Korean Job Discussion Forums

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

My principals daughter is getting married soon, what to wear? I don't want to buy a hanbok. Any suggestions?

peppermint · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 3:35 pm Post subject:

Most people won't wear hanboks, dress the same as if you were going to a wedding at home.

Cedar · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 3:50 pm Post subject:

Hanbok are just for the family members normally... you should wear a suit or a dress, fairly conservative, but don't stress- mostly think about being in front of your boss. You don't have to give any money cause you aren't married (I'm assuming). But if you did, give 30 or 50,000, I'd give 30 cause you don't know the girl.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

I'm going to a wedding at the end of october and I plan to wear a dress and jacket. Most women seem to dress in suits. But make sure you look nice and of course wear make up.

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

peppergirl · Joined: 07 Dec 2003

Hanbok is only worn by the mothers of bride & groom and maybe some other (usually not very young) relatives, sometimes some kids too. But definitely not by other guests!

No need to be too dressed up (no evening wear) either, just formal attire will be fine.

Married or not, you're supposed to bring some cash, 30,000 or 50,000 seems like an appropriate amount.

Don't expect the wedding to take a long time, 10-30 min ceremony, then everyone eats their fill and goes home.

casey's moon · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: Daejeon

Definitely don't have high expectations! Men usually wear their office attire (assuming they work in an office, of course) and you can pretty much wear anything that isn't overly casual or revealing. I stressed about my first Korean wedding, and when I got there and saw the woman helping the bride was wearing jeans I was annoyed! (don't wear jeans though!)

Does it really matter if you're married or not about whether or not you should bring money? Haven't heard that one...

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Hey! I wore hanbok to a wedding and it was just fine!

(Of course, the wedding was mine, the ceremony was the rarely-seen-these-days traditional-style, and I'm not a lady either)

peppergirl · Joined: 07 Dec 2003

casey's moon · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: Daejeon

yeah, I know she's not a guest -- all the more reason for her to dress up since it's her job Rolling Eyes

I don't get korean weddings... I also had a traditional one, outdoors, and that was nice (not that I got to see much of it behind that sheet thingie) but I don't much care for the wedding hall affairs.

shortskirt_longjacket · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 7:15 pm Post subject:

I went to my first Korean wedding just last Sunday. There were several people in jeans and casual wear, but I wouldn't suggest doing that. Perhaps they don't find it disrespectful for Koreans to dress so casually at a wedding but I bet they would feel differently if it were a foreigner.

I opted for a shirt and skirt. Conservative, not a lot of skin showing, nothing too bright or flashy. I say just try to blend in and take it all in.

Sidenote: Korean weddings are a trip, man. From what I experienced, they don't exchange vows (the bride and groom didn't say anything during the ceremony), there's no kiss afterwards, there's no exchange of rings, there are no attendants. There's a lot of bowing to the parents. The "reception" was before the wedding because (I was told) that sometimes guests will leave the ceremony early to go get a good seat at the reception hall. It's all about the food for a lot of the guests.

Anyway, have fun and don't stress about what you wear. Just show up and smile a lot.