Formal Japanese weddings are held in a Shinto shrine. The Japanese bride wears a white kimono and an elaborate headpiece. The bride's head is adorned with various ornaments, for good luck to smile down upon the happy couple. The bride is painted pure white from head to toe, which exhibits her maiden status to the Gods. The groom wears a traditional black kimono during the wedding ceremony. The ceremony consists primarily of the bride and groom drinking rice wine also known as sake. The drinking of sake symbolizes the bond of marriage and the unity between the two individuals. After the sake is poured in three stages, the bride and groom drink from their individual cup. The process is repeated two more times progressing with larger-size cups. The number three is significant in Japan. Therefore, three (stages to pour the sake) times three (number of times the bride and groom drink from their cup) times three (the number total cups) equals nine - the English translation of this ritual called "San-San-Kudo." At the conclusion of this elaborate ritual, the couple is considered married. The bride will change dresses several times during the wedding reception. Her dress will begin with a colorful red kimono and end with a more Western-style evening gown.

In a more local Japanese style wedding, the bride can wear a traditional wedding gown and the groom a tuxedo. Another local Japanese-American custom is for the bride to fold 1001 origami cranes prior to her wedding for good luck, good fortune, longevity, happiness, fidelity, peace and to exhibit her commitment to the relationship. The cranes can be mounted and framed to be displayed at the reception and later at the couple’s home. During the reception friends and relatives make “banzai” toasts to and from the bride and groom.