What Everyone Does at a 'Public Ceremony' to Vow in Front of Cherished Guests

What is the difference between a "Shinzen-shiki" and a regular wedding?＊

If you're a bride-to-be who has started preparing for your wedding, you've probably heard the term "Shinzen-shiki" at least once when talking about types of ceremonies ♩ However, many brides may not know the differences between a regular ceremony and a "Shinzen-shiki."＊

The difference between a chapel wedding or a Shinto ceremony and a "Shinzen-shiki" is, frankly, the "object of the vow" ♡ In a Shinzen-shiki or a church ceremony, eternal love is pledged to God, but in a "Shinzen-shiki," eternal love is pledged to the guests who have attended ♡

In a "Shinzen-shiki," guests become witnesses to the couple's love ♡

The main feature of a "Shinzen-shiki" is that the couple has everyone in attendance become witnesses to their love instead of relying on deities ♩ By having guests serve as witnesses, a warm sense of unity is created throughout the ceremony, which is why this style of wedding is currently very popular ♡

@0o.aya

It’s essential to obtain your parents' consent while considering older guests who may be unfamiliar with a "Shinzen-shiki," but with its ability to allow for a highly original ceremony for the couple, this wedding style is full of charm ♡

This time, we will introduce the appeal of "Shinzen-shiki" and an overview of a typical "Shinzen-shiki" ceremony ♡

Appeal of "Shinzen-shiki"①: Affordable wedding costs ♡

One of the characteristics of "Shinzen-shiki" is that there are no specific requirements for attire or ceremony proceedings, allowing for free planning ♩ There’s no need to hire a priest, so creativity can help keep the ceremony costs reasonable ♡ This is great news for couples who are also planning a honeymoon ♩

Appeal of "Shinzen-shiki"②: Casual weddings can be held in restaurants or gardens ♡

Since the "Shinzen-shiki" involves vows made to guests, it does not need to take place in a church ♩ Therefore, casual weddings in restaurants or gardens are also possible ♡ Of course, you can hold the ceremony in the reception venue and then proceed directly to the reception too ◎

Appeal of "Shinzen-shiki"③: Ceremonies that utilize the couple's ideas ♡

The absence of a fixed format in a "Shinzen-shiki" allows couples to create a ceremony bursting with originality ♡ Popular performances often incorporated into "Shinzen-shiki" include a "bouquet ceremony" and "water unifying ritual" ♩ Be sure to include elements that represent you as a couple in the ceremony ♡

Appeal of "Shinzen-shiki"④: Customizable "vows" that reflect the couple's style ♡

Since a "Shinzen-shiki" is not bound by formalities, the "vows" can also be freely created, allowing for something uniquely personal ♩ For couples who want to convey their messages to those who have supported them in their own words, a "Shinzen-shiki" is a perfect fit ♡

Appeal of "Shinzen-shiki"⑤: Freedom from religious and formal constraints ♩

In a "Shinzen-shiki," because the object of the vow is the guests, it does not relate to Christianity or Buddhism＊ If the couple or their families practice different religions, having a "Shinzen-shiki" might be a satisfactory and better option for everyone involved ◎

Appeal of "Shinzen-shiki"⑥: Guests as important witnesses! Creating a sense of unity ♡

In traditional ceremonies, guests tend to feel more like spectators only＊ In contrast, in a "Shinzen-shiki," the guests themselves become witnesses as they listen to the couple's vows ♩ This encourages guests to actively celebrate the couple's happiness, creating a warm sense of unity throughout the ceremony ♡

These are the six major attractions of "Shinzen-shiki" ♡ Next, for brides-to-be who are curious about what exactly happens in a "Shinzen-shiki" after learning about its charm, I will introduce the standard flow of a "Shinzen-shiki." ♡

Standard Flow of "Shinzen-shiki"＊①: Guest entrance＊

First up, the entrance of the important witnesses, the guests ♩ Guests enter the venue after signing the marriage certificate at the reception as witnesses to the marriage＊ Depending on the ceremony, there may be a selection of vows to choose from during this time too ◎

Standard Flow of "Shinzen-shiki"＊②: Entrance of the bride and groom＊

The bride and groom make their entrance welcomed by the attendees ♩ Of course, you can have a sequence like church ceremonies where the groom enters first and then the bride, but this can be chosen according to the couple's preference ♡

Standard Flow of "Shinzen-shiki"＊③: Declaration of the ceremony start＊

Unlike church or Shinto ceremonies, there are no priests or officiants leading the ceremony in a "Shinzen-shiki" ♡ Therefore, the emcee declares the ceremony to begin ♩ It’s common to ask the wedding reception emcee to also officiate or to request one of the parents to take on the role ♡

Standard Flow of "Shinzen-shiki"＊④: Reading of vows＊

One of the most important parts of the "Shinzen-shiki" is the moment when the couple reads their vows aloud ♡ Make sure to read clearly and loudly so that all the guests can hear ♡ The vows do not have to be stiff and formal! It is more important to make them personal and reflective of the couple’s style ♡

The "vows" can be very diverse depending on the couple ♡ Some couples share vows in "alphabet acrostic" format using their names, while others prepare multiple versions of their vows for guests to choose from ♩

@st.wedding0811

Standard Flow of "Shinzen-shiki"＊⑤: Exchange of rings＊

To symbolize the couple's vows in a visible way, the groom and then the bride exchange wedding rings ♩ For brides who DIY their ring pillows, this is a chance to showcase their special ring pillow ♡

Standard Flow of "Shinzen-shiki"＊⑥: Signing the marriage certificate＊

The couple and a representative witness among the attendees sign the marriage certificate that has the necessary information filled out in advance ♡ This is a unique feature of the "Shinzen-shiki" ♩ Most couples DIY their marriage certificates, so make sure to create one that shines with your unique style ♡

@yy_wd_0722

Standard Flow of "Shinzen-shiki"＊⑦: Declaration of marriage validity＊

The emcee shows the marriage certificate to the guests and announces that the couple is now married ♡ This is also an original touch of a "Shinzen-shiki" where everyone present becomes a witness ♩ After the couple has officially tied the knot, the emcee concludes with closing words, marking the end of the "Shinzen-shiki" ♩

@vo_ti_a

Achieving a high satisfaction wedding with "Shinzen-shiki" ♡

The keywords for a "Shinzen-shiki" are "couple's uniqueness" and "sense of unity" ♩ While it may lack in formalities and traditions, if you want a wedding that brings smiles to both the couple and their guests and ensures a high level of satisfaction, a "Shinzen-shiki" is recommended! ♡