Bridal gowns are mostly rented at wedding rental shops. Just think that 6pm is the start of the cocktail hour. This event is considered an official declaration of the couples marriage, which will happen a month or two before the official wedding. Theres no registry on these weddings. The Ao Dai is worn by both the bride and groom during the Vietnamese Wedding Ceremony and/or during the reception as the couple makes their rounds to greet and thank their guests. The brides will be presented with several different jewelries such as necklaces, bracelets, and money from different family members. The grooms family will bring with them the elaborately decorated mm qu, or lacquer boxes covered in red cloth, each box includes either betel leaves, fruit, cakes, a roasted pig, fabric, or jewelry, served as dowry to the brides family. After that, the groom can come and ask the brides parents if he can marry her. To make sure the bride and groom are never without food, traditional folklore says they should be gifted salt and pepper. Thegrooms mother and the rest of the immediate family usually prepare the jewelry for the bride. The most iconic image captured in any Vietnamese Wedding is the Vietnamese Wedding Dress or the Ao Dai. During the party, the groom and bride and the in-laws will go to every table to drink, take pictures and receive blessings, and express their gratitude for the guests attendance. 1. Auspicious Wedding Date Selecting a wedding date is one of the first steps in planning a wedding. If so, please consider supporting our work More than one engagement and wedding ceremony, more than one wedding breakfast, and multiple outfit changes throughout the day. Do guests bring gifts to Vietnamese engagement party? At this time, the brides are no longer bound in the dress code as in the ceremony but are free to choose in their preferences. Vietnamese people are no exception. Discover your dream cheongsam and get $10 off ->. The couple will then claim their wedding to their ancestors by burning incense sticks, asking for the ancestors blessings, then turn and bow to their parents to express thanks for their upbringing, then bow to each other. They included: The Nap tai- In this ceremony, the groom's familybrings a pair of birds to the bride's home. On this occasion, the lady guests can pick a cocktail or formal long dress or a nice ao dai. Next, it can be disrespectful to come to a wedding if someone close to your family recently died. If you are invited to a casual restaurant or the couples house, its okay to give 300,000 VND. . You should take pictures with the couple first (if you dont know the couple, you can take a group photo with them, together with your friend to make it less awkward). However, attending a wedding of a different culture can be confusing if you dont know what to expect. But what if they dont? This is also another occasion for the in-laws to familiarize with each other and discuss wedding plans. The groom can also wear a matching ao dai or a suit, depending on his taste. This is considered unlucky in Vietnamese culture. Know when the city of eternal springs is at its full bloom! Above is essential information about how to be a guest at a Vietnamese wedding. You can make this part of the tradition by putting the money in a traditional red envelope. The members do not only help with wedding preparation, but are also witnesses of the ceremony. When you receive a wedding invitation, the time and date might seem a little confusing. Getting married is undoubtedly one of the most important events of all. However, in some regions across the Mekong Delta, a wedding will have six ceremonies (known as luc le, luc means six, le means ceremony) that are scheduled on different days, including: Le giap loi (Introduction ceremony): The grooms parents will head to the brides house, with the matchmakers company, to start the discussion on the marriage. If Anything Happens I Love You. Purple florals represent sadness, and white florals represent funerals and death, so they are a big no for wedding guests. One of the most iconic symbols of the Vietnamese Tea Ceremony is the traditional attire - the Ao Dai (Vietnamese long dress). Read this before Eyeballs have rolled seeing a 70-year old couple cross Vietnam by motorbike, this includes Southeast Asian countries and even in the US by expatVN. In front of all their guests, the parents will give blessings and advice to the couple, and give speeches to confirm the amalgamation of the two families. Within Vietnamese weddings, it is especially important for couples to choose a wedding date that is meaningful and auspicious. The act of giving gifts at aVietnamese weddingis quite important. Heres everything to know about traditional Vietnamese wedding gifts what to bring to the happy couple? It stands for five yin and yang elements, indicating