티스토리 뷰
It's been two months since I arrived in Laos, and during this time, I've met various friends. However, what intrigued me the most was the wedding culture. I had the opportunity to be invited to a wedding, and I want to share my experience with you.
Saint Phaila Convention Hall - Wedding Venue in Laos
This venue, often referred to as the wedding hall of the Laotian Prime Minister, was more extravagant than I had ever imagined. Despite considering Laos as a less affluent country, the sheer grandeur of this place left me in awe.
Understanding Laos Culture through Wedding Experience
While immersing oneself in the local culture is the best way to understand Laos, attending a wedding offered a different but equally enriching perspective. This particular event, even on a Sunday evening, drew an enormous crowd and a fleet of cars. I've attended weddings of Thai high-society individuals, but this Laotian wedding surpassed them in terms of splendor.
When I inquired about the reason for such grandeur, my friend mentioned it was a "high-so tea," resembling the scale of the Laotian Prime Minister's wedding. Being invited to such an event within two months of my stay was truly overwhelming.
Attire and Observations
Guests attending the wedding were elegantly dressed in formal attire. Men, in particular, were in suits with the standard shirt and tie, and I was fortunate to have prepared a meeting-appropriate outfit in advance. Being one of the few foreigners, I couldn't escape the curious gazes of the 2-300 attendees.
The wedding itself consisted of multiple ceremonies - one in the morning, one in the evening, and another private celebration involving close friends of the bride and groom. The morning ceremony, conducted in a traditional manner at the parents' houses, was unfortunately not accessible for observation. I was personally invited to the evening ceremony, which I found to be a unique experience.
Food and Gift Giving
Laotian culture places significant importance on food, and this was evident at the wedding. Starting from fried rice to a variety of dishes, the menu was extensive. The giving of gifts, similar to our tradition of giving congratulatory money, was also part of the celebration. When I asked my friend about the customary gift amount, he mentioned it's usually around $50 (approximately 70,000 won).
Living Costs in Laos
Contrary to the perception of Laos as a less economically developed country, witnessing the affluence of the wedding attendees challenged my preconceptions. In particular, learning about the monthly salaries of friends working in IT, averaging around $1,500 (approximately 1.8 million won), indicated a different economic reality compared to my assumptions.
Conclusion
The Laotian wedding venue rivaled those of high-society weddings in Thailand, and the food was delightful. Experiencing Laotian culture and international marriages in this unique way has been truly gratifying. As I reflect on my journey, the final snapshot of the wedding car symbolizes the similarities between Laotian and Korean cultures. Attending a Laotian wedding has been an eye-opening and culturally enriching experience.