Our Prenuptial Photos!
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Liz & Paul Are Getting Married ~
True, legal identity of Liz revealed!
So who is this "Liz Lee"? Yes, indeed, this "Liz" is just a nick-name. My legal name (the name in all my documents) is:
Ji Hyun Lee
(those writing checks should write "Ji Hyun Lee")
So how did I end up with Liz? Well, in Korea, you are given a "Christian" name when you're baptised. My Christian name was Elizabeth. When I enrolled in school in the US, but registrar folks asked if I had an "American" name. My aunt remembered my Christian name and it stuck until highschool. That's when I met Tatum, who promptly shortened it to Liz.
So yes, I answer to all three names: Ji Hyun, Elizabeth, and Liz. Oh yeah, and Syphiliz too!
Ji Hyun Lee
(those writing checks should write "Ji Hyun Lee")
So how did I end up with Liz? Well, in Korea, you are given a "Christian" name when you're baptised. My Christian name was Elizabeth. When I enrolled in school in the US, but registrar folks asked if I had an "American" name. My aunt remembered my Christian name and it stuck until highschool. That's when I met Tatum, who promptly shortened it to Liz.
So yes, I answer to all three names: Ji Hyun, Elizabeth, and Liz. Oh yeah, and Syphiliz too!
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The Wedding Registry Mystery Revealed
Some of you have expressed deep concern that our wedding registries have so far been left rather intact and "unfulfilled". Aahhh, but that is the Korean way grasshopper! Koreans do not have a tradition of registering for "things". Rather, they bring gifts of money in white envelopes directly to the wedding. When my mom's "American" friend asked her where we were registered, my mom was absolutely clueless!
Now, for the rest of the non-Koreans, the mystery remains...
Now, for the rest of the non-Koreans, the mystery remains...
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What’s in the Hahm?
There is a tradition from Korean nobility where the groom and his groomsman go to the house of the bride with a box of gifts (called hahm). It’s a fun event where the bride’s family tries to “buy” the hahm from the groomsmen.
In the old days, it was a serious event and was coordinated between the families of the bride and groom. The groom is supposed to send a “delegation” to the bride’s family’s house to negotiate her dowry with the hahm being the “token of honor”. The groom was not supposed to go, but the party paints their face black (with squid ink… I’m not kidding here) and they go to the bride’s house. The groom is disguised by the squid ink, so he gets to see the bride and encourages (or discourages) the selling of the hahm.
These days, it’s more of a festive event. The bride’s family offers food and money in exchange for the hahm. One by one, members of the groom’s party go into the house and they join the bride’s family with encouraging the groomsmen to give up the hahm for the food and money being offered. Think of it as a one-sided Red Rover game. Ultimately, the groom is left alone holding the hahm. If he finally submits to exchange hahm, then he goes into the house and shows the bride’s mother the hahm. If she approves, then she gives the hahm to the chosen bride.
In the old days, the mother of the bride had the final word and could reject the hahm OR accept the hahm but offer one of the “less desirable” daughters to counter the pittance of the hahm she just bought. Brutal, eh?
Here’s a photo of the hahm I want to offer Liz’s family!
(no peeking)
While it doesn’t look like much on the outside, its simplicity belies the elaborate gifts that are inside. Stay tuned... I expect the hahm selling will be this Saturday!
In the old days, it was a serious event and was coordinated between the families of the bride and groom. The groom is supposed to send a “delegation” to the bride’s family’s house to negotiate her dowry with the hahm being the “token of honor”. The groom was not supposed to go, but the party paints their face black (with squid ink… I’m not kidding here) and they go to the bride’s house. The groom is disguised by the squid ink, so he gets to see the bride and encourages (or discourages) the selling of the hahm.
These days, it’s more of a festive event. The bride’s family offers food and money in exchange for the hahm. One by one, members of the groom’s party go into the house and they join the bride’s family with encouraging the groomsmen to give up the hahm for the food and money being offered. Think of it as a one-sided Red Rover game. Ultimately, the groom is left alone holding the hahm. If he finally submits to exchange hahm, then he goes into the house and shows the bride’s mother the hahm. If she approves, then she gives the hahm to the chosen bride.
In the old days, the mother of the bride had the final word and could reject the hahm OR accept the hahm but offer one of the “less desirable” daughters to counter the pittance of the hahm she just bought. Brutal, eh?
Here’s a photo of the hahm I want to offer Liz’s family!
