My First Wedding!

(Let me clarify, not MY first wedding, but the first wedding I WENT to in Korea...)

About 4 days ago, one of the Korean English teachers invited me to her wedding. I said "Of course!" and asked when it was. "This Sunday," she said. I was taken aback a little when she told me it was so soon, but that is indicative of the culture here. Everything is conducted like a business--quick and efficient--get in, get out, get on with life. 

The wedding ceremony was beautiful, but I was very surprised at the "get in, get out" manner in which it was conducted.  The ceremony was maybe 15-20 minutes long, with many people casually standing, talking and taking pictures of each other in the back of the hall. After the wedding ceremony (which included the cutting of the cake while flashing neon lights illuminated the bride and groom), the couple took pictures with family (imagine "My Big Fat Greek Wedding") followed by pictures with all of the friends (myself included--pretty sure I'll stick out like a sore thumb! lol) 

After pictures, the guests were rushed out of the wedding hall and to the reception hall for a huge buffet-style lunch. In Korean culture, the bride and groom typically have two weddings: The first is more Western-style with wedding dresses, tuxes, and all the friends and family. The second wedding is traditional Korean-style with just family. While the second wedding is going on, friends and extended family fill their bellies with delicious Korean cuisine. When the traditional wedding is finished (about 30 minutes later), the bride and groom come say hello to everyone and then take off. And boom, it's over. Everyone leaves. No toasts, no dancing, not much socializing. Get it, get out. Make room for the next group...

Very new experience.

If and when I ever get married, I will most definitely be sticking to the western-style wedding--eating, drinking, dancing, and being merry (no pun intended). Not that I didn't enjoy the wedding, it's just not how I'd do it. Gotta have dancing! :D