written by Sonder Studio

When you celebrate your wedding in Korea, you’re stepping softly into a world shaped by tradition, grace, and quiet beauty. Choosing your venue and vendors becomes one of the most defining parts of your planning journey—not just logistically, but emotionally. These decisions shape the atmosphere of your day, its natural rhythm, and the feeling you’ll carry with you long after it’s over.

When planning from abroad, those choices can feel layered with uncertainty. The customs around venues and vendors may look very different from what you’re familiar with, and it’s completely normal to feel a little disoriented at first. In part two of this three-part wedding planning series, I’ll walk you through what to expect when choosing wedding venues and vendors in Korea, so you can move forward feeling informed, supported, and confident in every decision.

The Three-Part Series on How to Plan a Wedding in Korea

• Part 1: Cultural Insights and Personalization
• Part 2: Choosing Wedding Venues and Vendors in Korea
• Part 3: Your Wedding Reception

In this guide, I’ll share how wedding venues and vendors typically operate in Korea, what may feel different if you’re planning from overseas, and how to make thoughtful choices that support a calm, meaningful wedding experience.

Understanding the Korean Wedding System

As a foreigner, you may be used to a wedding process where you book your venue first, then thoughtfully build your vendor team around it, choosing people who feel like the right fit for you.

In Korea, the structure is often a little different. Many venues work through designated wedding planners or directors rather than booking directly with couples. It’s also common for venues to require the use of in-house or preferred vendors, which can naturally limit flexibility.

Luckily, there are exceptions. Smaller, non-traditional, or more private spaces often allow for greater freedom. Understanding how each venue operates—and what’s included from the beginning—can help you navigate these choices with fewer surprises.

I often meet international couples who feel uncertain as they begin navigating the Korean wedding industry. As a bilingual Korean wedding photographer, I’m here to help translate not just language, but expectations—to answer questions before they become worries and to guide you through the unknowns so you feel steady and understood.

The process may feel unfamiliar at first, but I truly love helping couples find clarity and confidence, so their wedding day feels intentional, meaningful, and unforgettable.

Choosing Wedding Venues in Korea: Traditional & Modern Options

One of the places you may feel the strongest cultural contrast is around wedding venue expectations in Korea. Many venues, particularly larger wedding halls, are built around efficiency. Sometimes, this can create an experience that feels hurried or impersonal. If that thought gives you pause, there are lots of options that lean more personal, relaxed, and intimate. 

From historic hanoks that seem to hum softly with generations of stories, to light-filled modern spaces, to luxury hotels layered with quiet elegance, you have the joy of choosing from a beautiful range of wedding venues in Korea, each carrying its own kind of magic and possibility.

Hanok Wedding Venues in Korea

If you’re drawn to spaces that feel rooted in history and culture, a hanok may be the perfect choice. With their quiet courtyards, intricate details, and timeless beauty, they offer an experience that feels deeply and unmistakably Korean. A few of my favorite hanok wedding venues include:

• Seokpajeong, with its beautiful ceremony space.
• Dugahun, a Hanok where fine dining meets cozy intimacy. 

To learn more about one of my favorite hanok weddings I’ve documented, you can read my blog about Bellamy and Shanxi’s Dugahun Wedding. 

Luxury Hotel Wedding Venues in Korea

For wedding venues with an elegant and refined feel, high-end hotels and modern venues can be a perfect match. These spaces often offer a serene, timeless canvas, inviting you to step fully into a world of grace and sophistication. I love how they let every detail—from light to layout to atmosphere—feel thoughtfully curated. Some of my personal favorite hotel venues include:

• L’Escape Hotel, brimming with Parisian grace and elegant charm.
• Grand Hyatt Seoul, with its sleek, clean, and modern aesthetic. 

To see what this style of wedding can look like, take a look at Anne & Luca’s Parisian-style Micro-Wedding at L’Escape Hotel. 

Non-Traditional Wedding Venues & Transformed Spaces

If you love the idea of doing things a little differently, non-traditional or transformed spaces can be incredibly special. I’ve seen beautiful weddings held in restaurants, photography studios, and other creative spaces that don’t follow the everyday mold.

Choosing this path can feel both thrilling and a little overwhelming, which is why having a photographer and wedding coordinator you trust makes all the difference. I find it inspirational helping you shape the space, bring your vision to life, and photograph it in a way that feels thoughtful and intentional—moments that linger long after the day has passed. If you’re considering a non-traditional venue, a few spaces you should consider are:

• Adela Bailey, with its breathtaking waterfront and mountain views.  
• Aube Studio, with three airy floors that set the quiet stage for your imagination.

You can find a fuller roundup of my favorite wedding venues across Korea in this blog post—each one chosen for the way it supports a day that feels meaningful, intentional, and true to you.

Tips & Insights for Choosing Wedding Vendors in Korea

Choosing a Wedding Photographer in Korea

Choosing your wedding photographer in Korea is about so much more than simply having someone preserve the day itself. Especially when visiting from abroad, working with someone who understands both the cultural rhythm and the logistical nuances of Korean weddings can transform the experience—making it smoother, more meaningful, and deeply enjoyable.

One of those nuances often shows up at the venue level. Many wedding venues in Korea host multiple ceremonies throughout the day. This means lighting and timing aren’t always prioritized in the way couples might expect. If you’re dreaming of soft, natural light or a particular mood, advocating for your ceremony timing during the booking process can make a quiet but meaningful difference in how the day unfolds—and how it’s remembered.