While it doesn’t look like much on the outside, its simplicity belies the elaborate gifts that are inside. Stay tuned... I expect the hahm selling will be this Saturday!
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So which one of us is Armenian?
What, Chavez doesn't sound Armenian to you? Lee is a rather culturally versatile last name...but yeah, not quite Armenian!
So how did we end up at the Armenian church? Simply put, the beautiful Armenian church is about a mile away from my (Liz) mom's home, which is on the west side of town. Many of our guests will be staying on the west side, so it made sense to look for a church in the general area. For the reception, we knew we wanted Indian food... and all the great Indian restaurants are also located on the west end.
When we made an appointment to visit the church, both of us were a little hesitant. However Father Zenob quickly put us at ease and was very accommodating towards our needs.
We should point out that although we are not required to be Armenian and we are not required to be members of the Armenian church, we were required to have been baptized as Catholics... which we are! :)
And we actually have some Armenian connections. Liz's friend Jamie's favorite doctor is Armenian. And our favorite middle eastern grocery store is owned by an Armenian. WHOA!
So how did we end up at the Armenian church? Simply put, the beautiful Armenian church is about a mile away from my (Liz) mom's home, which is on the west side of town. Many of our guests will be staying on the west side, so it made sense to look for a church in the general area. For the reception, we knew we wanted Indian food... and all the great Indian restaurants are also located on the west end.
When we made an appointment to visit the church, both of us were a little hesitant. However Father Zenob quickly put us at ease and was very accommodating towards our needs.
We should point out that although we are not required to be Armenian and we are not required to be members of the Armenian church, we were required to have been baptized as Catholics... which we are! :)
And we actually have some Armenian connections. Liz's friend Jamie's favorite doctor is Armenian. And our favorite middle eastern grocery store is owned by an Armenian. WHOA!
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What’s For Dinner?
We’re narrowing down the menu for our reception dinner and wanted to share with you guys what we have picked out (so far).
Appetizers
• Mostly Korean fare plus a nice big bowl of yummy kimchi!
Main Course
• Chicken Tikka Masala (What is it?)
• Saag Paneer (What is it?)
• Aloo Gobi Masala (What is it?)
Desserts
• Back to Korea for the dessert, which will include rice cakes!
Beverages
• Wine – We’re going to serve a muscadet with the meal as it pairs well with the spice of the Indian food without loosing character.
• Beer – We’re thinking of a nice mellow brew from Houston’s own Saint Arnold.
• Sparking Wine – We’ll be serving a mix of Spanish brut and extra dry sparkling wine for your toasting pleasure.
• Water – The finest publicly available dihydroxy monoxide will be served for your non-alcoholic beverage consumption.
Appetizers
• Mostly Korean fare plus a nice big bowl of yummy kimchi!
Main Course
• Chicken Tikka Masala (What is it?)
• Saag Paneer (What is it?)
• Aloo Gobi Masala (What is it?)
Desserts
• Back to Korea for the dessert, which will include rice cakes!
Beverages
• Wine – We’re going to serve a muscadet with the meal as it pairs well with the spice of the Indian food without loosing character.
• Beer – We’re thinking of a nice mellow brew from Houston’s own Saint Arnold.
• Sparking Wine – We’ll be serving a mix of Spanish brut and extra dry sparkling wine for your toasting pleasure.
• Water – The finest publicly available dihydroxy monoxide will be served for your non-alcoholic beverage consumption.
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Honeymoon Plans
Paul and Liz will embark on a whirlwind tour of the Lone Star State following the wedding.
We'll wander from church to brewery, from state parks to wineries...striking a perfect balance of spirituality and inebriation. We'll explore the painted churches of the Old Czech and German settlement, drop by the Shiner Brewery, eat pancakes at the Pioneer House in San Antonio, window-shop in Fredericksburg, and slowly make our way to Big Bend National Park (if time allows).
Then we'll start planning our *Dream Honeymoon*. Our dream honeymoon would be to fly in to Mumbai and bribe our way into a Bollywood movie. Don't they always need a short Asian extra? Paul could stand in as a background dancer...he's been practicing his signature move of "turn the light bulb and pet the dog". And then we'll lounge along the beautiful beaches of Goa with girlie drinks with little umbrellas in hand, watching Salman Kahn take his shirt off for yet another beach dance scene. Ok, so the Bollywood part is a bit unrealistic, but still, we hope to end up in Goa minus the Bollywood stars. (Salman Khan by the way is my least favorite of the "heroes").
