Hybrid Wedding

In my post about the Japanese wedding, I mentioned that I also had been to another wedding during the same weekend. Today, I want to tell you more about that one.

I must say that I had really high expectations for that second wedding because I knew it was going different; my friend Ellie, an American girl, was getting married to Eiji, a Japanese guy. I just couldn't wait to see how they would reconcile two wedding traditions. I was not to be disappointed.

Once again I could go about the party for ages but I'll stick to the things that were interesting. Although quinn has assured me that no one can be electrocuted by the low voltage of a keyboard, I still don't want to take a chance!!

1. Exchange of the rings

Not only did the two exchange the usual rings, but they also exchanged bracelets that one of their friends had made especially for them. I thought it was a nice that they included the bracelets, too. Plus, it was a beautiful display of friendship.

2. Sake drinking

In Japanese traditional wedding ceremonies, the groom and the bride usually drink sake. They share the same cup and drink the alcohol in three sips. Although Ellie and Eiji decided against a formal ceremony, they still decided to keep this element and performed this little ritual during the reception. Mr. kanmuri told me that it was only water, not real sake. I need to ask Ellie about that. Anyway, it was really interesting and I was glad I could see it.

 

 

3. Sake barrel

Not long after the sake drinking ritual, the groom and the bride were joined by their parents on the stage for another ritual: breaking a sake barrel open. With wooden mallets in hand, they all stood around the barrel and broke it open at the wedding stalker's signal. The barrel wasn't actually full; only a small part at the top contained alcohol. They then poured the liquid in little square lacquered wooden boxes called masu. I'm pretty sure they drank from them but I don't remember...

 

4. Changing

This usually happens in most Asian weddings and it did happen at the other wedding I talked about, although I didn't mention it. About half way through the reception, Ellie and Eiji went away and changed from their Japanese traditional outfits into the traditional western white dress and tuxedo. Ellie's dress was really simple but she looked stunning. As for Eiji, he was dashing.

5. The Cake

This time, we were treated to real cake, not paper cake! After the lovebirds did the traditional cutting of the cake, they fed each other a big bite of it and it was then taken away to be cut into portions for everyone. Ellie actually told me that she had to fight with the wedding planners to make sure that they would serve the cake to the guests: apparently, they wanted us to take it home! The cake was served outside and the whole reception started looking like a big BBQ.

 

 

6. Games

When she was planning her wedding, Ellie told me that she would try to have some dancing at the reception. For me, dancing is an integral part of the western wedding reception; I just love it. Unfortunately, this is a fight Ellie didn't win. There isn't any dancing at Japanese wedding receptions. In fact, the bride even told me that some of her friends had seemed appalled at the idea and were considering whether to go to the wedding or not on these grounds. I guess that the idea of looking awkward on the dance floor was a big turn off for them. Luckily, Ellie and Eiji managed to have some games during the reception. It was all very cute and amusing.

7. Bouquet and Balloons

On our way out after the reception was over, Ellie and Eiji gave us helium balloons. Once everyone had a balloon, Ellie threw her bouquet and my friend Claire (from the Mount Fuji excursion) caught it. According to Mr. kanmuri, she jumped a meter high... at least! After the bouquet, we we all released our balloons and watched them fly away. It was really beautiful, yet it had me concerned about the environment: where would these balloon fall and who would pick them up?

8. Napkins

This I learned after the wedding was over and thought was really funny. Ellie told be that they had to buy all the napkins (that's about 140 of them) because apparently, Japanese people like to take the dirty napkins home after the reception! Guess what? Yeah, I didn't take mine home...

All in all it was beautiful wedding with a good balance of laughs and tears. It was grand, but not lavish. It was perfect and I'm glad Ellie did me the honour of inviting me.

Finally, maybe you have noticed Ellie's round belly on the pictures; actually, the newlyweds are awaiting the arrival of their first child; a sweet baby boy! Congratulations to both of them!