A Shinto wedding is a small-scale affair involving the couple, their family and their close friends. The bride normally wears a white kimono with a white scarf. The colour symbolises purity.

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The ceremony begins with ritual purification. Next prayers are offered for the couple to have good luck, happiness and the protection of the kami. Then the couple drinks sake and the groom reads words of committment.

In many weddings rings are exchanged. This is followed by a sacred dance performed by the miko. The ceremony ends with an offering of tamagushi (a sacred branch) and a ritual sharing of sake by everyone present.

[ Source: BBC ] · [ More info: Japan-Guide ]

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Cristóbal Vila, June 2008, Zaragoza, Spain