Last weekend we were in Tottori Prefecture for Soko's (one of Aya's friends from college) wedding to Yamada-san. Her husband is a monk so the wedding was very traditional and held at his father's temple in Akasaki.
The wedding procession. That is Soko under the red umbrella.
It was interesting to see all of the people from the neighborhood come up to watch. They were not formally invited to the ceremony but were allowed to hang out in the temple garden and look in on the proceedings. It is a small village so word spreads quickly, and likely everyone already knew since this is also the temple where they come to pray and celebrate 
The interior of the temple was beautiful
The ceremony
The monk performing the ceremony. 
Part of the ceremony involves saying a prayer and everyone drinking a small bowl of sake
The altar after the ceremony. 
Soko looking out the window after the wedding
The Temple Belfry and courtyard
A pretty nice live/work environment if you ask me
The bride & groom and their parents at the reception 
Yamada-san and all of the elder monks of his Monastery
It is traditional for the families of those married to go to each table and pour drinks for everyone. This is Yamada-san (grooms father). I think it is also required for all younger Japanese women to give a peace sign in pictures. For guys it is optional, but highly recommended.
The candle ceremony is part of the western reception once they change into a tux and gown
Aya, Soko, & Fukui - another friend from college
Aya and Soko, peace signs are just cut off
Soko and her other close friends. I think that custom allows a guy to hold up double peace which is the equivilent of 3 girls giving the peace sign. The whole rules to the peace sign are really confusing.
Aya and Soko finally got a chance to really talk later that night once everyone else left.
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