Glossary for Western Style Weddings in Japan

This bilingual glossary focuses on words and phrases related to Western Style Weddings in Japan.

No doubt the list of entries will grow over time and a more structured format will evolve. But for now, just use your browser's edit/find options to locate the word or phrase you are looking for. And if it's not in this list, send us an email and we'll try to help.

Japanese Wedding Glossary

EnglishJapanese pronunciation (romaji)Japanese 日本語
Note: You may need to instal a Japanese font to see these kanji characters
Best wishes for your happiness!(see "Congratulations!")
bouquet bu-keブーケ
bouquet throwing bu-ke tosuブーケー・トス
bride shinpu / hanayome新婦 (花嫁)
bride's makeup room shinpu hikaeshitsu新婦控え室
Buddhist wedding ceremony butsuzen kekkon shiki仏前結婚式
candle lighting ceremony kyandoru sa-bisuキャンドル・サービス
chapel chaperuチャペル
chapel register shomeisho証明書
ChristKirisutoキリスト
ChristianKirisuto kyoutoキリスト教徒
Christian wedding ceremony
/ Western-style wedding
Kirisuto kyo kekkon shikiキリスト教結婚式
churchkyoukai教会
city office(see "ward (city) office")
Congratulations!omedetouおめでとう
Congratulations! (more polite Japanese)omedetou gozaimasuおめでとう ございます
Congratulations! (more polite and formal Japanese)makoto ni, omedetou gozaimasuまことに、おめでとう ございます
corsagekosa-juコサージュ
departure flower showerfurawa- shawa-フラワー・シャワー
Divorce Decree Absoluterikon shomeisho離婚 証明書
exchange of ringsyubiwa no kokan指輪の交換
family meeting roomshinzoku hikaeshitsu親族控え室
family introductionsgoshinzoku shokaiご親族の紹介
family register (a Japanese person's personal record lodged with the local municipal government office)koseki tohon戸籍謄本
family register extractkoseki shohon戸籍抄本
Good luck!(see "Congratulations!")
GodKami sama神様
groomshinro / hanamuko新郎 (花婿)
groom's roomshinro hikaeshitsu新郎控え室
guestgesutoゲスト
guest changing roomsgesuto no kigaeshitsuゲストの着替え室
hymnsanbika賛美歌
I do! Hai! Chikai masuはい!誓います
Japanese style wedding shinzen shiki神前式
Jesus iesuイエス
kiss uedingu kisuウェディング・キス
local municipal office(see "ward (city) office")
loveai
marriage licencekekkon shomeisho結婚証明書
marriedkekkon shite imasu結婚しています
municipal office(see "ward (city) office")
musicongaku音楽
order of servicesa-bisu shosaiサービス詳細
photographershashinka写真家
photographssunappuスナップ
photography studioshashinshitsu写真室
prayeroinoriお祈り
Receipt of Registration of Marriagekon-in-todoke-juri-shomeisho婚姻届受理証明書
reception party room hiroen披露宴
recessionalfufu taijo夫婦退場
registry office(see "ward (city) office")
Registration of Marriage Form kon-in-todoke婚姻届
registered seal inkan印鑑
singer (ceremony)sanbika seikatai賛美歌、聖歌隊
singer (party)hiroen kashu披露宴歌手
speechesaisatsu / supi-chi挨拶、スピーチ
town hall(see "ward (city) office")
veil
Western style
There is no 'v' in Japanese – the closest sound is 'b' – so 'veil' becomes 'beil'.

Note that the pronunciation of 'ei' remains as 'aye' (as in ale) and not the Flemish 'eye' (as in Eiffel Tower). This means 'veil' sounds like 'bale' – not a flattering word, but much better than 'bile'...

Further, since Japanese has no 'l' sound, the pronunciation becomes 'bei-ru', as in Beirut without the 't'.
ヴェール
veil
Western style open face ('Maria' veil')
Maria be-ruマリアヴェール
veil
Japanese style - until the end of the Edo period
wataboshi角隠し
veil
Japanese style - after the Edo period
tsunokakushi綿帽子
videobideoビデオ
videographerbideo shashinkaビデオ 写真家
ward (city) officekuyakusho (shiyakusho)区役所 (市役所)
wedding(see "wedding service")
wedding cakeuedingu ke-kiウェディング・ケーキ
wedding ceremony(see "wedding service")
wedding day kekkon shiki no hi結婚式の日
wedding planner shiki shikaisha式司会者
wedding processionshinpu no gyoretsu新婦の行列
wedding ringskekkon yubiwa結婚指輪
wedding servicekekkon shiki結婚式
wedding vowskekkon seiyaku結婚誓約
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