Korean Job Discussion Forums

[periwinkle]

Has anyone had (or witnessed) a traditional Korean wedding? My fiance and I are going to a traditional wedding this Sat. to check things out, and to see part of a ceremony. It's in Seoul (Pil dong, Jung-gu) at Korea House, or Han Kook Ui Jip (sorry, my computer doesn't support Hangul). If anyone has been married there, I'm really interested to know how your experience was. I just want to know what to expect, and what is expected of my parents. Thanks for any info! =)

[Grotto]

If you go to the Youngin folk village(min sok chon) in Yongin they do a very traditional wedding 3 times a day.

If the wedding you go to is a traditional one then it will be quite different from a western style wedding.

I have been to three weddings here in Korea. The first two were a 'fusion' of western and Korean.

Gift to bring envelope full of cash.

[anae]

We had a traditional wedding six years ago in Jeonju and I also was one of the attendants at my friend's wedding in Gwangju. Before the big day, we went to a couple of other similar weddings to find out what they were about. I found that there are regional differences in the complexity of tasks for attendants, but the rest is pretty standard for the bride and groom.

Luckily, the officiator tells you what to do every step of the way. Unfortunately, you will see most of your wedding on video as your face will be covered the majority of the time. The mothers will light candles or turn on candles ( fire safety) and bow to each other. It will involve you coming from "your house" led by your two attendants. Your groom will already be there having been carried in by his attendants. He will already have presented the wedding goose to your mother ( though this does vary). You will wash your hands in a bowl on the mat. Then you will take your places across from each other and perform deep bows. You get to do two for every one of his. You will again need the help of your attendants as you are actually bowing down into a cross-legged position and then rising again without the use of your hands which are still covering your face. Your attendants will be pouring wine and exchanging the containers with the groom's attendants. You drink this wine and will also be served some type of rice or sesame cake ( I don't quite remember). The officiator will pronounce you married and sometimes will give a speech while the two of you stand in front of the guests. A bow to the guests and ta-da married without saying a word.

The whole thing is quite easy as long as at least one of each of your attendants speaks Korean well enough to follow the directions. your wedding planner will tell you how many attendants each of you needs. Sometimes it is two each and sometimes three depending on the ceremony. The only thing requiring practice is your bowing and don't forget to practice with those traditional shoes on it makes it a bit more tricky than sock feet!

You will then probably go into "your in-laws" house to greet them (pyebek). You will bow to them and serve them wine. They will give a speech and throw chestnuts, daechu and money into your veil which the two of you will be holding. You may or may not do the same things with your parents. You will then continue to do this for all of your husband's family. Hopefully he doesn't have two many uncles. Again you don't need to worry about knowing what to do when. Usually the video guy is telling you what to do step by step.

If I can help you in any way feel free to pm me or to post your questions. Congratulations!

[Saxiif]

I went to one a while back on two hours of sleep and a raging hangover. I have memories of lots of hanboks, carved wooden ducks and thrown chickens.

[periwinkle]

Thanks for your help! Hopefully I can convince one of my best girlfriends to come here so that I will have an attendant!

[casey's moon]

You may not need an attendant. Some places have their own staff who take care of all that, which probably seems too impersonal, but it made the whole ceremony a breeze. I like things uncomplicated.

I didn't think I wanted a wedding video because I didn't like how annoying those video cameras were at other weddings I'd attended, but as Anae said, you can barely see a thing during the actual ceremony!!! My mother and brother (my father is deceased) found the ceremony pretty stressful but are happy to have been a part of it, of course. There was nothing that they needed to do beforehand except watch a video of another couple's ceremony from the same place.

If you're in Seoul, I recommend Sunggyungwan University (���հ����б�) as a great place to have an outdoor traditional ceremony. The guests were really impressed by the scenery, architecture, and even by the buffet! If you want more information, feel free to p.m. me as well.

[tzechuk]

I didn't have a traditional wedding, didn't want one either and hubby was perfectly ok with it.

[superhal]

if you are just a guest, you can just go. wear something decent, and they can even provide envelopes if you can't find one.

not sure if you can see the 2nd half though, as that is generally reserved for family and photographer since the room is smaller. usually the non-relatives go and eat while the 2nd half is being done.

[anae]

Wow! I had no idea that these places provided attendants too. We got married at a Confucian school with the help of a wedding planner and had to at least come up with the participants.

[ajuma]

The thing that always suprises me about Korean weddings is that people talk to each other throughout the ceremony. No one really pays attention to what is being said.

I've been to 3 weddings (my 4th is coming up next month) and I was amazed at the variety. One was in a hotel where everyone sat at tables and watched the bride and groom get married (at this one, I was fortunate enough to see the "family" part of the wedding as well). The other two were in wedding halls. In the last one, the bride and groom came into the room together in a glass box. Funny! And someone played the guitar and sang a funny song in the middle of the ceremony.

I think in Korea, anything goes!

[peppermint]

No kidding! At a co workers wedding, the Korean version of Liberace stood up and sang "Born Free" in the middle of the ceremony. It was a real struggle to keep a straight face.

[ajuma]

Makes me wonder about the commitment of both of them!!! kkk

[verschiedenes]

I've been to two weddings at wedding halls.
Couldn't believe the people walking in and out, talking in loud voices throughout the whole ceremony. Many just seem to go for the buffet.

Just wondering... how much money do people usually give? I've only ever gone with co-workers so we all put in some money, but I'm going to another wedding next month by myself and am not sure how much I should be giving.