9 Korean phrases for a wedding, from the invitation to the buffet
A Korean wedding is brisk. The ceremony in a 웨딩홀 takes thirty or forty minutes, the next couple is waiting, and much of the social work happens before and after: greeting the parents, handing over the envelope, posing for the group photo, eating at the buffet. Knowing what to say at each station matters more than following the vows.
These nine phrases walk through the day in polite 요 speech, which is correct for the couple's family and most guests. Each note says who you say it to, since a wedding is one of the few places where you will address people from every generation within an hour.
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결혼 축하해요.
gyeolhon chukahaeyo.
Congratulations on your wedding.
Literally: Marriage congratulate.
To a friend or peer. 결혼 축하합니다 is more formal, and 결혼 축하드립니다 is for the couple's parents or anyone senior. The parents stand at the entrance; greet them first.
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청첩장 받았어요.
cheongcheopjang badasseoyo.
I got the invitation.
Literally: Invitation received.
The 청첩장 now mostly arrives as a 모바일 청첩장, a link on KakaoTalk with a map and the bank account for gifts. Receiving one in person over a meal means you are close to the couple.
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결혼식 언제예요?
gyeolhonsik eonjeyeyo?
When is the wedding?
Literally: Wedding-ceremony when is?
결혼 is the marriage, 결혼식 the ceremony. Korean weddings are short, often under an hour in a 웨딩홀 that hosts several a day, so the time on the invitation is precise.
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축의금은 얼마나 해요?
chuguigeumeun eolmana haeyo?
How much should I give?
Literally: Congratulatory money how much do?
The question everyone asks a friend before going. 축의금 is cash in a white envelope handed to the desk at the entrance, where your name is recorded. Odd amounts are customary; the sum depends on closeness.
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신부 너무 예뻐요.
sinbu neomu yeppeoyo.
The bride looks beautiful.
Literally: Bride very pretty.
신부 is the bride, 신랑 the groom. Said to the bride directly in the 신부 대기실, the room where she receives guests and photos before the ceremony. For the groom, 신랑 멋있어요.
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단체 사진 찍을게요.
danche sajin jjigeulgeyo.
We're taking the group photo now.
Literally: Group photo will-take.
After the ceremony the photographer calls family, then 친구분들 (the couple's friends) to the stage. Stay for it even if you are hungry; being in the photo is the point of coming.
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식사하고 가세요.
siksahago gaseyo.
Please eat before you go.
Literally: Meal-do and go.
The couple's parents say this to every guest. Your 축의금 gets you a 식권 (meal ticket) for the buffet, and eating is expected, not optional. Skipping it would look like a slight.
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두 분 행복하세요.
du bun haengbokaseyo.
Wishing you both happiness.
Literally: Two persons be-happy.
The line as you leave or in the guestbook. 행복하게 잘 사세요 (live well and happily) is the longer version older guests use. 두 분 is the respectful 'the two of you'.
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신혼여행 어디로 가요?
sinhonyeohaeng eodiro gayo?
Where are you going on honeymoon?
Literally: Newlywed-trip where-to go?
The small talk question after the ceremony. 신혼 is 'newly married', and 신혼집 (the new home) is the next thing people will ask about.
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Across all of them the key vocabulary is small: 결혼 and 결혼식, 신부 and 신랑, 축의금 and 식권. The customs around the envelope and the photo do more to mark you as a guest who understands than any sentence, so if you are unsure of an amount, ask a mutual friend; the question in phrase four is one Koreans ask each other constantly.