I went to a traditional Korean wedding with my boyfriend about a month ago but forgot to post the pictures. Since western-style weddings have taken over here, most Koreans have never even been to a traditional wedding, and there was someone explaining the significance of each part as they went along. It was interesting -- having a translator helped.
A lot of the ceremony was funny, because the customs have become obsolete. For example, the bride's father stood at the altar and asked the groom "Where are you from and why are you here?" before he (the groom) was allowed to come down the aisle.
The bride was carried to the aisle in a tiny and very decorative wooden box. Before she came down the aisle, she was supposed to be hesitant to show that she was modest and shy of the groom.
Later in the ceremony the groom was given two enormous chopsticks and a huge piece of tofu. He had to find a way pick up the tofu with the chopsticks to demonstrate his cleverness. It was really funny to watch, but eventually he abandoned the chopsticks and grabbed the tofu with his hand.
The altar was decorated with food and two live chickens, which used to be part of the bride's dowry (although that's not what they call it...I can't remember the Korean word). The chickens were tied up in baskets and surprisingly calm -- they didn't make a sound! At the end of the ceremony they untied the chickens and threw them up into the air.
Everybody was in hanbot, which is traditional Korean clothing. As you can see, it was beautiful, and made me wonder why anybody here would want a western-style wedding....
Anyway, here are the pictures:
The altar.
Bride and groom (my boyfriend and the bride went to college together).
Part of the ceremony, but I don't know what he was doing. The main point is his Nikes.
Getting ready to toss the chickens.
The groom carrying the bride on his back after the ceremony. See the chickens? One on either side of them.
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