Royal Bridal Fair

Weddings in Japan have come to be somewhat of a cultural mashup.

Traditional weddings took place at a shrine, with bride, groom and guests wearing kimono. The reception was usually held afterwards at someone's home. People drank sake.

Starting a couple of generations ago, Western elements began to be adopted, with Christian priests, white wedding gowns, cakes, churches or chapels, and hotel receptions mixed in. 

Today a typical wedding consists of a ceremony at a wedding chapel (which is often housed in a hotel or mall), multiple costume changes between wedding gowns and kimonos, speeches by family, friends, and bosses, reception at a hotel, and multiple after parties at local bars. As the couple are actually legally married by filling out a form at city hall previous to the ceremony, the actual wedding ceremony is only for show. It's an interesting cultural mixup that's found only in Japan.

It's also somewhat formulaic, with everybody's weddings looking just like their friends'. In an effort to produce an original wedding, these days many young couples are adding a personal element. This includes songs sung by the bride or groom, videos made by friends,  different fashions, and original wedding locations (Disneyland is one location that's becoming very popular).

While personalizing your wedding is a nice idea, it can often turn out much like a tattoo you got back in college... not necessarily something you want to show to your children and grandchildren. Your wedding is a special event, something that should have an air of wonderment, romance, and above all, meaning.

Starting with a series of bridal fairs at the Royal Hotel, we are working together with local professionals to produce weddings that balance the best elements of traditional Japanese ceremonies with romantic Western elements. Weddings that are both original and maintain enough of a classic element that you won't be embarrassed to show your wedding video in 10 years, or even 50.