Marriage Traditions in South Korea

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by KookiesAndCream2002

by KookiesAndCream2002

Let's look at the traditional weddings:

Matchmaking (중매, jungmae)

1. Historically arranged marriages were common, often by a matchmaker.

2. Family backgrounds, social status, and astrological compatibility played major roles.

Pre-wedding Formalities

1. Proposal (납채, napchae): The groom's family formally proposes to the bride's family.

2. Date setting (택일, taegil): A fortuneteller often chooses the wedding date based on the couple's birthdates.

Traditional Wedding Ceremony

1. Hanbok: The couple wears traditional attire. The bride may wear a wonsam or hwarot, and the groom a gwanbok.

2. Paebaek (폐백): A private family ritual after the main ceremony where the couple bows to the groom's family and offers dates and chestnuts (symbols of fertility). The family may throw these back—how many the bride catches in her skirt is said to indicate the number of children they'll have.

Now let's look at the modernized weddings:

Ceremony

1. Often held in wedding halls and lasts about 30–60 minutes.

2. Features include a walk down the aisle, vows, music, and photo ops.

3. A master of ceremonies (MC) typically leads the wedding.

4. It blends Western elements with Korean touches, such as incorporating hanbok during the reception or for photos.

Reception

1. Guests are treated to a buffet-style meal after the ceremony.

2. Unlike Western weddings, there's typically no dancing or extended partying.

Cash Gifts

1. Guests give money in envelopes at a registration desk, rather than physical gifts.

2. The amount is usually based on the closeness of the relationship.

Honeymoon

1. Couples often go abroad for their honeymoon shortly after the wedding.