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. 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’ve photographed Chinese weddings, Indian weddings, Filipino traditions, and plenty of other cultural ceremonies over the years. But this was my first Paebaek. Honestly, I didn’t 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. The room had a quiet weight to it you just don’t 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 were treated to food from a pizza truck as well as cocktails. The wedding was fun, but we also wanted to keep it simple and elegant, focusing on God and honoring our parents and families. Jasper and I are of different cultures, he’s Korean American, I’m Singaporean Chinese, so celebrating the coming together of two families was very important.”
That perfectly captures the vibe of their day: intimate, meaningful, and full of personality. Not about extravagance. 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’s no posed lineup, no predictable timeline. Things happen fast, the emotions are real, and if you’re not paying attention you miss the moment entirely. The dates and chestnuts ritual alone happens in about fifteen seconds. 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’s done their homework. Ask them directly if they know what a Paebaek is. Ask how they’d handle a ceremony they’ve never photographed before. The answer will tell you everything you need to know.
Planning a Korean wedding or tea ceremony in Temecula or anywhere in Southern California? Want someone who’ll 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’ve never been to a Korean wedding before, here’s what you need to know so you’re 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. You’ll 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’re a guest rather than immediate family, you likely won’t 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 does things a little differently. Think what you’d wear to any wedding, but avoid white since that’s 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. Don’t be surprised if the parents of the couple are very much the center of attention alongside the bride and groom. That’s intentional and meaningful.
And bring cash in a white envelope. We cover this in the FAQs below, 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, a short jacket, paired with a chima, a full length skirt. The colors are bold and deliberate, often red and blue, and the overall look is gorgeous in photographs. Jasper and Deborah’s hanbok photos were some of my favorites from the entire day. If you’re having a Paebaek ceremony at your wedding, please wear the hanbok. Makes everything better.
Jasper and Deborah, it was genuinely one of my favorite days I’ve 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’m nothing if not punctual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a Korean wedding or tea ceremony?
Text me at 951-704-9503 or hit up the contact page and let’s talk photography.
