Holy Matrimony (Part 2) The Reception / 結婚式 （パート２）披露宴

The reception was also held at Happo-En. Here is where you really see the difference between an Occidental style Japanese wedding and a real American wedding reception. I know most of my friends back in the States would associate reception with party and free booze. Although the flow of alcohol is the same, there is definitely no party atmosphere. In Japan, there will be an emcee to host the reception (no, I'm not kidding!). Family and friends will be seated at the table before the bride and groom enter. But before that, there was another photo opportunity for everybody.

披露宴も八芳園で行われた。ここで日本の西洋風と完全なアメリカ式の違いが分かる。アメリカの友達なら、披露宴イコールパーティーとただ酒が飲める。酒飲みは一緒ですが、パーティーの雰囲気ではないですね。日本なら、かならず司会者が居る。新郎新婦が登場する前に皆が先に席で座って待ってる。でもその前にまた写真撮影のチャンス。

Once everyone is settled at their assigned tables, the emcee will announce the bride and groom's entrance. They will be led to the main table and the groom will give a short annoucement thanking everyone for coming to celebrate their wedding. But I just had to share with you the my place setting card.

皆が座って落ち着いた時に、司会者が新郎新婦の登場をアナウスします。

Oops, my name was spelled wrong at a different wedding as well.

友達のせいじゃないですが、また自分の名前の綴りが間違えってる。

Check out the wedding cake, it's huge!

ケーキも見て、デッカイです。

Here we find the emcee introducing the newlyweds.

This is Ken giving his welcoming speech.

Next we have a picture of Ken and Yukino cutting into their wedding cake.

次の写真はケーキの入刀です。

Another difference is the cutting of the wedding cake. As you can see, this is mostly done as a formality and the cake is not eaten. And this is before the reception meal is served. In the States, we would have the meal followed by the cutting of the wedding cake. Aren't these little details interesting? I cannot guarantee if all Occidental style weddings are like this though.

またアメリカ式と違うのはケーキの入刀ですね。日本は、食事を食べる前にします。全部がこうゆう形とは限りませんけど、アメリカとの違いは面白いですね。

If you're wondering why Ken is laughing near the end of this clip, his friend Yukio was standing near and showing Ken and his new bride a picture of Ken from his junior high school yearbook that he has uploaded into his cell phone.

健がこの動画の最後に何で笑っているのかは、健の友達幸男が携帯で健の中学校卒業アルバムの写真を携帯で撮り、それを前に出て行って健に見せていたからです。

The wedding posts will continue. Next, everyone's favorite - the meal.

結婚式のポストがつづきます。次は皆が期待するもの‐食事です。