  Tonight I went to my JTE's wedding. It was my first time going to a wedding here and Japan and boy was it memorable. First, the way they had theirs, I didn't go to the actual wedding ceremony. I went to the reception. But apparently the reception is bigger than the wedding. Okay, so I arrive at this big wedding plaza, running late because there was so much traffic on the highway leading up to the place. Instead of it being a church, its just a huge wedding plaza. Very hard to describe. Anyway, i go up to the information desk and ask about for "Harada Chizuko's Wedding" at this point, its 4:54 and the wedding stuff begins at 5.
I have to run in my heels and dress behind this bellboy who is running top speed into a totally different building. When I reach, I give the ladies at the door my envelope (you give money to the bride and groom here) sign my name on the register, recieve a seating chart and follow behind the bellboy who has once again taken off running as I hear him say "It starts at 5 right? " As I run through the door of the building of our final destination I see Ms. Harada in her kimono. Breathtaking!!! She looks so beautiful, but I can't pause to stare as the staff is fussing with me to get me into my seat in the dining room before the bride and groom walk in.
So, shortly after I'm seatin and say my hello's to my co-workers and former Vice Principal, the wedding planner (or whoever she was) announced the entrance of the bride and groom. Lots of bowing from the staff, and the couple walks in dressed in what look like VERY expensive kimono. Although it looks very difficult to walk, Harada is doing her best to walk w/all those heavy layers of kimono on and her hair all slicked up with dangly moving things in it.
They both looked great though. There were toasts and stuff like a usual western wedding but then as the meal is being served, the couple goes out again and comes in a few moments later changed into western style clothing. Him in a grey shiny, silky looking suit and her in a really nice white weddingd dress. During this change of clothes, they go around to all of the tables and take pictures with the people at the table.
That was kinda nice because people got to take good up close pictures of the couple. There was a bit of a break between the last change of clothes and this is where my Vice Prinicipal and Principal have had enough to drink so that they can become "themselves" again. I just witness this event a few nights ago at our End of the year Teachers party, and could sense the signs. They were so funny. Coming around pouring me wine and in turn I would go to their tables and pour them beer and wine. Then a random table full of men called me over to their table because they wanted to take a picture with me. The guy sitting next to me was the groom's cousin and he was flirting in his own little was most of the evening. Funny stuff. But I think the best was that the teachers at the table, Principal and VP told me that when I get married to please invite them. They really want to come. And that if I have my wedding in America, we should have the 'second party' in Japan! Hilarious group of folks. So, then the couple come back in...well, first the groom. This time he has a Santa hat on and strapped to his bag a keg!
He's going around pouring beer and such for about 20 minutes and then the bride comes back in wearing this weird Minnie Mouse looking thing. It was strange, but...not my wedding right? It wasn't an ugly dress, just looked liked something...hmmm...well just not something for a wedding is all. At the end we got a take home copy of the photo taken with the bride and groom at our table, which was nice and a bag full of goodies.
Two bottles of wine (small ones) red and white with "Just Married: Yuichi and Chizuko" on them. Then I got two bowls, not mixing bowls but glass like that. Nice ones though. Also some cakes and flowers from the table and a real wreath that was the center piece. The table stuff and flowers they told us to take. I didn't just lift the mess! I love weddings.
They are fun. Everyone seems so happy. The weird thing about all of this is...now I'm going to have to call her ". Sakai" and all I've ever know her as is Ms. Harada. I mean, with my friends who are married, I call them by their first names and always have, but I've always called her Harada. That is going to be very strange. Oh well, I'll get used to it. Today I pray: that you will bless the union of Chizuko and Yuichi. They have the possibility to bring forth great children and much happiness. Keep them in your care I pray Lord. Amen 
