A Traditional Japanese Wedding at the Intercontinental Hotel Tokyo Bay in Tokyo, Japan

Jennifer Periman (30 and a kid’s television show host) and Michael Le (29 and a power plant operator) met at a wedding in Narita, Japan—Jennifer was the traditional emcee at the wedding who introduced the couple and translated the speeches. By the end of the wedding, Michael left Jennifer with his email, to which she responded the following day. Thus began an eight year relationship, largely long distance between Japan, San Francisco and Michael’s deployments until Jennifer moved to California. As a former wedding emcee, Jennifer knows most of the wedding venues in Tokyo but felt that the Intercontinental Hotel Tokyo Bay has a special sentimental value inside both her and Michael’s hearts. In Japan, there are no bridesmaids or groomsmen, nor was there chosen attire for any of the guests, although Jennifer’s mother wore a traditional kimono. Michael’s family is from China and Vietnam and Jennifer’s family is from Japan, so the couple adopted Western bride and groom attire for their wedding day fashions. Their son wore a traditional jinbei. The style of the wedding was modern and simple, with sophisticated minimalist decor captured by Oeil Photographyto take no attention away from the sparkling neon lights of Tokyo Bay. The couple had a special guest provide the opening speech at their reception, followed by a series of whimsical and heartfelt performances: Two sisters sang Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” one of Michael’s friends provided a speech about the groom, and finally, Jennifer’s friends from her time as a cheerleader for the Yomiuri Giants danced and performed. At the end of the reception, Michael gave Jennifer’s mother a bouquet, a custom at Japanese weddings.