My Japanese fiancée and I (British) plan to marry in Japan next year. Initially we were both fine with photos at a shrine in Osaka and a small UK wedding, but I suggested doing everything in Japan as it would allow her extended family to attend and my family were happy to fly over.
This seems to have switched things up and the plan has now grown into an all-inclusive hotel package being a must (hotels collab with nearby shrines in most cases). I suggested organising it ourselves instead of packages and venues with more character like Osaka Geihinkan, The Garden Oriental or other scenic spaces, but my partner is totally set on these large soulless hotels in the city.
Spending more money than anticipated isn't a problem it itself but if we are, I personally would choose somewhere beautiful or historic (plenty of both in Japan) rather than a nicely decorated but generic hotel function room that could be anywhere. So Im curious about the popularity of hotel weddings here. Seems like a big industry. Admittedly, I know almost nothing about Japanese wedding culture and expectations.
TLDR: are hotel weddings considered the proper or higher-status choice here compared to other venues? My partner is set exclusively on hotel packages if the wedding is in Japan and I am wondering if cultural expectations are at play.
by PadelGenius