A Han River or Namsan View Wedding for 10 Million Won... Cost-Effective Ceremonies Engaged Couples Should Consider [The Basics of Benefits]

From Hanok and Parks to Palaces: Unique Weddings in the Spotlight

Weddings in Seoul Cost 30 Million Won—Public Venues Offer Half-Priced Options

National Palace Museum’s Outdoor Wedding Program ‘Gogyeol’: Recruiting 80 Couples

Editor's Note"The more you know, the more you see and the more you save." We live in an age overflowing with information, yet there are still many things that we overlook or don't realize we are missing. In [The Basics of Benefits], we bring you useful tips from everyday life that can help you save money if you know about them—or lose out if you don't.

"It's only once in a lifetime"

This is a thought that every engaged couple preparing for marriage is likely to have. Because it is a special, once-in-a-lifetime event, many people are willing to spend more readily on items they might hesitate to purchase otherwise. From the wedding hall to the dress and photography, as desires expand one by one, the costs can quickly snowball.

As wedding expenses are considerable, an increasing number of engaged couples are seeking ways to cut unnecessary spending and focus on practical value. Some opt for "dressing & makeup" (D&Me) only, excluding the studio shoot from the typical studio-dress-makeup (SDM) package, while others choose small-scale weddings with less grandeur and simpler formats.

The photo is an AI-generated image created to aid in understanding the article. ChatGPT

For couples who want a unique wedding without the heavy financial burden, the Seoul city's public wedding venues and wedding photography support programs are worth noting. Instead of expensive wedding halls, the city rents out well-known landmarks and public facilities—such as parks, Hanok (traditional Korean houses), and the Han River—as wedding venues, and offers support from consultation to the day of the event at reasonable prices.

A Hanok or Park Instead of Expensive Wedding Halls... Seoul City's "The More Beautiful Wedding"

Since 2023, Seoul City has promoted the "The More Beautiful Wedding" program, which utilizes public facilities as wedding venues. The number of available venues increased from 25 in June last year to 61.

The variety of venue options is wide, ranging from weddings set against the backdrop of Hanok, to house weddings with views of Namsan Mountain and the Han River, and even outdoor park ceremonies. Seoul Herb Medicine Promotion Center, Seongbuk Yehyangjae, Yongsan Family Park, and Bukseoul Dream Forest are some representative examples.

You can check public wedding halls and standard prices on the "The More Beautiful Wedding" website. Screenshot from The More Beautiful Wedding website

The use of public wedding venues has been increasing every year. The number of ceremonies rose from 75 in 2023 to 155 in 2024 and 280 in 2025, with 548 weddings scheduled or reserved for this year.

Any engaged couple who either resides in Seoul or works or attends school in the city is eligible to apply, regardless of income or age. If at least one parent of either party is a Seoul citizen, the couple may also use this service.

Weddings in Seoul Cost Around 30 Million Won... Public Venues Are About Half

The average contract amount for wedding services in the Seoul area is around 30 million won. Screenshot from the Korea Consumer Agency's "True Price" website

The cost of holding a wedding in Seoul is about 30 million won. According to the Korea Consumer Agency's "True Price," as of June this year, the average contract amount for wedding services is 34.54 million won in the Gangnam area and 29.91 million won in other parts of Seoul. These amounts include venue rental fees, basic decorations, total meal costs, and the studio-dress-makeup package.

In contrast, public wedding venues can be used for significantly lower costs. On the "The More Beautiful Wedding" website, you can check the standard prices for 100 guests: As of August 1 of this year, the reasonable package is 12,759,000 won and the standard package is 16,865,000 won. While the final cost at general wedding halls can vary widely depending on the minimum guest guarantee, meal prices, decorations, and photography, public venues offer the advantage of knowing standard prices in advance, making it easier to plan your total budget.

Additionally, Seoul City will expand its support for public Hanok wedding photography in the second half of the year. The number of available shooting locations will increase from one—Honggeonikkaok—to three, including Bukchon Cultural Center and Baeryeomkaok. This wedding photography support is scheduled to take place in October, with recruitment of participants to be announced on the Seoul Hanok Portal in September.

A Hundred-Year Vow Under the Ginkgo Tree... National Palace Museum to Recruit 80 Couples

The National Palace Museum of Korea, under the Cultural Heritage Administration, is also recruiting 80 couples who wish to hold their weddings in unique settings. On August 18, the museum announced that it would recruit participants for its 2027 "Gogyeol (Married at the Palace Museum)" outdoor wedding program.

The ginkgo tree resting area in autumn is a popular spot, with numerous photos being posted on social media.
Instagram capture

This program is for hosting small-scale ceremonies for around 100 guests at the Ginkgo Tree Resting Area within the museum. Both the wedding venue and the indoor reception hall can be used free of charge. In autumn, this ginkgo tree spot, with its golden yellow leaves, becomes a highly popular location on social media.

Next year, a total of 80 ceremonies will be held: 41 times from April to May, and 39 times from October to November. On Fridays, ceremonies are held once at 3 p.m., and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, they are held twice at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Receptions can be held in the museum's annex.

Interested applicants must consult with partner vendors by August 31, and then apply online at the National Palace Museum's website between September 1 and September 4.

Through an online lottery, 70 couples will be selected, and an additional 10 couples from socially underprivileged groups, such as recipients of basic livelihood subsidies and low-income families, will be chosen separately. Final results will be announced on the museum's website on September 8. Selected couples will sign contracts with the partner vendors and begin wedding preparations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.