From Shizuko Mishima,
Spring and fall are popular seasons for weddings in Japan. Traditional Japanese wedding ceremony are Shinto-style and are held at shrines (jinja). In a Shito-style wedding ceremony, the bride wears a traditional wedding kimono called shiromuku (white kimono), and the groom wears montsuki haori hakama. Usually, only family members and close relatives of the couple attend the Shinto-style wedding ceremony. The ceremony includes sake drinking rituals, exchanging wedding rings, and more. There are neither bridesmaids nor a best man, and an older married couple called nakoudo (matchmaker) attend the ceremony.
Most of weddings in Japan are held at hotels or wedding halls. Chapels and shrines are conveniently located within the facilities, and couples can choose the style of their wedding ceremonies. A Japanese wedding ceremony can be Christian, Buddhist, Shinto, and non-religious styles. The wedding style doesn't necessarily match with one's religion. Non-Christian couples often have their weddings ceremony at chapels.
After the wedding ceremony, the reception party called "kekkon hiroen" is held. The style and scale of wedding receptions vary depending on the regions. Typically, relatives, friends, co-workers, and neighbors attend the reception. When you receive an invitation card, you need to return the enclosed card and let them know if you can attend or not as soon as possible.
If you are attending a Japanese wedding reception, you are expected to bring cash for a gift. The amount depends on your relationship with the couple and the region, unless fixed amount is indicated in the invitation card. It is recommendable to ask someone who are attending the same wedding. The average is 30,000 yen for a friend's wedding. It's important that the cash is enclosed in a special envelope called shugi-bukuro, and your name is written on the front. It's polite to use new bills with no creasing. When you go to the party, give the envelope to the person at the reception desk and sign your name in the guestbook. People usually dress formally to attend a Japanese wedding reception. Female guests wear dresses, suits, or kimono. Male guests wear black formal suits.
The bride and broom change costumes a couple of times during the wedding reception. The bride wears a wedding kimono or a wedding kimono, and colorful dresses. The groom wears a men's montsuki hakama and a tuxedo. During the reception, the married couple sits on a stage enjoying the guests' speeches and performances. Some guests are asked to do something at the reception. Many people sing their favorite songs. The couple cut a large wedding cake and walks around the room, lighting the candles and greeting guests. A full course meal is often served at the table.
At the wedding reception, souvenirs called hikidemono are prepared in a bag for guests to take home. They are often tableware, sweets, interiors, and so on. In recent years, gift catalogs from which guests can choose gifts are popular as hikidemono.
