結婚式(けっこんしき)

結婚式(けっこんしき) refers to the formal wedding ceremony itself. In Japan, the ceremony (結婚式(けっこんしき)) is usually followed by a reception (披露宴(ひろうえん)), which are often treated as separate events.

COMMON PATTERNS:

• 結婚式(けっこんしき)を挙(あ)げる: to hold a wedding ceremony
• 結婚式(けっこんしき)に出席(しゅっせき)する: to attend a wedding
• 結婚式(けっこんしき)に招待(しょうたい)する: to invite to a wedding
• 結婚式場(けっこんしきじょう): wedding venue

TYPES:

• 神前式(しんぜんしき): Shinto-style wedding (at a shrine)
• 教会式(きょうかいしき): church-style wedding (most popular style)
• 人前式(じんぜんしき): secular ceremony (vows before guests)

RELATED TERMS:

• 披露宴(ひろうえん): wedding reception (formal banquet)
• 二次会(にじかい): casual after-party
• ご祝儀(しゅうぎ): monetary gift (typically given in odd-numbered amounts like 30,000 or 50,000 yen)