Small wedding programs offered in Ulsan show contrasting results

A couple who signed up for a small wedding exchange their vows in Ulju County, Ulsan in this May 2023 photo. Courtesy of Ulsan Ulju County Office

Less than a year after its launch, a small wedding project in Jung District of the southeastern port city of Ulsan has been unexpectedly suspended due to a lack of interest. This contrasts with Ulju County, also in Ulsan, which intends to continue the program by offering increased subsidies this year.

The initiative sought to alleviate the financial burden of young couples' wedding expenses by offering free access to public institutions and parks. Additionally, subsidies were provided for wedding hall decorations, robes, hair and makeup, capped at 4 million won ($2,990) per couple.

Jung District initiated the support program in July of the preceding year, but failed to attract a single application from couples interested in participating in the small wedding program.

Consequently, the district office opted not to allocate a budget for the project this year, leading to the suspension of the initiative.

The district attributes the failure of the program to a mismatch between the demands of young prospective couples and the inherent restrictions of the program.

A poster promoting a small wedding program in Jung District, Ulsan / Courtesy of Ulsan Jung District Office

The small wedding program has a limit of no more than 100 guests on each side. Furthermore, no separate meals are provided to the guests because the program has a limited budget.

Another factor contributing to the program's failure, as observed by officials at Jung District Office, is the disparity between the typical marriage preparation period of six months to a year and the time limit of six months required by the district office.

According to Statistics Korea, the number of newlywed couples in Ulsan decreased by 2,700 from 2021 to 22,614 as of 2022. This is attributed to a decrease in the population of young people in the port city who left in search of work at bigger commercial centers.

Jung District faced the most challenging conditions for the project, experiencing the largest decline in newlyweds among the 17 districts and counties in Ulsan, according to the district office.

In contrast, Ulju County has witnessed continued demand for the small wedding program.

Since 2020, the program has seen a steady number of applications. Six couples applied successively from 2020 to 2023, and seven couples did so on 2021. The county office has already received inquiries about applications for March this year.

Interestingly, although the county's support initiative was not specifically designed for international marriages, it has attracted more couples from such backgrounds than anticipated.

Officials at Ulju County Office attribute the sustained demand to a significant influx of foreign workers into the region.

Given that the county encompasses urban, rural, and industrial areas, it is home to not only foreign women who have relocated due to marriage but also a significant number of workers from abroad who have secured employment in farms and industrial complexes within the region.

The program has also become popular among couples seeking remarriage, especially in rural areas.

In rural areas, individuals who marry again later in life encounter challenges when it comes to hosting elaborate wedding celebrations due to financial burdens.

The small wedding program have proven to be a practical solution for such couples seeking to hold a meaningful ceremony without having to spend a small fortune.

The county sees a positive impact on a more diverse array of couples than it originally anticipated.

Recognizing the steady demand for the program, the county has increased its support funding amount from 3 million won to 5 million won this year, aiming to continue the program and provide more assistance.

“In rural areas, population stands out as one of the paramount concerns, and marriage serves as the linchpin for initiating family structures and fostering population growth through childbirth and rearing,” said an official at the county office.

Meanwhile, experts believe that the shortage of applicants for the small weddings is attributed to a lack of interest among young people.

“That is a type of wedding that young people do not prefer these days,” said Seol Dong-hoon, a professor at the Department of Sociology at Jeonbuk National University, and current president of the Korean Sociological Association.

He emphasized the need to systematize approaches to enhance the effectiveness of local population policies.

"Approaches that consider the availability of quality employment opportunities in the region, alongside factors such as housing conditions, cultural spaces, education, and healthcare services are crucial," he said.