I have been very negligent with my Blog postings. I hope to do better in the future and am starting again with Mike and Hiromi’s wedding in Japan on April 4th, 2012.
Charlene and I travelled to Japan a few days before the wedding. We stayed one night in Tokyo (Narita, actually) and then took the train to Shizuoka City where I rented a car. It was a beautiful clear day and we could easily see Fjui as we passed in the train.
We stayed one night in Sagara, where Mike lives and works, and then travelled to Hamamatsu where the wedding took place. Our first day in Hamamatsu, we were very pleased to be invited to Hiromi’s mother’s home and treated to dinner afterwards. Here we are at dinner.
The next day we just relaxed and then went to a party given by Mike for some of his friends. Sorry no pictures.
On Sunday, April 1st, Hiromi’s family had arranged a large family reception. There were about 35 people attending. The banquet restaurant was situated in a beautiful location next to a lake. Here is Hiromi in the banquet hall just after our arrival.
The two girls in this picture are the cildren of Hirom’s brother.
The flowers for table decorations were fantastic.
Mike and Hiromi shortly after arriving.
Here we are about to sit down for lunch.
Hiromi, being the gracious hostess pouring drinks for her uncle.
Here is a picture of the back of Hiromi’s beautiful Kimono and obi.
Hiromi’s brother on the right and her sister-in-law on the left.
Hiromi’s mother is in pink and I believe the others are cousins.
Hiromi’s mother.
A young neice and the child of a cousin (I beleieve).
The whole group.
We had Monday to sort of catch our breath. Here Mike and I, engaged in one of our favourite pasttimes. The beer in Japan is excellent and is the preferred drink at most occasions. The driving laws in japan are very strict and there is zero tolerance. If you drink anything at all you are not allowed to drive. I didn’t!
The day before the wedding MIke went with us to visit hammamatsu Castle.
The cherry blossoms were in full bloom.
April 4th was the big day and although cool is was quite sunny. The wedding chapel was not far from our hotel in downtown Hamamatsu.
The guests at the wedding were mostly friends of Mike and Hiromi as well as Hiromi’s mother and aunt, and ourselves. This little girl, a daughter of a colleague of Hiromi, sat in the front row of the chapel. The wedding was western style but the ceremony was quite secular, despite the trappings.
And here is the happy couple entering the church looking a bit nervous.
HIromi’s dress was magnificent as was Michael’s tuxedo. The finery was arranged with the help of the wedding organizer.
They read vows to each other that they had written themselves. Part’s of the service were in English, a courtesy mostly to Charlene and I as we were the only ones who spoke any English.
Rings were exchanged.
And the groom was allowed to kiss the bride!
Documents were signed.
And they left the chapel, looking much more relaxed.
Notice the bubble machine churning out bubbles as they exited the chapel.
A large number of photos were taken outside the chapel.
Hiromi’s aunt.
The young woman in this photo with Mike and Hiromi is Iona, a Japanese girl that Mike had met in Ottawa before he went to Japan. They remained friends and kept in touch. She now lives close to Hamamatsu.
The woman on the right below is a friend of Hiromi, with who she takes classes in making and wearing kimonos. The kimono she is wearing was very beautiful.
A sumptuous banquet of many courses was held next to the wedding chapel.
The flowers in Hiromi’s hair were exquisite.
These two little girls, children of Hiromi’s colleagues, were very cute.
Here is a photo of all of those attending the wedding and banquet.
