Nestled in Ise-Shima, a scenic coastal area of central Japan, is Toba, a city famous for its cultured pearls. Here on the 30th of each month a ceremony called a "pearl wedding" is held. Inspired by the parallel between a marriage and a pearl - an object of beauty built up painstakingly, layer by layer, over many years - the pearl wedding ceremony draws husbands and wives from all around Japan to mark their 30th wedding anniversaries. As locals help them celebrate the special day, participating couples walk up the aisle of a wedding chapel to renew their vows of lifelong partnership. This is the story of 2 couples looking to open a new chapter in their marriages by taking part in Ise-Shima's pearl wedding.

• lae astra