Ikuta shrine and "Ebessan"

Ms. N went to Ikuta shrine with her family for the first praying of the New Year. Ikuta shrine is a famous shrine in Kobe. It just became even more famous because a famous couple, Norika a very(?) famous actress and Jinai, a semi-famous osaka t.v. personality, decided to get married there in February. They are both from Kobe I heard, so they wanted to have the ceremony in their hometown. I heard it will cost about 350,000 yen for the ceremony and clothes rental, but I `m not sure if that is the correct number. If it is, I think that`s pretty cheap for a wedding ceremony. Do you know if this is the correct price or not? Ms. N said the shrine was packed! She also said she bought a good luck charm and picked a fortune. I hope she got "BIG" good luck!

From yesterday til the 11th, is "Ebessan", a famous festival/event. The purpose of Ebessan is to give and offering to the "Business/money" gods and also to pray for financial prosperity for the year. It takes place in shrines. I have gone to "Ebessan" for about 8 years maybe...I forget..I always go to the same shrine, which is pretty famous and near Namba. I really like "Ebessan." It`s very unique I think. It is always unbelievably crowded too, you can`t move. Sometimes I go at night and sometimes I go during the day. At night is more crowded and really cold...but all of the food stalls and everything is cool! I plan to go today or tomorrow if I have time. If I don`t have time, then I have to make time. I will return my good luck ornament from last year and also get a new one. Do you know the historical meaning of "Ebessan"?