It's OK not to follow the conventional path! Common wedding performances that can be reduced to allow for more socializing time, along with their alternatives.

2023.08.10 published

殿堂記事

What can be cut from a wedding?

The flow of a wedding reception typically includes:

Entrance of the couple ➡ Speech from the honored guest ➡ Profile introduction ➡ Toast ➡ Cake cutting ➡ Break...

However, these formal events can be cut.

✅ Want to avoid a traditional wedding format

✅ Want to create a personalized experience

✅ Want to increase socializing time

For couples who want this, we’ll introduce standard events that can be skipped during the wedding and alternatives for when they are omitted.＊

Things you can cut from the wedding #1 Entrance to the reception

The couple's entrance into the reception venue can actually be eliminated.

If you choose not to make an entrance, you can walk into the reception venue with the guests from the ceremony site or the welcome party venue and take a seat at the main table.

The entrance often takes more time than expected (checking that all guests are seated, playing music, entering through the door, rounding the guest tables, and sitting at the main table can take about 5 to 15 minutes). If you want to spend more time with guests, it's perfectly acceptable to skip the entrance.

It leads to a more intimate and homey wedding!

After casually entering the venue with guests, the flow will typically proceed with speeches and toasts.＊

Things you can cut from the wedding #2 Speeches

Welcome speeches from the couple, speeches from the honored guest, and speeches from friends can all be omitted.

Those who are asked to give speeches will not feel burdened when attending the wedding!＊

For the toast, instead of relying on someone else, the couple can do it themselves 🎤

➡ Don’t ask guests! The benefits and methods of the couple giving the toast themselves.＊

Things you can cut from the wedding #3 Profile introduction

The introduction of the couple's profiles by the host is a standard event, but it can be skipped.

It’s also common to have a profile section in the seating chart, or use a profile book or video instead!

Things you can cut from the wedding #4 Wedding cake

The wedding cake and related events (cake cutting and the first bite) can also be eliminated.

While some feel that it's lonely without a wedding cake, if you feel this way, you could upgrade the dessert or incorporate a dessert buffet instead.

A wedding cake can cost several tens of thousands of yen, so cutting it can lead to significant savings!

➡ 【Reference Article】"After thinking it over, we cut it out!" Impressions of attending a wedding without a wedding cake 💭

Things you can cut from the wedding #5 Entertainment

Recently, weddings without entertainment have been on the rise.

Asking friends for entertainment can be burdensome, and brides who prefer to keep things casual with just family can do without any entertainment.

You could incorporate non-entertainment events instead, take longer to socialize, or have a photo-taking time as well!♡

➡ Non-entertainment wedding ideas #1

➡ Non-entertainment wedding ideas #2

Things you can cut from the wedding #6 Outfit change

The outfit change from a wedding dress to a colored dress or traditional attire can also be skipped.

Not doing an outfit change cuts out the intermission and second entrance, increasing the time the couple spends with guests significantly!

✅ You can spend more time in a dress you like

✅ You have time to dine at the tables

These are some of the benefits!＊

➡ Just one wedding dress. Pros and cons of a wedding without an outfit change.

Things you can cut from the wedding #7 Bride’s letter

The bride's letter used to be a staple of weddings, but these days, more brides are choosing not to read it.

If you don’t want to read it in front of guests but still want to deliver it, you can give it during a family meet time or along with a commemorative gift.

While the bride's letter is often considered a touching moment of the ceremony, omitting it allows for a bright, cheerful atmosphere to conclude the wedding!＊

➡ If there are family issues, divorce, or dislike... What to do if you don’t want to read the bride’s letter?

Things you can cut from the wedding #8 Bouquets and gifts

The presentation of bouquets or gifts to parents can also be omitted.

The typical flow at the end of the reception is:

Bride's letter ➡ Presentation of bouquets and gifts ➡ Closing remarks by a representative (usually the groom's father) ➡ Groom’s closing remarks ➡ Conclusion.

If there is no bouquet or gift presentation, you can begin the final ceremony with the representative’s remarks.

As we will discuss in the next section, it’s also possible to skip the representative's closing remarks.

Things you can cut from the wedding #9 Representative's (groom's father) closing remarks

Some choose to cut the closing remarks from the representative (usually the groom’s father).

If you have introduced many esteemed guests, you might not skip it, but if it’s just friends and family, many opt to omit it.

For the father, having a turn can be nerve-wracking, so if you want a more casual and homey wedding and want the parents to enjoy it too, it’s perfectly fine to skip it.

Surprisingly, you can cut almost anything!

Many elements typically included in a "normal wedding," such as entrance, speeches, wedding cake, outfit changes, and closing remarks, can be omitted without issue.

(In fact, there’s nothing that’s absolutely necessary!)

While these are standard practices in most weddings, within a limited timeframe, it’s important to consider what is truly needed for your wedding.

If you determine that something isn't necessary, feel free to cut it out and reallocate your time and money effectively, which can lead to a highly satisfying wedding experience!＊