The reason for our trip to Japan? Yuji and Kumi's nuptuals. The wedding was beautiful, located in a beautiful villa found inside Hibya park near the Imperial Palace. It had the feeling of a tree house with the blooming trees surrounding the building and clearly visible from the windows. Tokyo is a large city, and trees aren't always easy to find, but Hibya park is a gorgeous hideaway from the urban feel of the majority of the city.

The wedding ceremony took place outdoors on the roof of the building with close family and friends attending. A sit down meal "first party" then took place indoors with the same guests that came to the wedding. The first party was formal with traditional Japanese foods. It went from about 1-3 pm. There was then an hour long break, folllowed by the "second party." Many of the guests from the first party left, with new guests attending the second party, mostly friends and colleagues. The feel was more informal in terms of the music and food (American food, some of it based on Yuji's recipes). Yuji even played his saxophone!

The idea of "first" and "second" parties is definately different than most American weddings, but it's kind of nice. It allows the bride and groom to celebrate with various types of friends in various ways. And since it's the norm in Japan, nobody feels left out by not being invited to the "first wedding." Yuji and Kumi's wedding was then followed by a "third party" for close friends -- a more intimate setting with snacks and wine, where people could sit on couches and really talk. Apparently, it's not entirely common to have all three parties on the same day or in the same location, but they were able to achieve it. It was very special to be a part of them all. We were tired by the end of the day -- I can only imagine how the bride and groom felt!