"Experience the Elegance: A Guide to the Traditional Shinto Wedding Ceremony"

A Dream of a Traditional Shinto Wedding ♡

If you were born in Japan, many brides-to-be might want to hold a traditional Shinto wedding ceremony. A bride in a white wedding kimono walking through the shrine is truly beautiful and inspiring, isn't it? ♡

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The Flow of a Shinto Wedding Ceremony: Things You Might Know but Not Really Understand＊

Shinto weddings are enchanting, but do you know the actual flow of the ceremony? To compare with other types of ceremonies and to ensure a smooth day, let’s review and prepare for the basic flow♩

Flow 1: Guests Take Their Seats

First, guests take their seats. They sit in order of closeness to the bride and groom, starting from the back♩ Shinto ceremonies can be held not only at shrines but also at hotels or wedding halls with shrines♡

Flow 2: Entrance of the Bride and Groom

Once all the guests are present, the bride and groom enter, guided by a shrine maiden＊ This is the exciting moment of revealing their beautiful white wedding kimono and traditional attire! ♡

Flow 3: Ritual of Purification (Shubatsu no Gi)

After the bride and groom take their positions, the priest enters, and the officiant declares the beginning of the ceremony＊ Everyone stands, bows their heads, and accepts purification and blessing from the priest♩

Flow 4: Delivery of Wedding Prayers (Norito Sojo)

Delivering wedding prayers is the ceremony where the couple makes a vow, akin to asking, "Do you take this man?" "I do," in Christian weddings. The priest reports the marriage to the gods and recites prayers for the bride and groom＊

Flow 5: The Three Sacrifices Ritual (Sankon no Gi, San San Kudo no Sakazuki)

This might be the most famous scene in a Shinto wedding ceremony♡ The bride and groom stand and drink the sacred sake served alternately by the shrine maiden♩

The sacred sake is poured in three rounds＊ There are three cups stacked in order of size from small to large, and for each cup, they take three sips. The first and second sips are just touching the lips, and they finish the drink on the third sip, but for those who cannot drink alcohol, just touching the lips is enough!

There is an order for the bride and groom to drink, but nowadays, simplified versions exist, so it's important to confirm everything in advance＊

Flow 6: Exchange of Rings

The groom puts the ring brought by the shrine maiden on the bride's left hand's ring finger, followed by the bride placing a ring on the groom similarly♡ Although it's not formally a part of the Shinto ceremony, it has become a common practice lately♩

Flow 7: Recitation of Vow (Seishi Sojo)

The bride and groom step forward to the altar, the groom reads the vow of marriage and states the date and their names♩ After reading, they fold the vow and prepare to present the tamagushi＊

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Flow 8: Offering of Tamagushi (Tamagushi Houten)

The bride and groom approach the altar and offer the tamagushi, bowing twice, clapping twice, and bowing once more＊ The rule is to bow twice, clap twice, and then bow once again. When returning to their seats, they should turn around while facing each other♡ Guests also stand and bow in unison＊

Flow 9: Kinship Cup of Sake

All guests stand, and along with the shrine maiden, they share and drink the sacred sake in three sips♩ Of course, attendees who cannot drink alcohol can just touch the lips to the cup!

Flow 10: Worship

Once the offerings to the gods are taken down, the bride, groom, and guests stand and bow their heads in accordance with the priest’s offering of prayers＊ After the priest offers the prayers, everyone bows once more♩

Flow 11: Exit of the Bride and Groom

After all the rituals are completed, the bride and groom exit, guided by the shrine maiden. When the family members follow, the basic flow of the ceremony will be perfect♩

I Want a Beautiful and Elegant Wedding Ceremony＊

A Shinto ceremony is a wedding style characterized by the impressive traditional beauty of ancient Japan＊ Be sure to grasp the flow thoroughly and hold a magnificent Shinto wedding ceremony with confidence♩