1.
Introduction
I work part time in the wedding industry, so
my favorite topic was American Wedding Customs. For example, American often
give each other rings, they usually receive gifts rather than money and they
have a different type of wedding ceremony. I think the difference between
American and Japanese weddings is huge. However, that is because they are
different countries.
American and Japanese people have a different culture and different
habits, therefore they think differently.
2.
Japanese
A
Japanese wedding begins with a proposal, generally from the man. Research from
a Japanese wedding magazine shows that the percentage of men who propose is
83.5%, women who propose is 2 %, and no proposal at all is 14%. From
this, you can see that men propose the majority of the time. These proposals
happen anywhere from inside the home, at a restaurant, or near the sea.
When
proposing, the man offers an engagement ring to the girl. Japanese engagement
rings are simple in design, but recently couples have chosen not to offer them.
This is because sometimes they will already have an anniversary ring, or they
simply do not buy one. About 70% people offer a ring, and 30% do not. Some
people offer some other type of gift. For example, they buy pair watches or pair
necklaces.
Japanese
people term the phrase “June Bride”, but it’s misleading. The Ministry of
Health announced that the most popular wedding months in Japan are March and
November, coinciding with the spring and autumn seasons.
In
Japan, the average wedding cost is \3885000. The average for a brides dress is
\430000, engagement and wedding rings cost \578000, flowers costs are \220000
and food costs are \1190000.
In a
traditional Japanese wedding there is a ceremony and a reception. There are
five types of wedding ceremony. First, a wedding ceremony held at a Shinto
shrine. This is the most traditional style in Japan.
First
comes, “Sanshin”, when the bride and groom walk into the shrine to
Japanese ancient court music. Second, “Shubatsu-Purification Rite” This begins
the ceremony, and is done to purify the mind and body. Third,
“Kensen Rite of presentation of food to god” this is a rite in which god is
offered rice, rice wine and other foods. Fourth, “Norito-soujyou reading of
sacred words” the bride and groom from this point on become a married couple, they
appeal to the god, give thanks to the god and pray for a long,
happy life together. Fifth, “Sankon-no-gi-Exchanging of nuptial cups” together,
the couple each take turns to drink various sized cups of rice wine, whilst
promising to love eachother. The groom drinks the small cup and
then the bride drinks the small cup. The bride drinks the middle cup then the
groom drinks the middle cup. The groom drinks the largest cup then
the bride drinks the largest cup. Sixth, “Mikushi-azuke-no-gi-Entrusting of the
comb” the bride entrusts a comb, a symbol of a woman in ancient ages to
the groom. With this, they are united as one and promise to trust and help each
other in their new life Seventh, “Seishi-houdoku reading of the
vows” the rite where the couple face the god and personally state
their vows. With the groom using his right hand and the
bride using her left, they hold the vows together. Eighth, “Tamagushi-houten
tamagushi rite” the bride and groom pray from the heart and place their
feelings into the Tamagushi, then offer it before the god in a method of
worship. Ninth, “exchange of wedding rings” the bride and groom consecrate
their vows. Tenth, “Tamagushi-houten tamagushi rite” the match maker or family
representative prays for a long, happy life for the couple and offersthe
Tamagushi, worship before the god. Finally, “Shinzoku-Ieppai”
bond tying rite. The relatives of the couple pour and exchange cups of rice wine
before the god tying the bonds of the relationships of friends and family. This
rite started in the year 1900. It is a traditional Japanese style.
Other
kinds of weddings include church wedding, recently, many
Japanese people prefer to get married in a church. Recently,
some people like valuable weddings. It mean cheaper wedding. For example, 1.5
wedding party, limited midsummer, the deep of winter, a weekday, produce by
student planner, their old school wedding and so on. Why would they be popular?
It is because young couple doesn’t have a lot of money, but they want to good
wedding ceremony, so they choice low cost plan. They can choice good dishes by
low cost.
3.
American
The man chooses a special date for when he
is going to propose. For example, they will go to an expensive restaurant.
Generally, the man says “Will you marry me?”. This is the same in Japan. If the
answer is yes, the man gives his new fiancé an engagement ring. They usually
contain some sort of gem. During the wedding ceremony, both the man and woman
exchange wedding rings. After the wedding, the woman might get both rings
turned into one.
