AboutShannon M Mason Expertise As an accredited Professional Bridal Consultant, I can answer questions involving all aspects of wedding and event planning. From budgets and organization to menus and timelines, each part of the planning process is just as important as the next. Whether you are looking for answers to traditional wedding questions or you want to venture outside the box, ask away! If we don’t have the answer we will find it for you!
Experience I am the owner of New Beginnings Wedding & Event Management and have been planning weddings and events for 13 years. I attend networking and training classes on a regular basis to keep abreast of the latest trends and fashions.
Education/Credentials Professional Bridal Consultant - Association of Bridal Consultants
Expert: Shannon M Mason Date: 2/3/2008 Subject: wedding ceremony
Question Your honour
Iam a teacher of English in Worldlinks group.I and my students want to know about the Japanese wedding,reception,meal, invitation,and fashion and we are grateful for your participation and answering our question.
Answer Intesar:
Historically, Japanese wedding ceremonies were performed in Shinto Shrines. Many of Japan's wedding sites, therefore, provide shrines for couples who want to follow Japanese wedding traditions.
The Japanese bride-to-be is painted pure white from head to toe, visibly declaring her maiden status to the gods. The bride wears a white kimono and an elaborate headpiece covered with many ornaments to invite good luck to the happy couple. A white hood is attached to the kimono, which the bride wears like a veil to hide her 'horns of jealousy' from the groom's mother, who will now become the head of the family. Japanese grooms wear black kimonos to their wedding ceremony.
While the bride and groom exchange their wedding vows, their families face each other, instead of the couple getting married. Central to the traditional Japanese marriage ceremony is the ritual of drinking nine cups of sake, after which newlyweds are considered united. Families and guests also drink sake, to symbolize the bonding of the couple as well as of the two families. The father of the groom, and of the bride, then introduce their respective family members.
For the wedding reception, the new bride changes into a red kimono and again later into a western-style gown. The wedding party and invited guests engage in games, skits and karaoke during the wedding reception. Guests are expected to offer the couple goshugi -- money --in a festive envelope either before or after the wedding ceremony.
Due to better climate, many Japanese brides prefer spring and fall wedding dates. Certain wedding anniversaries are thought to be lucky, so it is common to see dozens of newlywed couples heading for their honeymoon on the same day.
Each dish in the Japanese wedding banquet is a symbolic wish--for happiness, prosperity, long life or many children. For example, konbu is served because the word sounds like the last half of the word for joy, yorokobu. Fish can be served with the tail and head forced up from the plate forming a circle, the symbol of eternity. Clams are served with both shells together, the two halves symbolizing the couple.
Lobster is often served for its deep red color, the color of luck. The number of courses never equals a multiple of four, since the word for "four," shi, sounds like the word for death. For dessert, a Japanese bride might choose to serve komochi manjyu, which is made of gummy, sweetened rice with fillings inside.
I hope this helps in teaching your students about other traditions.
