Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JacktheCat]

I have been invited to the wedding of one of the male Korean teachers here at my high school.

I was wondering what would be an appropriate gift to bring to a Korean wedding to give to the bride and groom?

[plattwaz]

Put money in an envelope at the wedding hall, with your name on it...there will be a box to drop it into.

[peppergirl]

[canadian_in_korea]

My husband says that 30,000 won for most people....50,000 won for close friends...relatives tend to give more to each other...especially those who have a close relationship...some of my husbands cousins and uncles gave him 100,000-200,000 won. But when he went to most of his friends weddings...just 30,000 won.

[Swiss James]

just don't give 40,000- 4 is an unlucky number

[JacktheCat]

Thanks for the tips.

However, I'd like to give an actually physical object, not just some semi-anonymous money.

What would be an appropriate, not too expensive, gift to give.

[tzechuk]

People won't appreciate material gifts.. just give money..

However... I've had Koreans giving me photo frames, crystal vases, cups and the like as wedding gifts, so may be you can buy something like that.

[hellofaniceguy]

I find the idea of giving money at a wedding......impersonal.
Everyone does it! So that makes it right? I never give money, instead I always give gifts such as crystal, or a microwave if I know they need one or something for their house.
If I am invited to a wedding of someone I don��t know or invited through a friend of a friend, I give nothing.
I just eat the food!!
Think of what you��d like for a gift at your wedding. Giving something tangible would be more memorable instead of a few thousand Won.

[peony]

koreans usually give money and it helps pay for the wedding, honeymoon, furniture, etc. most koreans i know appreciate money gifts more than an actual gift. they record the amount given in a ledger so its not anonymous, then the favor is returned if you have a special occasion, such as a wedding, birthday, child's birthday etc. koreans give money for most big occasions including funerals.

[mindmetoo]

[mindmetoo]

[Koreabound2004]

Well all I can say is have fun. I have attended 2 weddings in my short time here, and both were pretty bad experiences. If invited to a third, I will definitely be "busy" on that day.

But yes, as the other posters said, they will happily take your envelope full of money(didn't see anyone bring an actual gift)....and sometimes they will give you a ticket for the meal after handing over the cash...but generally if you give money, you can help yourself to a meal(ticket or not).

Don't worry about dressing up too much...nobody seems to take the event too seriously.

[ajuma]

Money is the way to go...usually 30,000 as most people have said. If you want to give a gift, the couple sometime has a "housewarming" party and you can take it then, or just bring it with you the first time you visit.

[canadian_in_korea]

Giving money here as a gift isn't exactly anonymous.....if there are people accepting the cash they are writing in the book how much you gave. Of course you put your name on the envelope....I think...or you can write a little message on your envelope, some of my husbands friends did that.

[casey's moon]

Some of my Korean friends gave gifts, but to be honest it was a little bit awkward as there was no place to put them and I had to give them to my mother to take care of (and she was in hanbok too, so it wasn't that much easier for her). Also, I found that personal gifts (i.e. that were just for me like expensive soaps and such) were nice, but the gifts for our home were not that practical. On the other hand, most of the cash ended up in the in-laws pockets, with the promise that they'd return it when we needed it. No loss here though -- I never thought that having a wedding was a way to make money anyway!!!