Ceremony at the Reception!? Do You Know About the New Wedding Style: "In-House Ceremony"?

2018.09.08 published

The Common Notion that Weddings Equal Chapels is Being Overturned!?

The main event of a wedding is the ceremony where love is pledged. Christian and secular ceremonies are typically held in chapels, while Shinto ceremonies are held at shrines.

After the ceremony at a chapel or shrine, the bride and groom along with their guests move to the reception venue to start the party... This has been the traditional style of weddings so far.

However, recently there are couples who hold their ceremony in the [reception venue] instead of a chapel or shrine...!

The style of ceremony held at the reception venue is known as a "secular ceremony." Because it takes place within the reception, it is referred to as an "in-party secular ceremony."

This time, we will introduce what this new style of wedding, "in-party secular ceremony," really is.

We will detail its merits and demerits, flow, and costs.

Holding a Ceremony at the Reception Venue! The Three Merits of "In-Party Secular Ceremony"

The first merit of in-party secular ceremony is that all guests can participate.

Chapels and shrines have a limited capacity, so not all guests invited to the reception may be able to attend the ceremony.

With the in-party secular ceremony held at the reception venue, the ceremony can be conducted in front of all guests ♡

The second merit of in-party secular ceremony is that it allows for a free and homey atmosphere.

While the atmosphere at a chapel or shrine tends to be formal for both the couple and the guests, the in-party secular ceremony allows love to be pledged in a homey environment surrounded by smiling guests.

Because it takes place in a reception venue, new expressions that are not bound by tradition or religion can be introduced. Activities such as a ring relay where guests carry rings to the bride and groom tied with ribbons, or a dozen roses ceremony where the groom collects flowers from around the venue can be incorporated ♡

The third merit of in-party secular ceremony is cost efficiency.

If the ceremony is held at a chapel, there are costs associated with using the ceremony venue. Additionally, there are also costs for performers and floral decorations at the chapel, among other miscellaneous expenses.

With the in-party secular ceremony, these costs can be entirely cut, leading to a total savings of about 100,000 to 200,000 yen.

An in-party secular ceremony allows for a free and homey ceremony watched over by all guests, while also being cost-effective.

Now, conversely, what are the potential demerits?

Holding a Ceremony at the Reception Venue! The Two Demerits of "In-Party Secular Ceremony"

The biggest demerit is that older or esteemed guests may find it confusing. For guests of the parental generation or older, even a secular ceremony without gods may seem novel.

If they are guided to the reception venue instead of a chapel, they might be surprised when the ceremony begins right there.

It is essential to consult and explain this to family members and older guests in advance and obtain their understanding.

@keiko_marry

The second demerit of in-party secular ceremony is that the reception time may be shorter.

In a typical wedding, a schedule of 30 minutes for the ceremony, 30 minutes of waiting, and 2-3 hours for the reception is standard.

In the case of an in-party secular ceremony, since the ceremony needs to be packed into the 2-3 hours available for the reception, the schedule becomes tighter.

It is necessary to thoroughly understand the venue usage time and any extension fees, and plan for a comfortable progression.

What is the Flow of In-Party Secular Ceremony?

The progression of the in-party secular ceremony is basically unchanged from a secular ceremony held in a chapel. It can be freely arranged to match the couple's style ♡

① Groom's Entrance

② Bride and Father of the Bride's Entrance

③ Veil Down

④ Pledge of Vows

⑤ Exchange of Rings

⑥ Veil Up & Vow

⑦ Sign the Marriage Certificate

⑧ Closing Remarks

After this, instead of exiting, guests will toast and the regular reception will begin.

It seems that the veil down is often conducted in front of the door of the reception venue, and the exchange of vows to signing the marriage certificate is typically done at the main table.

A virgin road can be laid from the door to the main table, and it can be decorated like a wedding ceremony.

Since the bride and groom are very close to the guests, this allows them to observe the ring exchange and the pledge of vows up close, which is also a pleasant point for the guests.

Sample Invitation Text for In-Party Secular Ceremony

For the in-party secular ceremony, it is essential for the MC on the day to explain to the guests about the in-party secular ceremony, but it is also recommended to notify them in advance when sending out invitations.

Dear All,

In this season of autumn coolness, I hope this message finds you in good health.

We are delighted to announce that we will be holding a wedding ceremony.

Therefore, we would like to hold a modest reception party to spend joyful moments with all our important guests.

Additionally, we would like you to witness us as witnesses, and we will have a secular ceremony at the beginning of the party.

We apologize for the short notice, but we would be grateful if you could attend.

Best regards.

A Free Pledge of Love ♡ "In-Party Secular Ceremony" Might Be the Way to Go!

We introduced the "in-party secular ceremony," which is held at a reception venue instead of a chapel or shrine.

There are venues that can accommodate this style of wedding and those that cannot, so if you wish to go ahead with it, please consult your planner. (Please don’t be upset if it’s not possible!)

It is a completely new style of wedding that is not bound by religion or customs. For couples who think this represents their true selves, the in-party secular ceremony sounds like an interesting option! ＊