Wedding Grammar

Written by Amanda B. Young, Associate for MasterPiece Weddings:

Just at the outset of this post you are probably laughing. Grammar? What does grammar have to do with weddings? But, let me assure you, having good grammar is nothing to laugh about. 

You see, the way you speak and write (both formally, as in contracts, and informally, as in e-mails) reflects not just yourself but also your business. Someone with bad grammar, excessive typos, and blatant misspellings throughout their communications looks careless and, ultimately, ignorant. And, as an event consultant where you need to be confident, look composed, and possess excellent communication skills, the last thing you want people to think is that you are ignorant.

So, while I am not going to recap all the things you should have learned in your youth (it's/its, you're/your, their/they're/there, etc.) I will cover a few wedding essentials that, as someone in the industry, you simply must get down. 

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officiant: Notice this people. It is O-ffic-I-ant. Not efficient. Not officant. In fact, when you type it in Microsoft Word it will still tell you that it is spelled wrong unless you add it to your dictionary, but don't let this throw you off - it starts with an "o" and has two "i's" in there. 

boutonniere: This one kills me. As Americans, I'm pretty sure we're grossly incapable of spelling things from the French language. I'm not sure why this is or how to help it. It just is. Regardless, "boutonniere" is one of these unfortunately hard-to-remember words. 

hors d'oeuvres: We have an ongoing joke in the office about how to spell this. But as far as breaking it down for you? I can do nothing but refer you to the incomparable Bespoke blog post Ordervz anyone? which is absolutely legendary in my geeky grammar-loving mind.

stationary vs. stationery: The first spelling [with an "a"] means it isn't moving - the item is "stationary." The second refers to the paper goods and products we all know and love. 

aisle/isle/I'll: You might think this one is obvious but the number of times I have seen these interchanged is too scary to discuss. "Aisle" refers to the wedding aisle. Aisle of a grocery store. But then, if you are going on an exotic vacation you might visit an "isle." And, of course, when you say "I'll tell you about grammar" you are using a contraction of the words "I" and "will." 

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Capeesh? Did I miss anything? Do you have any blatant spelling or speaking faux-pas that just drive you nuts?