Shock! On March twenty second 2024, a gorgeous sunny (but chilly) day in Kyoto, Richard and I eloped!
This put up could also be somewhat completely different from my normal “informative” guides, however I wished to share this blissful information with everyone right here – particularly since we acquired married in Japan.
An enormous thanks to Ross and Ayako from Serendipity Flower & Wedding, who deliberate the entire day and took care of every little thing for us, and Sam Spicer, who took essentially the most magical photographs of our day. And, after all, our supportive family and friends for permitting us to have the day we wished.
Right here’s what eloping in Japan was like and why we did it this manner!
How Did We Elope in Japan?
Richard proposed to me in Hakone in November 2022. After having been collectively for practically 10 years, I can’t say our mates or household have been very shocked – however I positively was! After all, we’d mentioned desirous to get married at some point, but it surely was by no means a precedence or one thing that needed to occur at a sure time.
After taking a look at marriage ceremony choices within the UK, it turned fairly clear that having an enormous marriage ceremony wasn’t one thing both of us wished. We checked out venues however nothing actually sat proper with us, plus the hefty price ticket that comes with even a small marriage ceremony kinda put us off.
After we determined to elope on our already-planned Japan journey, issues fell into place nearly effortlessly. I discovered Ross and Ayako, the ability couple behind Serendipity Flower & Wedding, by a fast Google search. We deliberate a video name with them and instantly hit it off – this felt proper.
Ross and Ayako took care of every little thing. And I imply, EVERYTHING. From reserving the venue we appreciated to hiring the photographer (thanks Sam!), placing collectively my bouquet, arranging hair and make-up and extra.
All we needed to do was present up. We knew we have been making the appropriate resolution seeing how straightforward it was to place this plan collectively. I picked my costume and ring inside per week, we instantly fell in love with one of many venues Ross and Ayako work with and we picked a date that labored with our deliberate itinerary.
After we advised our mates we have been eloping, practically every little thing had been deliberate and booked. Though we have been somewhat anxious about everyone’s response, our family and friends have been extremely supportive. “That is SO you guys” – and we are able to’t agree extra.
What Was Our Elopement Like?
The day itself was good. I do know many individuals say that about their marriage ceremony day, however I truthfully wouldn’t change a factor. The climate was lovely, there have been no nerves, and on the finish of the day, my jaw was hurting from smiling a lot.
I’m SO glad we determined to do our ceremony and vows this manner. Intimate, with simply the 2 of us, in a spot meaning a lot to each of us. All the day, I felt so current – I used to be capable of soak all of it in and luxuriate in each second.
Within the morning, we had a pre-wedding photoshoot in Higashiyama with Sam and Ross. It was nice attending to know Sam and getting used to being in entrance of the digicam – it made the ceremony itself really feel much more comfy.
Afterwards, Richard and I had an enormous breakfast in a espresso store close to our lodge. After which, it was time to prepare. Richard, Ross and Sam left early to get to the elopement spot whereas I used to be preparing with hair and make-up. Ayako and I made our strategy to the backyard quickly after.
Richard was already ready for me, and after our “first look”, we headed to the torii gate underneath which we have been going to get married. Ross officiated, which he did superbly. We stated our vows and exchanged our rings. I felt no nerves by any means – every little thing felt proper.
After our ceremony, the proprietor of the backyard came to visit to congratulate us. We additionally took half in a Shinto marriage ceremony ritual, the place you drink three sips of sake – one for the previous, current and future model of your self.
We had a while to take photographs with Sam. He made it really feel so easy and enjoyable – and I’m nonetheless blown away on the preview photographs we acquired. They give the impression of being unbelievable. I’m so blissful we get to relive the day by them.
All of us made our manner again to our lodge and stated our goodbyes. Richard and I acquired to name our mates and households again dwelling and went out for a scrumptious meal in Gion afterwards. All the day felt so pretty and relaxed. For us, it was the right strategy to get married.
Why Did We Elope?
Eloping isn’t for everybody, I fully perceive that! However for Richard and me, it was completely the appropriate resolution.
After Richard proposed, we began taking a look at venues, costs, visitor lists and dates for a UK marriage ceremony. Whereas no person pressured us into doing something we didn’t need to do, I began to really feel a number of “social” strain. All our married mates had had a extra “conventional” marriage ceremony, so I naturally thought that was our solely possibility.
Being a world couple, the logistics of planning a marriage with family and friends dwelling in two separate international locations was difficult. And on prime of that, the extra we regarded into issues, the extra we realised we’d by no means dreamed of getting an enormous, conventional marriage ceremony. I’d by no means even thought of what my dream costume could be, or what my ideally suited marriage ceremony venue would seem like.
We stored reducing the visitor listing, making the marriage smaller and smaller. However when including up the value of a small UK marriage ceremony and having visited some venues, neither of us felt very excited. We have been getting fairly confused over something wedding-related. We’d come dwelling dissatisfied after taking a look at venues, and the thought of getting to say our vows in entrance of everyone made me really feel sick.
Don’t get me incorrect, I LOVE going to weddings as a visitor. Seeing my shut mates get married and have the marriage of their desires brings me a lot pleasure. I’ve at all times dreamed of being Richard’s spouse, however I by no means dreamed of an enormous marriage ceremony – I simply by no means gave it a number of thought.
It wasn’t till a good friend (thanks Scott!) stated “You must simply do it in Japan” that it clicked for me. This was the top of October 2023 and we’d already deliberate our 3-month Japan journey beginning the next February. On a drive from London to Manchester, Richard and I had a chat – what would we miss if we scrapped the UK marriage ceremony plan and eloped in Japan as a substitute?
The reply – surprisingly little. If something, all the 3-month Japan journey would price lower than the typical price of a UK marriage ceremony, which for us, simply wasn’t price it. I googled “how one can elope in Japan”, discovered Ross and Ayako, and inside a few weeks, every little thing was deliberate.
What Did Our Associates and Household Assume?
Richard and I are extremely fortunate to have the most effective help system, each within the Netherlands and the UK. Whereas I used to be somewhat nervous telling individuals we have been planning on eloping, everyone has been tremendous supportive of our resolution.
Everyone who is aware of us effectively instantly knew this was the right manner for us to get married. Once I advised one in all my shut mates, she stated “that is the primary time I’ve heard you discuss your marriage ceremony the place it doesn’t really feel like an enormous to-do listing.” And that’s really the way it felt – I lastly felt enthusiastic about our marriage ceremony.
After we’re again in Europe, we nonetheless have a small get-together deliberate for shut family and friends within the UK and the Netherlands. A “fortunately ever after after get together” if you want. This fashion, there’s no want for nerves or stress a couple of massive marriage ceremony day, however we nonetheless get to have a good time it.
We get to have the most effective of each worlds – an intimate ceremony for the 2 of us, and a small dinner with a very powerful individuals in our lives.
I assume the ethical of the story is, your marriage ceremony day is YOUR marriage ceremony day. There may be a lot strain on following society’s norms and household traditions, however doing what you and your associate need is what’s most essential. We’re so blissful we acquired eloped and we wouldn’t change it for the world.
Thanks once more for all of the help, mates, household and everyone on-line. And the most important shout out to Ross and Ayako from Serendipity Flower & Wedding, and Sam Spicer.
A lot love, Mr & Mrs 😉
