Seoul offers free Han River weddings for young couples — apply now

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is expanding eligibility for its free outdoor wedding program, "Rosy Han River Wedding," to include young couples residing in Seoul who have been unable to hold a wedding due to financial or social circumstances. The program, run in partnership with KB Securities, previously focused on low-income households and multicultural families.

According to Seoul city officials Sunday, selected couples will receive full support for their ceremony at the rose garden in Gwangnaru Han River Park — covering venue rental, décor, wedding dresses, hair and makeup, bouquets, photography and food for guests. Two couples will be chosen, with ceremonies scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Oct. 25.

The application process has also changed: rather than relying on referrals from district offices and social welfare centers, the city will now accept applications directly from the public. Couples are asked to submit a written account of how they met, the financial or social circumstances that have prevented them from holding a wedding, and their reasons for wanting to marry at the Gwangnaru rose garden.

Couples wishing to participate may submit an application and personal story through the program's online page from Monday through Wednesday. At least one member of the couple must have been a Seoul resident as of the announcement date, and engaged couples are also eligible to apply.

Since the program launched in 2023 through the first half of last year, 14 couples across seven ceremonies have wed through the Rosy Han River Wedding.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Future Han River Headquarters plans and oversees the program, KB Securities sponsors it, and Vera — a social cooperative specializing in weddings designated by the city's Women and Family Office — runs it. The rose garden at Gwangnaru Han River Park was established in 2022 and has since operated as a public wedding venue.

"The Rosy Han River Wedding connects the Han River's beautiful spaces with corporate social responsibility to share meaningful moments with citizens," said Park Jin-young, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Future Han River Headquarters.