Prologue for a Western Style Wedding in Japan
The wedding ceremony begins with a prologue; something that says why we are here and sets the thematic stage.
Part One - Administration
(Here are some of the usual things covered, spoken in Japanese by a chapel staff member. It is a short speech of less than one minute.)
- Welcome
- Switch off your mobile phones
- Photographs: Please stay in your seats, try not to use flash, etc.
- This is a Christian ceremony: Please respect the customs, repeat 'Amen' at the end of prayers, etc.
- After the ceremony there will be a flower-shower just outside the chapel
- Other announcements as appropriate
- Please remain seated as the Groom and Celebrant enter the chapel
Part Two - Announcement
(This is usually spoken in English, Japanese, or both, by the Wedding Celebrant. Like the Administration part, this speech is very short, usually lasting less than one minute.)
- Welcome
- Self introduction (Often this is omitted since the Celebrant is not important at all; the family and friends have come to see the couple getting married, not the Celebrant. But some wedding chapels feel a self introduction is a polite.)
- A short bible reading, message, or prayer (this is rarely done, but sometimes it's felt necessary to introduce an appropriate calm mood if the chapel setting is unusual; a garden, for example, where a stiff breeze is distracting attention.)
- Announcement that this is the start of the wedding ceremony (the couple's full names are read out)
- All please stand
- Enter the bride!
