Decoration For Traditional Japanese Wedding

In Japan, a groom wears a haori on the top and a hakama on the bottom, all in black colour. The bride changes into up to five different kimonos throughout the wedding day. Though it isn't required, some Japanese brides wear the traditional wig as part of their wedding attire, that's heavily decorated in artificial flowers, gold combs and pearls. The wedding party also dresses in kimonos, usually in a color have been chosen by the bride.

Traditionally, the bride and groom enter the ceremony from opposite sides of the room, to the strains of the drum and flute. Attendants wave a sacred tree made from paper streamers over the couple's heads for purification. Also for keeping eveil spirits at the bay. After exchanging vows, the couple drinks wine or sake. They trade glasses nine times to symbolize their new bond.

 

When deciding on lighting for a Japanese-themed wedding, look for paper lanterns-you can even make them or hang them at the reception from tent ceilings or overhead wires. That magic glow will last all night long. Also, think about the miniature fans to use as place settings with wind a personalized strip of paper through the ribs which double as take-home souvenirs. Chopsticks are another festive, practical favour. Whenever your guests know how to use them or not, they'll have fun trying them.

As in so many other areas of Japanese culture these days, Japanese weddings combine traditional Japanese elements with modern Western touches. This is especially common during the reception, where a Western-style wedding cake is often the centrepiece and the cake-cutting ceremony is a popular part.

Japanese wedding cakes are usually multi-tiered large confections created from sponge cakes with buttercream or sugarpaste icing like Western ones. They are generally provided by the reception venue rather than being bought from a specialist baker or decorator. Traditionally they are white with touches of red in their different decoration, since red and white is an auspicious colour combination in Japan.

Sometimes plastic or styrofoam replicas are rented from the reception venue and used for the cake-cutting ceremony instead of real cakes, and the guests are served with slices of sheet cake or individual small cakes in boxes instead of slices of wedding cake.

Although Japanese wedding cakes look very much like Western ones, their flavour is a little different. Like all Japanese desserts, wedding cakes are delicately flavoured and intensely sweet-another example where the Japanese have taken a Western idea and made it uniquely their own.

Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations

If love seems to be multi-faceted experience for every couple, so is a romantic vacation! Ask somebody what a perfect romantic getaway is and you are likely to come up with thousand options. But, then, at the end of the day, it's only one thing that couples look up to, i.e. the idea of togetherness. The idea of taking a stroll along sun kissed beaches or snuggling in front of a fireplace is something that lives through ages. When you are in love, then you may feel a deep desire to proclaim it clear and out. Whether you want to make it known snorkeling with underwater creatures or shout at the top of your voice from the top of a mountain, there are innumerable honeymoon destinations to choose from. Since your honeymoon trip is just as significant as the destination, here is a list of some great romantic places that'll help you create enough memories for a lifetime.
France

France is an ideal honeymoon destination. Married? Engaged? Want a honeymoon destination that would make your beloved feel special? Here is the solution of your problem. With Travour take your sweetheart for a France. It is a perfect destination for a perfect couple, where you can check in at luxurious hotels in France and enjoy the romantic honeymoon cruises. France is the ideal destination for honeymoon vacations in the true sense of the term.
On your France, one of the most frequented luxury honeymoon destinations, with Travour you will visit many interesting places. Saint Paul de Vence is a fascinating hilltop located in the city of Provence. There are many galleries and boutiques in Saint Paul de Vence. An ideal spot for funtoosh (fun loving) people is Montsegur. After the rough climb of the hill, you reach Cathar castle (castle belonging to Middle Ages). Stunning views of the splendorous mountains await the couples to envelope them in blanket of eroticism.

Hawaii
Hawaii, one of the luxury honeymoon destinations, attracts millions of honeymoon couples annually with its beguiling palm-fringed beaches and majestic volcanoes. Some of the Hawaii Islands have superb scenery. Surfers, divers, golfers and hikers frequent the islands. Hawaii islands are located in the Pacific Ocean. There are hundred islands with a chain of underwater volcanoes stretching upto Japan. The islands are very small in size. The beaches are alive from morning till late night. You can go on a romantic stroll holding the hand of your beloved early in the morning or late at night for a tranquil and a romantic walk.