In
America, the average wedding cost is $25,449.00(\2086,818). The average wedding
dress cost is $1,025.00(\84050). Engagement and wedding rings costs are
$6066.00(\497,412). Flower costs are $1,103.00(\90,446). Cake cost is
$525.00(\43050). These extravagant cakes are all real. Reception costs are
$9286.00(\761,452). American weddings are cheaper than Japanese, because
Japanese weddings come with a lot of minor costs.
Americans also say “June bride” because it is the summer season. This
tradition came from Europe, where “June Bride” has another meaning. June is the
month of marriage according to Juno, a god worshipped by women. It is said that
if a woman is married during June then her life will be happier. This is easy
to understand, since the United States was originally populated by immigrants
from many lands, primarily Europe. These
immigrants brought their own wedding traditions with them, and these
traditions, stirred in the melting pot of the United States, have slowly
evolved into the traditional American wedding ceremony. There are a few things
that all U.S. weddings have in common.
To begin with, U.S. wedding ceremonies may be either religious or
civil. Most brides prefer a large and
rather elaborate ceremony if it is their first wedding. Marriages are not
arranged. A typical U.S. wedding takes place between two people who have sought
out a partner and have found someone whom they believe they can share their
life with. In other words, in the United
States marriages are based on love. They are not arranged to strengthen family
business or influence.
There are Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Flower girls and a Ring bearer in the
ceremony. Bridesmaids can be the bride’s sisters or other relatives, or very
close friends. They help the bride in any way possible. Groomsmen are also usually
relatives or close friends. They attend to the grooms needs. A Flower girl is
usually a young relative. She walks in front of the bride, holding the bouquet
and tossing flower petals. The Ring bearer is a young male relative who carried
the wedding rings.
There is a tradition in which the bride wears “something old, something
new, something borrowed and something blue.” It is called “Something Four.” If
a bride wears them, her married life will be happier. “Something Old” expresses
the family prosperity, for example, family connection, an ancestor and
tradition. We succeed to ancestral thing and we hope our family’s prosperity.
Generally we wear our grandmother and mother used wedding dress, ring, an
earring, a brooch, a necklace or a handkerchief. “Something New” is a symbol of
the couples new life together. A bride gets a new thing to bless a bride’s new
life and happy future. Generally, they made to order wedding dress, wedding
shoes, wedding undergarment, a pair of gloves, shoes or underwear. Generally,
it is white things. “Something Borrowed” shows the relationship between friends
and the neighbors. It is a new couple
gets happy by someone’s happy life. Generally, a bride borrow a handkerchief or
an accessory from got married before. A bride borrow friends veil the
mainstream of American. And “Something Blue” expresses the blue which is the symbol
color of the Virgin Mary meaning purity. Blue is symbol of sincerity, confidence,
virginity and purely. A bride wear it
inconspicuous point. Generally, a blue color flower in a bouquet, blue garter
belt, tie a blue ribbon to garter belt, blue underwear or blue jewel ring.
After
the wedding, there is a bouquet and garter toss. The groom removes the bride’s
garters, which are worn on the leg, and throws it into a crowd of un-married
men. Whoever catches the garters is said to be next to marry. American wedding
gifts don’t include money and instead are items which will help the married
couple start their new life together. A party ensues for a long time after the
wedding. Sometimes Japanese people use “Something Four”, but not popular.
Recently, there has been interest in a different wedding-style. It is a
drive-through wedding. It sounds very surprising. It is simply a signature and
a kiss then. The newlyweds drive away in no time.
Conclusion
I think Japanese wedding ceremonies are very
solemn Japanese people don’t dance or organize huge parties. However, Japanese
weddings are based on the American models. For example, they give each other
engagement rings, they say “June Bride”, a lot of brides do “something four”, and
they get married in churches. An overall impression, American wedding is cheaper
and more like a party. Japanese wedding is a strict and serious ritual.
Wedding ceremony style
is changing simple one, I think. It has a lot of reason. My parent generation
got married by design, but my generation isn’t same. Recently, a lot of couple
gets married by accident. For example, women become pregnant, so they don’t
have save money enough. They have to choice low cost wedding. And young people
like small wedding. They think want to cut extra things. Above I think Japanese
and American have own wedding culture, but it is changing simple one.
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