The traditional Japanese wedding starts with the ceremony (the "shiki", ) at the Shinto temple. Only the families attend, each family on one side.

Everybody sits quietly listening to the Shinto priest singing really old Japanese texts, with a background of traditional shakuhatchi music.

Japanese sake is the sacred drink, drunk to please the Gods for a successful married life.

The reading of the vows. As a few hundred years old text, it is really hard to read and we practiced every day for a few weeks before the wedding.

The Japanese vows that we read.

Followed by a cup of sake to seal the deal.

And of course the rings, which is more a western import than a traditional thing (there was no kiss, though).