More wedding info

Hey everyone. I have a little more information on the wedding details.

The interpreter told us that we had to reserve the date with the shrine directly (which we did a few days ago), and we are still waiting to hear back from them. Last time they took a week to email us back, so hopefully we'll hear from them soon.

We learned a few things about the ceremony from the interpreter.

One important thing is photos and video are not allowed in the main hall of the shrine. I was a little disappointed to hear this, but there's not much we can do about it. We are allowed to take photos outside the shrine and in the waiting room, but we can't take photos in the room with the altar during the ceremony.

Before the ceremony there will be a short rehearsal in the waiting room. Since it's not in the main hall, photos and video of the rehearsal WILL be allowed. So if anyone with a steady hand wants to be in charge of video, let me know. You can use my camera if you want.

If the shrine gives us the date and time we want, the waiting room will open at 1:30, the rehearsal will begin at 2:00, and the ceremony will begin at 2:30. There will be tea and sweets for you guys while you wait, and you can also watch the rehearsal.

Matthew and one of my sisters will act as the family representative. During the ceremony they will give an offering of a sacred branch to the altar. You guys won't rehearse this before hand, but you will watch us practice it so you can see how it's done (as part of the ceremony, Brian and I will also offer a branch).

I also found out the interpreter is not allowed to interpret the priest's words out loud. Instead, she might whisper what is going on to the guests, but since the families are supposed to sit on opposite sides of the room, she isn't sure how this will go yet.

I will make another post with the general flow of the ceremony, so you all know what to expect.