Wedding Day!<\/p>\n
It was a drizzly day, so not the sunny, beautiful day we were hoping for.\u00a0 But it wasn’t going to get us down.\u00a0 Kaoru left for Harijuku a bit before 8.\u00a0 I had a slightly later start and left a bit before 9.\u00a0 The first train was too full so I had to wait for the second one to get me from Shinjuku to Harijuku.\u00a0 When I arrived at the venue, Kaoru’s Mum and Aunts were just arriving in taxis.\u00a0 So I said hello to them, and then went in.\u00a0 I was taken to the brides room, where Kaoru was having make up done.\u00a0 Here I got out of my clothes and in to a robe, at which point I was offered breakfast.\u00a0 I had eaten in the room but still tried a bit of what was on offer.<\/p>\n
Then it was time to get dressed.\u00a0 It took about 5 minutes to get all the layers on me.\u00a0 Kaoru was ready not long after, and the photographer came in to get a few snaps off.\u00a0 Then it was off for more photos.\u00a0 I was taught how to walk (chest out, hands clenched, and in front of Kaoru) and we went past the reception room (where guests were gathering).\u00a0 A few people noticed us, and I could hear the “Oh wow – isn’t she lovely”, but we weren’t allowed to see them yet.\u00a0 A few photos were taken, and we were then taken to the front of the temple for even more.\u00a0 It was obvious we wouldn’t be using the gardens and having the walk we were hoping for.<\/p>\n
Next we were taken to a room and informed that Kaoru’s father hadn’t arrived yet.\u00a0 But not long after our families were brought in for the formal “introduction”.\u00a0 Dad did this for our family, and Kaoru’s father did his family – except he forgot the names of his daughters and grandchildren!\u00a0 This lightened the air in the room a lot as we were all laughing, and Kaoru’s Aunties stood up and introduced themselves!<\/p>\n
More photos were taken, and then everybody left to go in to the shrine.\u00a0 Finally it was our turn.\u00a0 We were led in by some japanese music, and the banging of the big drum in the shrine.\u00a0 It was a slow walk, but finally we were in the shrine and ready to start.\u00a0 The ceremony proceeded normally – we drank the sake, although Kaoru was unable to lift the cup up high enough with the weight of her Kimono.\u00a0 My throat was quite dry so I was thankful to get some fluids in there.\u00a0 Then it was time for me to read the vows.\u00a0 This was the real test, as I had left parts of it in Hiragana, but I did have to cheat and read my translation for a lot of it.\u00a0 I knew I made a few mistakes along the way, but nobody minded (half the people wouldn’t have noticed!).<\/p>\n
After turning the leaf, everybody clapped at the right time with us, which was impressive, as I had only briefed the “Westerners” on it the previous night!\u00a0 The final drinking of sake occurred (with the parents as well) and we walked out of the shrine through the guests on my side, so they all got a close look at us both dressed up.\u00a0 We had to go to the photographers room to get some more photos done (why they couldn’t have done these photos when we were in that room earlier, I’ll never know!).<\/p>\n
Then it was off to the Brides room so Kaoru could change Kimonos, remove her wig, have her hair done, and make up touched up.\u00a0 Finally she was ready and it was off to the reception.\u00a0 We greeted everybody at the door as they came in and took their seats.\u00a0 Then we went to our seats, and it was time to start the proceedings.\u00a0 Kozue, as MC, got it underway, and I gave my first welcome address.\u00a0 Because Kaoru was translating it, I followed my planned words very strictly.\u00a0 Next was opening the sake barrel, so we had to walk up to the other end of the room, and I called all the kids down to help us.\u00a0 Ella was a bit upset, but eventually was happy to go up with Kaoru.\u00a0 I explained to everybody what we needed them to do, and it went great.<\/p>\n
Back at our seat, the meal started being served.\u00a0 Kaoru had trouble eating, but I enjoyed it all!\u00a0 Various groups of people came up to us to have their photo taken, so there was lots of smiling happening all day.\u00a0 It was a very formal affair – not so much a party but very regal.\u00a0 We never got to walk around and greet all of our guests as it was too hard for Kaoru to get up.\u00a0 I was so hot that at some stage I had to go outside for some fresh air.\u00a0 There were a lot of layers on, and because I was still sick, it didn’t help.<\/p>\n
Sadly the reception part of the day had to finish, and the farewell address was given by Dad, Kaoru’s Dad, and then me. \u00a0We said farewell and thank you to each of our guests, and it was off to the Brides room to get changed. \u00a0We were then brought some dinner – basically we received all the courses from the main meal *all over again*! \u00a0Kaoru hadn’t had much of a chance to eat during the day, but I tried to eat everything. \u00a0So while she enjoyed the opportunity to eat, I struggled to get much more in. \u00a0But enjoyed revisiting my favourite dishes. \u00a0We paid the bill (the really scary part!) and then caught a taxi back to the hotel. \u00a0We decided against walking as we had 8 litres of sake (from the barrel we broke), 2 large bunches of flowers from Mio, and our other stuff.<\/p>\n
We managed to meet up with Michael and Leila and say goodbye to them (as they leave the next morning), and I gave them a bottle of sake to keep them going. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We wanted to go to Meiji Jingu shrine but unfortunately they were closed by now. \u00a0So instead we went up to the lounge where Mum, Dad, Aunty Linda, Julie and David were. \u00a0After Aunty Linda left, I called Aunty Lynette and told her to come up as Naomi (as Brett and Naomi weren’t going to join us – they were out with Simon). \u00a0About 9.00 Aunty Lynette saw a glitter at the front desk. \u00a0James, Andrew and Ella had found us. \u00a0So we invited them in and said to make the most of it as we have to pay for visitors!<\/p>\n After a couple of drinks and some snacks we were kicked out for closing time. \u00a0So Andrew, James and Ella came back to our room for a quick sake. and then left. \u00a0Finally we were able to sit down alone and reflect on our wonderful wedding day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Wedding Day! It was a drizzly day, so not the sunny, beautiful day we were hoping for.\u00a0 But it wasn’t going to get us down.\u00a0 Kaoru left for Harijuku a bit before 8.\u00a0 I had a slightly later start and left a bit before 9.\u00a0 The first train was too full so I had to … Continue reading