Korean Wedding Etiquette Guide — How to Attend a Wedding in Korea (축의금 & Guest Manners)

👰 From Invitation to Buffet: Everything You Need to Know About Attending a Korean Wedding


Korean wedding photo frame with the text “Korean Wedding Etiquette” — a cultural guide by Hangeulia about invitations, chug-ui-geum (축의금), and guest manners.

안녕하세요. I'm 한글리아. ^-^

Getting invited to a Korean wedding? Congrats — that means you’re someone special ^^ Before you show up in a fancy outfit, here’s how to attend a Korean wedding like a local — from the invitation to the buffet celebration.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how a Korean wedding really works for guests — from receiving the invitation and deciding how much chug-ui-geum (축의금) to give, to what to wear, when to arrive, how to behave during the ceremony, and what to do at the buffet after.

If it’s your first time attending a wedding in Korea, think of this as a step-by-step guest etiquette guide to help you feel confident and comfortable the whole way through. ^^



💜 Before the Wedding


💛 The Invitation (청첩장)

These days, many Korean couples send their wedding invites through KakaoTalk — a mobile wedding card that shows the date, time, and hall location. Depending on your relationship, the way the invitation is given can be quite different: for colleagues or distant friends, it’s common to receive a mobile invitation via KakaoTalk. However, for close friends, the couple often prefers to meet in person — they’ll invite you out for a simple meal or coffee to hand you the printed wedding card📩 (청첩장) directly. This kind of small get-together is sometimes called a cheong-cheop-jang moim (청첩장 모임), and it’s a lovely Korean way to share their happy news face to face 💕

Here are some natural ways to reply in Korean when you receive the invitation:


💬 축하드려요. 꼭 참석할게요. ^^
(chuk-ha-deu-ryeo-yo. kkok cham-seok-hal-ge-yo. – “Congratulations! I’ll be there for sure.”)

💬 사진 너무 예뻐요. 축하드려요. 결혼식 때 뵐게요.
(sa-jin neo-mu yep-peo-yo. chuk-ha-deu-ryeo-yo. gyeol-hon-shik ttae bwel-ge-yo. – “The photos are so beautiful. Congrats! See you at the wedding.”)


💛 Gift Money (축의금)

Instead of boxed gifts, Koreans give cash💴 in a white envelope, called chug-ui-geum (축의금). In Korea, this money carries both social meaning and courtesy — it reflects the depth of your relationship and respect for the couple.

  • ₩100,000 — standard for attending guests
  • ₩50,000 — if you can’t attend but still wish to congratulate
  • ₩100,000–₩300,000 — for close family or luxury hotel weddings

These days, ₩100,000 is the most common amount for guests attending in person — it usually covers your meal and expresses genuine congratulations. If you’re not attending, ₩50,000–₩100,000 is considered polite, while closer relationships or upscale venues may call for ₩200,000–₩300,000.

If you can’t attend the wedding, it’s also common to send the gift money by bank transfer to the account number written on the mobile invitation (청첩장). This is perfectly acceptable and still seen as a sincere way to celebrate the couple’s big day.

Always bring cash (₩50,000 or ₩10,000 notes) and place it neatly in a white envelope when attending in person. Don’t forget to write your name on the envelope before handing it in — it’s an important part of Korean wedding etiquette and helps the couple remember you ^^

Historically, chug-ui-geum (축의금) started as part of Korea’s mutual aid tradition — a way for friends and families to support each other during major life events. That’s why, when the sender later gets married, it’s customary for the other person to return at least the same amount as a gesture of respect and reciprocity.

The key is sincerity — choose an amount that fits both your situation and the closeness of your relationship 💕


💛 What to Wear (하객룩)

Your outfit should be neat, elegant, and never overshadow the bride or groom. In Korea, being a considerate guest means dressing with respect and modesty.

  • Women: modest dress or blouse + skirt
  • Men: neat suit or jacket + slacks
  • Avoid all-white (for the bride) and flashy colors. Keep it neat and understated ^^

Here are some do’s and don’ts Korean guests follow to avoid being a min-pae hagek (민폐하객 – a guest who causes inconvenience):

  • ❌ Avoid wearing white, ivory, or anything close to the bride’s dress color.
  • ❌ Stay away from overly bright colors or heavy, dramatic makeup that draws attention.
  • ❌ Don’t wear casual clothes like T-shirts or jeans — choose formal wear instead.
  • ✅ If there’s no dress code, wear darker or neutral colors that fit the season. ^^

In short, being a good guest in Korea means keeping the spotlight on the couple — dress elegantly, stay courteous, and enjoy the celebration with a warm heart. 💐



💜 At the Wedding Hall


1. Arrive Early & Greet the Couple

Arrive at least 20 minutes early — Korean weddings move quickly, so being on time means arriving a little early ^^

  • If you’re the groom’s friend (신랑 친구): He’ll usually wait near the hall entrance. Offer a warm smile and say:
    💬 결혼 축하드려요~!
    (gyeol-hon chuk-ha-deu-ryeo-yo~ – “Congratulations on your wedding!”) Then take a quick photo together — it’s a simple but meaningful moment.

