Pages or Page Boys: These are small children (usually boys) who follow the bride down the aisle carrying some of her train (train bearers).
Panel (invitations): A panel is the center section of your invitation "framed" by a raised area of paper. It also refers to pages facing each other. For example, a tri-fold invitation when opened fully, has a left, middle and right panel.
Pannier: Fabric draping on both hips to accent a more sheath-style dress.
Pantyhose: A garment that combines both panty and stockings into a one piece waist-high garment that extends above the crotch, but not above the waist, to the toes, and is usually sheer rather than opaque.
Parchment (invitations): This translucent paper is made to look like original parchment. This distinctive paper adds a softening effect to any invitation.
Parquet: Temporary wooden flooring (available in both real and fake woods) that may be laid on top of carpeting or other materials not appropriate for formal occasions or dancing. Often requires professional installation.
Pavilion: The bottom part of the diamond, below the girdle.
Peaked lapel: A broad V-shaped lapel that points up and out just below the collar line.
Pearlize (invitations): The process that applies a luminous pearl-like finish to part of an invitation, usually to an embossed design, is called pearlizing.
Peek-a-boo sleeve: Puff sleeve with different fabrics or skin showing through from beneath.
Pencil skirt: Skirt hangs straight down, with no flare at the hem or accent at the waist.
Peplum skirt: A very short skirt-type addition added to the bottom of the bodice, hanging over the skirt waist.
Petit fours: Bite sized, iced and elaborately decorated cakes, often served in addition to the wedding cake.
Picture hat: A wide-brimmed hat usually decorated with lace, pearls or sequins.
Pillars: These are the supports used to prop up the varying tiers of a multi-tiered wedding cake.
Pillbox: A round, structured, brimless hat worn on top of the head.
Pin Spots: These top-of-the line spotlights focus very tightly on a small area up to 100 feet away. You can use them to showcase certain key areas of your reception such as your cake table, your tabletops, etc.
Piping: This is a way of making shapes like bows, leaves, stars, flowers, or design patterns using icing. A pastry bag is filled with soft icing, then squeezed through a selection of different shaped tips onto the wedding cake, where it hardens. Royal icing is often used for this, as it can easily be colored and is not strongly flavored.
Place cards: Seating cards to let the wedding guest know where they are to be seated at the wedding.
Plated service: Style of service where the food is artfully arranged and presented by the chef before the dishes are delivered to the table.
Pleated: Varying numbers of pleats along the front of the skirt. Multiple pleats is called ‘accordion style’ and two larger pleats is called ‘box style.’
Pocket Square: A small pocket handkerchief tucked into the left breast pocket worn by groomsmen instead of a boutonniere.
Poet sleeve: A sleeve that is fitted at the top and fuller at the bottom, where it is gathered into a cuff.
Point (diamond): One-hundredth of a carat.
Point size (invitations): The degree of letter height or font size.
Point Sleeve: Any long sleeve that ends below the wrist in a point of fabric or lace on the top of the hand.
Pomander: A bloom-covered ball suspended from a ribbon usually carried by a flower girl.
Portrait Neckline: This is quite similar to the off-the-shoulder style, but it usually has a bit more fabric. The portrait neckline is usually characterized by a wide, soft scoop from the tip of one shoulder to the tip of the other. This would easily suit brides who have prominent collarbones and fuller arms.
Posies: Small, roundly shaped flower bouquets that are tightly packed and also will include greenery.
Pouf sleeve: A larger cap sleeve, ending lower on the arm.
Pouf Veil: A gathered piece of tulle or netting that fastens to a comb or headpiece to create height for the veil.
Presentation: A bunch of long-stemmed flowers for the bride's arms.
Princess-line: This bodice has two seams that run over the bustline to the seam, elongating the chest and stomach.
Profile Headpiece: A floral comb worn asymmetrically on one side of the head and adorned with lace, pearls or crystals.
Program: A handout handed out to guests at the Wedding Ceremony listing the wedding participants, i.e. wedding party, musicians, soloist and clergy. May also include notation of sponsors and/or thank you notations to specific parties.
Puff Sleeve: Very full, short sleeve that ends above elbow. May be worn on or off the shoulder.
Pulled sugar: A technique in which boiled sugar is pulled and stretched to produce flowers, ribbons and bows.