The Japanese wedding is truly a sight to behold. This is generally a colorful occasion, traditional, solemn and very beautiful. Though the contemporary scene of Japan is changing today, what with more and more people choosing their own partners, there are also many people who follow the traditional arranged marriage in Japan, where the elders choose their young ones’ partners for them or act as a go-between for two people to get together in marriage.

The Japanese wedding is conducted in many ways, some, a combination of both traditional and Western methods too. But the typical Japanese wedding is conducted in the religious Shinto style, at a temple or shrine.

The Japanese wedding is mostly conducted during the autumn and spring seasons. The priest looks into the almanac and decide on an auspicious day for the wedding. The main conductor of the Japanese wedding is a Shinto priest and the wedding itself is attended by family and close friends of both the parties involved. Both the bride and the groom are purified for the ceremony and then the groom takes his marriage oaths.

The Japanese wedding is followed by a reception party for all the guests. This resembles any regular Western wedding reception, where all friends and relatives get together, give speeches, dine, wine, dance and offer their blessings and best wishes to the newly wed couple. The difference here is that the couple may choose to change their attire several times during this event. Towards the end of the function, the couple gives a speech to one and all present to thank them for their support and blessings.

Japanese women have changed in their outlook today. Today, there are many cross-cultural marriages taking place in Japan. More and more Japanese women are marrying foreigners, so the Japanese wedding today, is deviating from its past customs. Many weddings are happening out of Japan, so the Shinto ceremony is absent in such cases.

Also, with the influence of Western culture, some couples cut a wedding cake and exchange rings. Most modern couples take off on a honeymoon right after the wedding as well – this culture was not much followed in the past in traditional Japan.

Japanese dresses

The traditional Japanese dresses for the bride is the Kimono. This kimono comes in two categories. The pure white one, which is called the ‘shiro-maku’, stands for purity and chastity, much like in the Western culture. The bride also wears a colorful and elaborately designed brocade kimono over her white one, which is referred to as the ‘uchikake’, during her reception. The uchikake kimono is an exquisite creation, which used to be worn only by the royalty in Japan.

The traditional bride also wears a typical Japanese hairstyle, decorated with ornate combs and other hair ornaments. She also carries a small purse and a tiny sword safely stored in a case. She also wears a fan in her belt, symbolizing the spreading of happiness and prosperity.

With the passage of time, however, many brides prefer to wear Christian-type wedding gowns, even though they might not be Christians by faith.