Naba's Wedding

(This blog is dedicated to Naba-chan and Makihiro-san)

The wedding was truly beautiful! It was just lovely! (another long post - be ready!!)

14.00
All invited guests gathered around the hall of The Sodoh Higashiyama. When I arrived, Akane-chan (my friend) was already there waiting for me. It was so glad to see her again after roughly more than half a year. Now she is 7-month pregnant, but you can't really see from the first glance. (she said nobody noticed it, so noone gave her a seat on a shinkansen!! So poor her!!)

14.30
We all moved to the reception hall awaited for the ceremony to start. There were 2 musicians - violin and organ - playing in the background. The ceremony went in a church-like style. The Groom walked in first, then bride followed on her father's escort. There was an MC who carried out the ceremony instead of a priest. First the two read a marriage message and ask for our kind continuous support for their lives after marriage too. Then, they exchanged wedding rings, followed by wedding kiss and a paper signing. Everything went in a rather comprehensive style, but in a very heartfulled warmth atmosphere.

15.00
We moved back to the reception hall to register and leave our Oshugi (and present, if you have any). We are provided our transporation fee and a reception party information. I found out right there that there were 80 guests in total (including the bride's and groom's family members). So small a number, huh! Yes, it is!! So if you are invited to join anyone's wedding, that means you are very honored, you know. =) I was obviously the only foreigner to attend the function.

Reception started not so long after registration. Our seatings were fixed and you can notice from your name on it. Inside that was a little message to me from the bride. So cute. (Naba can speak quite good Thai and she also wrote a little Thai in the card too. (^^)

After everything was settled in the reception hall, there appeared the bride and groom. They bowed upon entering the hall for greeting. To my wonder, the first thing they did was to cut a wedding cake!

Throughout the reception we were served with uncountable number of dishes - great food! They came in a french style - not too much per dish, but a lot of dishes. While we were eating, there were always, always something going on. Messages from bride's and groom's representatives for kampai. Present-giving to lucky guests, etc. There was also a quiz for the bride prepared by the groom's friends. It was soooooo funny!!! (I learned at that moment that the groom was as funny as my bridal friend, Naba!! haha)


Another session was the bouquet throwing. Well, I don't think we could say it a throwing in this case though because it wasn't thrown. The way the Japanese do it is to hold a bunch of ribbon ties equal to the number of single women attending the party. Yes, because the number of guest is limited and seat reservation is required to attend the ceremony, they could control all the details concerning guests who are coming. And yes, that's why they know for sure who are single and who are not. Meaning, in this case, EVERY single women there had to come up to randomly pick the ribbon tie to hold. And yes, that included me! =P On the count of 3, we all had to pull our tie. The only one who holds the ribbon which one end is tied to the bouquet gets it. And you know who that was? It was................................. a lady right next to me!!!! (sigh.. sigh.. =P) To make it equal, all the bachelors also had to come up front to take a fortune for a bottle of wine too. (picture right below)


Then, the bride and groom left the room, leaving only their slide presentation on how they grew up to meet each other. I could feel the cares bride and groom put in this slide making. Why? Because... EVERYONE in the reception has AT LEAST one picture of themselves on it with either the bride or groom along their life path. It was like how they grew up to meet all of us attending the party and how they got to meet each other. Even I who probably met Naba-chan the least of all attending guests, I still had a picture on it with Naba-chan and Akane-chan! (Btw, Toffee, your picture taken at Naba-chan's house was also on it!!!)

(Naba-chan with her beloved cake at the age of 2 years and 9 months)

The couple reappeared in Japanese style dresses afterward. As a tradition, they walked around each table to light the candles and also the one on their own seats.

I finally got to take a picture with Naba-chan!!

In closing the reception ceremony, the bride read a letter to her parents. It was very, very, very touching. One thing I learned from here is that 'YOU NEED A WATERPROOF MASCARA TO GO TO A WEDDING!!' (Yes... I did put that on today!!!=P)
18.15
The reception ceremony ended.

19.00 ~
Nijikai Party

Nijikai is the party held after the formal reception that any friends can attend (we all pay for our part). The format depends on the bride and groom. For Naba's, we went to a Chinese Restaurant not too far from the Sodoh Higashiyama. Upon arrival, we all took a polaroid picture to write special message to the couple.

(Akane's husband - Hiro kun - also came to join the Nijikai Party)

This party is usually organized by close friends of the couple. For this case, Naba's close friends took care of arranging the party. Makihiro-san's friends took care of being the MC. So the party was really relaxed and heart-warming. The couple appeared again in a semi-casual dress, gave a little speech and walked around to talk to all the guests (approx. 40+ people). There were games throughout the party. We laughed a lot!!! So much fun.

Even with all that fun parts, there were many touching moments. The one that got me the most was the letter reading (again). But this time, it's the letters from their moms to both of them. I couldn't help but feeling overwhelmed. In closing the party, we lined up and made a tunnel for the couple to walk through. It was a really lovely party.

Naba-chan, thank you for your kind invitation. See you again next time in Hiroshima!! Congratulations once again. :)