Cracking the Dress Code of South Korean Weddings

Have you ever seen a photo of your favorite South Korean celebrity attending a wedding and wondered, “Why do they look like they’re going to the office?” Well, you’re not the only one—and your question is valid.

Case in point: South Korean musicians affiliated with the entertainment company Pledis graced the wedding of their beloved staff members in 2024. Catching the eye of the public was Seventeen, a 13-member boy group who showed up in a variety of long sleeves, white shirts paired with black coats, and even accessorizing with caps and beanies. 

Another would be the marriage ceremony of a photographer and a makeup artist that took place in the same year. As two figures with long careers in the entertainment industry, the occasion was naturally star-studded. Among the household names in attendance were Blackpink’s Jennie Kim and A-list K-actors Song Hye Kyo, Kim Go Eun, and Byun Woo Seok. Blazers, turtlenecks, and knitted tops in dark and neutral tones were noticeably the essential pieces that comprised their outfits. When photos from the momentous event surfaced on the internet, netizens were quick to express their opinions, saying the celebrities look like they came from the courtroom or are on the way to a funeral. The truth is, they were merely abiding by the dress code. 

Although these would be surprising choices for attending weddings in the Philippines, they pass the conventional South Korean motif, more or less. In Expat Kids Korea, a South Korean-based blog designed to educate children and parents on all things related to the country, it was explained that the priority would be looking presentable. This usually means going with business casual attire. 

Explaining their culture, it wrote, “Although in North American and European weddings it may be customary to go shopping and spend considerable money solely for the nuptial occasion, that is not the case in Korea.” From dresses and cardigans to button-downs and trousers, you can build multiple wedding guest outfits with items you already have in your closet.

Despite the common knowledge, there are no fixed set of rules (and some couples may communicate a custom theme). Guests can also opt for a semi-formal look or arrive in the traditional hanbok, especially if they’re related to the bride or the groom.

Subdued colors are considered respectful so as to minimize misdirected attention. This is one of the tips shared by Evelyne Park, a Swiss artist based in South Korea, who imparted her experiences as a wedding guest through her blog called Evy Draws. She also explained that you can “choose an outfit you could wear to a business meeting or formal event during the day,” adding that “evening gowns or festive dresses aren't usual.” Suits and jackets are also a sufficient choice, and ties are optional. Jeans are not surprising to see in South Korean weddings, either.

Given that “there will probably be no place to put down bags, jackets, or coats and you'll have to carry [or] wear them all the time,” the unofficial dress code is the comfortable way to go. Now that it's clear, you no longer have to wonder the next time your favorite idols and K-actors attend a marriage ceremony.