  • If you’re the bride’s friend (신부 친구): Visit the bride’s waiting room (신부대기실) to congratulate her and take some photos together. When you meet her, you can say:
    💬 오늘 너무 예뻐요. 축하드려요!
    (o-neul neo-mu yep-peo-yo. chuk-ha-deu-ryeo-yo! – “You look so beautiful today. Congratulations!”) It’s a must-do moment before the ceremony starts.😍

2. Give the Gift Money & Sign the Guestbook

At the entrance, you’ll see two desks — groom’s side (신랑측) and bride’s side (신부측). Go to the side that invited you, hand your envelope, and write your name in the guestbook (방명록). You’ll receive a meal ticket🎫 (식권 shik-kkwon) — keep it safe. If the meal is served in the same room, there may be no ticket.


3. Attend the Ceremony

The ceremony is usually about 30 minutes — short but full of emotion. You’ll see the couple bow to their parents, hear music or a speech, and feel the warmth in the room ^^

In Korea, weddings are a mix of quiet respect and joyful celebration. Here’s how to follow the flow naturally:

  • 👏 When the bride and groom make their entrance and exit, applaud loudly and cheer — it’s a way to celebrate their big moment!
  • 🤫 During the main ceremony (like vows or speeches), stay seated and quiet to show respect.
  • 🎵 When it’s time for the celebration song (축가 chuk-ga), enjoy and clap along — it’s the happiest part of the ceremony.
  • ❌ Avoid answering calls or leaving in the middle of the ceremony — it’s considered impolite. ^^
  • ✅ If you really must leave early, choose a seat near the back and slip out quietly through the back door.

At the end, the MC will usually say:
“신랑 신부 친구분들 앞으로 나와주세요~”
(shin-nang shin-bu chin-gu-bun-deul ap-eu-ro na-wa-ju-se-yo – “Friends of the bride and groom, please come forward~”) That’s your cue to step up for the group photo📷 (단체 사진). Taking part in the photo is a polite gesture and one of the most memorable parts of a Korean wedding 💕

After the photo session, guests move on to the buffet hall for the meal — so try to stay until this moment to fully celebrate with the couple and their families ^-^


4. Enjoy the Buffet & Congratulate Again

Head to the buffet hall, show your ticket if needed, and enjoy the spread 😋 It’s fine to eat solo or join others — try saying:
💬 여기 같이 앉아도 될까요?
(yeo-gi ga-chi an-ja-do doel-kka-yo? – “Can I sit here with you?”)

While eating, the bride and groom may come around to greet guests again. When they do, smile warmly and say:
💬 두 분 너무 축하드려요.
(du bun neo-mu chuk-ha-deu-ryeo-yo. – “Congratulations to both of you.”) It’s a simple, heartfelt phrase that sounds natural and polite in Korean ^^




💜 After the Wedding


If you’re especially close to the couple, send them a few well-taken photos or short videos from your phone. In Korea, official wedding photo/video packages often take a few months, so your thoughtful shots feel extra special.

The couple is usually nervous and busy that day ㅠㅠ — later, seeing themselves laughing, bowing, or sharing quiet moments will mean a lot. Just share the flattering, considerate shots where they look beautiful and confident ^^

A small kindness can make a big memory.



💜 Quick Guide: Korean Wedding Vocabulary


To help you review everything more easily, here’s a quick vocabulary table with the most useful Korean words you’ll see at a wedding hall in Korea.

Korean Romanization Meaning
청첩장 cheong-cheop-jang wedding invitation (card/mobile)
신랑측 shin-rang cheuk groom’s side (reception desk/table)
신부측 shin-bu cheuk bride’s side (reception desk/table)
축의금 chug-ui-geum gift money (cash in envelope)
식권 shik-kkwon meal ticket
신부대기실 shin-bu dae-gi-shil bride’s waiting room
축가 chuk-ga celebration song (wedding song)
단체사진 dan-che sa-jin group photo


💜 Final Thought


A Korean wedding might feel short and structured, but every step — from warm greetings to the shared buffet — is filled with heart and gratitude. Follow these steps and you’ll blend right in — and truly feel the beauty of K-love culture ^-^


With love,
한글리아😊



💟 Korean Etiquette Series

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