So this week, I attended two weddings: one on Sunday between an American and a Korean wife and one today between two Koreans. I had long heard that Korean weddings were different and interesting but until going, I couldn't fathom how. Now mind you, I have not seen a
traditional Korean wedding yet, but what fusion-style weddings I have seen are rather different from weddings back home in Trinidad or in Atlanta. Here are some highlights.
1. Many weddings happen in a wedding hall. They are beautifully decorated and are reminiscent of a Vegas wedding chapel.
2. It is custom to invite MANY people to your wedding, as many as you know.
3. As a guest, it is customary to present a monetary gift to the bride and groom. You may choose not to do so, but then you typically do not eat after the ceremony.
4. So far, I see no best or groomsmen nor bridesmaids. I have not heard a wedding march [Here's Comes the Bride] either.
5. The solemn quiet of the Western wedding seems to not be typically observed during the rather short ceremony. There is much conversation and side talking.
6. People don't get dressed up the same like we do. Yes, many Koreans dress well as a rule but you will see Jeans, shorts even....I even saw a guy rapping in t-shirt, shorts and cap (which read "Come F#ck Me Down). No lie.
7. There is no kiss of the bride and groom upon proclamation of them as man and wife.
8. Lots of bowing...groom bows to his and his bride's parents, wife bows to her husband's parents and hers. They both bow to their guests also. Parents bow to each other as well...
9. Right after they are named man and wife, the cake is rolled out (right there in the ceremony) and cut by the couple and then wheeled away. Immediately after the ceremony, pictures are taken. First with bride and groom, then with family and finally with ALL your friends/guest. MIND YOU...the bride and groom take wedding photos together like a month in advance, so the picture taking session is rather short (and primarily to have everyone else in the wedding photos).
10. After the ceremony, the guests go downstairs to a buffet (which is part of the wedding hall). You present a ticket given to you at the time you give your monetary gift (mind you, not a toaster or vacuum. They are not registered at Target...) and get in line to chow-down.
11. Now while the guests eat, the couple goes into a small antechamber with the family and performs a small traditional Korean ceremony complete with husband and wife in Korean wedding traditional garb. (I couldn't get pictures of it). Part of the ceremony involves the groom having to carry his wife on his back....reminiscent of his willingness to carry/support her I suppose.
After this, they change into a different set of clothes (also traditional but not the high-formal wedding attire, which looks very regal I might add...and while the family goes out to eat, the bride and groom walk around to all their guests and thank them for coming.
I definitely see many things we can take from their culture...but there are also things I would absolutely reject. Like this video that I will upload if my browser lets me...
