Attending a Korean wedding

When AC and I were visiting Korea, my friend Shinae asked if we wanted to come to her brother’s wedding. At first, we were a bit hesitant to accept the invitation, as we did not want to intrude, but Shinae explained that weddings in Korea are big events with hundreds of guests, so two more did not make a difference. Well in that case, we would love to go!

The wedding was held on a summer day at one of the nicest hotels in the city. The ceremony was in a big ballroom, which was divided by a platform/ catwalk in two halves: One for the family and friends of the groom and one for the family and friends of the bride. In Korea, the wedding not only celebrates the new couple but also the union of the two families.

First, there was a performance by a wedding singer and then the bride came descending down, standing on a balcony-like structure. What an entrance! Then she slowly walked to the end of the platform, where the groom and the parents + parents in law were waiting. It was like a scene from musical, with the bride as the beautiful movie star. The followed the wows which ended with the bride and groom bowing to each other before they got up and walked out of the ballroom together.

After the ceremony, it was time for wedding pictures, before the wedding reception, which was in another room. Shinae was the maid of honor so she had been busy with bridesmaid stuff all day, but at the reception she finally had a few minutes to sit down, tired, but happy. It was a beautiful ceremony and a wonderful experience that I am happy that I got to be a part of.