I'm Noriko Fujita, a bridal producer with 26 years of experience.

With the global pandemic gradually easing and more foreigners traveling from overseas, we're seeing a rapid increase in international weddings after several years. As globalization continues to progress, there's no doubt that the number of weddings in Japan by international couples will continue to rise.

Given the unique backgrounds of the couple from different countries, there is a particular demand for weddings that not only encapsulate the essence of Japan but also incorporate elements that reflect the traditions of each partner's homeland. In this article, I will share examples of international weddings that I, Noriko Fujita, have curated as a bridal producer with 26 years of experience. This examples is from Autumn 2022, highlighting the diversity and beauty of cross-cultural unions celebrated in Japan.

Amidst the pandemic, there was a lot of anxiety leading up to their return to Japan, but thankfully, the couple safely arrived according to the planned schedule. Their arrival was just one week before the wedding. Thanks to the scheduling arrangements made in advance, fittings, hair and makeup rehearsals, and meetings all proceeded smoothly. Given it was the couple’s first time in Japan together and a visit to the groom’s hometown, we coordinated the schedule with enough flexibility so that wedding preparations go smoothly and quality time with friends and family can be taken.

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On the day of a wedding produced by Fairy Tale, it is always sunny. The producer, Ms. Fujita, is very lucky with the weather. Even on this day when the arrival of a typhoon was a concern, the weather was indeed blessed.

From early morning, preparations for the bride began at historical sites such as Takamatsu Castle, Tamamo Park, and Hiunkaku. The bride is a Mexican who is visiting Japan for the first time. Of course, wearing traditional Japanese clothing is also a first-time experience for her.

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Once the preparations were complete, the groom and bride both signed the oath and practiced reciting it together, preparing for the ceremony. The foreign bride adeptly wrote her name in vertical script with a brush, a task that even some Japanese find challenging. The recitation of the oath, a difficult task even for Japanese speakers, became a heartwarming joint effort as the Japanese groom led the way, and both recited it together. It was truly a delightful sight, seeing the two work together in harmony.

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The pre-wedding photo shoot took place at historical sites such as the Takamatsu Castle ruins, Tamamo Park, and at the gardens within. The Japanese garden where feudal lords once resided provided the perfect backdrop for the Japanese-style wedding photos that they both desired.

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Adding the highly popular traditional Japanese boat plan to the photo wedding shoot is a fantastic idea. The elegant boat ride, reminiscent of feudal lords and princesses, will undoubtedly make for stunning and iconic shots, perfect for the highlight moments of the location photos.

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A picturesque shot against the backdrop of the Sakura Goten (Cherry Blossom Gate), which was restored in 2022 for the first time in about 80 years

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Takamatsu Castle Ruins and Tamamo Park is truly an iconic location for getting married at a castle. The groom, who has spent a long time living abroad, found this location on our Fairy Tale website and was determined to have his wedding in Japan!

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The wedding ceremony venue was the historic Takamatsu Castle ruins, Tamamo Park, and Hiunkaku (an Important Cultural Property ).

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Not only family and relatives but also many friends were able to attend the ceremony. Typically, in a traditional Shinto ceremony, only blood relatives are considered appropriate guests. However, in Shinto ceremonies produced by Fairy Tale, we welcome the attendance of not only relatives but also friends, embracing the idea of celebrating love and union with a broader circle of loved ones.

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The Shinto wedding ceremony is solemnly conducted by the chief priest of the Takamatsu branch shrine of Izumo Taisha, a shrine famous for its god of matchmaking.

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Live gagaku music will reverberate throughout the gardens of Tamamo Park, the historic site of Takamatsu Castle, and the interior of Hiunkaku, an important cultural property. The traditional Japanese music performance will add to the "Japaneseness" of the venue

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The bride and groom carefully follow each and every step of the Shinto wedding ceremony etiquette.
Thanks to the rehearsal they had before the ceremony, the foreign bride's manners were very beautiful.

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The Japanese groom led the reading of the vows, but when it came time for the couple to read out their names, the foreign bride also read her own name in the Japanese style.

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The Japanese groom at times seemed to be concerned about his foreign bride, and the couple looked very harmonious.

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When time to exchange rings, the bride finally smiled. Seeing him face to face must have given her a sense of relief.

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After the ritual, a " Citizen Wedding Ceremony " was held, in which the couple recited their vows in their own words.

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It had been several years since the groom last returned to Japan, and it seemed like a long time since he had spent time with family and relatives. Taking commemorative photos together is  the best part of any special day.
They chose a location appropriate for a castle wedding and took a family group photo.

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After the ceremony, the venue moved to JR Hotel Clement Takamatsu, a one-minute walk from Tamamo Park, a historic site of Takamatsu Castle, for a banquet.
Rather than a wedding anniversary dinner, it was more like a class reunion!
Since the groom was meeting up with some friends for the first time in decades, per the couple’s request, we set up a casual banquet style.

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For the photo wedding, the bride wore a colorful uchikake.
The first time she put on a kimono was when she tried one on at a costume shop after arriving to Japan a week prior, but it seems she had done some research on Japanese clothing before coming, and chose a red colorful uchikake with a classic pattern without hesitation.
She had also researched how to pose for photos in a kimono, which is quite difficult even for Japanese people. She is beautiful even down to her fingertips.

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"It's beautiful for a Japanese bride to have a Japanese hairstyle (wig), but I'm a foreigner and I'm not sure if it would suit me," she said during the hair and makeup rehearsal.

Her hair was put up and a bold, slightly larger fresh flower (Phalaenopsis orchid) was added. The voluminous head accessory suited her well-defined facial features.

When the cotton hat was presented to her, she asked "What does this mean?", showing her interest in understanding Japanese culture.

"In ancient Japan, there was a custom of women not wanting to be seen, and the cotton hat is a remnant of that custom. It is an item that is only worn at weddings and symbolizes the modest Japanese woman," we explained, and she said, "I'd love to try it."

For the wedding ceremony, she wore a cotton hat with a Western hairstyle and fresh flower (Phalaenopsis orchid) on her head.

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If either the bride or groom does not understand Japanese well, we recommend that you have an attendant nearby who can interpret. No matter how well your partner speaks Japanese, unexpected situations can occur on the day of the wedding. Communication is important for the smooth sailing of any wedding ceremony.

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