Korean Wedding

                We experienced Korean culture on two occasions this week in two celebrations. The USO hosted a dinner for the volunteers at a local buffet restaurant as an occasion to recognize the hours of service we have provided to the soldiers. While Wayne and I tried to find foods that would not make us sick (quite unsuccessfully) the three Koreans at the table next to us boiled shrimp, squid, and     octopi in a soup which they ate.

We decided the reason we keep receiving recognition for our volunteer service here is that there are so few of us. Each was given a The President’s Volunteer Service Award matching their hours of service. It was a nice medallion and certificate. These soldiers and Koreans who serve with us are the cream of the crop as they serve many hours to make the benefits of the USO available to the military personnel.

On the following day we left early to attend a session of the Seoul Temple prior to our attendance at the wedding of the son of our neighbor, Victoria Park. Victoria, her daughter, and a friend of the daughter were on the train platform ready to board the same train. They were also going to Sincheon to have makeup applied and their hair styled. It gave us the opportunity to interact with her daughter a little and begin to become acquainted. Victoria informed us that the venue for the wedding had been changed because of the rain yesterday so it was good we saw them this morning for that reason, too. They suggested that we catch the 153 bus at Sincheon. She drew us a map. We used our phones to translate words so that we could communicate.

With the help of a kind Korean who recognized our name badges and temple bags and identified himself as a member of the same church we found the bus stop for the 153. Another Korean helped us identify our exit stop. We crossed the beautiful Han River.

The Korean National Assembly Building is located on an island in the Han River. Victoria’s son works for the Korean National Assembly so he arranged for his wedding to be in one of the reception centers on the island.

We couldn’t resist noting the unique personality of the Korean lion.

At the door of the reception center are two tables, one for the bride and one for the groom. There is a guest book, envelopes for guests to insert money as the gift and tickets to the luncheon to follow the ceremony. The groom, his sister, and mother were near their table to greet their guests.

The ceremony began when the two mothers dressed in the traditional Hangul gowns entered the hall and each lit a candle. They then took a place of honor to view the ceremony. The bride and groom entered together. There was an exchange of rings and I’m assuming vows because both the bride and the groom said, “Yes,” at a signaled time. 

            There was a trio of a violin, cello, and piano that played Arirang (a favorite Korean song equivalent to America the Beautiful) at the beginning and then as a performance during the ritual. A tenor sang to the couple a song that must have been a love song. He had fun with the couple. Then the bride joined the musicians and played something on a traditional Korean stringed instrument. It was also very beautiful music.

The bride and groom bowed to the bride’s parents with the broom prostrating himself and then they hugged and did the same with the groom’s parents except Victoria had her husband’s older brother sitting with her. Some young children paraded down the aisle and each gave the bride a red rose. A man went to the podium and offered a prayer near the end. It was very formal and very beautiful. Both the bride and groom looked very, very happy. The crowd clapped and enjoyed the ceremony as well. Victoria said that it was a happy day, but also a sad day as she remembered her husband who was not there. She was the only one who shed any tears. She insisted we be included in the large group of family when the final pictures were taken.

While the guests were eating the bride and groom changed into the traditional Korean wedding attire to greet their guests and take more pictures. 

            We were told there was an amazing amount of food at Korean weddings. We were still amazed at table after table of food from salads and fruit to fresh sea food, main dishes of every kind plus specialty foods, beverages, and desserts. We were told that you couldn’t eat even a bite of everything that would be served. I think Wayne tried a little of almost everything that didn’t look spicy. I played it safe with fruits, salad and fresh sea food.

While the cultural experience of the wedding was wonderful, the highlight for me was the opportunity to meet Victoria’s children and other family and develop Jeong with the friends who have asked to learn more about the church Victoria is so excited about and recently joined. Enjoying the peace and revelation of the temple followed by an awesome missionary experience made a pretty perfect day.