Traditional Japanese weddings tend to take place at Shintō shrines. Pictured to the right is a headgear called a tsunokakushi (つのかくし). The tsunokakushi covers the bride’s topknot, which is a kind of hairstyle called bukin takashimada (ぶきんたかしまだ). When the bride puts on the tsunokakushi, she is showing her resolve to be an obedient and patient wife. The less flashier type of headgear is the watabōshi (わたぼうし). It’s a white and silk headdress.

The groom’s attire is usually black. The groom wears a formal montsuki (もんつき) or a kimono decorated with the groom’s family crest. The montsuki is tied by a sash and tucked in baggy pants called a hakama (はかま). The groom’s attire is a complete contrast with the bride’s outfit because the bride’s outfit is usually white. However both the groom and bride wear several layers beneath the kimono.

There’s an important ritual called さんさんくど. In this ritual, the bride and groom drink from three sake cups. The sake cups differ in size, from smallest to largest. Both the bride and groom take three sips from each sake cup. Drinking from the cups symbolizes the couple’s union as husband and wife. To give you an idea of the ritual, a video is provided below :