JAPANESE
WEDDING
FASHION
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Rachael Ragalye, Gunma
A wedding in Japan ranges from a simple affair with one dress, to a full-blown theatrical production—with staff from the bridal salon waiting in the wings to re-outfit and restyle the bride several times throughout the day. Generally, what the bride and groom wear for their ceremony is determined by the choice of venue. A white wedding dress is worn for Western style ceremonies. These so-called “white weddings” are held in hotels, restaurants, resorts or “cathedrals”, which are usually venues constructed for their ambiance rather than for religious purposes,. Japanese dress or wafuku is for wedding ceremonies held at Shinto shrines. It is also possible to have a wedding at a Buddhist temple in a ceremony known as butsuzen kekkon shiki, literally “wedding ceremony before the Buddhist altar.” The idea behind this style is to inform one’s ancestors of the wedding, as well as to ask for their blessing and protection. As Buddhist temples are generally associated with funeral rites, this style is not commonly used. However, individual preferences vary, and I interviewed a Japanese woman named Yuri who got married last December. She chose a butsuzen ceremony because her beloved grandfather had passed away three years ago, and she wanted him to be a part of the ceremony. The bride and groom will typically change outfits for the reception. At a white wedding, the bride may change into a colored gown, while the groom may opt for a different tuxedo. If the couple were married in wafuku, they sometimes choose to wear Western dress for their reception
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What makes the many costume changes possible is the fact that more than fifty percent of brides in Japan rent—rather than buy—their wedding day attire, at least according to popular bridal magazine Zexy. The types of outfits, services and charges vary considerably. For example, Yuri went to a rental salon that specialized in kimono that were over a hundred years old. There, she chose a black hikifurisode with the help of her grandmother.
AN OVERVIEW OF JAPANESE WEDDING ATTIRE Wedding Dress ウエディングドレス
Wedding dresses in Japan come in a variety of styles such as A-line, princess, sheath and mermaid. In its Spring 2014 edition, Zexy included a spread of 1920s-inspired dresses worn by Caucasian models with period-style feathered or gem-studded headbands over sleek bobs. The styling was undoubtedly inspired by the success of Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby. However, these designer dresses by PRONOVIAS are for purchase only, and similar designs do not seem to be available on a rental basis. Salons stock princess cuts or A-lines with full skirts, the perennial favorites of Japanese brides.
Color Dress カラードレス
Unlike brides in the United States who change out of their wedding gown in favor of a dress that will allow them to dance freely at their reception, a Japanese bride’s color dress for the reception may be just as—or even more elaborate—than the gown worn for the ceremony. These dresses are usually princess cut with full skirts. Other
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April Issue 2014