Grooms Present A Goose

Traditionally, and because geese mate for life, grooms will present their in-laws with a wild goose to symbolize their lifelong commitment to the future bride. Over time, this tradition (referred to as the Jeonanrye) beame less literal and many grooms opt to present a wooden goose figurine instead.

The Hanbok

While some brides choose to wear a more westernized wedding dress style, many still uphold the tradition of donning a hanbok during the ceremony.

The Bride Wears Red and the Groom Wears Blue

Similar to many cultures, color schemes can hold great cultural significance. When following the ideas of Confucius, yin and yang (or the symbols of opposites attracting) are represented by the culturally feminine color red and a masculine shade of blue.

The In-Laws Match Their Daughter or Son

In coordination with their children’s apparel, the mother of the bride will wear a shade of pink or purple while the mother of the groom will choose something blue.

The Wine Ceremony

After the marriage is officiated, the bride and groom share a glass of wine. Traditionally, this wine was made of grapes grown by the bride’s mother, but many have deviated from the practice.

Cash Gifts

As a gift to the newly married couple who are starting their lives together, guests are often expected to bring cash in an envelope as a wedding gift. It is customary for close friends or relatives to give a little extra.

Predicting How Many Kids the Couple Will Have

After the wedding, the couple traditionally takes a trip to the groom’s family home, where the bride hands chestnuts and dates to her new in-laws. Known as pyebaek, the in-laws will toss the fruits and nuts at their new daughter-in-law while she tries to catch them in her hanbok. The amount of nuts and dates the bride retrieves is said to represent her future children.