Thank you, Asia "Traditional Korean Wedding" (34 days until Wisconsin).

 In April 2014 I had the unusual opportunity to attend a traditional Korean wedding.  The circumstances alone are surprising.  You see, I had a former student from Notre Dame Academy land in Korea before we did.  She had become a teacher and was teaching grade school in Busan.  By chance I learned Mary and I were both in Korea.  Once we were in touch with each other again, it turned out she had fallen in love with a wonderful Korean man and they had decided to get married.  Not everyone has a traditional Korean wedding.  In fact, most young people have an interesting hybrid for a wedding, which is entirely different from the traditional wedding.  But in Mary's case, she wanted the traditional kind.  Mary had attended Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay and came from a strong Catholic background.  Neither of her parents were familiar with the language or the culture, but they had flown to Korea to participate in a wedding held entirely in Korean!

This was held at on outdoor venue at a kind of large, ornate pagoda. 

Mary had been sure to have programs created with both English and Korean for all of her English speaking guests.  This way we could more or less follow along in the ceremony.  

First came the bride carried on a litter.  After this, the groom arrives, also on a litter.  

Following that , I remember there was a sort of parade.  There were entertainers such as the traditional Korean dancers who spin ribbon around their heads from specially fitted hats.  And there was a plate spinner/juggler.  There was also a sort of MC reminiscent of a circus master of ceremonies - someone to get and keep the crowd excited and entertained.  

Next, the bride and groom descend from their litters and walk down the aisle.  Mary had to hold her elbows out and high as her fingers touched.  It looked challenging as the walk was ceremoniously slow.

During the ceremony the groom gives his mother-in-law a wooden duck to represent his fidelity to the daughter; as ducks mate for life this is a lovely symbol.  In Mary's case, her parents were such good sports to show up at a wedding and play certain parts without even knowing how it worked or what was being said.  They looked a bit shell shocked, but happy.

After many ceremonial exchanges, the service was over.  Then began the reception!  There was so much food for the guests.  It was rather overwhelming.  We thoroughly enjoyed our opportunity to support Mary on her wedding day. 

Thank you, Mary, and Korea for such an amazing experience.