Franklin Dean
Korean weddings are known for their unique traditions and customs, with modern couples increasingly incorporating traditional elements into their ceremonies. One notable aspect is the importance of clothing, particularly the wedding dress, which plays a significant role in the cultural heritage of Korea. The elaborate Hanbok wedding dresses are colourful, intricately embroidered, and surprisingly heavy. This stands in contrast to the more casual dress code for guests, which is usually business or business-casual attire. This shift towards comfort and practicality is also reflected in the options available for wedding dress rentals, with boutiques offering packages that include the rental of designer wedding gowns for the ceremony and more comfortable outfits for the reception.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress shops in Korea | LeeHwa Wedding, OneThreeOneFour, Milla Nova |
| Traditional Korean wedding dress | Hanbok |
| Hanbok characteristics | Colorful, intricate embroidery, heavy |
| Wedding guest attire | Business or business-casual, slacks, blouses |
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What You'll Learn
- Traditional Korean wedding dresses are called hanboks and are colourful, heavy, and covered in intricate embroidery
- Modern Korean brides may opt for a designer bridal gown, often rented for the occasion
- Wedding guests in Korea typically dress in business or business-casual attire
- It is considered taboo for guests to wear evening gowns or festive dresses to Korean weddings
- Korean wedding boutiques offer photography packages that include the rental of a Korean designer wedding gown
Traditional Korean wedding dresses are called hanboks and are colourful, heavy, and covered in intricate embroidery
Traditional Korean wedding dresses are known as hanboks. They are colourful, heavy, and intricately embroidered. The hanbok is the traditional clothing of the Korean people and has been worn since ancient times. The basic form of the hanbok consists of a jeogori (a long-sleeved jacket), baji (trousers), chima (a full skirt), and a po (a coat).
Hanboks are often rented by visitors to Korea, and they are also worn by Korean brides. The bride typically wears a red hanbok, symbolising the 'eum-yang' or yin and yang, while the groom wears blue. The mother of the bride wears warm tones such as pink, purple, or orange, and the groom's mother wears cool colours like blue, grey, or green.
The hanbok is a significant part of Korean wedding traditions, with many modern couples choosing to incorporate elements of the traditional ceremony into their weddings. The hanbok is also an important part of Korean dance and performances, with intricate movements that showcase the beauty and elegance of the dress.
The wonsam is a type of hanbok worn by brides during the paebaek, a crucial moment in Korean weddings. It is colourful and elaborate, with red silk on the outside and blue silk on the inside, embroidered with flowers representing wealth, longevity, and nobility. The wonsam is secured with a daedae, a red woven silk belt with gold embroidery.
The hanbok has evolved over time, with changes in length, width, and silhouette. The colours used are also varied, with feminine colours such as pink, yellow, and deep red being popular. The jokduri, a small cap accessory, is another element of the hanbok, with different colours and styles available for rent.
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Modern Korean brides may opt for a designer bridal gown, often rented for the occasion
Modern Korean brides have a variety of options when it comes to choosing their wedding attire. While some may opt for the traditional Korean hanbok, which is typically made of silk and features an angular jacket (jeogori) and flowing pants (baji) and skirt (chima), others may prefer a designer bridal gown. The hanbok remains largely unchanged, and the colour of the bride's hanbok is traditionally red, symbolising the "eum-yang" or yin and yang, with the groom wearing a complementary blue hanbok.
Many modern Korean brides choose to rent their wedding dresses, whether they are opting for a traditional hanbok or a designer bridal gown. This is often included in a wedding package deal, with many weddings taking place in rented venues or designated 'wedding halls', where the bride's dress is included. Some brides choose to wear multiple dresses throughout the day, with some wearing a hanbok to greet guests, a white Western-style dress for the ceremony, and a Joseon Dynasty gown for the Pyebaek Ceremony (Traditional Tea Ceremony).
There are boutiques that specialise in designer bridal gowns, offering rental services for Korean wedding photoshoots. These boutiques often work with photographers to provide a complete package for couples. Additionally, some brides may choose to have their hanbok custom-made, while others rent them by the hour or day.
The choice of wedding attire is a personal decision, and modern Korean brides have the option to incorporate traditional elements or opt for more contemporary styles, reflecting the blend of cultural influences in their ceremonies.
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Wedding guests in Korea typically dress in business or business-casual attire
In Korean weddings, the joining of two people in marriage is also symbolic of the joining of two families. This is reflected in the clothing worn by the bride and groom's mothers, who each wear specific colours to symbolise their relationship with the couple. The mother of the bride will wear warm tones such as pink, purple, or orange, while the groom's mother will wear cool tones like blue, grey, or green. The two mothers will also carry candles in red and blue, symbolising the balance of cosmic forces in nature.
