Korean Tea Ceremony & Wedding
One of my favorite parts of being a Temecula wedding photographer is hearing the story of how a couple met. Most people meet online these days, which is totally fine, but unique, offbeat stories always get me pumped. Jasper and Deborah’s story definitely fits that bill. They met while flying solo to Thailand last December, and somehow, as the plane was disembarking, Jasper convinced Deborah to join him on a ferry ride to Krabi—probably with his CrossFit tales and subtle “guns” flexes.
Over the next four days, they explored Thailand together—riding elephants, sipping warm beers, and rocking karaoke at dive bars. When the trip ended, Jasper returned to Los Angeles and Deborah to Singapore. They tried to forget each other, but Jasper’s relentless CrossFit photo updates made that impossible. Fate intervened when Deborah had a ticket to California, and they reunited in July. Things moved fast from there: a wedding in Temecula, an intimate Korean tea ceremony, and a plan to move to Australia a week later.
Below are a handful of photos from their beautiful wedding and traditional Korean tea ceremony in Temecula!
Korean Tea Ceremony Photographer
I have photographed Chinese weddings, Indian weddings, Filipino traditions, and plenty of other cultural ceremonies over the years. But this was my first Paebaek. Honestly I did not fully know what to expect walking in and that kept me on my toes in the best way. The family gathered around, tea was served, bows were exchanged, and the room had this quiet weight to it that you just do not get at a standard Western ceremony. The hanboks alone are worth showing up for.
Seriously, check out how rad these Korean dresses look!
A Laid-Back, Family-Focused Korean Destination Wedding in Temecula
I asked the bride, Deborah, to share a bit about why she and Jasper chose Temecula for their wedding, and here’s what she had to say:
“We chose to get married in Temecula because we wanted something less busy and laid back that our families would both enjoy. The plan was to have a relaxed weekend with both families (and 5-7 friends) staying in an Airbnb we rented and using the backyard of the property for a garden wedding. After the small intimate wedding ceremony, our guests would be treated to food from a pizza truck as well as cocktails! The wedding would be fun, but we also wanted to keep it simple and elegant, focusing on God and honoring our parents/families. Jasper and I are of different cultures (he is Korean American, I’m Singaporean Chinese) so celebrating the coming together of 2 families was very important.”
This perfectly captures the vibe of their day – intimate, meaningful, and full of personality. It’s not about extravagance; it’s about family, love, and making memories that everyone will actually enjoy.
Hiring A Photographer For A Korean Wedding Or Tea Ceremony
Cultural ceremonies like the Paebaek require a photographer who can stay out of the way and still get everything. There is no posed lineup, no predictable timeline. Things happen fast, the emotions are real, and if you are not paying attention you miss the moment entirely. The dates and chestnuts ritual alone happens in about fifteen seconds and produces some of the best photos of the entire day.
My honest advice is to hire someone who has shot cultural ceremonies before or at minimum someone who has done their homework. Ask them directly if they know what a Paebaek is. Ask how they would handle a ceremony they have never photographed before. The answer will tell you everything you need to know.
If you are planning a Korean wedding or tea ceremony in Temecula or anywhere in Southern California and want someone who will show up prepared and actually care about getting it right, text me at 951-704-9503.
What To Expect As A Guest At A Korean Wedding
If you have never been to a Korean wedding before, here is what you need to know so you are not that person standing in the back looking confused.
The ceremony itself will likely feel familiar. Most Korean weddings in the US blend Western and traditional elements so you will probably see a processional, vows, and an exchange of rings just like any other wedding. The bigger cultural moments usually happen during the Paebaek which as mentioned earlier is a private family only ceremony. If you are a guest rather than immediate family you likely will not be in the room for that part.
Dress is typically formal, but just talk with the bride about what they want. At the end of the day, every couple can do things a little differently. Think what you would wear to any wedding but avoid white since that is traditionally associated with mourning in Korean culture. Bold colors are completely fine and honestly encouraged.
When it comes to the reception expect food, toasts, and a lot of family involvement. Korean wedding receptions tend to be warm, loud in the best way, and genuinely celebratory. Do not be surprised if the parents of the couple are very much the center of attention alongside the bride and groom. That is intentional and meaningful.
And bring cash in a white envelope. We covered this in the FAQs but it bears repeating because showing up without a gift at a Korean wedding is genuinely noticed.
What Is A Hanbok?
The hanbok is the traditional Korean dress worn during the Paebaek ceremony. Bright, vibrant, and incredibly photogenic. The bride typically wears a jeogori which is a short jacket paired with a chima which is a full length skirt. The colors are bold and deliberate, often red and blue, and the overall look is completely stunning in photographs. Jasper and Deborah’s hanbok photos were some of my favorites from the entire day. If you are having a Paebaek ceremony at your wedding please wear the hanbok. It makes everything better.
Jasper and Deborah, it was genuinely one of my favorite days I have had behind a camera. A backyard wedding in Temecula, a traditional Korean tea ceremony, and then off to Australia a week later. Not a bad way to start a marriage. Wishing you both nothing but good things down under. And yes your photos were ready before you landed. I am nothing if not punctual.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Paebaek ceremony in Korean tradition?
The Paebaek is a private family only ceremony that happens after the main wedding. The newlyweds serve tea to their parents and relatives, bow to them, and receive words of wisdom, blessings, and money in white envelopes in return. It is less about the two of you and more about the two families officially becoming one. Watching it as an outsider and a photographer was genuinely moving. The room gets quiet in a different way than during the ceremony itself.
What is the significance of dates and chestnuts in a Paebaek tea ceremony?
This was my favorite part to photograph. The bride’s mom tosses dates and chestnuts and the couple tries to catch them in the bride’s skirt. Dates represent girls, chestnuts represent boys. So whatever you catch is basically a prediction of your future kids. Nobody is catching these things gracefully and that is completely the point. Pure chaos, huge laughs, and some of the best candid photos of the entire day.
What is the role of piggyback rides and wild geese in Korean weddings?
The groom carries the bride on his back as a literal symbol of carrying her through whatever life throws at them. And the wooden geese represent loyalty because geese mate for life. Both traditions sound quirky until you see them happen in person and then they just make sense.
What are appropriate gifts for a Korean wedding ceremony?
Cash in a white envelope. Keep the amount in odd numbers because odd is considered lucky. Hand it to the groom’s parents at the reception. That is genuinely all there is to it.
