Planning Your Japanese Theme Wedding
(See also:
Cherry Blossom Weddings)
Japanese weddings, although very expensive, are also elegant and serene. If you're incorporating a Japanese theme into your wedding, here are some ways to achieve an authentic look at a fraction of the price.
The Japanese theme begins with the bride's attire. Traditionally, a bride in Japan wears a white silk kimono, which (believe it or not) can cost up to $25,000 dollars. But a good seamstress can make a kimono from white silk for a lot less yen.
In Japan, a groom wears a haori on the top and a hakama on the bottom, all in black. The bride changes into up to five different kimonos throughout the wedding day.
Though it isn't required, some Japanese brides wear the traditional wig as part of their wedding attire, one that's heavily decorated in artificial flowers, gold combs and pearls. The wedding party also dresses in kimonos, usually in a color chosen by the bride.
Traditionally, the bride and groom enter the ceremony from opposite sides of the room, to the strains of the drum and flute. Attendants wave a sacred tree made from paper streamers over the couple's heads for purification — and for keeping evil spirits at bay. After exchanging vows, the couple drinks wine, or sake. They then trade glasses nine times to symbolize their new bond.
East Meets Guest Accessories
Here are some touches to closely consider when holding a Japanese-themed wedding:
• Paper or sandalwood fans to keep your guests cool.
• Bonsai trees or zen trays as centerpieces on the reception tables,
• Vivid, festive parasols for the flower girl or bridesmaids to carry,
• And small glass cylinders filled with bamboo stems set around the reception, to spread good luck and an authentic Japanese ambiance.
• Plus, don't forget the effect of an Asian-style room spray you can waft around the reception room before entering (nothing too sweet or overpowering, though!)
When deciding on lighting for a Japanese-themed wedding, look for paper lanterns — you can even make them. Hang them at the reception from tent ceilings or overhead wires — that magic glow will last all night long.
Also, think about buying miniature fans to use as place settings (wind a personalized strip of paper through the ribs), which double as take-home souvenirs. Chopsticks are another festive, practical favor. Whether your guests know how to use them or not, they'll have fun trying!
Blended Bliss
In this anything-goes era, couples are starting to blend traditional Japanese customs with the more modern, Western affair, which makes the wedding more accessible and familiar to guests from a broad range of backgrounds.
When planning your Japanese wedding, read up on the cultures and traditions of Japan and include any or all of them, using your own style. If you scrutinize the details of your attire, reception decorations, music and flowers, you'll have a beautiful, modern wedding with the distinctive feel of the Orient.
Kirsten Hawkins is an event planner from Nashville, TN. Visit her site for more event planning tips, strategies, and resources.
Ed Note: Other Japanese touches with a delightful East-Meets-West feel:
- Lush pink peonies
- Sushi bars
- River stones as napkin holders — or a single plumeria blossom or orchid in the center of each plate
- Exotics like anthurium for centerpieces ... or sleek callas for bouquets wrapped in ultra-modern bear grass
- Programs printed on fans
- Parasols in contemporary colors to line and brighten the aisle
My husband to be is japanese and I want to bring in his culture… but I want to do rainbow colors…. any ideas
Jennifer,
*loads of theme tips
* pics
Jennifer,
Had to share this reception table, love it. Just add paper cranes etc and have a japanese dessert or food station., appetizers, even a favor.
* here
* decor ideas
I am planning a wedding for april or may 2011 and my colors are ivory, charcoal grey and spring green. I would really like it to be simple and elegant with an asian theme. I really don’t want to go with the obvious red paper lanterns and dragons, and I don’t like the idea of having pink cherry blossoms everywhere. My goal is to have it be understated but still be asian. I’m having trouble finding just what I want.
Robin,
What I would do is pick some japanese symbols and put them as a motif on programs, invites etc., then i would have river rocks or grey rocks in cylinder vases with curly willow and green and ivory florals. Have japanese theme favors at place sitting, maybe some bamboo runners.maybe some hanging paper lanterns.
* look at this and think how just a japanese symbol motif and added items I suggested would look
* or this
I am planning on making a yakudoshi party for my husband next year & needed ideas for favors & especially centerpieces. Wanted to somehow incorporate the bamboo & cranes in the design. Help!!! If not something more “man-ly”.
Kelly,
What about using thin bamboo in containers and having cranes susupended from edges? Like branch wedding centerpieces with suspended orchids.
*example
Thanks for idea and the images. Makes it easier to visualize. :)
My partner and I are planning a Japanese inspired wedding as we both love the culture of Japan.
We are still at the planning stage so any ideas would be helpful.
Rachelle,
* lots of pics and ideas
* info and ideas
Rachelle,
A gorgeous cherry blossom wedding would be perfect!
* like here
* more ideas
also google image asian theme wedding
* this is beautiful
hi, my name is kasandra n me n my fiance r thinking married in the summer of 2011 0r 2012 of doing a japanese them of tha color red and we r thinking of having engrved chopsticks for favors and me as the bride hold an red umbrella instead of a boque of flowers but we need more ideas, i was wondering if you ghave any surgestions for us???? thank so much
Kassandra,
* some ideas
* more tips
* xtra pics
Kasandra,
* great site
I am just like the lady at the top. I am looking for ying yang things for my wedding on Sept. 12, 2009. I feel that this describe us to a tee. You can’t have one without the other. I need him and he needs me to be complete.
