Love is in the air! In light of a recent wedding and engagement, let’s chat about differences in wedding culture in Japan vs western countries (mainly the US where we’re from). 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words

国際結婚 kokusai kekkon - international marriage

-らしい rashii - typical of, worthy of the name 

バージンロード bājinrōdo - wedding aisle (virgin road)

袴 はかま hakama - men’s formal divided skirt (they are not exclusively for men though)

ご祝儀袋 go shuugibukuro - special envelope for monetary gifts

升 ます masu - traditional wooden sake cup 

 気持ち kimochi - feeling, mood

黒留袖 kuro tomesode - black kimono the mothers of the bride and groom wear at weddings

飲み会 nomikai - drinking party

二次会 nijikai - second party  

三次会 sanjikai - third party 

鯛 tai - sea bream

Time stamps

00:00 hello/life updates

01:54 ever been to a Japanese wedding?

2:55 wedding planning

10:21 wedding differences

14:37 structure of the wedding

17:40 speeches

20:34 gifts 

25:33 photos and video

28:26 flowers, gifts, cake, sake

34:49 good points of each style wedding

50:11 fake priests

51:56 dress code

54:42 tight schedule

58:37 instagram polls