Traditionally, brides and grooms would wear hanboks, which are Korean traditional formal garments, often made of silk. The groom may also wear a suit. The bride may wear a wonsam, an intricate upper garment embroidered with designs in silk thread, along with a full skirt called a chima. A less formal bride may wear the chima with a jeogori, a long-sleeved, cropped upper garment. The groom may wear pants called baji and a jacket called a jeogori, or a samogwandae, the court attire of the Chosun Dynasty.
In modern times, many Korean-American brides opt to wear white and may change into a hanbok for certain ceremonies. Grooms usually wear tuxedos. Wedding guests in Korea typically dress in business or business-casual attire. It is best to avoid clothing that is too flashy or too casual. It is also important to avoid wearing all black, as this is funeral attire in Korea, and all white, as this is reserved for the bride. Wedding guests may also choose to wear a hanbok.
If you are invited to a Korean wedding, it is suggested that you bring cash as a gift. The amount given varies depending on the social status of the gift-giver and their relationship to the couple.
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It is considered taboo for guests to wear evening gowns or festive dresses to Korean weddings
Korean weddings are known for their colourful and celebratory nature, with many modern couples choosing to incorporate traditional Korean elements into their ceremonies. Korean brides typically wear a hanbok, or a traditional formal garment, often made of silk. The groom may also wear a hanbok or a suit.
When it comes to guests' attire, it is considered taboo to wear evening gowns or festive dresses to Korean weddings. This is because Korean weddings usually take place during the day, and the dress code is typically business casual. Guests are advised to wear outfits that they would typically wear to a business meeting or a formal event during the day. For men, this may include suits or nice jackets, while women may opt for slacks and blouses in colours like grey, black, navy, or ochre. It is also important to avoid wearing colours similar to those worn by the mothers of the bride and groom, who traditionally dress in warm and cool tones, respectively.
The shift towards more comfortable and casual fashion in Korea may also contribute to the taboo of wearing evening gowns or festive dresses to weddings. In recent years, there has been a marked trend away from dresses and skirts towards slacks, especially among women in their late twenties and thirties. Additionally, the short duration of Korean wedding ceremonies, typically no longer than 30 minutes, may not align with the formality of evening gowns or festive dresses.
While there is no specific mention of the number of wedding dresses worn during a Korean wedding, it is common for the bride to change outfits multiple times throughout the celebration. For example, after the ceremony, the bride may change into an evening gown to greet the guests and then into a traditional hanbok for the completion of the traditional Korean wedding ceremony.
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Korean wedding boutiques offer photography packages that include the rental of a Korean designer wedding gown
Korean wedding boutiques offer a range of services to meet the needs of modern couples who want to incorporate traditional Korean elements into their weddings. This includes wedding photography packages that come with the rental of a Korean designer wedding gown. These packages provide a convenient and stylish option for couples planning their special day.
One such boutique is LeeHwa Wedding, a family-run business that has been creating couture Korean traditional garments, known as hanboks, for five generations. They offer a range of designer brand-name bridal gowns available for purchase or rent, allowing couples to embrace their Korean heritage.
Another popular option is OneThreeOneFour, which offers two tiers of gown boutiques for Korean wedding photoshoots. Their packages include the rental of elegant Korean designer wedding gowns, with styles that bring out the best of your assets. Couples can choose from a variety of participating Korean wedding studios to find the perfect dress for their dream photoshoot.
Korea Artiz Studio is another renowned boutique specializing in Korean wedding dresses. They offer a range of affordable rental packages, including designer-level elegance without the hefty price tag. Their dresses feature soft silhouettes, intricate details, and timeless elegance, ensuring that each bride finds a dress that suits her unique style, body type, and wedding theme.
These boutiques and their photography packages, which include gown rentals, showcase the vibrant and diverse options available for couples planning a Korean-inspired wedding. From traditional hanboks to modern designer gowns, there is a wealth of choices to create an unforgettable celebration that honours Korean heritage and culture.
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Frequently asked questions
The traditional Korean wedding dress is called a hanbok. These dresses are colourful, covered in intricate embroidery and are surprisingly heavy.
Modern Korean weddings are not very festive and are over quickly. Guests usually wear business or business-casual attire, so it is recommended to wear something similar to what you would wear to a business meeting or formal event during the day. Women in their late twenties and thirties are increasingly wearing slacks instead of dresses or skirts.
You can buy or rent Korean wedding dresses from boutiques such as LEEHWA and OneThreeOneFour.
