Korean Job Discussion Forums

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Quick questions:
Going to one Korean wedding this weekend, and one in a few weeks. I'll be going with my husband.

1) Does it make sense to give 30,000 won (clean bills in a clean envelope, right?) to the couple who we don't know that well, and 50,000 to the couple we've been friends with for a while?

2) Is it one envelope per couple in attendance at the wedding? That is, is it 30,000/50,000 or 60,000/100,000? (Do we each have to give an envelope?)

3) Finally, the wedding of the person we know better is a bicultural wedding (Korean bride, American groom). Is there any place to put more personal gifts (a table along with or separate from the cash) or should we skip this and maybe send something later?

Thanks!

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

1) Yes

2) Each person can bring a 'guest', or if you like, fill out another envelope. Completely up to you. Ideally, you should pay 20,000 per head to offset the wedding costs.

3) When you get to the wedding hall, there will be a place for you to give money and sign your name, you can also give them a gift. I've given gifts too- its no big deal. Wink

sojusucks · Joined: 31 May 2008

20,000-30,000 is enough to give. You will see every ajumma that ever existed. Ajummas love weddings. Get your picture taken with the bride, if you want, take some pictures of the ceremony, but most importantly, make sure you are starving because the buffet will be awesome. Be prepared to eat some great food until you are stuffed.

eIn07912 · Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Location: seoul

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

50'000 is an OK number for the couple you know well. If you get a chance, slip the envelop directly to them, otherwise there's a chance it will be intercepted by parents.

Summer Wine · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Next to a River

I am going to one soon as well with teachers from my school as it is a teacher who is getting married.

I asked them what the rule was for weddings.

1. If you are invited but you dont go, then you give an envelope containing 30,000 won

2. If invited and you are going then you give an envelope containing 50,000 won.

I then asked another teacher at a different time as to how much she was giving and she said she was giving 50,000.

In my friends wedding, I gave him 50,000 won, but we made a deal that I would slip it to him and his wife and they would use it to buy something on thier honeymoon.

Others say 20,000 or 30,000 but i would just go with 50,000 especially if you are writing your name on the envelope. If thats the norm for koreans, then looking like the foriegner is a cheapskate for 20,000 won which is less the cost of 3 beers in Geckos isn't worth it.