Weddingbee Blog

Our Tokyo reception was on Sunday. There were no formal invitations, no centerpieces to fuss over, and I didn’t wear a white dress. In fact, I wanted to look bridal but not overly bridal. This is what I wore:

We met at a very Japanese restaurant for lunch with my Japanese family and bosses. We dined on shabu-shabu.

These are kind of horrible pictures, I know. When I got to the restaurant I realized I had left my camera battery charging at home.

While there was nothing particularly wedding-y about this reception, I learned a very important lesson. And that lesson is: EAT! For the love of all that is sane in the world, EAT WHEN YOU CAN! I was terribly drunk at the reception and I think if I would’ve eaten more I could have avoided the rambling, crying, incoherent speech I made.

I think we hear this advice a lot on the ’bee but I never fully understood it until Sunday. I got really caught up in talking to family and trying to visit and please everyone and I think an hour passed before I finally spoke up and said, “Onakasuita. Mada zen zen tabetenai…” which means, “I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten at all yet!” My family understood and told me to go sit down and eat. I think people will get it if you use the same technique. It was really an eye-opening experience to the duties of a bride; I felt pulled every which way and pressured to just keep smiling.

Since I was so drunk, to be honest I really don’t remember much of what happened. I’m pretty sure I sounded and acted like an idiot. Note to self: on our wedding day, put the shot glass down!

As is the custom, I was mobbed with flowers and tons of cash in little envelopes.

This is the face of non-comprehension. Mr. G said only my immediate family could tell I was wasted.

Another lesson I learned: I fell down yet again while wearing heels and sprained my ankle. This brings my high-heel foot mangling incident total to 4. I really think I’ll be skipping the heels on our wedding day.

Why was I so drunk at the reception? I was really, really nervous about my bosses meeting my family and about my (lack of) Japanese ability. It also happened to be my birthday and I handled growing older by taking shots. Lots and lots of shots. At 10 AM. A year older and I’m still acting like a newly minted irresponsible 21 year old! Embarrassing and awkward as the day was, victory was mine at the end of the day.

IT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY. It’s a statement of fact.

Thavasa. Fab. I heart Mr. G.

Our menu for the big day is as follows:

• Hors d’oeuvres of bread, cheese, and fruit platters, Japanese eggplant and goat cheese on crostini, and sausage rolls
• Plated Caesar salad
• Buffet of roast chicken and beef with Yorkshire pudding, gravy, steamed seasonal vegetables, and stuffing.
• The vegetarian option is vegetable curry. Our caterers are an English couple and I know they’ll do a proper English-style curry. This was chosen by you hive, so props!

I’ll be damned if I don’t get to eat. I’ve learned my lesson for sure. I’m going to speak up, sit down, and grab a fork on our big day. I’m really glad I had a “practice reception” to learn some valuable lessons.

What is your eating and drinking game plan for your wedding day? Are you going to make sure you eat?