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Historically, Japanese wedding ceremonies were performed in Shinto Shrines. Many of Japan's wedding sites, therefore,
provide shrines for couples who want to follow Japanese wedding traditions. The Japanese bride-to-be is painted pure
white from head to toe, visibly declaring her maiden status to the gods. The bride wears a white kimono and an elaborate headpiece
covered with many ornaments to invite good luck to the happy couple. A white hood is attached to the kimono, which the bride
wears like a veil to hide her 'horns of jealousy' from the groom's mother, who will now become the head of the family. Japanese
grooms wear black kimonos to their wedding ceremony. While the bride and groom exchange their wedding vows, their families
face each other, instead of the couple getting married. Central to the traditional Japanese marriage ceremony is the ritual
of drinking nine cups of sake, after which newlyweds are considered united. Families and guests also drink sake, to symbolize
the bonding of the couple as well as of the two families. The father of the groom, and of the bride, then introduce their
respective family members. For the wedding reception, the new bride changes into a red kimono and again later into a western-style
gown. The wedding party and invited guests engage in games, skits and karaoke during the wedding reception. Guests are expected
to offer the couple goshugi -- money -- in a festive envelope either before or after the wedding ceremony. Due to better
climate, many Japanese brides prefer spring and fall wedding dates. Certain wedding anniversaries are thought to be lucky,
so it is common to see dozens of newlywed couples heading for their honeymoon on the same day.
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