Shinto wedding ceremonies are frequently held at Meiji Jingu, and wedding processions to the main shrine are often to be seen. A typical procession will be led by two Shinto priests and two shrine maidens, followed by the happy couple under a red umbrella, followed by family and friends. The bride usually wears a white kimono with a red lining, and a head covering known as wataboshi or tsunokakushi (‘horn-hiding’).
During the wedding ceremony, a priest recites the Shinto liturgy, after which the couple shares three cups of sacred sake, taking turns drinking. This is considered an important part of the ritual, in which the sips of sake are seen as equivalent to a vow. Full vows are exchanged after this, and a shrine maiden may perform a sacred dance. The ceremony closes with another procession.
A Shinto wedding is a solemn, intimate affair and is a precious event in which two families come together. When a procession passes, please clear the way and help maintain the dignity of the occasion. Please do not step into the way of the procession.