A typical wedding reception at a hotel, featuring a gorgeously tiered cake. The couple stand on a raised platform.

The season of "June brides" is here. Nowadays, while some Japanese couples still observe unique local customs or old-style pomp in their wedding ceremonies, recently a growing number are making their own distinctive contributions to engagements and wedding ceremonies. What exactly is happening to the wedding in Japan?

Modern Traditional Wedding Customs
The traditional Japanese view is that a marriage unites not only the bride and groom but also the two families, as is reflected in many ceremonies connected with weddings. First there is the custom of yuino - a formal exchange of betrothal gifts. In the Kanto region (Tokyo and six adjacent prefectures), for example, it is customary for the families of the young couple getting engaged to exchange gifts of nine items considered auspicious - among them abalone, dried bonito, and dried kelp - in witness of their engagement. It is usual on this occasion for the family of the groom to present yuinokin (betrothal money) to the bride's family. This is a contribution from the groom's family toward the cost of the household goods that the couple will need in their new life. According to a survey carried out by a Japanese magazine specializing in wedding-related information, the average amount given as yuinokin in 1998 was ¥878,000 ($7,317 at ¥120 to the dollar).

Seasonally, October and November, when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold, are popular months for weddings, and a day known as taian (great peace) - occurring roughly every six days in the traditional Japanese calendar - is considered ideal. Although arranged marriages are no longer common in Japan, traditionally a matchmaker (nakodo) is appointed and it is his or her duty to preside over the proceedings on the big day. Frequently the groom's teacher or superior at work will be asked to take on the role. The form of the wedding ceremony will depend on the religious persuasions or simply on the preferences of the two families, but often it is a Shinto ceremony - although nowadays a considerable number of wedding ceremonies are held in churches or wedding chapels, as many Japanese, regardless of religious persuasion, have an admiration for Christian-style weddings.

Since the 1980s the ceremony has commonly been followed by a reception (hiroen) at a hotel or at an establishment specializing in wedding receptions, lasting about two hours. For most of this time, the bride and groom are seated apart from and facing the guests at large. Receptions in the Kanto region are attended by 50 to 60 guests on average. They start with speeches by the nakodo and distinguished guests and are followed by a meal. During this time the bride and groom retire and reappear having changed from wedding costume typically to an evening dress for the bride and tuxedo for the groom, or kimono for both. This change of dress is called oironaoshi. At the same time it is usual for friends of the new couple to entertain the guests with stories about the couple, songs, and other party tricks. A survey by the Sanwa Bank in 1996 found that the average amount spent on a wedding ceremony and reception was ¥3.1 million, ¥3.5 million if the venue was a hotel. This figure is thought to have come down now that Japan is in the grip of deflation.

	Creative weddings are increasingly popular; this cake was baked and decorated by the bride and her friends.

Some regions still observe local customs. Okinawan weddings are famous for their scale - 300 guests are not exceptional - and the entertaining is done with panache. The usual pattern is to start and end the festivities with Okinawan dancing. The Nagoya region is another known for the colorful magnificence of its weddings. As many as eight gifts (hikidemono) are provided for each guest at the reception. The household goods that will be needed by the new couple are piled into a truck festooned with an auspiciously red-and-white curtain and transported riotously to their new residence.

Overseas Weddings and "Own Design" Weddings
In contrast to these traditional wedding styles, a trend toward simplification has been noticeable recently. The trend is reflected in the replacement of the yuino formal exchange of betrothal gifts by a simple handing over of the engagement ring and a joint dinner for the couple and their families. Another simplification can be seen in the fact that 80% of weddings in Tokyo now take place without a matchmaker, whereas having a matchmaker was a matter of course before.

Since the mid-1990s there has been a steep rise in the number of couples who have their wedding ceremony overseas and then spend their honeymoon in the same locality. The terrorist attacks in the United States in September 2001 led to many canceled reservations that autumn and winter. It is predicted, however, that 2002 will see a sharp rebound, with a record 61,000 couples going overseas for their wedding. Among the reasons for the popularity of this option are the lower prices and the fact that the couples and their families do not have to worry about whom to invite to the reception.

Another recent development is the growing number of "own design" weddings exhibiting touches of originality. The creative features include using a wedding cake baked by the bride herself, setting aside time for the bride and groom to talk to each of the guests at the reception, holding a party at a restaurant instead of the usual formal reception, and weddings free of any religious elements.

"Wedding planners" are increasingly being used to plan and coordinate weddings - selecting a venue, making the catering arrangements, and overseeing the progress of the whole event. The profession is now attracting much attention, wedding planners even being featured as principal characters in films and TV series.