So if you're not interested in shopping for the usual registry gifts, perhaps you would like to contribute to our dream honeymoon fund?! Consider this a modern twist to the Korean wedding gift tradition.
Customarily, Koreans give white envelopes with a congratulatory note and money to the parents of the bride and groom who greet them at the entrance. As a modern twist, we're featuring a Paypal “Honeymoon Fund” option. Now you too can follow in the Korean tradition by using our Paypal account.
We'll wander from church to brewery, from state parks to wineries...striking a perfect balance of spirituality and inebriation. We'll explore the painted churches of the Old Czech and German settlement, drop by the Shiner Brewery, eat pancakes at the Pioneer House in San Antonio, window-shop in Fredericksburg, and slowly make our way to Big Bend National Park (if time allows).
Then we'll start planning our *Dream Honeymoon*. Our dream honeymoon would be to fly in to Mumbai and bribe our way into a Bollywood movie. Don't they always need a short Asian extra? Paul could stand in as a background dancer...he's been practicing his signature move of "turn the light bulb and pet the dog". And then we'll lounge along the beautiful beaches of Goa with girlie drinks with little umbrellas in hand, watching Salman Kahn take his shirt off for yet another beach dance scene. Ok, so the Bollywood part is a bit unrealistic, but still, we hope to end up in Goa minus the Bollywood stars. (Salman Khan by the way is my least favorite of the "heroes").
So if you're not interested in shopping for the usual registry gifts, perhaps you would like to contribute to our dream honeymoon fund?! Consider this a modern twist to the Korean wedding gift tradition.
Customarily, Koreans give white envelopes with a congratulatory note and money to the parents of the bride and groom who greet them at the entrance. As a modern twist, we're featuring a Paypal “Honeymoon Fund” option. Now you too can follow in the Korean tradition by using our Paypal account.
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The Wedding Ceremony
Our ceremony will be held at 5:30 in the afternoon on Friday, February 29th of 2008 at St. Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church.
3211 Synott Road
Houston, Texas 77082
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Korean Wedding Customs
Although we have yet to schedule the Korean ceremony, since many of you have asked about the Korean ceremony, we thought we should post some background and information about the customs.
Background
Long, long time ago, Korean weddings took place in the yard of the bride's house in the open yard space which allowed any passerby to come join in...which explains the puzzled look you get when you ask an older Korean person to RSVP! But these days, most Koreans have a "western" style wedding ceremony in a hotel or a wedding hall.
The Engagement
Traditionally, engagement gifts from the groom's side would be delivered on the eve of the wedding day. With faces blackened with dried squid's ink and in costume, friends of the groom would parade a box, or hahm, filled with gifts. As they approached the bride's house, they would chant, "Hahm for sale, buy a hahm." The bride's family would rush out to greet the gift-bearers, enticing them with money and food. Paul is planning to give this a go. If you're interested in joining the parade, please contact Paul!
Check out Liz's engagement ring!
The Ceremony
The ceremony takes place around a table in the middle of the bride's yard with a beautiful embroidered screen in the background. There's a lot of bowing (with assistance due to the heavy clothing), and the symbolic drinking of wine, or jung jong. The bride and groom sip from their separate cups, half of one gourd, and then the wine is mixed together, poured once more into the gourd cups and sipped again. This seals the deal!
One ritual often seen at Korean American weddings is the peh beck ceremony, which is usually only attended by family and close friends. The bride and groom offer the parents gifts of dried dates and jujubes, symbols of children. The parents then toss the dates and chestnuts at the bride as she tries to catch them in her large skirt. The more you catch, the "fruitful" you will be!
To read more about customs of a traditional Korean wedding ceremony, please click here. And guys, please don't get any funny ideas about performing Dongsangnye on me [Paul]!
Background
Long, long time ago, Korean weddings took place in the yard of the bride's house in the open yard space which allowed any passerby to come join in...which explains the puzzled look you get when you ask an older Korean person to RSVP! But these days, most Koreans have a "western" style wedding ceremony in a hotel or a wedding hall.
The Engagement
Traditionally, engagement gifts from the groom's side would be delivered on the eve of the wedding day. With faces blackened with dried squid's ink and in costume, friends of the groom would parade a box, or hahm, filled with gifts. As they approached the bride's house, they would chant, "Hahm for sale, buy a hahm." The bride's family would rush out to greet the gift-bearers, enticing them with money and food. Paul is planning to give this a go. If you're interested in joining the parade, please contact Paul!
Check out Liz's engagement ring!
