 

Sweep Train - Slightly longer than brush train. 

Sheath - A slim, body-hugging wedding dress silhouette.

"Save the Date" Card - These informal announcements precedes the wedding invitations several months ahead and allows your guests to make the necessary arrangements to attend your wedding. "Save the Date" cards are ideal when your wedding date falls in close proximity to a major holiday.

Scoop - A U-shaped wedding gown neckline.

Silk - The most expensive and rich wedding dresses fabric; there are several different textures, but most are smooth, glossy and sleek.

Strapless - A wedding bodice without straps.

Sweetheart - A wedding dress neckline that resembles the top half of a heart.

Taffeta - A slightly crunchy fabric with a slight ribbing effect.

Trousseau - French, from Old French, diminutive of trousse bundle. The personal possessions of a bride usually including clothes, accessories, and household linens and wares.

Trumpet Skirt - Tapers close to legs, flares at or below knee; think mermaid. 

Trunk Show - Usually held at a local bridal shop, a trunk show allows a bridal gown designer to "show off" her/his latest designs to the shop's customers.

Tulle - Used in wedding skirts and veils; silk, nylon or rayon netting.

V-neck - Also called a plunging neckline or low-cut neckline, dips down in the front.