Most of my friends who are getting married back in France have been together for 5+ years. Some even already have children.

Same in France. Actually most people in Japan do everything in one day as well. My problem is that the second party we will be doing is supposed to be without family, which is something my mother will never accept if she ends up actually coming. Not only that but since no one else but she and my little brother are going to be flying and she doesn't know any English she's going to be all alone and will rely on me which means I won't enjoy any of the party. So we're doing the second party with friends at a later date.
Planning is done mostly by agencies, which means no stress. And since my guest list will be necessarily small since no one's going to be flying, the BF decided to keep it small as well by inviting only family. And we're inviting only friends to the other party so it's going to be easy.
Only thinking about giving a party or a ceremony back in France is making me having nightmares so nope. I've been gone for quite a long time too, haven't had much contact with my "friends", haven't seen my extended family in years either so it kinda annoys me to think about inviting them. Not doing anything saves me the headache.

Sounds like a good plan. Do it when your mum leaves the country ^^;

WHOA. No way!?? Are agencies expensive to hire? A lot of people often organise their own wedding; the venue, menu, guest list, table seating, make up and hair, photographer, ceremony location, bride maids and their gowns, theme and decor @_@ It all sounds overwhelming.

If you're not close then that makes sense. You haven't been back to France at all in 2 years?

They're expensive but not that much either. They adapt their offerings to your budget. Most restaurants have a wedding menu that's already set up so basically you choose restaurant based on the menu (and their prices). Most people don't rent a venue alone, the venue always have special wedding offerings that usually features everything you want.
For us, we are doing a traditionnal wedding so we had to rent the sanctuary we're doing the ceremony at seperately but most people do everything at one place. And since we're only 20 we can then move on to the restaurant that will then cover flowers, decor and menu while we handle table seating.
Other than that, the agency will handle make up, hair, photographer, our kimono, transportation.
All that's left to us is decide the guest list, send them invitation (and even then the agency could do it) and decide where they sit. No bridesmaids either.

At this point really all that's left for us to do is decide on a restaurant and for me to find a dress for the lunch and the drinking party. And we're getting married in March.

I've been back, once because I had to, and the other one because the BF wanted to go. I'm getting back again in Christmas actually but it's more because the BF wants to than because I want to.
I've left France mostly because I've had troubles with my mother in the first place so seeing her doesn't exactly makes me the happiest person on Earth.
And I had started drifting away from my friends even before going so I don't care whether or not I go at this point.

Venues here provide catering as well. There are a lot of wedding/event specific venues. The Asian restaurants usually charge $1000 - $1500 per table and you order by the table (10 per table) + add ones if you want extra like specific dishes or more dishes.

Oh, traditional wedding as in the ones you often run into accidentally in a shrine?

You're going to wear a wedding kimono, nice *u* I'm sure you'll look gorgeous. Find a reception dress right?

That makes sense. You can make a new life for yourself in Japan :3

The prices for the menu are more or less the same here as well. But prices in Tokyo can go a lot higher.

Yep, that's exactly these ones. I hope no one is going to look and take pictures too much, I hate pictures.

Exactly. There's no way I can eat in a kimono. I want a simple dress I could eventually wear again because there's no way they have my size for rent.
At worse, I'll look for something in recycle shops.

I can imagine. Tokyo is an expensive city. Sydney is about the same. You pay a lot for venues such as the QVB ballroom or areas in Mosman. This isn't so bad: https://www.easyweddings.com.au/Wedding ... eaRoomQVB/

The QVB ballroom is gorgeous but I've had their food before. It's not really to taste for Asian people. Plus asian venues always provide huge banquets. What's your reception menu looking like? Lots of seafood I imagine.

Are you to tall for Japanese girl clothes? You could try looking for something when you're back in France (hopefully before your wedding).

It's a nice venue too.
Problem is, most of the venues here more or less ressemble a church while it's not and as my mother is a serious christian we can't really do our ceremony here.

We haven't decided on a restaurant yet, most of them have fish are their main part but most of them are also kaiseki so there's variety https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiseki

I'm normal sized everywhere, except for my bust. Even if I bought a wedding dress in France I will need to have it adjusted which isn't really possible in the 10 days I'll be there for Christmas when everything is closed anyway.
At worse, I'll look for something a bit dressy and white in H&M or Zara and make it wedding friendly with a few adjustments. I don't want something too complicated anyway.

A church? Or a temple/shrine? I haven't seen too many characteristic European churches but maybe that was because I spent all my time in Shinto shrines.

Ohh, I love kaiseik dinners although they tend to give you an overwhelming amount of food. I experienced it whilst I stayed in a ryokan.

That's a shame. I hope you do find something that fits :3 Are you a seamstress as a hobby?

The real Christian churches are hidden.
Most of the ones made for wedding are in expensive area and/or out of Tokyo. Some even just deocorated the interior and the exterior is awful.
Either way, I personnaly wouldn't mind that much but I want to have a peaceful time with my mother.

The food in ryokan is always delicious

I'm not a seamstress, I can do basic stuff. If I could I'd make a dress from scractch but that's sadly impossible with my current skill set. At best I can embellish a bit but that's about it.

Why do they bother to hide them so?

I know. I want to come back and eat everything in Japan. I miss daifuki so much and the japanese strawberries are delicious ;-; I'm so sad. Do you ever miss french cuisine and delicious bread?

Embellishing is still cute :3 You can make it your own.