Korean Wedding Outfits
Korean wedding outfits, fashioned after palacial costumes, are worn over traditional Korean outfits. (so, we're talking layers and layers of clothes!) The bride's silk robe is usually embroidered with flowers and butterflies. Then there's the bling, bling on top of the bride's head. It's a little black cap studded with gems and the likes. Then to top off the blushing-bride-look, she wears three red circles, yonji konji, the size of nickels on her forehead and cheeks. (I know you Indian brides are jealous!) These circles, traditionally made of red peppers but now often drawn on, are supposed to ward off evil spirits.
The groom's wedding outfit is also fashioned after the dress of the nobility. It is made of dark blue or green damask with auspicious symbols woven in gold. The headdress is the tall black cap of high-ranking officials made of silk. And no, no red dots for the groom!
The Ceremony
The ceremony takes place around a table in the middle of the bride's yard with a beautiful embroidered screen in the background. There's a lot of bowing (with assistance due to the heavy clothing), and the symbolic drinking of wine, or jung jong. The bride and groom sip from their separate cups, half of one gourd, and then the wine is mixed together, poured once more into the gourd cups and sipped again. This seals the deal!
One ritual often seen at Korean American weddings is the peh beck ceremony, which is usually only attended by family and close friends. The bride and groom offer the parents gifts of dried dates and jujubes, symbols of children. The parents then toss the dates and chestnuts at the bride as she tries to catch them in her large skirt. The more you catch, the "fruitful" you will be!
To read more about customs of a traditional Korean wedding ceremony, please click here. And guys, please don't get any funny ideas about performing Dongsangnye on me [Paul]!
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ZanyLizzy meets IAmHotMonkeyLove
Hi everyone! This is Paul and Liz. We thought we would share the story of our meeting that almost never happened.
We were introduced to each other by the encouragement of our friends to sign up for Match.com. Neither one of us had high expectations for the online dating thing… but figured it was better than sitting at home knitting alone.
Almost immediately, Paul was bombarded with offers for marriage by thousands of young Nigerian & Russian women. Liz, on the other hand, received several propositions from older men with “funny” ideas about Asian women.
Liz was about to throw in the towel on the whole online dating thing especially after glancing at the latest message from “IamHotMonkeyLove” (aka Paul). After reading the screen name again, Liz chuckled and rather than deleting the message, decided to read it.
The rest, as they say… is history (and her story too!).
We were introduced to each other by the encouragement of our friends to sign up for Match.com. Neither one of us had high expectations for the online dating thing… but figured it was better than sitting at home knitting alone.
Almost immediately, Paul was bombarded with offers for marriage by thousands of young Nigerian & Russian women. Liz, on the other hand, received several propositions from older men with “funny” ideas about Asian women.
Liz was about to throw in the towel on the whole online dating thing especially after glancing at the latest message from “IamHotMonkeyLove” (aka Paul). After reading the screen name again, Liz chuckled and rather than deleting the message, decided to read it.
The rest, as they say… is history (and her story too!).
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The Korean Wedding Ducks
Korean wedding ducks symbolize marriage and faithfulness as they were believed to mate for life. These beautiful ducks are placed somewhere in the couples home and positioned to tell the couples marital state: Nose to nose means the relationship is good, tail to tail means they are probably having a tiff.
A long, long time ago...a family would select a man (one who was pure, healthy, honorable and happily married with sons) to carve a set of ducks for an upcoming wedding as it was believed that the carver's fate would be tied to the new couple's marital fate. These days, you simply purchase a pair of ducks from a store or in Liz's case, on eBay!
If you're planning to buy your own pair of Korean wedding ducks, be ware of those with strings or ribbons tied around the duck's beak. You'll notice how only one of the ducks has these strings. It's the female duck! You can easily guess the meaning!
When it is time for the wedding, the duck are wrapped in colorful cloths (except the neck of the duck) and carried to the ceremony by the groom. They are then placed on the table as soon as the bride arrives. After the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom bow to the groom's mother and father two and a half times. Then the groom's mother throws the duck to the apron of the bride. If you catch the duck, you'll have a son. If you miss, a daughter. Liz plans to duck from the duck!
The ducks are also handed down from mother to daughter through the generations. Ultimately, the wedding duck symbolizes three things: 1. Peace, 2. Many children, and 3. No separations.
Here's a photo of our wedding ducks!
So when you get married, Liz and I will be sure to bring ya'll a gift of wooden Korean wedding ducks!
