Groomzilla and I took one step closer to wedded bliss today.
We braved the metal detectors and bag searches and went to the scary modern gothic monstrosity called the Australian Embassy in Tokyo. We were met by very bubbly Australian Consular staff, paid our money, handed in our forms and solemnly swore that the information was true and correct and in our own handwriting.
About 15 minutes later we were presented with our bilingual “Certificates of No-Impediment” which is basically a statutory declaration that we were over the age of consent, not already married, not related and otherwise knew of no legal impediment why we couldn’t be married.
This little form we take into our local government ward office together with the Japanese wedding application forms and badda-bing, badda-boom, we are married - albeit without much ceremony.
No muss, no fuss.
Believe it or not, you can get married in Japan any time of the day or night at the wedding “window”. So theoretically you could go out for dinner, have a few too many drinks and say, “Screw the movie, wanna get married?” and it is possible. Makes for a very interesting hangover conversation the next day if you are not careful.
However, we will make a bit more of an event of it and take our families with us when we hand in the forms. It is not necessary to do this, but it is a fairly important part of the process so we are going to do it the “Ashley and Tracey”(TM) way. Then we go eat!!
This all takes place on Friday 15th May - two days before the BIG EVENT which is basically all just for show and a precursor to the party when we all go eat again!!
Comments....
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Hi guys
We sent you a wedding gift to your account. Hope you got it. Yes?
Enjoy your nuptial celebrations, and tell your dad Tracey that I did not burn his house down last weekend.
Russell
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So your “official, paperwork anniversary” will be the same as Elliot Mason’s birthday. Thanks for making it so easy to remember.
