Our First Korean Wedding

On Saturday, we went to Semin's sister's wedding. It was in a wedding hall, and before the ceremony we went into the 'bride's waiting room' and took some pictures with the bride, like everyone else. There were many people there, but definitely not enough seats in the hall. We had been warned that Korean weddings were NOT like anything we'd been to before, and that was definitely the case!

the ceremony was only 30 minutes long, but the people talking in the back were almost louder than the minister. Semin actually didn't stay in the hall for the wedding, she went to the back to talk to her friends - and she was find to admit that to us! People's cell phones went off and you could talk when you wanted to. the ceremony was nice - not that we could understand anything - and it was neat that the parents were honored by sitting in the best seats. then the groom and bride bowed to each set of parents, with the groom actually getting on his knees and putting his face to the floor in honor of them.
The pedastals that held the flowers at the end of each aisle was filled with water, bubbles, lights and fake fish. they were turned on when the bride walked down the aisle and the fish and lights went crazy! they also don't have 'attendants' - no bridesmaids or groomsmen. just a girl who worked for the wedding hall in her ripped jeans and sweater who ended up in every picture cause it was her job to make sure the bride's dress looked amazing from all angles and all times. it was very 'Las Vegas'.

Then we joined our Korean co-workers who were invited for the meal. there is not a reception, but just a meal. so people file in and eat at their table at their leisure and leave when they want to. the bride and groom were not there. they were getting their pictures taken.

the bride and groom changed 3 times during that 2 hour span - first in her white gown that is rented and his suit, then they changed into outfits similar to how the kings and queens of the Korean dynasties dressed and took some pictures. then they changed into traditional hanboks for more pictures. I asked to go see the photo shoot so i could take some pictures.

But even though their ceremony is full of ligts and glitter that we would never use, the outcome is the same - 2 people in love are now joined in holy matrimony!