Beneath the brilliant autumn canopy of a century-old ginkgo tree, the National Palace Museum of Korea is opening its historic grounds to a new generation of newlyweds. Starting Friday, the royal courtyard adjacent to Gyeongbok Palace will transform into an outdoor venue where dozens of couples will tie the knot surrounded by centuries of Korean heritage. The program, dubbed "Gogyeol" — a blend of Korean words meaning "marrying at the palace museum" — will host 28 free outdoor weddings every weekend and holiday through Nov. 8. With two daily slots at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the initiative aims to ease financial burdens for young couples while celebrating the nation’s cultural legacy in everyday life. To launch the season on Friday afternoon, the museum welcomed its inaugural wedding couple, including bride Mai, a high-profile Estonian content creator who gained national fame as the first foreign contestant crowned Miss Chunhyang . Now a prominent cultural ambassador sharing Korean traditions with millions online, Mai celebrated her wedding alongside distinguished guests, including Huh