I was looking for a hanbok to wear for a tea ceremony during my wedding. I brought my then fiancé with me so we could discuss our vision for the ceremony and translation help. I've been treated coldly in the past by some Korean store owners so I was prepared to walk in, say what I wanted and get out. Thankfully the owner was friendly, she gave us lots of great ideas and suggestions. She didn't speak English but she was energetic and expressive so I was mostly able to figure out what she was saying before my fiancé could translate. She also mentioned to him that some store owners don't like mixed couples or non-Koreans shopping in their stores. But she sees it as not only the way of the future here but as a way of ensuring the continuation of Korean cultural traditions in America. My fiancé had been nervous about mixing Korean traditions into our otherwise "Black American wedding." But after the 2 hours we spent with the owner we came out with a custom fitted hanbok and shoes for me (that can also be used for our children's first birthday ceremonies), but also a rental for him, ceremony ideas, gifts for our parents, and new confidence about our mixed wedding ceremony. I forgot the owner's name but I am so thankful to her for that boost of confidence. The wedding was glorious! It really brought our two families together and his parents were so happy that his father gave a surprise toast that had us all in tears. We could not have pulled the wedding off this well without Assi Hanbok. read more