India
Eyeing on a special destination for your special someone? Well, why not choose India? Couples from all over the globe come here to spend some fabulous moments of their life with their special someone. India offers a variety of choices starting from beaches to mountains and extending up to the gardens and forts. So, plan your honeymoon in India and pave your way towards an exciting and cherishing journey! Let us now take a look at some of the romantic destinations where you may plan your honeymoon.

Caribbean
Dreaming of some great honeymoon vacations? Why not plan for a honeymoon in Caribbean? Think for your own self- how good it feels to sleep under the stars, dine under a silver moon or on the sunset terrace with your partner! With beautiful beaches, green trees, blue water and snow covered mountains, Caribbean vacations is indeed an amusing and interesting one.

Venice

Go on a honeymoon tour to the mesmerizing and enchanting city of Venice! During your Venice, you will find that so many things, which the city offers that it can actually make you feel, intoxicated. There are so many things that a couple can nod in the city and it is rightly referred to as the city of romance by many people. You must understand that a single visit to the city is not adequate to see and witness the various attractions there. So, you must make plans to go back there with your spouse and travel around the city in leisure.

Traditional Hindu Wedding Activities

Before the actual wedding takes place there are a few activities, that are equally important as the actual wedding. Each activity has it's own importance and meaning.

The very first ceremony is the "Misri" (engagement)- This is where the to-be bride and groom exchange the gold wedding rings. The couple welcome each other and their families with garlands and sweets. The engagement is complete after a dinner party which is held for friends and relatives.

A few days later a Sangeet Party takes place, where the bride and groom hold this event seperately and invite their relatives and friends to this occasion. This event would be held with people singing songs, dancing, eating and drinks.

Ghar Puja- is a religious ceremony performed on the eve of the wedding day in the respective homes of the couple. The priest performs prayers with rice, coconut, wheat grains, oil betel nuts and tumeric. While this event takes place the bride's family and close relatives dress up in their finery. They cary big pots of water on their heads and plant a small stalk in their garden in the celebration of the marriage. This ceremony is also combined with Pithi (cleansing ceremony) during which the bride and groom are pasted with tumeric powder in a beautification process, so that they seem to have glowing skin on their wedding day.

Mehndi Rasam (Henna Function)- one of the customs in a Hindu wedding. The day before the wedding is Mehndi Rasam night. On this night henna is applied on the hands and feet to the bride.

The Wedding Ceremony

There are several ceremonies. Which are done in the following procedure:

• Ganesh Puja- This is to be done on the wedding day, in the morning. Where the family of the bride and groom pray seperately to Lord Ganesh whose divine grace dispel all evils and promotes a successful and peaceful completion of the ceremony.
• Grah Shanti (Worshipping the nine planets)- This is where the families pray to the nine planets of our solar system. Ancient Indian studies show that various celestial bodies have an influence on the destiny of every individual. During this praying ceremony the Gods associated with these planets are asked to infuse courage, peace of mind and inner strength to the bride and groom to help them endure life's sufferings.
• Baarat- The groom travels to the wedding venue on a horse, he is accompanied by his family members, relatives, friends and other guests that he may have invited. The baraat may become a large procession, with its own band and the guests dance along to the music. The guests and family members may dance along, though the groom does not dance.

• Parch (Welcoming)-  The baaratis are welcomed by the bride's family and relatives with garlands and aarti, with the sounds of shehnais. Shehnai is considered auspicios at weddings by hindus.The bride's mother escorts the bride groom to the mandap. The father of the bride then washes the right foor of the bridegroom with milk and honey.
• Arrival of the Bride- The bride is escorted to the mandap by her maternal uncle, female cousins and friends.
• Kanyadaan (Entrusting of the Daughter)- The bride and groom exchange flower garlands. The the consent of the parents is obtained for the wedding to proceed. The bride's parents give their daughter to the groom by putting the bride's right hand into the groom's right hand while reciting sacred verses. The groom holds the bride's hand and they both take vows to love cherish and protect each other throughtout life.

• Ganthbandhan (tying the knot)- The priest tells the groom's elder family member to tie the wedding know, which symoblizes the permanent union between the bride and groom as husband and wife.

