한국 결혼식 (A Korean wedding)

The wedding was held on a Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock. The wedding was located in Namwon. Namwon is 1 hour, 45 minutes from Yeosu. The building was an independent facility that accommodated several different (yet the same) weddings at once. The rooms and hallways (basically the entire building) was packed with guests and ordained with beautiful wedding motifs. It felt more like a wedding show, rather than an actual wedding. The aisles were gleaming and decorated with beautiful pink and white floral arrangements.

As I was sitting in the plush white seats with gold ribbons, I was thinking of the many weddings I’ve attended in the states throughout the years and the number of brides I’ve stood beside. This was my first non-western wedding. The similarities and differences between Western style weddings and Korean weddings are vast. For instance, larger cities will rent the ballrooms of high-end hotels to be used specifically for wedding ceremonies, just as the states. This particular room’s ceiling lights changed from purple, pink, blue, to green colors at the most random of times. It was Las Vegas style lighting! The guests were talking on their cell phones, talking (not in a whispered tone) to one another, and getting up to go who-knows-where, constantly. Try talking during a wedding ceremony in the states… the bride and groom may not send you a “thank you” card for attending and you would definitely get some well deserved “dirty” looks from the other guests. The room didn’t have doors to shut out the noise of the other guests who were attending a number of other weddings.

This was not a traditional Korean style wedding, but I wouldn’t dub it a westernized ceremony either. The bride wore a beautifully white wedding gown with a long train, vale and gloves. The groom wore a black tuxedo with white gloves. A traditional Korean style wedding would consist of wearing hanboks and a silk outfit would be worn by the groom. The main ceremony lasted for about 30-45 minutes. The groom strutted down the aisle to a fast beat, I was waiting for him to break out the dance moves and give the audience a show… disappointed. The bride was escorted down the aisle by her father, Enya played in the background. It seems to have become the norm, at Western weddings, to stand and see the bride while she walks down the aisle and reveals the dress; no one stood and turned to see the bride. Two young women in bright red suits sporting swords, heels and very short skirts stood guard at the entrance of the aisle. All I could think of was, The 80′s called, they want their suits back. I was waiting for her to either be crowned princess or a battle of some kind to commence. Perhaps the women were guarding the aisle from possible trespassers, but I don’t know how well they would do, in heels and skirts.


The groom’s sister and her baby…

Two young boys were sharing a popsicle in the aisle while the bride and groom were committing themselves to each other for a lifetime.

Heather Teacher & Becky Teacher

One of the best parts of a wedding is the after-party (no offense to all of the happy couples reading this, of course). The reception is what the guests look forward to… no surprise here folks. Where’s the reception? Where did the groom and bride disappear to after the ceremony? Where did the immediate family go after the exchanging of vows? I will never know. I left shortly thereafter to eat at a nearby restaurant with the rest of the guests. There was no garter catching, no dancing, no band, no speeches, no open bar or embarrassing family members or friends letting loose, NO FUN!!! The dinner was paid for by the bride’s parents.

This is my new favorite dish…

One unique Korean feature is that of the Korean bride, it is not customary to adopt the husband’s given name as is still widely practiced in many Western marriages. A man over 18 and a woman over 16 years old may marry with their parents’ or guardians’ consent, and a person over 20 may marry freely. Marriage is between a man and a woman. Sunny (the bride) is 31 and her husband is in his early 30′s.

The bride was one of our hagwon’s 한국 교사 (Korean teachers). Sunny (English name) is no longer employed at Edu Best, she and her groom now reside in his home town. She no longer plans on teaching the future children of Korea. She will be missed. I will probably never see Sunny Teacher again, for she is off to have at least four babies!!! Best wishes to the bride and congratulations to the groom.

“Marine Museum”
Edu Best planned a field trip to a “Marine Museum.” The kids had such a great “hands on” experience. The tour started off watching giant sea turtles swim around, watching a 3D movie about marine life, and reading a few displays about seals, penguins, sharks and sea lions. There were plenty of tanks filled with stingrays, fish, seaweed, crabs, and other such sea life that the students (and myself) were able to touch. It was a great couple of hours and to top it off the field trip actually pertained to what the students are learning!! I may have liked the trip a little too much.. I was REALLY excited about the turtles and petting a few sting rays!!! It also helps that my students are extremely well behaved… I am so lucky to be able to teach these amazingly, energetic, and bright young impressionable minds. Here they are looking out on their backyard, Yeosu sea, taking in the moment…

Love,
Heather