Going to a Wedding

We recently attended a wedding for one of Terry's friends from graduate school. Japanese weddings are very glamorous, to say the least. This wedding was at the Miracosta hotel at Disney Sea. The hotel is a 5 star hotel.

In Japan, all adults wear black and white to weddings. Men wear a black suite and a white tie. For funerals, the same suits are worn, but with a black tie. Many men buy a special black suit, kind of like a tuxedo, to wear at these occasions, and then keep a black tie and a white tie in the closet for the appropriate occasion. It is very easy to tell when someone is going to a wedding or a funeral.

Before the ceremony, we were escorted to a waiting room for the bride and groom's friends. There we met several guys from graduate school. There was a separate waiting room for the bride and groom’s family. When it was time for the ceremony, we were escorted into the chapel. The exchange of vows was very Western with an American pastor performing a traditional Christian ceremony, in Japanese. We even sang a traditional Christian hymn during the ceremony, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

The ceremony lasted about 20 minutes. Only the bride and groom stood up front with the pastor. They don't use bridesmaids and groomsmen here. They had a small choir singing some parts of the ceremony. After every part where someone should say "Amen," the choir sang it, a capella. After the exchange of vows we were escorted back to the waiting room until the reception room was ready. During this time the bride and groom went to an outside balcony to be introduced to the public enjoying the Disney Sea attractions. They were introduced to the public with an enthusiastic applause from the public.

When the reception room was ready, we went in to look for our names at one of the tables. The meal was superb. There were at least 5 or 6 courses served. The kids had special meals and really enjoyed them. One of the pictures is of Michael's appetizer plate. The reception was very organized. The hotel provided the emcee services. A friend for the groom gave a speech about the groom. This is kind of like the best man at an American wedding, but his only duty is giving a speech. When he was done, the bride's friend gave a similar speech. It was more of a biographical speech.

For the majority of the reception, people sit at their tables as speeches are given by family members, the bride and groom cut the cake, travel to each table to greet/thank their guests, and so on. It's not a big dancing/drinking party. It is much more subdued and orderly. At one point during the reception, the bride and groom came around and handed out small gifts to everyone. Tommy and Michael got a bag with some candy in it.

In Japan, people don't give gifts to the bride and groom. The custom here is to give money. You go to the bank and get new bills. You give a set amount based on the relationship with the bride and/or groom, according to etiquette. A single person going to a not so close friend's wedding would give about $200. It goes up from there, in $100 dollar increments, depending on the relationship, if you bring your spouse or children, etc.

On the way home Tommy was beat and took a cat nap next to Mio.