Mr. & Mrs. Vandebilt + kids

Last weekend I was really fortunate to attend a wedding. I had said when I arrived here that attending a wedding was high on my list of things I’d like to experience while I was here. Now, I’m not really much for weddings, but I feel like a wedding is a really important part of a country’s traditions and culture.

Our friend Ellie was singing in a wedding and managed to get us invitations. Invitations don’t really work the same way as they do at home, basically anyone can go because it’s a bit of a free for all, but we were still really honoured that we were allowed to be a part of  it.

A Korean wedding consists of two parts and is really a major production. There is a ‘western’ ceremony and then a traditional ceremony. Weeks before the ceremonies the married couple-to-be goes for a professional photo shoot in their wedding garb so that they can play the photos at the wedding. The show starts with the western ceremony, so beforehand the bride sits in this separate room on a couch so that everyone can come and have their picture taken with her. We were ushered in with much fanfare to have our pictures taken with this stranger. It was a little awkward but no one else seemed to think it was out of the ordinary.

The entire wedding process is a little bit tacky. It is very similar to getting married in Vegas. Couples rotate through the 2 wedding ‘chapels’ about every hour. It is decorated with neon lights, tacky candles, gold and a under-lit runway. They make a good attempt at copying a western ceremony but they leave out essentials like exchanging rings, a kiss, vows.

After the western ceremony there is a quick costume change before the traditional ceremony. This was something really special to see. Weddings apparently used to be 3 day affairs but have now been cut down to about an hour and a half. There was a lot of bowing and money and food exchange. It was really interesting to watch though.

All of the guests who have given a gift (yes, this is recorded) are invited to a buffet lunch. Now since there are many weddings happening during a day everyone just eats together. There’s no speeches, or welcoming of the married couple just eating.

While the whole thing was really a bit strange it was a really unique opportunity that I’m really grateful I got to witness. I’m just glad I didn’t have to get married like that.

As always, pictures are here.