Omedetou gozaimasu

Yesterday, we went to our first Japanese style wedding reception!  Our friends Yuka and Eric got married and although we didn't spend much time with the bride and groom, we saw most of our friends from the MISE lab.

Nate, Obuchi-san, Masaru, Haruka

Japanese-style wedding receptions are set up like American ones minus the dance floor and band. There is constant entertainment and the food is served izakaya-style, with large dishes brought to the table all night.

Takuma, Megumi, Kris

Course 1: Sashimi on the lazy Susan

When you arrive at the reception, you sign in with your name and address and present the fancy wedding envelope containing your "Wedding Participation Fee," as one friend explained it to us.  The envelope should be wrapped in a scarf so that you are not touching it.

Once everyone is seated, the bride and groom enter in traditional Japanese attire.  After this, there is a series of dances, music, and presentations given by friends and family. There are clips of most these events in the video below.

Eric and Yuka in traditional Japanese attire

Eric and Yuka in modern wedding attire

The bride and groom both performed, Yuka joined her belly dancing troop and Eric played the violin. And after their third change of clothes, they ended up in a modern wedding gown and suit.

There were several cameramen with pretty serious cameras and spotlights to make sure they caught it all on tape.

Toward the end of the reception, there were gifts given to the bride and groom and the parents. Yuka made a speech to her parents, Eric's father made a speech, and finally Eric made a speech.

We all had a lot of fun! Check out the video:

In other news, Nate has recently had his ingrown toenail ripped out.  See photo below.  He is recovering nicely, and is actually in less pain now than he was before. 

And our last bit of news for now:  it looks like we are expecting a baby girl in April!