|
|
|Back|
Customs of Japanese Weddings
Let us learn a little
about the customs and traditions of Japanese weddings! Just remember
that these customs and traditions are not set in stone. You can
customize them to fit your own wedding, just as the Japanese do! Whether
you are planning your own wedding or having someone help you plan your
wedding you can create a beautiful and memorial wedding with a Japanese
themed and inspired wedding.
Japanese Wedding Attire –
The best part about what you wear during your wedding is that you will
have the opportunity to change outfits a few times! The bride is clothed
in an astonishing, silk kimono uniquely made just for a Japanese
wedding. It is always white. It is traditional for the bride to wear her
hair up during her wedding, usually held together with turtle shell
combs. The bride will also wear a white cloth veil and has her face
painted white. However, the bride does not wear this one outfit
throughout the wedding. She changes her clothing several times
throughout the wedding. First, the bride will change into a robe that is
red, silver and gold and embroidered with beautiful symbols such as
cranes. Second, the bride will change into a deep colored, very well
patterned kimono. This second kimono is the last time the bride will be
able to wear this kimono as it represents a young, unmarried woman. The
bride will also usually carry Irises for a bouquet, as the color purple
is a color of love in Japanese culture.
The groom will usually wear a black silk kimono that portrays his
family’s crest in white. The family crest is on the kimono in five
different places. Under the Kimono, the groom wears a stripy and pleated
skirt that is known as a hakama. The groom holds a white
folded fan and wears white sandals.
Japanese Wedding Ceremony –
A Japanese wedding ceremony is rich with rituals, customs and
traditions. Your ceremony will be set in motion with a priest-led
purification practice. Shinto is the main religion of the Japanese. This
ceremony is held to honor the natural spirits in the world. During this
purification ceremony, a priest will use a special branch called a
harai-gushi. The priest will call to the Gods to bless the bride and
groom. At the end of the ritual, there is a sharing of sake, in which
there are three cups stacked on top of each other. This ritual is
customizable, and depends on your family’s history. The groom will take
three sips from the first cup, then the bride takes three sips from the
first cup, and they do the same with all three cups. The sake is then
offered to the rest of the families.
Japanese Wedding Food –
Even the food (each and every dish) at your wedding will have its own
meaning. One is for happiness, one for prosperity, one for long life,
and possibly one for many children. Some Japanese weddings serve fish
that has the head and tail curved upward to create a circle, the symbol
for eternity. There can also be clams served with the shells together
representing the bride and the groom. Since red is considered a color of
luck, a lot of Japanese weddings will serve lobster. There should never
be four courses, as the number four somewhat represents the word for
death. Last, but certainly not least, there is the dessert. In Japanese
weddings, the dessert is usually sweetened rice with fillings inside
that is called komochi.
|
Featured Product:
The Wedding
Dance Mastery System
|
