Attending Korean weddings

The invitation

Traditionally, the bride and groom would invite their friends to a meal to formally invite them to the wedding. 

What to wear

Anything but white. Ladies can wear onepiece dresses in different colors, as long as it is not too revealing. Black or darker colors are also popular colors to wear in Korean weddings. Men wear suits, or at least a jacket paired with slacks. However, it is not uncommon to see people wear jeans and tshirts to the ceremony as well, but make sure to double check with the wedding location and weather or just ask the couple.

Congratulatory Money

The amount you give would depend on your relationship with the bride, the groom, or their families. Your position is also factored in to determine the amount to give. For example, if you are just colleagues or acquaintances 50,000 won is a good amount to give (just enough to cover your meal). However, if you are the bride's best friend, or CEO of the company, a larger amount is expected.

Short Ceremony

Arrive and give your money at the reception area, get seated, watch the ceremony, someone sings a song, you take a few photos, and you are done! The actual wedding ceremony lasts around 15-30mins. Everyone has different preferences as to how long the ceremony would last, but many koreans say that 20-30 min is ideal as they still have other things to do.