that the bond between husband and wife cannot be broken. Women wear many layers of colorful skirts and men wear ponchos and sandals. The brides dress is mostly pink or red. EastMeetsDress (363) $648.00 FREE shipping Nude gold/cream Vietnamese Wedding Ao Dai with sparkly beadings and glitter tulle - optional head piece - various styles LinhBridal (242) $425.16 FREE shipping Ao Dai wedding painted luxurious dragon. They may suit-up! Traditional Vietnamese wedding gifts from the grooms family which are brought to the brides family: Betel & Areca catechu, tea box, Banh Com, Banh Phu The. Vietnamese Wedding Dress. noted. Old tradition says something a little different about wedding gifts though. Some couples skip this step of celebrating the engagement, but this was an essential part of the wedding ceremony in the past. Le thong gia (Connexion ceremony): The brides family will pay a visit to the grooms house as invited. If its your first time attending such a ceremony, you might be worried about what Chinese wedding tea ceremony gifts are suitable. Otherwise, you will not be able to compete with the drunken uncle who wants to sing all night long. In the past, black and white were two colors that you could not wear to a wedding. As an expat in Vietnam and have been invited to a wedding, it is most likely that youve asked yourself what to wear to a wedding in Vietnam? Many years ago, the couple usually did not know each other until this first event, everything before the wedding was decided by their parents. Because of the difference between these two parts of the ceremony and celebration, the dress of a marriage ceremony in Vietnam also has a great difference between the two times of the wedding ceremony. $100 per guest is recommended since food, drinks, and wedding venue rental alone would cost the couple that much. The boxes are handed to the bridesmaids and placed on a table. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. In the past, when people reached marrying age, parents would find a matchmaker and conduct a wedding even when the bride and groom had never met before. Thus, bring some of the best traditional Vietnamese wedding gifts and be on your best behavior. The Le Vat can be considered thanks from the grooms family to the brides family for letting them step into their house and family. In the past, the Vietnamese wedding ceremonyconsisted of six ceremonies. This is the act of accepting the bride to the family, promising a good life and prosperity. Once received approval from the brides family, the groom will continue the ceremony. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Or, do you want to ask us any questions about clothes for weddings? The venue decision is open to the couples choice, sometimes churches and sometimes restaurants or hotel halls. This is the act of accepting the bride to the family, promising a good life and prosperity. What does the mother of the groom wear at a Vietnamese wedding? Family member: Gift your family a lottery ticket! Several unmarried men also carry them from the grooms family. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Table visiting is also a well-observed custom in most Vietnamese weddings. Timing is flexible during weddings but do know that this is mostly family time, so if you want to partake, let the bride and groom or their relatives know ahead of time. Well you really dont have to, since gifts are usually in forms of red envelopes with money that can widely ranges from 50 to 500 USD. A very few close friends of the bride and groom will receive the honor of attending this ceremony. Most Vietnamese brides choose modern-style wedding dress designs. The wedding ceremony is always considered the most important and indispensable part by Vietnamese people. If you cannot come to a wedding, you should send a gift for the new couple or money in an envelope having your name on it. You can wear elegant clothing in any color that you want. Those are the colors that represent the new, bright, auspicious. Wish you love and gratitude for a hundred years, great happiness, a harmonious family, and a child soon! A few choose their own designer to make their own wedding dress. After marriage, Vietnamese women graduate to wearing richer, more vibrant colored o di. Heres what Ca Mau crabsare one of the most expensive shellfish varieties being sold in Vietnam. To begin a wedding, L Dm Ng is the first event, called the proposal. Customarily, the husband-to-be and his company are not permitted until the brides family accepts. Gifts Trusted by thousands of tourists from all over the world. Then you can hang out in the hall or enter the dining room. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The editorial staff of Vietnamdrive is a team of travel experts managed by Mr. Thom who has worked in tourism for 14 years. A watch might be a common gift in Western countries. