Korean Wedding Traditions and Etiquette – Complete Guide

Looking for wedding traditions in Korea? We’ve gathered the complete guide for Korean wedding traditions – including how they celebrate, gifting etiquette, traditional clothing, food and drink, and more.

Weddings are filled with unique traditions and festivities. Add to the celebrations with a memorable gift experience or a thoughtful gift.

To help you explore Korean traditions, this article is organized into:

Unique Korean Wedding Traditions

Korean weddings are deeply rooted in tradition and cultural symbolism, blending ancient customs with modern influences. 

• Pyebaek Ceremony: The Pyebaek ceremony is a traditional Korean wedding ritual where the newlyweds pay respects to the groom’s family. During the ceremony, the couple bows deeply to the groom’s parents and presents them with gifts such as chestnuts, jujubes, and dried seafood. This ceremony symbolizes the couple’s gratitude and their commitment to honoring and respecting their elders.
• Hapgeunrye (Chestnut Throwing): After the Pyebaek ceremony, the groom’s family throws chestnuts and jujubes at the bride, who tries to catch them with her wedding skirt. It is believed that the number of nuts the bride catches represents the number of children the couple will have, symbolizing fertility and prosperity.
• Paebaek Ceremony: The Paebaek ceremony is a separate ritual held after the wedding ceremony, where the couple bows to the groom’s family once again and receives blessings and words of wisdom. During the Paebaek, the couple may also offer traditional Korean foods such as rice cakes and fruits to their elders as a sign of respect and appreciation.
• Yedan (Bowing Ceremony): The Yedan ceremony is a traditional Korean custom where the newlyweds bow to each other’s parents as a sign of respect and gratitude. The bride and groom perform deep bows while kneeling on cushions, symbolizing their commitment to honoring and cherishing their families.
• Traditional Wedding Goose: In some regions of Korea, it is customary to include a live goose in the wedding festivities. The goose symbolizes fidelity and faithfulness in marriage, and its presence is believed to bring good luck and blessings to the newlyweds.
• Wedding Ducks: Another traditional symbol of marriage in Korean culture is a pair of wooden ducks, known as “wedding ducks.” These ducks represent marital harmony and fidelity, and they are often displayed in the couple’s home as a reminder of their commitment to each other.

Traditional Korean Wedding Attire

Korean weddings are steeped in tradition and symbolism, reflected in the attire worn by the bride, groom, and wedding party.

• Bride’s Attire (Hanbok): The bride typically wears a hanbok, a traditional Korean dress characterized by vibrant colors and intricate embroidery. The hanbok consists of a jeogori (jacket) and chima (skirt), often made of silk or other luxurious fabrics. The colors of the hanbok are significant, with red symbolizing good fortune and happiness, while other colors such as blue, green, and yellow may also be worn. The bride’s hanbok may be adorned with elaborate accessories such as a binyeo (hairpin), norigae (decorative tassel), and beoseon (traditional socks).
• Groom’s Attire (Hanbok): The groom also wears a hanbok for the wedding ceremony, though his attire is typically more understated compared to the bride’s. The groom’s hanbok consists of a jeogori (jacket) and baji (pants), often in neutral colors such as black, navy blue, or gray. The groom may accessorize his hanbok with a gat (traditional hat) or a baji bokkeum (belt) adorned with auspicious symbols.
• Bridal Headpiece (Jokduri): The bride may wear a jokduri, a traditional Korean bridal crown, on her head. The jokduri is often made of gold or silver and adorned with intricate designs and gemstones. It symbolizes the bride’s beauty, virtue, and nobility, and is worn as a symbol of respect and honor.
• Groom’s Headpiece (Gat): The groom may wear a gat, a traditional Korean hat made of horsehair and bamboo, during the wedding ceremony. The gat is a symbol of dignity and status, and it is often worn by men on formal occasions such as weddings and special celebrations.
• Accessories and Embellishments: Both the bride and groom may wear traditional accessories and embellishments to complement their hanboks. These may include norigae (decorative tassels), binyeo (hairpins), and other jewelry made of gold or jade. These accessories add an extra layer of elegance and symbolism to the wedding attire.
• Matching Attire for Family Members: Family members of the bride and groom may also wear hanboks for the wedding ceremony, though their attire is typically less ornate than that of the bride and groom. Family members may coordinate their hanboks to match the colors and style of the couple’s attire, creating a cohesive and harmonious aesthetic for the wedding party.