A long, long time ago...a family would select a man (one who was pure, healthy, honorable and happily married with sons) to carve a set of ducks for an upcoming wedding as it was believed that the carver's fate would be tied to the new couple's marital fate. These days, you simply purchase a pair of ducks from a store or in Liz's case, on eBay!
If you're planning to buy your own pair of Korean wedding ducks, be ware of those with strings or ribbons tied around the duck's beak. You'll notice how only one of the ducks has these strings. It's the female duck! You can easily guess the meaning!
When it is time for the wedding, the duck are wrapped in colorful cloths (except the neck of the duck) and carried to the ceremony by the groom. They are then placed on the table as soon as the bride arrives. After the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom bow to the groom's mother and father two and a half times. Then the groom's mother throws the duck to the apron of the bride. If you catch the duck, you'll have a son. If you miss, a daughter. Liz plans to duck from the duck!
The ducks are also handed down from mother to daughter through the generations. Ultimately, the wedding duck symbolizes three things: 1. Peace, 2. Many children, and 3. No separations.
Here's a photo of our wedding ducks!
So when you get married, Liz and I will be sure to bring ya'll a gift of wooden Korean wedding ducks!
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Maps & Directions
Getting to the Church:
Map of 3211 Synott Rd Houston, TX 77082-4924, US
Coming from downtown with EZ Tag
Coming from downtown with NO EZ Tag
From the Church to the Reception
Map of 3711 Highway 6 S Houston, TX 77082-4313, US
Despite what mapquest or yahoomaps will tell you, the best way to the reception from the church is as follows:
-From the church, turn LEFT onto Synott.
-Turn Right onto Alief Clodine Road. (heading West)
-Turn Right onto Hwy 6 (heading North)
-As soon as you get onto Hwy 6, the restaurant/shopping strip is immediately to your right.
Map of 3211 Synott Rd Houston, TX 77082-4924, US
Coming from downtown with EZ Tag
-Take Westpark Toll Road and head west
-Exit Dairy Ashford
-Once you've exited the Toll Road, turn Left at the light.
-Turn Right at the next light which immediately follows. You will now be on Alief Clodine heading West.
-Go down Alief Clodine and turn Left onto Synott Road.
-About 1/2 mile down the road (after one stop sign), you will see an elementary school on your right hand side. The church is just beyond the elementary school.
Coming from downtown with NO EZ Tag
-DO NOT take the Westpark Toll Road!
-Take 59 South, exit Westpark Road (not tollway).
-Turn Right onto Westpark Road, and keep driving down Westpark.
-Keep driving down Westpark.
-Keep going.
-Turn Right onto Synott.
You will see the church just beyond the elementary school on your right hand side, almost immediately.
From the Church to the Reception
Map of 3711 Highway 6 S Houston, TX 77082-4313, US
Despite what mapquest or yahoomaps will tell you, the best way to the reception from the church is as follows:
-From the church, turn LEFT onto Synott.
-Turn Right onto Alief Clodine Road. (heading West)
-Turn Right onto Hwy 6 (heading North)
-As soon as you get onto Hwy 6, the restaurant/shopping strip is immediately to your right.
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Out-of-towners
We’d like to encourage our out-of-town (or alcoholic) guests to stay at the Marriott Residence Inn - Energy Corridor.
We have reserved a block of rooms under the name “Liz Lee” for February 28th and 29th at $89/night. The rooms are studio suites that feature a queen bed and a queen-sized pull-out bed. These rooms also have a kitchenette, in case you were itching to do some light cooking!
Please call Phone: 1-281-293-8787 to make your reservations.
Most of you already know this, but the mass transit system in Houston is rather lacking in many ways. So, if you're planning on being here for more than a day, you might consider renting a car. And yes, gas actually is a bit cheaper here than in most other places, but not by much!
Also, if you need additional information about getting here, getting around, entertainment, etc., please go to www.google.com -just kidding! Just send us an email!
We have reserved a block of rooms under the name “Liz Lee” for February 28th and 29th at $89/night. The rooms are studio suites that feature a queen bed and a queen-sized pull-out bed. These rooms also have a kitchenette, in case you were itching to do some light cooking!
Please call Phone: 1-281-293-8787 to make your reservations.
Most of you already know this, but the mass transit system in Houston is rather lacking in many ways. So, if you're planning on being here for more than a day, you might consider renting a car. And yes, gas actually is a bit cheaper here than in most other places, but not by much!
Also, if you need additional information about getting here, getting around, entertainment, etc., please go to www.google.com -just kidding! Just send us an email!
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