Quick Answer
What is hanbok?
Hanbok is the traditional Korean garment — a fitted bodice (jeogori) paired with a full, high-waisted skirt (chima) for women, or jacket and trousers (baji) for men — worn at Korean weddings, most prominently during the pyebaek ceremony.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What is hanbok?
Also called: 한복, traditional Korean dress.
Hanbok is what marks a Korean wedding as visually distinct the moment the pyebaek doors open: bold, structured colour blocking, a high empire waistline for the bride, and a silhouette that has stayed recognisable for centuries even as the fabrics and tailoring have modernised. Many couples wear a Western gown and suit for the main ceremony, then change into hanbok specifically for pyebaek.
How hanbok is worn at a wedding
- •Bridal hanbok pairs a short, fitted jeogori (jacket/bodice) with a voluminous chima (skirt), traditionally in vivid colour combinations like red and yellow or blue and pink.
- •Groom's hanbok pairs a jeogori-style jacket with baji (trousers), often in more muted tones, sometimes with an outer coat (durumagi).
- •Many couples wear Western wedding attire for the ceremony itself and change into hanbok specifically for the pyebaek ritual afterward.
- •Parents and grandparents attending pyebaek often wear their own hanbok as well, not just the couple.
Planning notes
- •If renting, book hanbok well ahead — sizing and colour options are more limited than mainstream bridal rentals in most cities outside Korea.
- •Factor in a costume change into the day-of timeline between the ceremony and pyebaek, plus someone to help with the wrap-and-tie styling.
- •Confirm with family whether parents or grandparents also need hanbok arranged for pyebaek — this is easy to overlook when focused on the couple's outfits.
Track costume changes on your day-of timeline
Use Weddingkart's wedding checklist to plan outfit changes, styling help, and timing buffers around rituals like the hanbok change for pyebaek.
Try the wedding checklist tool →Frequently Asked Questions
Do Korean couples wear hanbok for the whole wedding?
Not always — many modern Korean weddings use a Western gown and suit for the main ceremony and reception, reserving hanbok specifically for the pyebaek ritual afterward.
What colours are traditional for bridal hanbok?
Red and yellow, or variations of pink and blue, are classic bridal colour pairings, though modern hanbok comes in a much wider range of colours and fabrics.
Is hanbok only worn by the couple?
No — parents and grandparents attending the pyebaek ceremony traditionally wear hanbok as well, not just the bride and groom.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated