Anime inspired wedding Stacia and Gabriel@Sunken Gardens

When Stacia and Gabriel phoned me to officiate their wedding at the Sunken Gardens, they expressed their desire to have an Anime influenced ceremony and reception.  To my surprise, I had not heard of Anime before, so I was excited at the prospect of venturing into new territory and work with them to create the ceremony of their dreams.






Stacia and Gabriel are fans of Anime and had actually met while looking at Japanese animated items in a bookstore. WOW!  Talk about finding your soulmate.



If you, like me, are not clear about what that is, I will give you a short explanation. Anime is the Japanese abbreviation and pronunciation of "Animation" - animated cartoons.    Anime is an art form, with influences of Japanese calligraphy and Japanese paintings that  characterize the linear qualities of the anime style. 

Many of the characters feature larger eyes, with coloring added to the eyes for depth.  There are many shows which are influenced by Anime and it has dramatically exposed more Westerners to the culture of Japan.  It is reported recently that the number of people studying the Japanese culture and language has increased dramatically.

Stacia and Gabriel had a true vision for their ceremony. There is a wonderful Japanese legend that states a couple is bound at birth by a red thread, which continually shrinks over the years, until the man and woman are united in marriage, and this was the day! They practiced their vows in Japanese, I practiced learning to welcome guests in Japanese. "Yokosou!"  I have to say, not an easy language!  The guests were sent magnificent hand made artfully designed invitations that pictured an Anime couple somewhat representing Stacia and Gabriel.   Guests were invited to come dressed in Japanese attire if they so wished.  It was a beautiful array of fashion and colors the day of the ceremony.

During the ceremony, I described that they spoke of each other as the yin and yang to the other.  The traditional Sake ceremony, called the San San Kudo was held. In essence, as the couple take their sips, they are taking their marriage vows. This ritual is very sacred and carried out in silence. Drinking from the first cup, they honor their families, but drinking from the second cup, they promise to live together and work together for the rest of their lives, and by drinking from the third cup, they are wishing that their home will be a happy place filled with love, and a future filled with prosperity, health, happiness and blessings.

To Gabriel and Stacia, I cannot thank you enough for the privilege of honoring you with the beautiful ceremony of your dreams.    I say to you,  Omedetou!  Congratulations!

Venue:  The Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg, Florida
Photography:  David Bishop, LovingUnity.com