Korean wedding culture
While you might be thinking of something quite different from Western weddings, modern Korean weddings actually look more similar than you may expect. Couples generally wear a white wedding gown or dark-colored suit, and much of the general custom of walking down the aisle and exchanging a few words is the same! You may see a mother or two wearing Hanbok - the traditional Korean formal clothing - but other family members and guests will be dressed in modern formal or business casual clothing, which you can find more information on below.
One of the main differences lies in the ceremony length, and the entire wedding celebration for that matter. The ceremony will take no more than an hour, and commonly includes one or two short performances by friends or family. Directly following the ceremony will be a short group photo session, but not an extensive shoot. Korean weddings are hardly an all-day affair, so you can expect to be on with your day within just a couple of hours. In fact, most wedding venues perform several ceremonies each day, so that timeline is less of a suggestion and more of a requirement.
In terms of the reception, in place of a lengthy party of dancing, socializing, and grazing at your leisure, you will be directed to a formal, all-you-can eat buffet where you can sit and chat for a short while after the ceremony. During this time, the couple and their parents will come around and briefly chat with each of you as well. After that, the entire process is over and you are free to carry on with the rest of your afternoon or evening as you wish.
However, if you were hoping for a few more activities to participate in, be sure to check out the Timeline page so you don't miss out on some supplementary events during the week!
As you may have noticed before, I did mention "business casual" when talking about wedding guest attire. Yes, one of the other big differences in wedding culture here is that the guests are not expected to don their fancy, formal gowns and match a theme, but instead will most often be seen in neutral colors and clothing items often seen at an office building. Think slacks and button-ups or sweaters for men, and the same for women, alongside some medium-length skirts or dresses. But please, wear what you are most comfortable in - we are just happy you have made it this far!
Do consider the weather as well; late February in most of South Korea is still quite cold, with daytime highs around 7 degrees Celsius (44 degrees Fahrenheit), and nighttime lows still reaching just below freezing. Layers, warm coats, and gloves are still recommended even for brief outdoor activities!
What to wear
What to bring
Don't look around too much for a gift registry, you won't find one for a Korean wedding! The expectation is very simple and specific - an envelope with some money inside is the standard gift when attending a wedding in Korea. The standard amount differs depending on how close you are to the couple, but the general purpose of this is to cover your meal costs. Korean weddings usually include a buffet-style meal afterwards, and this is where the bulk of a wedding cost is, so guests usually cover that amount or a bit more, depending on their relationship. When you arrive at a Korean wedding hall, there will be two tables where you can deliver this envelope, one for each partner. You can find the table or family member related to the person you are connected to, drop it off there, and receive your entry ticket to the buffet! This should be done before the ceremony begins, since the tables will close soon after.
If you have a bit of extra time after getting your buffet ticket and getting acquainted with the wedding hall, you can find the bride's room and head there to take a picture together! This is an informal, gathering area and all guests are welcome to join, greet the bride, and take a picture before the wedding starts. I would recommend arriving 20-30 minutes before the start of the ceremony to allow for both of these, if you wish.