• Agni Puja (evocation of the holy fire)- The priest sets up a small fire in a kund (copper bowl). Fire is the mouth of Vishnu and symbolises the illumination of mind, knowledge and happiness. The remainder of the ceremony is conducted around the fire.
• Laja Homa (putting parched rice into the sacred fire)- Three obligations are offered to the sacred fire. The brother of the groom puts parched rice in the groom's hand, half of which slips into the bride's hand. Mantras are chanted. The bride prays to Yamraj, God of Death, that he grants long life, health, happiness and prosperity to the bridegroom.
• Saptapadi (seven encirclements)- The bride and groom take seven encirclements around the fire together. It is believed in Hindu Philosophy that if two people walk around the sacred fire seven times together, then they will remain life partners forever. They exchange sacred vows at the beginning of each encirclement. At the end of each of each encirclement, the open palms of the bride are filled with puffed rice by her brother-in-law signifying wealth and prosperity.

• Saubhagya Chinha (blessing the bride)- The groom blesses the bride by putting sindoor (vermillion powder) in the parting of her hair and by placing the mangal sutra (nuptial neacklace) around her neck. The mangal sutra represents the couple's togetherness, love and sacred union.
• Haridaya-Sparsha (touching of hearts)- The bride and groom toush each other's heart reciting promises to each other.
• Chaturti Karm- The bride and groom feed each other four times for the nourishment of the bones, muscles, skin and soul.
• Aashrivaad (blessings)- The priest blesses the bride and groom. Rose petals and rice are given to the guests to shower them on the bride and groom with blessings. The married couple also get blessings from the elders of both families.
• Bidaai (Bride's departure)- The farewell to the bride by her family and friends is a very emotional moment. The bride leaves her parents home to create a new life with her husband and his family. She leaves with tears of joy and sorrow.

Chinese wedding foods

Chinese wedding foods

Chinese food has special symbolism: mostly wishes of happiness, longevity, or fertility. The number of courses is also significant. At a Chinese wedding banquet, eight dishes are usually served – not including the dessert. In Chinese, the word “eight” sounds like “good luck.” (The words for “nine” and “long” are also homophones, words that sound the same but have different meanings. At a birthday banquet, nine dishes are served with noodles at the end.)
Nowadays, a wedding banquet starts with appetizers such as “dragon-phoenix” plates or cold plates which consist of various sliced meats, jellyfish, and various types of nuts shaped like dragons and phoenixes and served chilled. (Lobster in Chinese is literally “dragon shrimp” and in Chinese restaurants, chicken feet are referred to as “phoenix feet”). In a marriage, the dragon symbolizes the male role while the phoenix symbolizes the female role. (See Chinese Wedding Traditions for additional use of the Dragon and Phoenix symbolism.) This yin-yang dualism, opposite but not contradictory, is a key concept of taoism according to Professor George Lee of San Francisco State University. He and others believe that taoism and the yin-yang dualism prevades Chinese philosophy. Lee wrote that according to the Black Sect Tantric Buddhism, “man and woman form a family – the tao of marriage.” Therefore, having lobster and chicken at the dinner would represent balance in the new relationhip.
Regarding the specific menu selections you mention:
Shark’s Fin Soup. Soup usually follows the appetizers. The type of soup has some significance, for example, shark’s fin soup indicates wealth because this delicacy is very expensive.

Roast Suckling Pig. Roasted pork is a symbol of virginity. (The groom presents a whole roasted pork to the bride’s family at the engagement party.)

Peking Duck and Lobster. Red is the color for happiness, so serving Peking duck and lobster would signify joy and celebration. Also, serving the dish whole, i.e. with the head and legs, would symbolize completeness.

Squab (or Other Fowl). According to Shu Shu Costa, the author of Wild Geese and Tea, pigeon has tender meat that symbolizes peace. Usually two pigeons are offered to wish the newlyweds peace as they start their new life together. Squab (pigeon) is similar to quail, so they both probably symbolize peace. Quail is offered whole to each guest so each and every one will also experience a peaceful life. Serving fried chicken would wish the couple to have a good life because in Chinese “red chicken” sounds like “good life.”

Crab Claws. If you want to serve crab, I suggest you serve the whole crab and not just the claws, which is separated from its other parts. Since you will serve lobster, I recommend that you replace the crab claws with fried chicken because of my explanation above. A typical Chinese banquet usually includes chicken and duck.

