A Korean–American Couple Celebrates with Family in Korea
💡 At a Glance: A Korean bride and an American groom, who had already married in the United States, planned an intimate wedding in Korea for family members who had been unable to attend. LAMI created the terrace bridal suite that other venues had said was impossible and brought their vision to life with a four-hour private celebration featuring bilingual vows in English and Korean and no officiant.
This is the story of a Korean bride and an American groom. The couple had already held their wedding in the United States, but they wanted to host an intimate celebration in Korea so that family members who had been unable to travel could formally meet the groom and celebrate their marriage together.
“We already had our wedding in the United States, but our family in Korea couldn’t attend. We wanted to hold a small but meaningful wedding for them here in Korea.”
— The bride’s request
When Their Ideal Wedding Seemed Impossible
The bride wanted to use the terrace as her bridal suite. She imagined getting ready and taking photographs in a bright, open space filled with natural light beneath the sky. The groom also preferred a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere over a highly formal wedding format.
At most wedding venues, however, the bridal suite is a fixed indoor room equipped with mirrors and lighting, and the entire schedule is designed around that standard layout. Nearly every venue they contacted told them that using a terrace would not be possible.
For the bride, the terrace was about more than taking beautiful photographs. She wanted to stand before her mother looking and feeling her very best. Once we understood what that meant to her, we could not simply tell her, “The terrace isn’t an option.”
Creating a Bridal Suite on the Outdoor Terrace
The LAMI wedding team decided not to be limited by the conventional idea that a bridal suite must be indoors. Instead, we transformed our semi-outdoor terrace into a private preparation space for the bride. The covered yet open terrace lets in sunlight, offers views of the sky, and allows guests to enjoy the fresh air. We furnished it with a chair, table, mirror, and floral arrangements so the bride could prepare comfortably.
We planned the ceremony for a clear daytime period in spring or fall, when the natural light would be at its most flattering. The timeline and movement of the day were designed so that soft sunlight would illuminate the bride as she prepared, with a clear blue sky behind her.
An Intimate Wedding Straight Out of a Movie
Every part of the ceremony was tailored to the couple. They chose to marry without an officiant and exchanged personal vows in both English and Korean. At the same time, they retained traditional elements such as the formal aisle entrance and ceremonial moments, giving the day the elegance of a complete wedding celebration. Because LAMI hosts only two weddings per day, the couple had four unhurried hours for the ceremony, meal, photographs, and time with their guests.
On the wedding day, the sky was perfectly clear. Photographs of the bride preparing on the terrace in natural light looked as though they had been taken for a bridal editorial. When the groom read his vows in Korean, his heartfelt effort brought warm laughter and applause from the guests. During the meal, the couple visited each table, greeting every guest and enjoying genuine conversations with their families.
The most memorable moment came when the bride walked down the aisle with her father and her mother watched with tears in her eyes.
✅ The Result: One thoughtful decision—the terrace bridal suite—captured the atmosphere the couple had envisioned, gave them photographs they will treasure, and brought the bride’s family in Korea the celebration they had long hoped to share.
How Can You Create the Wedding You Have in Mind?
Not every couple has to follow the same wedding format. Even after other venues had said no, this couple held on to the celebration they had imagined—and that vision became a wedding that felt like a scene from a movie.
Over the years, we have helped many couples bring their dream weddings to life. We cannot promise that every request will be possible, but we will always look for the best practical solution. As the owner and wedding director, I can make decisions directly, and because LAMI is a private wedding venue hosting only two weddings per day, we have the flexibility to personalize each celebration.
Hearing a couple say, “We’re so glad we chose LAMI,” is what makes our team happiest. If you have a particular wedding in mind, please feel free to contact us. We will listen to your ideas and help you understand what is possible.
I’m Mi-young On, founder and wedding director at LAMI. I have helped approximately 500 couples celebrate their weddings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can attend an intimate wedding?
Intimate weddings generally bring together close family members and friends. Guest capacity varies depending on the venue and room configuration, so the final number should be planned around the atmosphere the couple wants to create.
Can every wedding venue provide a terrace bridal suite?
Most wedding venues use a fixed indoor bridal suite. Using a terrace or outdoor area requires a private venue with the flexibility to adapt its spaces. A covered, semi-outdoor terrace is particularly suitable because it offers an outdoor atmosphere while providing protection from changing weather.
Can we have a formal wedding without an officiant?
Yes. A wedding without an officiant can still feel elegant and complete when it includes a formal aisle entrance, personal vows, and meaningful ceremonial moments. Vows spoken directly by the couple often make the ceremony even more personal and moving.
Can we exchange vows in two languages if one partner is from overseas?
Yes. Exchanging vows in both English and Korean allows both families to understand and participate fully in the ceremony. A partner’s heartfelt effort to speak in an unfamiliar language can also become one of the warmest and most memorable moments of the wedding.
How long does an intimate wedding at LAMI last?
LAMI provides four hours for the ceremony, meal, photographs, and time with guests. Because only two weddings are hosted per day, couples can celebrate without feeling rushed and have meaningful conversations with family and friends.
Can we hold another wedding in Korea after marrying in the United States?
Yes. Some couples hold an intimate wedding in Korea after marrying overseas so they can formally greet and celebrate with family members who were unable to travel. A relaxed celebration centered on connection rather than rigid formalities can be meaningful for both families.
Last updated: February 2026