Please help if you have any ideas.
Thanks!!!
I am looking for yin yang items and ideas for my wedding on February 14, 2009. My better half and I enjoy Asian culture, furniture, food and particularly the yin yang symbol because it signifies to us the symbiotic nature of our relationship and our complementary personalities and skills. Please make any suggestions that can assist me in my pursuit of yin yang favors and a wedding theme based on yin yang philosophy.
I’m having an asian themed wedding in June 2009. Our colors are chocolate, pink and light green. would anyone have any additional literature suggestions other than “Wild Geese and Tea: An Asian-American Wedding Planner”?
Hi, I am a wedding and function organiser in South Africa. I love your ideas. a few ideas that I introduced into my theme is massive chinese hand painted scrolls that hang in columns in the draping as well as creating massive man size zen gardens with sand, rocks, water features and trees pedicured to look like giantic bonsais!! It set an incredible atmosphere and the perfect set up for photo’s!!
I’m getting married next June as well and our theme is the Japanese Cherry blossom. I want to have cherry blossoms on all of the table (artificial) but I can’t find any – so I am going to make them using origami. I’ll have sprays of cherry blossom branches as centerpieces or perhaps some nice lanterns that I found online. I’m giving out wedding soundtrack cd’s as favors with cherry blossom labels on them. Oh and I’ll probably be making cherry blossom out of beaded wires. There will be a lot of hand made things, but I’m not able to find what I really want otherwise. And like every other bride, I want it to be perfect!
Hi there,
I am also looking to have a cherry blossom themed wedding so any suggestions you may have I would welcome. My fiancee is Japanese so its quite vital for me to have both Japanese and Western theme. Our ceremony will be held at a historical victorian village and our reception at a botanical garden in a covered courtyard so there will be hanging flower baskets and the reception will be a lunch afternoon function. So we won’t need much flower decoration but am wondering what ideas I can use for the table settings. I like the idea of wooden sandalwood fans to spread across each plate and would like to place paper lanterns on the tables but as it is a daytime wedding there is no need for candles or lighting so looking for alternatives. Any suggestions welcome!
sonja, here’s some ideas…..
* Pink & Brown Cherry Blossoms (wow!)love the simple cherry blossoms in water or even a floating water lily)
* Asian Wedding Favors
* Japanese Wedding Centerpiece You Can Make
* A Japanese Inspired Wedding (this is just beautiful)
you didn’t mention what all your colors was. but i think pink and brown would be fantastic!! so easy too! all pink cherry blossoms set against a bridesmaid brown dresses and perfect for a botanical garden wedding!!
keep it simple, red and pink would work too!! so would a fab navy blue and pink!! or pink and green. but could you see pink cherry blossoms against navy blue dresses?! now thats a show stopper!! good luck!! i ahve used a couple of these pics previously but i wanted to show you how bamboo table runners look and cherry blossoms and this would look fab!! plus you’ll get to use the table runner later in your own home!!
sonja, oh yeah, i put this on the black and white wedding site, but look at this. this could really work for you in your colors. arch in cherry blossoms, brown chairs, apple green paper lanterns just a thought. i didn’t think youd see this unless i gave you the link.
* A Punch of Color
Hi sonja,
I’m half japanese and am trying to infuse the culture into my day. Some things I’m thinking about are using obi’s (that can be purchased quite cheaply on ebay) as table runners and trying to get my mum to make ikebana centrepieces. Just a few ideas to bring a little colour into the room…..
I am having an Asian-inspired garden wedding. Here is what I’m doing, I hope that gives you some ideas!
I am giving out paper fans for the ceremony (it’s next June). Also, personalized pink (raspberry-flavored) fortune cookies at the end of the reception.
Our favors a fingertip towels with a bird on a branch silhouette embroidered on it (my mom has a machine). It’s not really Asian, but a little. I wanted something people might still use later (and we all know that favors get “lost” sometimes). The box, however, reminds me of a yin yang and opens up quite nicely (and the towel fits perfectly inside!)
Our centerpieces are spiral bamboo in low bowls & possible mini happy Buddhas to hold the table numbers. I am also having Asiatic lilies for the parents centerpieces (3 sets total) and for my bouquet. Paper lanterns will be hanging from the tree & the ceiling at the reception.
I’ve noted some nice sites to look at (if you order over $100 at Asian Ideas, shipping is free).
http://www.fancyfortunecookies.com/index.html
http://asianideas.com/paperfanwhite.html
http://www.asianideas.com/lanterns2.html
http://www.bayleysboxes.com/square%20box.html
My fiance and I are getting married in August. We are giving the ladies asian fans and giving everyone lucky bamboo as favors. Also as favors we are giving takeout boxes with a fortune cookie in it (hand-painted by my fiance with cherry blossom branches and bamboo). Goodluck.
YOu could use a zen garden for your centerpiceces and personalized forture cookies for your favors
Hello, does anyone have any ideas for japanese wedding centerpieces and favors…I am getting married in the fall. I’d be much appreciated.