Weddings are a fresh beginning, but for many couples, they’re also a chance to reminisce and reflect. To look upon their heritage and those who raised them. To honor the cultural traditions and rituals of weddings spanning generations. How beautiful is that? What’s even more spectacular is how varied and unique wedding traditions are across cultures and religions. To celebrate that diversity, we explore several wedding traditions from around the world.
Pyebaek is a Korean wedding tradition that celebrates the newlyweds’ growing family.
The pyebaek is a ceremony in traditional Korean weddings that centers around well wishes for the couple’s future family. The ceremony takes place at a low table set with anju (snacks). The couple, seated across from their parents, then serves anju with tea or soju (Korean wine) to their elders. The parents offer blessings and wisdom in return, as well as an envelope of money. As a final gesture, they throw dates and chestnuts at the couple, who catch them on fabric that’s part of the bride’s dress. The chestnuts represent future daughters and the dates represent sons.
“Pyebaek originated as a postwedding ceremony to facilitate a newlywed’s introduction to their in-laws. Modern Korean weddings often incorporate pyebaek as part of entertainment amid a more Westernized celebration, usually during cocktail hour. While this tradition isn’t
