‘Eco-Weddings’ Garner Enthusiasm in South Korea

UCANews ^ | 7/1/22

[marshmallow]

A research paper from Ahn Seong-im discusses weddings from a Catholic, ecological, and spiritual perspective

A research paper inspired by Pope Francis’ landmark environmental encyclical, Laudato Si, highlighting the merits of "eco-weddings" has received an enthusiastic response from Catholics and environmental activists in South Korea.

Helena Ahn Seong-im, 47, a Catholic and a wedding consultant based in the capital Seoul, presented her master's thesis titled "A Proposal for Eco-Spiritual Eco-Weddings" at the Graduate School of Cultural Spirituality, Catholic University of Korea last month, the Catholic Times of Korea reported.

The paper, for the first time in Korea, discussed eco-weddings from a Catholic, ecological, and spiritual perspective.

An eco-wedding refers to a "small wedding" by simplifying the ceremonial hall, wedding dress, robes, gifts, flowers, food, and wedding invitations required for a wedding, Ahn explains.

“An eco-wedding is far from profitable, but I want to spread it little by little among Catholics and churches. Participation is important,” she said.

In a traditional Korean wedding setting the guest count may vary by more than 500 at a time. The wedding involves an exquisitely decorated venue, lots of flowers, traditional silk dresses, and lots of food.

An average wedding in South Korea costs nearly 46 million won (US$40,000), excluding the price of buying or renting a home, according to a 2017 survey by the Korea Consumer Agency of 2,000 married and single people.

However, there have been recent criticisms of extravagant weddings in the press and the Korean community that has pushed prospective brides and grooms to rethink the manner of their wedding.

[McGavin999]

A wedding only needs 5 things. A bride, a groom, an officiant, witnesses, and most important of all, God.