How to Say “Best Wishes” in Korean?

In Korean, to express “Best Wishes,” especially in a wedding context, you can say:

“최고의 소망을 기원합니다” (Choegoui somangeul giwonhamnida).

This phrase conveys warm wishes and blessings for happiness and success. It’s commonly used to extend congratulations and good wishes on special occasions like weddings.

Need more wedding wishes? Here is our full article on Wedding Wishes in Other Languages.

Korean Wedding Gifting Etiquette


Gifting is an important part of Korean wedding culture. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:

Do’s in Gifting

• The traditional and most common gift is cash, not physical gifts. The amount of cash given depends on the closeness of the relationship:
  • If you don’t know the couple well, a typical gift is 30,000-50,000 KRW (around $25-$40 USD).
  • If you are a close friend or colleague, 70,000-100,000 KRW ($60-$85 USD) is more appropriate.
  • For very close friends or family, 100,000 KRW ($85 USD) or more is common.
• It is important to give cash in an odd amount, as even numbers are considered unlucky.
• The cash should be in new, crisp bills.
• If you are attending the wedding with a guest, you can give one joint cash gift from both of you, rather than separate gifts.
• For close friends who have traveled a long distance (over 2 hours), it is also customary to give them a small additional amount, around 25,000 KRW ($20 USD), as a gesture of appreciation for their effort.
• The cash gift is typically given at a designated “money table” upon arrival, and you will receive a meal ticket in return.

Don’ts in Gifting

• Avoid Giving Physical Gifts: In Korean weddings, it is customary to give cash as a gift rather than physical items. Physical gifts are not the norm and can be seen as inappropriate, especially if the couple prefers money.
• Do Not Give Even Amounts: Giving an even amount of money is considered unlucky in Korean culture. It is crucial to give an odd amount of money as a gift, as even numbers are seen as disrespectful.
• Avoid Giving Less Than 30,000 KRW: The minimum amount of money to give as a gift at a Korean wedding is 30,000 KRW. Giving less than this amount is not considered appropriate.
• Do Not Overdo It: While it is important to give an appropriate amount of money based on your relationship with the couple, giving too much money can also be seen as inappropriate. It is essential to strike a balance and not make the couple feel uncomfortable by giving an excessive amount.
• Do Not Give Inappropriate Gifts: When attending a Korean wedding, it is important to avoid giving gifts that may be considered taboo. For example, avoid giving alcohol to a woman, knives, scissors (symbolizing cutting off a relationship), green headwear, or gifts with red writing denoting death.

Gifting of Piggyback Rides (Napchae)

In some regions of Korea, it is customary for the groom to give the bride a piggyback ride after the wedding ceremony. This tradition, known as “napchae,” symbolizes the groom’s strength and willingness to support his bride throughout their marriage.

Bridal Procession (Honye)

Before the wedding ceremony, the bride may participate in a bridal procession called the “honye.” Accompanied by family members and friends, the bride walks to the groom’s home or the wedding venue, symbolizing her transition to married life and her acceptance into the groom’s family.

Conclusion

Celebrating weddings in Korea goes beyond vows and rings. It’s a time to honor love, cherish family, and embrace timeless traditions.

Weddings are imbued with cultural richness and meaningful rituals. Enhance the festivities with an unforgettable gift experience or a thoughtful gift. So, here’s to a traditional way of celebrating weddings!