A Traditional Korean Paebaek Ceremony With a Modern Flare
Paebaek is a traditional Korean wedding custom typically held after the main wedding. The ceremony symbolizes the unification of the newlywed couple where the groom’s family formally welcomes the bride into the groom’s household.
Our most recent paebaek which Christine was hired to moderate, shows what a modern paebaek looks like. Taking place wearing traditional Korean hanboks, a paebaek features formal bowing to close family members of each household, a tea ceremony, and the couple catching dates and chestnuts together.
THE COUPLE:
Hyuna + Aaron
THE VENUE:
Saddleranch - Malibu (vineyard)
Traditionally the ceremony only involved the groom’s family as it represented the bride moving in with her in-laws to become a permanent part of their family and would be held a few days after the official wedding ceremony. But modern paebaeks have changed to show equal respect and commitment to the brides family as well and is typically performed during the cocktail hour.
The newlywed couple will sit facing each other in front of a painted screens with their elders seated behind the table to perform the ceremony:
EXCHANGE BOWS: The couple then perform big bows (kunjeol) starting with the grooms parents and followed by the brides parents.
SERVE THE TEA: The bride and groom will serve tea or rice wine to both sets of parents and other relatives who take part in the ceremony.
OFFER BLESSINGS / WORDS OF WISDOM: After receiving the bows, the parents and relatives will give their blessings and other advice to the newlywed for a happy marriage.
THROW DATES & CHESTNUTS: The parents will throw dates and chestnuts, which represent children, towards the couple who will have to catch them in a cloth together. The dates represent sons and chestnuts represent daughters.
PIGGYBACK THE BRIDE & MOTHERS: To finish the ceremony, the groom must piggyback his new bride once or twice around the table. Often times the groom will also piggyback the groom’s mother or mother-in-law will participate in this as well.
Its always great to see couples embrace tradition!
Here’s a BTS take of Christine working her magic to set up a modern Paebaek set similar to what was used for Hyuna & Aaron.
Planning: @prettylittleevents
Paebaek: @livelovecreate, @christinechang
Photographer: @vophotoco
Rentals: @premiererents
Florist: @echofloral
DJ: @hiflydjevents
Catering: @eatsweetpeala, @nakwoncatering
Dduk: @designbyeunice
Photobooth: @photomatica
After Dessert: @vanleeuwenicecream
Hair + Makeup: @christyyooartistry