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. But do know that this is mostly a family time, so if you want to partake, let the bride and groom or their relatives know ahead of time. Sometimes, there will be a table with a red box where people will put the gift cards/envelopes. If on the wedding day, the bride is required to wear a traditional Vietnamese dress ao dai, for the groom, the clothing element is much simpler. This is even more of a challenge if you plan to ship some items, as youll have to find the right method of transportation and then pack fragile items with care. wedding venues with a view near me what to wear to a vietnamese wedding. Several unmarried men also carry them from the grooms family. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Commonly, future brides tend to embroider a couple of lovebirds by herself, known as chim Uyen Uong, and hand them to their grooms when the ceremony happens. If you are in Vietnam long enough, or stumble upon a wedding or an invitation, here are a few things you should know. It marks a celebration of the bride and groom coming together as a couple. If you are still in doubt, its better to ask your friends about the wedding theme, so that you can choose the right color to wear. Usually, you are invited to a wedding because youre a close friend, an acquaintance or a family member. The 2 families wear traditional Ao dai on the process of wedding ceremony. Etiquette for a Vietnamese wedding. After such, all family and friends of the couple are invited to a reception ceremony held at the grooms house. Meanwhile, you can check out some of our articles about Vietnamese culture below: The Beginners Guide to Vietnamese Gestures: Know These and Youll be Speaking like a Local, Vietnamese Traditional Costumes: History, Culture and Where to Find Them. Since modern weddings are much influenced by Western culture, just a few Vietnamese families, especially Catholic ones, reserve the custom of exchanging wedding bands. Nowadays, this is just a ceremony, but it beautifully represents the factboth families agree for the happy couple to get married. Instead of being restricted in the space of a house yard or a restaurant, the beach wedding offers airy space, cool breeze, blue sea and glorious sunset. The groom will bow to his in-laws and hand his bride a bouquet. Mandatory quarantine extension for travelers boarding airplanes is now subject to 21 days. However, there are still significant differences. It appears that your cart is currently empty! What Do Guests Wear to a Vietnamese Wedding? In the old days, the bride and the groom would follow their families arrangements, and it was not unusual for them to meet each other for the first time on the engagement day. The central part of it is when the grooms family gives gifts to the brides family. what to wear if youre invited to a Vietnamese wedding. Your email address will not be published. Thus, the bride should know what body shape she is to find the right fit. Street Finds: Affordable Ca Mau Crabs now available, but are they worth the price? And of course, white or cream-color dresses should be avoided by guests so as to not rob the spotlight from the bride. The brides coat always has an eye-catching pattern design with a dragon and phoenix image or a symbol of luck to create a prominent highlight for the main character in the wedding. Contrarily, the brides representative will give thanks upon receiving the gifts. On the morning of the betrothal ceremony, the groom and his team (including the family members, relatives, and friends) will bring all red-covered gift boxes to the brides house. Contacts | About us | Privacy Policy & Cookies. The groom will then wait for his bride at her door, and a group of young, unmarried women also come out and receive the gifts. Ladies can usually put on sophisticated cocktail dresses or formal long dresses. The wedding cost: Discussing the financials of the wedding is not a good idea. You should estimate your travel time and come to the wedding around this time frame as it will be awkward to arrive when they are walking down the aisle to the stage. The future bride, especially, may put on an o di that had been presented to her by her own family to celebrate her forthcoming engagement. Honoring Elders 10. Under several circumstances, this may take up to two years. Vietnam policemen teaching inmates to read and write creating a positive outcome for peoples lives within the rehabilitation facility. Most foreign travelers in the country are fond What to do for Christmas in Hanoi a question for tourists stuck in the city this yuletide season! How much money should the grooms parents give as a wedding gift? By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Attending a wedding of a Vietnamese couple soon? The procession is actually the engagement, . When the couple is ready to get married at the altar, the brides mother-in-law will bring the gifts. But the utensils shouldnt include a knife or scissors because it means the tool to kill the vibe or cut the relationship. The one representing the brides family (usually the father or grandfather of the groom) will give a speech about the event as well as briefing on the gifts to the brides side. