Your Big Fat Korean Wedding

June 29th, 2009Blog0 comments

Your humble narrator flew out to the Big Apple to attend the wedding of a couple of close and dear friends. I went to college with the bride, and have known the groom for eight or nine years now. Here’s how it all went down:

I got into town a couple of days early and did my own thing* — took a few meetings, etc., etc.. Got to the rehearsal dinner and the groom was so nervous that he drank my lemonade. I wonder if I’ll be that nervous when I get hitched. If so, please remember to pour extra glasses of lemonade for me.

The wedding was at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden which is an incredible space for things of this nature. There is a lovely arboretum in which receptions can be held, and outdoor spaces for the ceremonies.

I was the guy who introduced the couple to each other, so they gave me the honor of giving a short speech at the ceremony. It began with these lines:

I’d like to try an exercise.
I’d like all of you in the audience to turn to the person on your left.
Now say to that person, “I love you.”
Okay, great. Now I’d like all of you to turn to the person on your right…
And give them an open mouthed kiss.

Some people totally did it, too.

The reception was magnificent. It was like a reunion for a lot of old friends. The food was excellent. There was also a traditional Korean segment:

After witnessing these rituals — bowing to your elders, pouring them wine, and catching thrown chestnuts in your apron to determine how many future children you will be having — I have determined that Korean culture was invented by frat dudes.

All in all, one of the most fun weddings I’ve ever been to. In fact, I’ve never been to an un-fun wedding — they’ve all been fun. Of course when I’m at these things I’m usually hepped up on champagne and goofballs, so I don’t see how they cannot be fun.

* Will be visited in a separate post.