Kenichi and Hiroko's Wedding
This wedding started on a Sunday morning. Luckily for everyone, the next day, Monday, was a holiday, and most didn't have to work. It also started out at 9:45am - bit earlier than the last 2. Those two details, combined, contributed to making this the longest one yet. It was like a Marathon. I had trained for months in preparation. It did me no good. I have much to learn. I am but a larvae.
Marie woke up at 7am and then I at 7:45. We made our way to the chapel by 9:30am. The wedding was in Odaiba, right on the Tokyo beach of the Tokyo Bay. We were greeted at the signin point and promptly handed off our goshugi-bukuro envelopes (wedding gifts consisting of an odd number of bills - anything else would be bad luck). We signed a form saying we were present and condoned the marriage. I had no idea I was going to have to take any reponsibility for this, but I signed anyways ;) We were handed back a postcard on which we were instructed to write a 5-year message. These postcards would be delievered to Kenichi and Hiroko to read in 5 years. You know what kind of pressure it is to write a prophetic note to someone under those conditions? A little space on a table, some markers and everyone saying hi and greeting each other. If anyone came up with anything witty, I want to see it. If I ever get married, I will inform everyone a week in advance that they will be required to write something both entertaining and deep.
After that, we perused some pictures of Kenichi and Hiroko as babies and kids and teenagers and then as a couple. It felt really good seeing pictures of all the things they did together as I was there for so many of them - you can see many of the same pictures on this website. My dad and Janet even made an appearance at the wedding by being present in a picture of Kenichi and Hiroko taken at High Rocks in PA. I'll get to my mom's part letter, err, I mean later.
Next, we went up to chapel for the ceremony. I love these Japanese ceremonies. No preaching about God, a little light entertainment, a little tradition, just in and out. Kenichi came in first, walked down the aisle, and collected single white roses from various people as a he walked. By the time he reached the front, he had a bouquet. Hiroko came in next, escorted by her father, and when she reached the front, Kenichi presented the bouquet to her. I think this was to show again that everyone (the people he collected roses from), condoned of what was happening. Some other things happened, some words were spoken, and vows were read. Among them: Kenichi promised to come home early and help around the house, Hiroko promised to always stay thin, etc. Everyone chuckled. Then before we knew it, they were married, Kenichi kissed her forehead, and they walked out. We all went outside and threw flowers on them and shot various pictures on this beautiful staircase.
From there, we walked threw a maze of nice shrubs and green grounds around back and ended up at an outdoor garden where we got tea, and took some more pictures. We would return to this place later. After that, we went in to the reception brunch/lunch/dinner (it was only 11:30am), found our table and began enojying the food and festivities. Cutting of the cake, the parents walking around pouring beer and wine and chatting with everyone, candle lighting, and various slideshows and more pictures of things they did together on a big screen. Some other things that occurred involved Hiroko and her younger sister playing the piano for everyone - amazing song! There were toasts by Kenichi's boss and a co-worker, by Hiroko's elder at her school, etc. Kenichi and Hiroko also left at one point to change clothes a re-enter to new fanfare as is the norm at these weddings.
When the main meal was over, the next phase involved going outside to get the cake and fruit and tea/coffee. As I got my strawberry and cream cake, I told Marie there an odd hard piece of strawberry in my cake. She replied, "stop complaining" an odd hard piece of strawberry in my cake. She said something to the extent of, "stop complaining". But, then someone else noticed it in my cake too, and told me I got the "atari". It was a candy almond and meant that I won (I never did find about the meaning of atari - but it means something like 'brightness' or 'happiness'). Turns out there were 3 of them in the entire cake and me and two others won a prize. We were presented it with Kenichi and Hiroko outside. It was a nice pillow, that becomes hot in the winter for snuggling. Very nice.
At another point, the host read some notes and letters from Kenichi and Hiroko's co-workers that were unable to attend. Next, he says, "The next one is from America. Kenichi and Hiroko congratulations on today...". It was a letter my mom had asked me to give to them. Somehow it had made it's way to the and the host for the wedding party. Really nice. It's odd to think both my parents were in the wedding in a way.
Next was back inside for another piano song, this time by Hiroko and...Kenichi! It was also very nice and he must have practiced like crazy to sound that good. On another 'note', my favorite part was a bunch of videos they showed us of many of Hiroko's kids. These were all like one-on-one home videos of her students. Someone had gone into her school and prompted them to talk about thier thoughts on her wedding. Some congratulated her, some were surpised to even hear that she was getting married, some were nervous, some felt sorry for Kenichi, some had heard stories of Kenichi, and some told deep, dark secrets about Hiroko's teaching styles that had evreyone laughing!
Next, the Shamurai FC soccer team did our staple wedding dance for everyone. We were in good form since this was the third wedding we've done it at.
Lastly, as is custom, Hiroko and Kenichi stood, facing their parents and gave speeches, thanking them for getting them to this point in their life. First, Hiroko read her "letter" to her parents, breaking down in tears about 3 times. Kenichi then gave his speech to his parents. It, too, was very moving, although I have a hard time following it completely because of all the extra polite language they use it these instances that I have never studied before.
After that, some final greetings and goodbyes and then we were in a taxi off to the "Second" Party. Marie broke off from our group to go to another wedding of one of her friends from college. She would join up with us later at the "Third" or "Fourth" party, though.
At the Second Party, which was more like a large reception, there were about 3 times the amount of people as the first wedding. Many more groups of friends were present. There were many of the same festivities (cutting of the cake, meals, photos), some games (guess the details of their worst fight/argument), and a lot of live singing and dancing and playing by Yutaka and other friends. Yutaka's musical and dancing skills are amazing. We also did our dance once more. I can do it in my sleep now.
By the way, the winning answer for worst fight involved some of Kenichi's bodily functions, or his lack of control over them :) Give yourself a point if guessed that.
After that, we started the Third Party in a smaller room in the same restaurant. By now, there were just about 30-50 left. There we just talked a bit more intimately and enojyed more food and drink. Marie showed up about halfway through that.
Then , around 11:00 or 11:30pm, the remaining 15-20 of us went to Karaoke. About half of us, left that about 1:30am and the rest stayed until the morning. For all I know, the rest of them are still in there singing.
