37 FramesWhere Do I Start If I Want to Plan a Wedding in Japan?
If you’ve ever thought about planning a destination wedding in Japan, you’re not alone. Recently, we’ve had a string of Zoom calls with couples who’ve all said the same thing: “We just didn’t even know where to start.”
And honestly? That’s normal. Planning a wedding in Japan or wanting to elope in Japan, can feel overwhelming at first. Especially here, where language, culture, and the wedding industry work very differently than what you may be used to at home. But the good news is, once you know the first few steps, the rest of the journey starts to feel exciting instead of daunting.
So let’s walk through it together. Step by step. Not in a “here’s a checklist” kind of way, but in a real way.
** And for an even deeper dive into the realities of destination weddings in Japan, make sure to read our very open blog post The Truth About Destination Weddings in Japan: A Love Letter and a Reality Check.
Step 1: Talk About What Really Matters to You
Before reaching out to anyone, sit down together and ask: What matters most to us?
Is it budget? Customization? Guest experience? Cultural elements? A cinematic experience? Photography and film? (We’ll always champion this one, naturally. Memories are everything). Knowing this will shape everything else.
If you’re looking for a bundled, easy-to-book package, there are venues that can deliver exactly that. Especially if budget is your top priority. If customization and personal storytelling matter more, and you’d like a planning journey that feels closer to what you’d expect back home, then an independent planner is the better path. Neither option is wrong. It’s simply about choosing what feels right for you.
Step 2: Start With a Planner (or Packages)
In Japan, you usually have two paths:
- Venue/Hotel Packages – These are neat and appealing. Japan does them well. They include the venue, catering, and even florals and photography. But flexibility is limited, and the approach may not always align with the flow or expectations of international weddings.
- Independent Planners – Yes, it’s more expensive. But you’re paying for the freedom to create your day. You’re paying for customization and vision. For the ability to choose your own florist, photographer, band, menu, and mood. You’re writing your own story.
👉 A note about contacting planners: It’s not only okay to ask questions, it’s essential. We always encourage couples to get a feel for who they’re drawn to and whether your visions align. Complimentary consultations are part of the service, and they’re designed to help you explore that fit. But detailed proposals and customized quotes typically come after a couple is officially onboarded and a deposit has been made. That’s not gatekeeping, it’s simply how planners manage their time and ensure they’re giving their very best to the couples they’re already journeying with.
If you’re not sure which is right for you, think back to Step 1. Budget-friendly vs. bespoke. Packages vs. possibilities. Once you decide, the path becomes clearer.
So when choosing your planner, here’s what to keep in mind:
- How easy is communication?
- Do they fit your budget?
- How aligned are they with your vision?
- Do you feel understood?
- Do you feel at home with them?
- How experienced are they with international weddings?
- And most importantly… do you feel a connection?
Because this is a long journey. You’ll be working together for months, sometimes a year. You want the process to be as fun as it is productive. While it’s of course about the actual day & celebration it’s all the moments in between leading up to that as well.
And remember: as much as you’re interviewing planners, they are also quietly interviewing you. Venue planners often work like sales teams, aiming to book as many couples as possible. However, independent planners, get to choose their projects. And that choice matters.
Why? Because independent planning is an all-in commitment. The hours are long. Time zones mean 2am Zoom calls. Logistics stretch across continents. Creativity and troubleshooting never really switch off. They work around the clock. It’s work planners adore, but it asks a lot. So the fit has to be right.
At 37 Frames, we take on only a limited number of weddings each year. That way, every couple receives our full energy and attention, especially in the ramp-up months & week before. We love the people we’re working with just as much as we love the celebration we’re creating. When that connection is there, the long hours and challenges don’t feel heavy. They feel worthwhile. We spend our lives making memories for other people, so we want to make sure we’re having a great time along the way as well.
That’s the truth for pretty much all independent planners: the right fit on both sides keeps the passion alive and the results extraordinary.
