Long gone are the days when kimonos were worn as everyday garments by the women and men of Japan. Now, the traditional robes are worn mostly on special occasions like weddings, graduation ceremonies, and special outings with friends and family. Still, the beauty of kimonos has prompted many fashion designers to bring them back as fashion items remade for modern-day wear, as we've seen before with kimono dresses and baseball caps. This transformation of traditional kimonos into more contemporary pieces of clothing is a creative way to get the best of both worlds, and those looking to have just that on their wedding day are in luck.

Source: PR Times

Giving brides the chance to rent wedding dresses made from vintage kimonos is Watabe Wedding, a Japanese wedding planning company located in Kyoto. Offering 5 wedding dresses of different designs from their original kimono dress brand Shoen (祥縁), the company caters to anyone hoping to walk the aisle in a one-of-a-kind wedding dress. Below are the dresses currently available for rental, each bringing a gorgeous mix of traditional and modern to beautiful brides-to-be.

Tsuru-Momiji

This red A-line dress is adorned with a brilliant pattern of chrysanthemums and maples. With a blue river flowing across the bottom half of the dress, it shows a stunning contrast of blue and red.

Source: PR Times

Fuji-Ageha

This slender, high-waisted, off-white and yellow dress boasts a gradation of yellow, black, gold, and red. Dancing across the dress are elegant wisterias and swallowtail butterflies.

Source: PR Times

Ranbu

Pink orchids are believed to contain the message "I love you," which makes the design of this mermaid-line dress especially fitting for a wedding.

Source: PR Times

Kanazuru

Presenting a pattern of gold cranes, this gold and red dress is made even more regal with the addition of brown-black chiffon material peeking out from underneath.

Source: PR Times

Botan-Giku

This A-line dress will have brides looking pretty in pink. Adorned with all kinds of flowers including chrysanthemums and peonies, this soft pink dress also features spun gold and a flowly, silky look.

Source: PR Times

Rental rates for the dresses range from 50,000 yen (US$455) to 150,000 yen (US$1365). Check the Watabe Wedding website for further details.


By - grape Japan editorial staff.