Weddings in dramas

Many Korean weddings are held at dedicated wedding halls, called yesikjang, though hotels, churches, cathedrals and outdoor gardens are also used. Wedding halls are popular because the ceremony, meal and photos can all be handled in one place. Most wedding scenes in dramas are set in this kind of hall.

Wedding halls often host several couples a day in back-to-back time slots, so ceremonies tend to be relatively short. The entrance, vows, speeches or songs, greetings and group photos follow a set order. That is why dramas often show guests heading straight to the dining area right after the ceremony.

Chukuigeum is cash given by guests to congratulate the couple, usually placed in a white envelope and handed in at the reception desk near the entrance. Guests write their name on the envelope and sign the guest book. Dramas often show characters agonizing over how much to give, a relatable everyday dilemma.

Paper invitations used to be handed over in person or mailed, but mobile invitations sent by phone are now widely used. They usually include a map to the venue and photos of the couple. For close friends, the custom of handing over a paper invitation in person over a meal still remains.

The jurye is the officiant who leads the ceremony and offers words of advice and blessing to the couple, a role traditionally given to a respected teacher or family elder. Nowadays more weddings skip the officiant, with the couple reading their own vows or parents giving speeches instead. Dramas show both styles.

Yes. Korean weddings commonly include a chukga segment in which a friend or acquaintance sings a congratulatory song. Sometimes the groom surprises the bride by singing himself. In dramas, these song moments are often used for humor or emotional impact.

Paebaek is a traditional rite after the wedding in which the couple, dressed in hanbok, bow to the elders of the groom's family. The elders toss jujubes and chestnuts, and the bride tries to catch them in her skirt, a wish for many children. Today some couples skip it or include both families.

A ham is a box of gifts sent from the groom's family to the bride's family before the wedding. Traditionally the groom's friends carried it to the bride's house, shouting Ham saseyo, meaning Buy the box, and playfully bargaining with her family. The custom has largely faded and is now seen mostly in dramas or depictions of the past.

Yemul are gifts such as rings or watches exchanged between the bride and groom, while yedan are gifts the bride's side sends to the groom's family. Practices and scale vary greatly by family and era, and many couples now simplify or skip them. In dramas, they are a common source of tension between the two families.

Seudeume combines the first syllables of studio, dress and makeup in Korean, the three main items of wedding preparation. The term arose because wedding planners often bundle the pre-wedding photo studio, the wedding dress and makeup together. It appears in dramas showing couples busy preparing for their big day.

In Korea, many couples take photos before the wedding in a studio or outdoors, wearing a wedding dress and tuxedo. The pictures are displayed at the venue entrance or used in invitations. Some couples now choose a simpler option and take their own self-wedding photos instead.

No. To be legally married in Korea, a couple must file a marriage registration with the relevant local office, such as a city hall, district office or town office. The ceremony itself has no legal effect. Some dramas use the conflict of a couple who held a wedding but never registered their marriage.

Korean couples usually leave for their honeymoon right after the wedding or within a day or two. Dramas often show the newlyweds heading to the airport as soon as the ceremony ends. Some couples postpone the trip because of work schedules or other reasons.

After the ceremony, guests eat at the wedding hall's restaurant, usually a buffet or a set meal. It is common to receive a meal ticket when you hand in your cash gift and present it at the dining area. Dramas sometimes joke about guests who skip the ceremony and only come for the meal.

At Korean weddings, the bride often gives her bouquet to a friend chosen in advance rather than tossing it to the crowd. There is a belief that whoever receives it will marry soon, so a friend with plans to wed may be picked. In dramas, catching the bouquet can hint at the start of a new couple.

In a traditional wedding, the bride and groom face each other across a ceremonial table, exchange bows and share drinks. The groom also presents a wooden wild goose to the bride's family; because geese were believed to keep one mate for life, it symbolizes marital fidelity. Some couples still choose a traditional ceremony today.

It is generally considered polite to avoid white, since it overlaps with the bride's dress. Neat, smart clothing is a safe choice, rather than anything too flashy or too casual. In dramas, a guest's outfit is sometimes used to reveal something about the character's personality.

The ceremony is usually hosted by a close friend of the groom or bride, who announces each part and sets the mood. Some couples hire a professional host instead. In dramas, a host's slip of the tongue or a surprise event often adds humor to wedding scenes.

Scenes in which a former lover storms into the hall or a family member stops the ceremony are a common dramatic device in K-dramas. In real life, such interruptions are extremely rare. It is best to see drama wedding scenes as tools for advancing the story rather than a picture of actual weddings.

Arrive a little before the ceremony, hand in your cash gift envelope at the reception desk and sign the guest book. Congratulate the couple and their families, watch the ceremony, then enjoy the meal with your meal ticket. If you are unsure about the amount or what to wear, simply ask the person who invited you.