Step 3: Explore Venues
Japan is diverse and cinematic. You can choose from:
- Traditional ryokans (Japanese inns with onsens and gardens)
- Tented extravaganzas in a bamboo forest where you can dance the night away after dinner
- Modern Tokyo venues with an urban vibe
- Hakone forests, city rooftops, and even secluded mountain villages
This is the dream stage. Save links, make notes, and get lost in the possibilities. This is the fun part.
Step 4: Make a Shortlist
Once you’ve gathered enough inspiration, it’s time to shortlist. Narrow it down to 3-5 planners or venues that speak to your vision.
Then, send inquiries. Firstly, ask about availability. Then, be specific (guest count, date ranges, priorities). It makes the responses far more useful.
And while you wait for replies, remember that Japan works a little differently. Communication may be slower, and exact quotes are rarely detailed without onboarding. Only ballpark figures. This isn’t a red flag. It’s just the way the industry here operates.
Step 5: Use Tools That Can Help
If you’re into AI (and let’s be honest, who isn’t right now?), try tools designed specifically for wedding planning in Japan. Like this one… a Wedding AI Planner tailored to the quirks and complexities of planning in this country. You can explore it here: Wedding Planning AI.
It’s not a replacement for a planner, but it’s an incredible starting point to get your ideas flowing and your questions organized.
Step 6: Understand the Seasonality
Japan’s wedding industry runs on seasons:
- Spring and Fall – The most popular times (and busiest and most expensive).
Peak seasons, thanks to cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Book early. - Summer and Winter – Often quieter for weddings, but just as busy for planners behind the scenes. This is major planning season for the Spring and Fall weddings.
Knowing this helps you set realistic expectations. Book early if you’re aiming for cherry blossoms or autumn leaves. And be prepared for timelines to move more slowly during peak wedding months, because planners will be fully focused on couples who are actually celebrating that week.
Step 7: Balance Vision With Reality
This might be the most important step of all. Dream big … but stay open. Planning in Japan means weaving your vision with cultural nuances, venue restrictions, and weather that sometimes has its own ideas.
At 37 Frames, we never talk about Plan B. Instead, we plan for all outcomes. If it rains, if it snows, if the cherry blossoms fall early … your wedding is still extraordinary, because it’s always designed with flexibility in mind.
Step 8: Begin the Journey
From here, the pieces start falling into place. Timelines, design, travel, menus, film, and photography. It all comes together.
And the best part? What started with “We don’t even know where to start” turns into the kind of celebration your guests will be talking about forever. It slowly shapes its way into becoming the wedding of your dreams in one of the most fascinating places on Earth.
Step 9: Understand That Trust Is Everything
The biggest thing you need to know about destination weddings is this: they take an incredible amount of trust.
You won’t be here for many of the big decisions. You won’t always see venues in person, taste menus ahead of time, or meet every vendor face-to-face. For Type A personalities who like to control every detail, this can feel daunting. But in Japan, the reality is simple … you can’t do it all yourself. The cultural nuances, the language, the logistics… they’re unlike anywhere else in the world.
Whether you choose a venue-based planner or an independent one, you need someone on the ground. Someone who can translate your vision, navigate the complexities, and pull it all together seamlessly.
Trust is the foundation of every great destination wedding. No matter where you decide to celebrate.
We still remember a wedding we were planning just before the pandemic. The couple lived in Canada, we lived here in Japan and they asked us to plan their wedding in Margaret River, Western Australia. When we gently asked if they had explored local planners in Australia, they told us: “We trust you. We trust your vision and your values. And you were recommended to us by people we trust.” That meant everything.
And that’s really the key. You’ll know it when you feel it. Trusting someone with one of the biggest days of your life isn’t a small decision. But once you find that person, the entire journey opens up.
Final Reflection
Planning a wedding in Japan might feel daunting at first, but that’s what makes it exciting. It’s still very much the road less travelled. Start with what matters to you, decide on your path (package vs. customized), and choose a planner who feels like your people.
Because the truth is, this isn’t just about logistics. It’s about connection, trust, and building a celebration together. The wedding day is one thing. But the journey? That’s where the magic lives.
See a favourite 37 Frames wedding here: A celebrity wedding in Hawaii
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