Vegetables with Sea Cucumber. Serving sea cucumber with vegetables is a sign of selflessness because “sea cucumber” sounds like “"good heart” and this dish wishes the couple to think in a similar way – to avoid conflict.

Fish. Serving fish would hope that the couple will experience a life together with abundance because “fish”" sounds like “plentiful” in Chinese.

Noodles served at the end would symbolize longevity because noodles come in long strands.
Sweet Red Bean Soup and Sweet Buns. Serving dessert probably wishes the newlyweds a sweet life. The hot sweet red bean soup should contain lotus seeds (lian zi) and a bark-like vegetable (bak hop) to wish the newlyweds a hundred years of togetherness. The sweet lotus paste in sweetened steamed bread symbolizes fertility; it is shaped and colored to resemble peaches (ta zi), since the peach represents long life. The sticky dumpling you describe, covered with crushed peanuts with black sesame paste in the center, is called mochi.

At the end of the banquet, waiters usually pass out take-out boxes to the guests because there is usually enough food for everyone and some left over; this represents abundance. It is acceptable to take some of the food home because it is not good to waste good food – or anything else for that matter.
Tea, alcohol, and 7-Up are almost always supplied at a Chinese wedding banquet. Offering tea is a sign of respect. Alcohol is served to celebrate the special occasion. (In Chinese,“ going to a dinner banquet” is synonymous to “going to drink alcohol;” and in Cantonese, “to go drinking” literally means “go to a bar.”) And 7-Up sounds like “seven happiness,”, since the words for “up” and “happiness” are homophones.)
You might notice that Chinese restaurants have a big Chinese character behind the head table; it is the character for “double happiness” which is used during wedding events。

Traditional Hindu Bridal and Groom Wear

THE BRIDE

A Traditional Hindu bride always wears the colour red. A Hindu bride wears a sari or a lengha choli and ornaments. The lengha choli has heavy embroidery on it to make it seem beautiful. The bride usually plaits her hair or has it in a bun, with a veil around her head, which conveys respect. The bridal jewellery is made out of gold, silver, platinum or diamond. A red chunari or dupatta must be worn by the bride. She also wears red bangles, which must be made out of glass, bindi and vermillion. Her hands and feet are adorned with henna.


The jewellery that the bride wears is a maangtika, nathni, bangles, rings, toe rings, earrings, anklets. kamarbandh and necklace. The jewellery is usually in gold.
A maangtika is worn in the hair parting, which compliments the shape of your face.

A nathni (nose ring) has a chain attached to it, which is usually pinned or tucked in the hair, near the ear. They come in different sizes, some are big and some are small. There are also different designs. Even if you don't have your nose pierced, clip on's are available.

Red glass bangles are also worn, in both arms, with white bangles, which must be thicker than the red.

Kamarbandh is a chain that is designed for the bride to wear around the waist.



Rings, toe rings and anklets are worn, which are usually in gold.

toe rings

rings

anklets

And a necklace is worn which is in a set with the earrings.

The Hindu bride is to have henna on her hands and arms, as well as feet. The design of bridal henna is different from those who aren't getting married and it is said that the darker the colour of the henna, the better the relationship between the married couple. The groom's name is written with henna on the bride's hand.

THE GROOM

The Groom wears a Sherwani and a chudidar, with a matching turban. A pair of mojri are worn in the feet by the groom. A sehra is worn on the head.  Sherwani is a common ethnic groom wear which looks like a jacket, but without a collar.




The sherwani is long in length and reaches till the knees. The sherwani is worn with a churidar trouser along with a matching dupatta.

One of the most important wedding accessories for the groom is a sehra. A sehra is in the form of a turban and has strings of flowers hanging down. 

Mojris are traditional shoes that are worn by a Hindu groom.  These are slip on shoes that come in a variety of designs and colours. A matching pair of mojris maybe picked with the groom’s outfit.  Mojri s are point at the front and it coils up. It is has vibrant colours and is beautifully hand-crafted with mirrors and decorative beads.

The groom and the bride wish to look best on the most important day of their lives. A Hindu bride and groom are always dressed in colourful clothing. They are dress very differently and vibrantly.