written by Kiersten Roy at Sonder Studio

A Hanok Elopement and Korean Wedding Tea Ceremony in the Heart of Seoul

When Dan and Andrea first reached out, it was one of those last-minute inquiries that instantly felt meant to be. They were traveling through Asia for work, and in the middle of their route from New York to Shanghai, they paused—quite literally—to elope in Seoul. They’re both architects, so design and atmosphere were hugely important to them. But more than that, they wanted to honor and incorporate the local culture in a way that felt genuine. That’s when the idea of a Korean wedding tea ceremony came up.

They had already booked a beautiful hanok, and they asked me, “Is it possible to incorporate a Korean tea ceremony into the day?”. I quickly got to work searching for a tea master who offered private tea ceremonies. After many inquiries, I finally found a kind woman who responded and agreed to lead the experience.

Capturing The Vibe: Honest Moments and Meaningful Connection During a Marriage Tea Ceremony

When I met Dan and Andrea, I immediately felt their quiet, confident energy. Not only do they already have a son together, but you could tell that their relationship was built around a deep, steady rhythm with each other. Even though they come from professions built on structure and precision, for their Seoul elopement, they embraced a slower, more intuitive pace.

That meant that we didn’t map every moment in advance, and that decision ended up shaping their whole experience in such a special way. The wedding tea ceremony unfolded in real time with the host teaching them how to pour tea the traditional way, explaining symbolic gestures like tapping the table as a sign of gratitude, and sharing stories from Korean marriage traditions.

At this point in their experience, we hadn’t quite decided how Dan and Andrea were going to exchange their vows. We were simply embracing the experience and waiting for the right moment to arrive. And arrive it did.

During their Korean wedding tea ceremony, the tea master described how, in old Korean weddings, the couple would drink from each other’s cups to symbolize becoming one. Dan and Andrea immediately started exchanging quiet vows and making promises while passing the teacup between them, right there in the middle of the ceremony. As I watched from behind the camera, my eyes filled with tears at getting to witness this beautiful, tender moment that was completely unplanned yet filled with connection.

Favorite Details + Moments from This Korean Wedding Tea Ceremony

One of my favorite things about Dan and Andrea’s Korean wedding tea ceremony was that they were open to adjusting the day as it unfolded. When it came to their elopement vows, there was no script, no pressure. Just two people letting the moment guide them. 

Later in the day, while getting their marriage license at city hall, the couple ran into some delays which caused our timeline to run a little bit later than planned. When we realized traffic would make our original photo location impossible, we pivoted to Gyeongbukgung Palace instead. The timing aligned perfectly as Dan and Andrea caught the tail end of the cherry blossom season. As the day came to a close, they stood in front of the very first blooms, soaking in the moment.

A Word of Advice

Even if you’re a planner at heart, give yourself the freedom to be surprised by what unfolds. Some of the most meaningful parts of this hanok wedding weren’t in the schedule—they just happened. But, they’re also exactly the moments that made Dan and Andrea’s elopement unforgettable.

The Beauty of Korean Wedding Tea Ceremonies

If a Korean wedding tea ceremony speaks to you, don’t hesitate to ask about including it in your day. It’s a beautiful way to honor tradition and bring a deeper rhythm to your celebration. And if you’re planning from abroad, don’t worry about having every detail locked in—just a bit of local insight and a go-with-the-flow attitude can lead to something truly magical. 

Ready to learn more about planning a wedding or elopement in Korea? Click here to read the full “How to Get Married in Korea” guide with tips, inspiration, and everything you need to know.

Korean Wedding Tea Ceremony Vendors:

Digital Photographer: Lorryn Smit

Tea Ceremony Master: Tea Master Xiu

Hanok Rental: Hanok Essay Seochon