Tea Ceremony, Dam Hoi and more!
Vietnamese Culture
Vietnamese Weddings hold wonderful cultural traditions in the US. Several customs like the Vietnamese Wedding Dress, the Ao Dai, to the extensive Vietnamese Tea Ceremony. These are all amazing, artistic representations for the Vietnamese culture.
Vietnamese Engagement Ceremony | Dam Hoi
After the groom’s parents lead a procession to the bride’s family home, the groom and his family will ask for the bride’s hand in marriage. There are gifts delivered by family members, which are stored in a Mâm Qua, or red tin baskets, with a red cloth over the baskets. Once the groom is approved by the bride’s family, the groom and his family are invited inside to exchange gifts and proceed with the wedding ceremony. Vietnamese Wedding Photography Packages!
After formal introductions, the groom will gift the presents to the bride’s family before receiving permission to see his bride-to-be. The bride will be escorted, often by her mother, where she will meet her groom and will be ready to greet her with a bouquet in hand. The Tea and Candle Ceremony will then begin after everyone has entered.
Vietnamese Wedding Tea & Candle Ceremony
The Tea Ceremony honors the celebration of marriage and the family’s ancestors and relatives. It creates a very intimate and personal ambiance for everyone in the room, because it’s the meeting of both families, as well as when the bride and groom take their vows and exchange their rings. Afterwords, both the bride and groom will serve Green Tea or Chrysanthemum Tea as a sign of respect. This is initiated by the eldest family member. Gifts will include family jewelry money, and advice for a long-lasting marriage. The ceremony ends once the candles, which are covered in dragon and phoenix symbols are lit. This signifies the fusion of two families.
It is traditional in Vietnamese weddings for the groom to gift a roasted pig to the bride’s family.
Ao Dai - Wedding Attire
One of the most iconic symbols of the Vietnamese Wedding is the Vietnamese Wedding Dress or the Ao Dai. The Ao Dai can be designed both for the bride and groom. The headdress both the groom and bride wear is called the Khan Dong. It’s typically worn during the ceremony and after, but some couples change into a traditional American attire for the reception.
Wedding Photographer - Luis Abel Espino Arvizu
Vietnamese Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Vietnamese-American couples often do a traditional American ceremony after the Vietnamese tea ceremony where both change into the American attire. This will depend on the religion of the couple, with a majority of the ceremonies being performed in Catholic churches and sometimes other venues.
Vietnamese Welcome Photos & Table Visits
An important tradition that Vietnamese couples do is make table visits. This is a sign of saying “thank you” and paying respect. Often times, the guests will take a shot with the groom and/or bride, before yelling, “Mot, Hai, Ba, yo!” which means 1,2,3, cheers!
In addition, the bride and groom will typically be there at the entrance of the venue and receive guests by taking photos with them.
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Luis Abel Espino Arvizu - Ohio Wedding Photographer
Xin chào!
My name is Luis and I’m a wedding photographer based in Ohio. Travel options available.
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