# wedding party

**Pronunciation:** /ˈwɛdɪŋ ˈpɑːrti/ · WED-ing PAR-tee

**CEFR level:** B1

**Part of speech:** noun phrase

## Meaning

A social gathering held to celebrate a marriage, typically after the ceremony, with food, drinks, music, and dancing. It can also refer to the group of people who stand with the couple during the ceremony, such as bridesmaids and groomsmen.

## Examples

- The wedding party was held at a beautiful beachfront resort.
- We danced all night at the wedding party.
- The wedding party included the bride, groom, bridesmaids, and groomsmen.

## Synonyms

- reception — Specifically the formal gathering after the ceremony, often with a meal.
- bridal party — Refers to the group of attendants, not the celebration itself.
- nuptial celebration — A more formal and literary term for the wedding festivities.
- marriage celebration — A general term for any event celebrating a marriage.

## Common patterns

- have a wedding party — to host or attend a wedding celebration — They had a large wedding party at a hotel.
- wedding party members — the people in the bridal group — All wedding party members received gifts from the couple.
- join the wedding party — to become part of the bridal group — She was asked to join the wedding party as a bridesmaid.

## Collocations

- wedding party members — The wedding party members posed for photos.
- attend a wedding party — We were invited to attend a wedding party.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/wedding%20party

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