Sayonara to the single life: Momoko and Shay’s Japanese wedding

High school sweethearts Momoko Sakaki and Ehtekam (Shay) Hedayet brought a little bit of Japan to Sydney for their big day.

“Our wedding incorporated visually recognisable elements from my Japanese heritage, including my wedding dress, the handmade floral table decorations and bouquets, and the chopstick bomboniere,” Momoko, 30, says of their Japanese wedding.

Momoko and Shay, 31, exchanged vows at The Epping Club on June 12, 2016 in front of an intimate 30 friends and family. The reception continued at the same venue, joined by 100 more night-time guests.

Traditional Japanese drummers set the scene for the vibrant evening celebrations and, whilst the couple chose not to have a bridal party, Momoko explains, “my best friends wore outfits reflecting their heritage (Indian and Burmese) which added a pop of colour and culture.”

“Our wedding was not an over-the-top affair but had heartfelt and unique elements that made the day beautiful,” Momoko says.

Photos courtesy of Paper Dreams Wedding Photography.

“Putting on the kimono properly requires someone with a lot of knowledge and practice,” explains Momoko, who hired a professional kimono stylist to dress her on the day.

Beautiful handmade origami flower bouquets were a unique choice for the Japanese wedding.

 

Origami also featured in the table decorations, and traditional Japanese blossoms were an element of the couple’s striking wedding cake.

Momoko says she and Shay seemed to others like an unusual pairing when they first met, “but the ways that were important – our values, our beliefs and our outlook on life – were the same,” she explains.

Final wisdom from this Japanese bride: “Life is not going to stop just because you have a wedding to plan. Know when you need help and don’t be afraid to ask for it.”