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Updated Apr 28, 2026What Is a Hanbok? Here’s What to Know About the Korean Wedding Dress
Experts reveal how modern hanbok designs are embracing the future while honoring tradition.
Illustration: Sunnu Rebecca Choi for The Knot
The Korean wedding dress, also known as the hanbok, has played an important role in nuptials for nearly 5,000 years. As the national garment of Korea, worn by both men and women during special occasions, these gowns are a testament to the nation's vibrant culture, and their celebratory nature makes them perfect for weddings. For Korean nearlyweds, or couples planning a multicultural celebration, sporting a traditional Korean wedding dress offers a way to honor their heritage while saying "I do."
To learn all about Korean traditional wedding dresses, we spoke with Andrew Kwon, couture designer and founder of the eponymous label, and Laura Park, designer and owner of LEEHWA. Below, we're breaking down everything we learned, including where you can shop for a wedding hanbok near you.
In this article: What Is a Traditional Korean Wedding Dress? | Modern Hanbok and Korean Wedding Dress Ideas | How to Choose a Wedding Gown for a Korean Wedding | Where to Buy a Korean Wedding Dress
What Is a Traditional Korean Wedding Dress?
During Korean weddings, the bride will typically wear a garment known as a hanbok. But what is a hanbok exactly? According to Park, "the hanbok is a traditional Korean dress known for its graceful lines, vibrant colors and symbolic designs." While anyone, including the groom and wedding party, can wear a hanbok to a Korean wedding, the bride's is typically the most elaborate, colorful and decorated. "The bride's hanbok usually consists of a jeogori (top) and chima (skirt)," Park explains. During the paebaek ceremony (or tea ceremony), brides will usually layer a hwarot or wonsam (ceremonial robe) over the top of the hanbok. The most common accessory worn with the hanbok dress is a jokduri, or bridal crown.
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"Traditional wedding hanboks are made of silk or fine silk blends, which create elegant draping and sheen," says Park. However, according to Kwon, many designers are expanding their options to include modern cotton blends, lace, satin, and synthetic fabrics that allow for more versatility, ease of care and accessibility. "While these innovations make hanboks more wearable in everyday contexts, many luxury and ceremonial pieces still use heritage silks and handwoven ramie to preserve craftsmanship and authenticity," he explains.
As for hanbok colors, "a bride traditionally wears a red skirt and a yellow or green top, symbolizing harmony, vitality and prosperity," Park explains. "However, brides who seek more modern and contemporary styles will wear white, gold, and even black hanboks," she adds. There are various hanbok color meanings associated with sentiments such as modesty, prosperity and wealth.
Modern Hanbok and Korean Wedding Dress Ideas
As wedding traditions continue to evolve, it's becoming increasingly common to see brides wear a Korean bridal dress for just the paebaek ceremony, and a Western wedding dress for the main ceremony and reception. Others opt for a modern hanbok wedding dress that draws inspiration from traditional Korean attire while still reflecting contemporary trends. According to Kwon, "modern hanboks often preserve the essence of the original silhouette, while introducing subtle refinements in fit, fabric and proportions. "While some contemporary pieces feature slimmer skirts or shorter hemlines, many designers intentionally maintain the hanbok's timeless structure to honor its cultural identity while making it wearable today," he says.
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Brides can also incorporate symbolic details without replicating the silhouette of a Korean hanbok. "Embroidery featuring culturally meaningful motifs, like cranes, butterflies, or peonies, can carry heritage subtly into a gown," Kwon explains. "A mother-of-pearl inspired sheen or a color palette drawn from Korea's traditional five-color spectrum (obangsaek), such as blues, reds, and whites, can also create a quiet yet powerful connection to Korean artistry." According to Kwon, "there are countless ways to honor Korean heritage in a way that feels authentic and personal while blending tradition with a contemporary design language."
How to Choose a Wedding Gown for a Korean Wedding
"In modern Korean weddings, most guests wear contemporary formalwear, while hanboks are typically reserved for the couple and immediate family, especially the mothers of the bride and groom during the paebaek," says Kwon. So how can brides distinguish their Korean wedding dresses from those of their guests? Well, according to Kwon, "bridal hanboks are traditionally more elaborate and symbolic, often featuring rich, celebratory colors like red and gold and detailed embroidery symbolizing longevity, prosperity, and fidelity. This distinction allows the bridal hanbok to remain a unique, meaningful centerpiece within the celebration."
When choosing a Korean style wedding dress, decide what details are important to you. If the hanbok color meanings strongly resonate with you, consider wearing an option in red. However, if you are more drawn to other culturally significant motifs, you can incorporate them into your bride hanbok or wedding gown through embroidery or accessories.
Where to Buy a Korean Wedding Dress
There are a variety of places where you can buy a wedding hanbok, from bridal salons that sell traditional hanboks, to small businesses crafting one-of-a-kind pieces. Below, we've rounded up a few of our favorite retailers specializing in wedding gowns for a Korean ceremony.
ANDREW KWON: "Following a creative immersion trip to Seoul through the CFDA x Genesis House AAPI Design and Innovation Grant program, I created my seventh collection as an homage to my Korean heritage," says Kwon. "The collection draws inspiration from traditional Korean embroidery motifs, particularly cranes, butterflies, and florals, which historically represent longevity, harmony, and beauty." Head to Kwon's website to discover a list of stockists near you, or book an appointment at their New York City appointment to view the collection in person.
LEEHWA: Founded in 1993 by a family of artisans, LEEHWA has been preserving the art of traditional hanboks for decades. By fusing Korean traditional designs with modern sensibilities, their goal is to help brides feel their very best on their big day, while simultaneously honoring their heritage. You can shop LEEHWA's hand-crafted hanboks and accessories on their website. (Some pieces are even available to rent.)
Meehee Hanbok: Meehee Hanbok is a Los Angeles-based Hanbok boutique that has specialized in creating high quality, hand-crafted hanbok since 1987. Each of their garments is a unique work of art, designed to be passed down through generations. You can shop their pieces online from their website, or visit their Los Angeles store where both walk-ins and appointments are welcome.
Etsy: Etsy is home to countless small businesses specializing in hanbok wedding dresses and accessories. Here, you'll find looks suitable for brides, grooms and guests. A few popular sellers include Lunar Jogak, TETEROTSALON and Seoul Craft Boutique.
The Knot Vendor Marketplace: To find a bridal salon near you that carries Korean wedding dresses, simply head to The Knot Vendor Marketplace and filter your search by the location you'll be shopping in. From there, you can type "hanbok" into the search bar to discover local options that fit your criteria. You can also filter your search to discover Asian fashion designers, if you're interested in checking out modern designs from Korean brands like Arha Bridal.
