GYEONGJU
Republic of Korea
Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom for over a thousand years, and the entire city feels like an open-air museum. Golden royal tombs rise from manicured lawns, lantern-lit alleyways wind between hanok houses, and UNESCO World Heritage sites are around every corner. From Seoul, take the KTX high-speed train from Seoul Station to Singyeongju Station. The ride takes about 2 hours. From there, the historic village is a short 20-minute taxi ride away.
THE CEREMONY
May 17th, 1:30-3:00PM
We are getting married on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at Gyeongju Hyanggyo (경주향교), a stunning 700-year-old Confucian academy. The ceremony will take place outdoors among ancient wooden pavilions and towering ginkgo trees, following the traditions of a Korean wedding. Hyunseo, Mathieu, and both families will be wearing hanbok, traditional Korean attire. We can't wait to share this moment with you.
LODGING
Where to stay
All the accommodations below are located within a few minutes' walk of both the ceremony venue and the restaurant. The neighbourhood is a quiet, car-free historic village filled with hanok guesthouses, traditional tea houses, and ancient gardens. Most places offer heated stone floors, wooden courtyards, and a homemade Korean breakfast. Book early, as these are small guesthouses with limited rooms.
WIYEONJAE (위연재)
7 Jjoksaem-gil, Gyeongju-si
5 rooms, max 12 guests Free breakfast, free parking, ondol heated floors. Silla-period relics were excavated on-site during construction. The "Munmu" room has a beautiful numaru (raised wooden platform).
HANOK STAY DAGAGAM (한옥스테이 다가감)
22-2 Cheomseong-ro 99beon-gil, Gyeongju-si
The most polished boutique hanok in the neighbourhood. Every detail has been thought through, from the soundproofed rooms to the breakfast delivered each morning by Ella, one of Gyeongju's most beloved hosts. Intimate, immaculate, and hard to leave.
> BOOK
SOI HANOK STAY (소이한옥)
22-6 Cheomseong-ro 81beon-gil, Gyeongju-si
Tucked in a quiet alley two minutes from us. A refined hanok with real beds, a peaceful garden, and a terrace where you can sit with your morning coffee. Korean breakfast included. Feels like staying at a stylish friend's countryside home.
> BOOK
SIEUNJAE (시은재)
11-1 Cheomseong-ro 81beon-gil, Gyeongju-si
Built entirely by hand by its owner, known to everyone as "Uncle Harry." A true labour of love with a beautiful inner courtyard, heated balconies, and a deep zen calm throughout. The best value on this list and one of the most soulful places to stay.
> BOOK
NADEUL HANOK (나들한옥)
11-1 Cheomseong-ro 81beon-gil, Gyeongju-si
Same street as us, literally next door. A warm, eco-friendly hanok with ondol floors, a shared lounge, and breakfast delivered to your room each morning. Step outside and Cheomseongdae, the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia, is one minute away.
> BOOK
DORAN DORAN GUEST HOUSE (도란도란)
11-1 Cheomseong-ro 81beon-gil, Gyeongju-si
The largest guesthouse near the venue with 14 rooms, run by an incredibly warm grandma whose legendary breakfasts alone are worth the stay. Ranked #2 B&B in all of Gyeongju. The kind of place where strangers become friends over fresh fruit and conversation.
> BOOK
HANOKINN (한옥인)
19 Poseok-ro 1050beon-gil, Gyeongju-si
The only hanok in the area built using fully traditional methods: clay walls, paper-screen windows, and no shortcuts. Mr. & Mrs. Kim treat every guest like family, and their homemade breakfasts (bulgogi, dumplings, seafood pancakes) are legendary in the village.
> BOOK
SOSEOLJAE (소설재)
46 Poseok-ro 1050beon-gil, Gyeongju-si
A minimalist, meditative hanok built around a thousand-year-old well. Eleven rooms surround a tranquil garden, and a small café greets you at the entrance. The kind of place where silence feels like a gift.
> BOOK
HERITAGE YUWA (헤리티지 유와)
46 Poseok-ro 1050beon-gil, Gyeongju-si
The luxury pick. Private outdoor cypress baths, floor-to-ceiling glass opening onto a garden that won gold at the Chelsea Flower Show, and a slow brunch included each morning. For those who want to be truly spoiled.
> BOOK
SEE MORE
THE DINNER
Yosukgung 1779, 7:00PM
Dinner will be held at YoSukGung 1779 (요석궁 1779), a traditional Korean restaurant set in a centuries-old hanok on the grounds where Silla's Princess Yoseok once lived. The estate has been home to the legendary Choi family since 1779, one of Korea's most storied noble houses, and the kitchen carries on their ancestral recipes. Dinner is served as a multi-course hanjeongsik, a refined succession of seasonal dishes prepared with ingredients that follow the rhythm of the seasons. You'll be seated in private rooms overlooking old pine gardens, served by staff in traditional hanbok, with Korean spirits to pair along the way. The restaurant is a five-minute walk from the ceremony venue.
More details to come