Japanese Weddings

Traditional Japanese weddings are held in a Shinto shrine.  A Shinto priest conducts the ceremony which is only seen by close family members of the couple.  During the ceremony, the couple is purified, drinks sake, and the groom reads words of commitment to the bride.  Finally a symbolic offering is given to the kami of the shrine.  The couple dress in traditional kimono during the ceremony. 

It is after the ceremony that the couple welcome guests and a reception is held.  The reception ranges from a small reception of 20 to a large one of well over 200 with family, friends, co-workers, and bosses are invited.  There are speeches, a meal, dancing, and songs.  It is not unlike a Western reception.  During the reception, the groom and in particular the bride will change their kimonos several times.  At the end of the party, the couple thanks the guests.

It has been in recent times that Japanese couples have started adding "Western touches" to their weddings.  Many brides are now wearing white "Christian style" dresses (what we consider a regular wedding dress) and are having their weddings in a Christian church even though no one in their family is one.  Western wedding rituals such as cutting the cake, exchanging rings, and honeymoons have been added to the Japanese wedding ritual.  Another new custom is to have a destination wedding in which they fly to where the honeymoon will be and have a small ceremony there.