Dress in smart-casual or business-casual attire for a Korean wedding, keeping the look modest, neutral-toned, and conservative. Suits, dark-colored dresses, or skirt-and-blouse combinations are ideal, avoiding white, overly bright colors, or distracting outfits. For women, it is crucial to avoid revealing clothes, particularly cleavage. 

Key Guidelines for Women

• Color Palette: Stick to neutrals like black, navy, beige, or grey.

• Style: A smart dress, blazer with slacks, or a skirt-and-blouse combo works best.

• Modesty: Avoid high-slit skirts, short hemlines, or visible cleavage.

• Accessories: Keep it simple and comfortable for a quick ceremony and buffet. 

Key Guidelines for Men

• Attire: A well-fitted suit in dark, neutral colors (black, grey, navy) is appropriate.

• Shirt/Tie: A white or light-colored dress shirt with a tie is recommended.

• Casual Exception: While some guests may dress very casually, a suit is the safest, most respectful option. 

Important Tips

• Avoid White: Do not wear white, as it is reserved for the bride.

• Don't Overdress: While you should look sharp, avoid being flashier than the couple.

• If you are interested in learning about Korean traditional weddings in more detail, click this link for more information. While our ceremony may not follow these exact steps, we hope this will give you a general idea of what to expect!

• Typically in western weddings there is a ceremony followed by a reception with dinner and dancing. However traditional Korean weddings end after dinner. While it may take us some time to make our way through each table, we hope to see each and every one of you, so unless you’re in a rush to leave please stay so we can say hello!

• For our dear guests traveling across the globe to celebrate with us in Seoul, your presence means the world to us and is all we ask for. Please know that we do not expect a gift from you at all, and your presence celebrating with us is the greatest gift we could receive.

  If you do wish to follow the custom: In Korea, it is traditional to give a gift of cash (called chuk-ui-geum or 축의금) in a clean white envelope. A designated table will be near the entrance to the hall. You'll sign your name and hand the envelope to the person managing the guestbook.

In April, the weather is quite pleasant, with temperatures typically ranging from the mid-40s °F to the high 60s °F. Days are warm and sunny, while mornings and evenings remain cool, so a light jacket or layers are recommended. Because the weather can shift, we suggest checking the forecast closer to the date to plan accordingly.

Here are a couple of things to know:

• Modesty on Top: While short skirts and shorts are very common, showing significant cleavage or bare shoulders (spaghetti straps, low-cut tops) is still often frowned upon, especially in temples or around the older generation.

• Leggings as Pants: Wearing leggings as standalone pants (without a long top covering the hip area) is less common and may draw stares.

• Footwear: You will walk significantly more than expected. Comfortable sneakers are essential. Choose shoes that are easy to slip on/off, as many restaurants and traditional sites require you to leave shoes at the door. Always wear or carry socks, as being barefoot in these situations is considered impolite.

• Temples: Dress conservatively; ensure shoulders and knees are covered.

• DMZ/JSA: There is a strict dress code for tours. Avoid ripped jeans, camouflage, flip-flops, or overly casual/revealing athletic wear.

• Nightlife (Hongdae/Gangnam): Fashion is much more liberal here; crop tops and bolder styles are common.

Naver Map and KakaoMap are the best, essential navigation apps for South Korea, as they offer accurate, real-time data for public transport, walking, and driving that Google Maps lacks.

• Naver Map (Naver Map, Navigation): The #1 choice for tourists. It provides reliable, detailed maps with English support for searches and routes. It is best for finding restaurants, cafes, and navigating via subway or bus.

• KakaoMap - Korea No.1 Map: Highly accurate for public transportation, walking directions, and bus stop alerts. It is preferred by many for its user-friendly interface.

While several different companies operate Seoul’s many bus and train lines, you can pay for journeys with all operators with a transport pass. The three most popular are NAMANE, Tmoney and Cashbee.

The NAMANE card is a popular option for visitors. Buy a physical card from a kiosk at transport hubs, or use a digital one via the app; top it up to use it across public transport, as well as at some retailers. Similarly, you can buy a Tmoney and Cashbee card at convenience stores and transport hubs, then top them up as you go. (Keep in mind that Tmoney is more widely accepted in stores than Cashbee.)

While it is possible to buy a single-ride ticket at a station or pay in cash on the bus, this is uncommon. Transport cards are almost universal, since they can be used in taxis, subways and buses all over South Korea. What’s more, visitors can buy Tmoney in conjunction with other special deals for foreign tourists.

Because many of the cards have a special design or theme (such as pictures of K-pop group BTS), many choose to keep the card as a souvenir. If you don’t want to hold on to your card, you can get a refund for its cost at Incheon International Airport when you leave the country.

Yes! With over 20 subway lines making hundreds of stops across the city, the Seoul Metro is the most efficient way to get around the city. Each station has English-language signs, and stops are announced in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese. To navigate all the lines and transfer points, download the Metro app for iPhone or Android.

Adult fares start at 1550 Korean won per ride with a transport pass; each fare allows for up to four transfers to another subway bus or line within 30 minutes. If you’re changing between one subway line and another, you generally don’t tap out to make transfers. Platform screens detail what trains are due to arrive and depart, and exit signs detail major adjacent landmarks. 

The subway closes between midnight to 5:30am, though exact times vary by line. Check the app for precise schedule information.

Essential Seoul Subway Etiquette Tips

• Silence is Key: Keep voice volume low and always use headphones for music or videos. Set phones to silent or vibrate mode.

• Priority Seating: Never sit in the specially designated, often brightly colored, seats at the ends of cars, which are reserved for the elderly, disabled, or pregnant women. Even if the subway is crowded, these are to be left empty.

• Boarding and Exiting: Wait behind the yellow lines on the platform, and allow passengers to fully exit before boarding.

• No Eating/Drinking: Avoid eating or drinking on the subway.

• Backpack Usage: Remove backpacks and hold them in your hands or place them on the floor to avoid hitting others in crowded trains.

• Escalators: Stand on the right, and walk on the left.

Here is a spreadsheet link to some recommendations we’ve received from friends living in Seoul. There are many other great places to try and visit even if they’re not on this list, so we recommend that you also venture out and explore!