She wore a Heian-era style hairdo, which is swept back into a ponytail, and a traditional robe splashed with red and green patterns and later changed into a red Japanese robe, while Moriya wore a tail coat.
Women who marry into the imperial family become members of the family, but those who marry commoners has to leave the imperial family.
Moriya said he hoped to help Ayako adjust to a commoner’s life.
Akihito has said he will abdicate next year. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1.
Ayako and Moriya said when they announced their wedding plans that they met because their mothers were friends and hit it off immediately.
Moriya said he had been attracted to her gentle spirit.
Ayako’s father, Prince Takamado, who was active in supporting Japanese soccer, died in 2002.
