Wear a red and white kimono for luck. Japanese brides wear one or more colourful costumes during the day so it is a good excuse to change outfits!
Incorporate cherry blossom, lotus blossom or jasmine in your flowers
Use the ancient art of origami to create unusual invitations and place cards
Have a dragon dance at your wedding
Design a willow pattern wedding cake in blue and purple and lilac complete with bridge and lovers
A Shinto-style ceremony is very traditional and incorporates the best of ancient Japanese traditions. The wedding includes only the immediate families, the nakoudo (matchmakers) and the priest. The bride wears a white kimono with an elaborate headdress while the groom wears a black kimono and jacket with a striped hakama (skirt-like pants)
Serve wagashi (Japanese cakes) shaped into the following lucky symbols: The crane (fidelity), tortoise (long-life of the marriage) or plum blossoms (perseverance and early success). Each symbol has a special meaning
At "Yui-no" gifts are exchanged between the bridegroom-to-be and bride-to-be. The main present for the bride-to-be is an ‘Obi’, representing female virtue whilst a ‘hakama’ skirt for the bridegroom-to-be expresses fidelity
As with Chinese weddings, ask your bridesmaids to carry fans instead of flowers or incorporate them in your table decorations or as favours. A fan is a symbol of happiness because it expands to the end thus suggesting a better and bigger future
Three different sizes of sake cups are exchanged nine times between a bride and groom during the ceremony before the two families join in to celebrate their union
Use lucky red and white colours in your décor and menu
Guests are expected to give money as gifts
A great tradition to include for your reception is the guests' performances. Ask them to perform any dramas, skits or sing to you. But remember that forewarned is forearmed!