As your wedding photographer, I’ll be by your side to support you through these decision, including helping ensure your venue can accommodate the timing that allows for the most beautiful, flattering light. This level of care and attention is at the heart of the luxury experience I offer, crafted to make your wedding experience in Korea feel seamless, thoughtful, and deeply personal. You can read more about what a luxury wedding experience in Korea looks like on my blog.

Korean Wedding Hair & Makeup Studios

Hair and makeup are approached a little differently in Korea than in the West. Rather than having artists come to you while you get ready, couples typically visit a hair and makeup studio on the morning of the wedding before heading to the venue.

For those used to a slower start to their day, this can feel like a shift. But with the right studio, it can actually feel calm, joyful, and beautifully streamlined. I can also recommend studios that resonate with your personal style and help you feel at ease.

While formal hair and makeup trials aren’t common in Korea, some couples choose to visit a studio as part of their pre-wedding experience. This gives you a chance to connect with the team, get comfortable, and even capture beautiful images you can use for invitations or décor. You can read more about what this process can look like in my pre-wedding blog.

Korean Florists

In Korea, florals often come together through outside vendors, though some venues do have their own in-house teams. When you’re working with an in-house florist, it helps to be aware of the natural limitations. Some venues host multiple weddings in a single day, which can mean fewer customization options and more standardized designs.

Floral arrangements may also feel more costly than expected, as many flowers are imported. Knowing this ahead of time can help you set realistic expectations and focus on what matters most to you in the overall feeling of your day.

Wedding Planners and Coordinators in Korea

Like with hair and makeup, wedding planners in Korea often play different roles than what you may be used to. Planners are typically involved in managing vendors, helping choose wedding venues, securing a hair and makeup studio, and overseeing the overall flow of the day. Because many planners work with preferred vendors on commission, it can be helpful to ask thoughtful questions early on, so you know exactly what’s included.

Wedding coordinators or directors, on the other hand, are often closer to what many Western couples imagine when they think of a planner. Their focus is on styling, design, and execution—from florals to food to the visual flow of your day. These professionals usually don’t work on commission, which often makes their guidance more transparent and personal. If you value a more hands-on role in shaping your celebration, a wedding director can natural fit.

Wedding Content Creators

A wedding content creator—sometimes called an iPhone photographer—captures the small, in-between moments that make your day uniquely yours. The quiet glances, the bursts of laughter, the behind-the-scenes details that often go unseen. Unlike traditional photography, content creators deliver real-time, unfiltered images and videos, often by the end of the night. This can be a beautiful way to share your wedding with loved ones who couldn’t travel to Korea and let them feel present in the joy of the day. You can read more about how a content creator can enhance your wedding experience in this blog post.

If you’re planning your wedding in Korea from abroad and want guidance that feels clear and personal, reach out. I’m here to help you navigate each decision with confidence and ease.

How to Vet Wedding Vendors in Korea (and Avoid Common Frustrations)

When planning from overseas, carefully vetting your vendors becomes even more important. One of the most helpful questions to ask early on is whether a vendor is affiliated with a specific planner or venue. Because commission-based recommendations are common, knowing this upfront allows you to make thoughtful, informed choices.

It’s equally important to understand the cultural differences between what you might expect at home and how things are done in Korea. It’s completely normal if the process feels unfamiliar or even confusing at times. I’m here to help bridge that gap, clarify expectations, and connect you with vendors who support your vision.

How I Support You in Choosing Wedding Venues & Vendors in Korea

You’re not alone when it comes to choosing wedding venues and vendors in Korea. More than your photographer, I’m here to make the entire experience feel seamless and calm, so you can truly savor your time in this beautiful country. I’ll help guide vendor communication with ease, clarity, and confidence, so every step of the process feels smooth and effortless.

Think of me as your bridge—helping you navigate language, culture, and your vision—so your wedding day unfolds in a way that feels aligned, intentional, and unmistakably yours.

Timing, Seasons & Tips for Choosing Wedding Venues and Vendors in Korea

Best Times of Year to Get Married in Korea

In terms of timing, Korea’s peak wedding season falls in May, early June, and October. This is when the weather is at its most gentle, golden, and inviting. If you’re open to a quieter season—or dreaming of a particular atmosphere, like a cozy winter celebration—choosing an off-peak date or weekday can offer more flexibility and a more intimate feel.

Choosing Planners and Vendors with Destination Experience

When booking planners or wedding directors, it’s especially helpful to work with those who have experience with destination weddings. They often have a deeper understanding of Western traditions, like first looks, and tend to collaborate with vendors who are adaptable, thoughtful, and open-minded. Working with someone who is bilingual can be especially helpful, too. They can offer peace of mind and clear communication for you and for guests who may speak different languages.

Using Instagram to Research Wedding Vendors in Korea

Instagram has become a helpful way to see the work of Korean wedding professionals and start your research. As you browse portfolios, I suggest focusing on vendors who genuinely match your vision, so you can feel assured in the people helping bring your wedding day to life.

Choosing wedding venues and vendors in Korea can feel overwhelming at first, but you don’t have to navigate it by yourself. With the right team by your side, your Korean wedding can feel as effortless, joyful, and unmistakably yours as you’ve imagined. My aim is to help you explore your options with clarity, feel confident in every decision, and connect with vendors who genuinely support your vision.

In part three of this series, we’ll focus on your wedding day itself—how to weave together cherished traditions from home with the unique experience of celebrating in Korea. When you’re ready to begin, reach out! You deserve a wedding experience in Korea that feels meaningful, fully supported, and unforgettable—and I’d be honored to help make that a reality.