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
| English | Japanese 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 |
| Christ | Kirisuto | キリスト |
| Christian | Kirisuto 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 |
| church | kyoukai | 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 |
| corsage | kosa-ju | コサージュ |
| departure flower shower | furawa- shawa- | フラワー・シャワー |
| Divorce Decree Absolute | rikon shomeisho | 離婚 証明書 |
| exchange of rings | yubiwa no kokan | 指輪の交換 |
| family meeting room | shinzoku hikaeshitsu | 親族控え室 |
| family introductions | goshinzoku 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 extract | koseki shohon | 戸籍抄本 |
| Good luck! | (see "Congratulations!") | |
| God | Kami sama | 神様 |
| groom | shinro / hanamuko | 新郎 （花婿） |
| groom's room | shinro hikaeshitsu | 新郎控え室 |
| guest | gesuto | ゲスト |
| guest changing rooms | gesuto no kigaeshitsu | ゲストの着替え室 |
| hymn | sanbika | 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") | |
| love | ai | 愛 |
| marriage licence | kekkon shomeisho | 結婚証明書 |
| married | kekkon shite imasu | 結婚しています |
| municipal office | (see "ward (city) office") | |
| music | ongaku | 音楽 |
| order of service | sa-bisu shosai | サービス詳細 |
| photographer | shashinka | 写真家 |
| photographs | sunappu | スナップ |
| photography studio | shashinshitsu | 写真室 |
| prayer | oinori | お祈り |
| Receipt of Registration of Marriage | kon-in-todoke-juri-shomeisho | 婚姻届受理証明書 |
| reception party room | hiroen | 披露宴 |
| recessional | fufu 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 |
| speeches | aisatsu / 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 |
| video | bideo | ビデオ |
| videographer | bideo shashinka | ビデオ 写真家 |
| ward (city) office | kuyakusho (shiyakusho) | 区役所 （市役所） |
| wedding | (see "wedding service") | |
| wedding cake | uedingu 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 procession | shinpu no gyoretsu | 新婦の行列 |
| wedding rings | kekkon yubiwa | 結婚指輪 |
| wedding service | kekkon shiki | 結婚式 |
| wedding vows | kekkon seiyaku | 結婚誓約 |
