Outdoors offer cheaper 'I do' venue to fancy wedding halls

South Korean professional female golfer Park In-bee chose Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, for her wedding in October 2014. / Korea Times file

By Ko Don-hwan

Guests at private wedding halls in South Korea almost never fail to find themselves in a big crowd, witnessing the ceremony in a rowdy atmosphere.

The functions are usually limited to about two hours, which puts pressure on couples and guests to rush it through. The scenes better fit a hectic family event, with people more desperate for food than celebrating the happy couple.

In the face of all this, a new marriage option has emerged in Seoul that offers a more peaceful, relaxing mood cheaper than the wedding halls and with an environmentally friendly twist.

But the venues only offer limited dates and the number of couples is restricted.

At World Cup Park in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, the wide lawns provide a reserved space for “picnic weddings.” The venue accepts applications from couples wishing to marry between April and November. Invitation cards must be prepared on recycled paper and flowers are limited.

Food cannot be cooked at the site and only prepared meals like lunchboxes and sandwiches are allowed.

Picnic weddings last year cost about 6.5 million won ($6,000), around 34 percent of those at wedding halls. Contact 02-300-5571 from Mar. 14 to make a reservation.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government accepts 17 couples to wed at Yangjae Citizens’ Park in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, between September and October. Couples wishing to use the secluded city park must submit a description of how the wedding will look. Contact Seoul Dongbu Park Management Office or email dongbuparks@seoul.go.kr from Apr. 2 until 16 for inquiries.

A hanok (traditional Korean house) pavilion in Namsan Park, at the foot Mt. Namsan, is available for couples interested in a traditional Korean wedding. The ceremonies are held every Sunday, April to October. Food is restricted to rice cakes and teas. Live flowers and wreaths are limited.

Contact Seoul Jungbu Park Management Office on 02-3783-5991 for information.