Japanese buddhist matrimonial ceremonies

It's interesting:
"I remember the last wedding I went to. It was in the function room of the Tate Gallery. The groom got plastered and ended up with red wine, gravy ..."

When attending a Japanese Buddhist wedding, there are a variety of traditions and customs to be aware of as a guest. From the attire to the expected gifts for the couple to understanding the spiritual ceremony, educating yourself on the Buddhist Japanese customs will help ensure you enjoy the wedding to the fullest.

1. Wedding Venue and Date

   • A Japanese Buddhist wedding, which take place in a temple, typically begins with a vow offered to Buddha, starting of the ceremony. The vow is followed by the procession of the wedding participants. The bridal couple then makes an offering of incense to Buddha. Japanese weddings usually take place in the spring or fall seasons. It is not uncommon for one couple's wedding to be combined with the weddings of several others.

   Attire

   • The traditional Japanese bride wears a multi-colored silk kimono, paints her face pure white, her lips red and wears a wig with decorative combs. For the reception the bride changes to a red kimono that typically displays a decorative crane. After the kimono, the bride wears a furisode, which is a kimono normally designated for single women. The new bride wears this to mark the last time she is single. Men wear a kimono called an aoiri-hakama for the ceremony.

   Sharing of Sake

   • The sharing of the sake is a crucial part of the wedding process done during the wedding ceremony. Sake is rice wine, a common drink in Japan. Three cups are filled with sake and the bride and groom drink from each cup. The number three is sacred and done to honor the three treasures of Buddha. The sake is then offered to the parents of the bride and groom, symbolically linking the two families together.

   Reception

   • The wedding reception follows the wedding ceremony and is typically held in a hotel, banquet hall, club or private home. Guests wear formal attire and women often wear kimonos for the occasion. The bride and groom make a grand entrance once their wedding guests are seated. Samisen, which are strong instruments, and Japanese drums provide the musical entertainment for the party. Wedding guests traditionally bring cash gifts and the guests in turn receive pricey favors or gifts from the bridal couple.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: bride groom, bride wears, bridal couple, buddhist matrimonial, buddhist matrimonial ceremonies, Buddhist wedding, Japanese Buddhist