What kind of dress do brides wear to get married in North Korea? (photo)
DPRK remains one of the most mysterious countries on the planet — information leaking to the outside world is strictly controlled by the government. However, photos of weddings in North Korea still occur from time to time.
**What kind of dress do brides wear to get married in North Korea? (photos)**
A wedding is a joyful event that girls anywhere in the world prepare for with special excitement. Every nation has its own traditions: Italian brides dream of a luxurious lace dress, Chinese beauties wear crimson ceremonial attire, and Indian girls choose embroidered saris.
The DPRK remains one of the most secretive states on the planet — information leaking to the outside world is strictly controlled by the government. Nevertheless, photos of weddings in North Korea still emerge from time to time. They depict a unique picture of wedding fashion where ancestral traditions are intertwined with Soviet influence.
The marriage ceremony in North Korea largely resembles the Soviet model — the USSR's influence on the country's culture was immense. After the young newlyweds register their marriage at a state office, the ceremonial part with guests begins. But there is one important difference: instead of following the Western tradition of wearing a white dress, brides wear the Korean national costume — the choson-ot.
Interestingly, according to tradition, the groom gives the wedding dress to the bride as a gift — this is considered a sign of respect and care for his future spouse. Although there are ready-made wedding dress shops in major cities, clothes are usually custom-made, taking into account the girl's figure and preferences. Men, on the other hand, rarely wear traditional clothes — grooms most often prefer dark Western-style suits.
North Korean brides' wedding dresses are dominated by soft pink, fuchsia, coral, and peach shades. The dresses are decorated with floral elements, embroidery, and delicate patterns. White, which is considered a symbol of purity in Western traditions, is almost never found here.
The only thing that makes North Korean brides resemble European brides is the natural or artificial flowers in their hairstyles, chosen to match the color of the dress.
Traditional wedding choson-ots are distinguished by their grandeur and modesty. The dresses have long sleeves, a high collar, and a floor-length hem — there is no trace of open necklines or exposed legs. The cut of the dress takes shape thanks to a wide, layered skirt that lends solemnity and grandeur.
The upper part of the dress — a short, fitted jacket with an overlapping front — blends with the wide skirt to form a distinctive traditional silhouette. Despite strict requirements regarding the modesty of the dress, North Korean brides look incredibly graceful and charming in their bright ceremonial attire.
Behind the strict rules and restrictions of the DPRK lies a sincere respect for national traditions. North Korean brides in their pink choson-ots decorated with flowers resemble characters from ancient Eastern fairy tales.