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Japanese Wedding Checklist

15 items across 3 categories to plan your Japanese wedding, in the order they come up.

Pre-Wedding Preparation

These are the things to prepare in the months before a Japanese wedding.

Pre-Wedding

Book Shinto Shrine
Reserve a Shinto shrine and a Kannushi (priest) for the Shinzen Shiki ceremony. Ask whether non-Japanese participants are welcome.
Book Hirouen Reception Venue
Reserve a hotel ballroom, wedding hall or restaurant for the reception banquet.
Confirm Kannushi (Shinto Priest)
Confirm the Shinto priest who will officiate, and schedule a meeting with him before the ceremony.
Order or Rent Shiromuku (White Kimono)
Arrange the traditional white wedding kimono, including all the accessories. Renting is standard because of the cost.
Order or Rent Montsuki Hakama
Arrange the groom's formal black kimono with the family crest, the hakama and the haori.
Order Ceremonial Sake Set
Buy or rent the three sakazuki cups and the sake server for San-san-kudo.
Select and Order Hikidemono
Choose items for the guest gift bags, traditionally in odd numbers (3 or 5 items). Catalog gifts are increasingly popular.
Book Professional Kimono Dresser
Hire a specialist to dress the bride in her kimono and to help with any costume changes during the reception. Allow 1–2 hours for the first dressing.

These are the things you need on the wedding day.

Ceremony Day

Prepare Ceremonial Sake (O-miki)
Check that the sake for San-san-kudo is ready and has been offered to the kami.
Prepare Tamagushi Branches
Have fresh sakaki branches with shide (paper streamers) ready for the offering.
Set Up Komodaru Sake Barrel
Put the sake barrel in place at the reception venue, with the mallets ready for Kagami-biraki.
Stage Hikidemono Gift Bags
Arrange the guest gift bags at the reception exit so guests can take them as they leave.

This is the advance preparation for the Hirouen reception.

Reception

Arrange Formal Speeches
Confirm the speakers for the reception, such as bosses, mentors and friends. Tell them which words to avoid, since terms that suggest separation or endings are taboo.
Order Komodaru Sake Barrel
Order the straw-wrapped sake barrel for the Kagami-biraki ceremony. Non-alcoholic alternatives are available.
Fold Senbazuru (1,000 Origami Cranes)
Start folding well in advance, because this project takes a lot of time. Ask family and friends to help.

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Elsker turns this checklist into an interactive planning tool with budget tracking, guest management, and built-in Japanese tradition support.