Kim Sandra, right, and Yang Xie-rin take part in an event reenacting a traditional Korean wedding at Korea House in Pil-dong, Jung-gu, downtown Seoul. / Korea Times Photos by Shim Hyun-chul

By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter

Spring, with its verdant glory, is the queen of all seasons.

Therefore, it's only natural that many women dream of being a May bride.

Different cultures have different wedding styles, and while a large majority of Koreans choose a Western-style ceremony, some still opt for the traditional Korean wedding.

A traditional Korean wedding is comprised of ``uihon,'' ``daerye'' and ''hurye.''

Korea was a Confucian society with a strict morality that often segregated men and women. Because of this, marriage was arranged through a go-between.

When the go-between succeeded in matching up a couple, the groom's family would send a letter or proposal and reading of the groom's fortunes to the bride's family. The bride's family would then reply with a date for the wedding.

Prior to the wedding day, the groom's family would send ``ham,'' wedding gifts and documents and a ceremony called daerye would follow.

First, the groom would go to the bride's house to receive the bride. The groom would then present a wild geese figure to his mother-in-law. Wild geese represent trust and chastity.

Then comes the highlight of the traditional ceremony, where the bride and groom bow. The bride bows twice while the groom bows once, and then the couple exchange small gourd-cups.

The ceremony is followed by ``hurye,'' which includes ``paebaek."' Through paebaek, the bride greets her in-laws as well as her cousins. Koreans still carry out paebaek following Western-style weddings.

During the wedding, even non-royals could don royal wedding gowns, as it was a ceremony that called for elaborate dress.

Kim Sandra, a student studying at Yonsei University, participated in a traditional ceremony.
"It was hard, but I am glad to have experienced Korean culture. I learned a lot about traditional culture, and I hope to spread the knowledge when I go back home," she said.

Those interested in tying the knot the traditional Korean way can log onto www.chf.or.kr or call 02) 3011-2158.

shim@koreatimes.co.kr