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The average price of a suit ranges from 2,500,000 VND to 6,000,000 VND. For men, the main outfit is a suit, including trousers, a light shirt, a tie, and a vest. The to-be husband and wife kowtow to the ancestors, praying for good fortune and wealth for their life later on. Alcohol and tea: These are the presents to show respect and thankful gratitude to the brides ancestors. Otherwise, we gift the couple with celebration money in an envelope. What to Wear When Invited to a Traditional Vietnamese Wedding? A small number of young people or close friends can choose the modern Vietnamese clothes more freely, such as skirts, or fashionable dresses, but must ensure polite, discreet and bright elements. The m Hi resembles to the real wedding ceremony, though less uncomplicated and with some alterations. Who traditionally pays for a Vietnamese wedding? Before the formal engagement ceremony, the parents of the couple will meet to discuss the terms and conditions of the brides dowry, which the grooms family will give in exchange for the brides hand in marriage. This is also the time when the bride receives an engagement ring as the symbol of accepting the offer., Nowadays, this is just a ceremony, but it beautifully represents the fact. The engagement ceremony is considered as an announcement to family members and friends about the upcoming wedding. Why? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 278 Thong Nhat street, Ward 16, Go Vap District, HCM City, Nguyen Khac Nhu, Hoa Minh W, Lien Chieu D, Da Nang, Brunch in Da Lat: Charming Cafes and Restaurants, All the Top Vegetarian Restaurants in Da Lat, Best Time to Visit Da Lat (A Seasonal Breakdown), The Best Eco-Friendly Coffee Tours in Da Lat, The Venerable Thich Quang Duc: The Burning Monk, Cultural Spotlights of Hanoi (Experience Hanoi like a Local), Hue Festival Celebrate Culture & History in the Ancient Capital of Vietnam, History of Hoi An: From the Champa Kingdom Till Now, Enjoy a Cultural Tet in Central Vietnam: Hue, Da Nang, & Hoi An, The Evolution of Womens Fashion in Saigon, Saigon, Then and Now (A Comparison of the Old and New), Guide to Vietnamese Wedding Ceremonies in Ho Chi Minh City, The Non La The Conical Hat | A Cultural Icon of Vietnam, Close friends (brothers or sisters): At least 500,000 VND. What to Gift at a Vietnamese Wedding Normally, the old people in the family (like parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles) and very close friends of the bride and groom will gift gold and jewelry to the couple. View. TRAVEL How to Survive an Armenian Wedding. Usually, each table selects a representative to give a quick congratulatory toast to the bride and groom. The bride can choose to use one, two wedding dresses or maybe more at her wedding party. Again, we have the color red. It is not uncommon for men to wear a suit while attending a Vietnamese wedding, but women usually don't wear formal o di unless they are the couple's mothers or older relatives. A tea ceremony is a Chinese tradition wherein the bride and groom serve tea to their respective families, including parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and other esteemed elders. . Tiec ruou means the wine treat, and its a must-join for everyone! People say that you should wait at least one year since the funeral, then join any wedding. You are allowed to take pictures with the gorgeous bride and groom in front of the wedding hall for about 30 minutes to an hour. These vibrant outfits are worn on the wedding day, with a specially crafted skirt or poncho made for the happy bride and groom. . You might be wondering why I have to mention what not to say to the new couple. Of course, regardless of the choice, the beauty and splendor factor is still the top selection criterion of every Vietnamese bride. The procession is actually the engagement. Le cau than: After the two families reach a consensus, the grooms family will deliver two gift boxes to the brides. Another good reason to dress well at the wedding is because you will have your photos taken with the bride and groom as soon as you arrive at the venue. A traditional Vietnamese wedding party will have four parts: The groom and bride signs their name before the wedding party. Traditional clothes of Vietnam have been changing according to the time or eras, people know that the Nguyen dynasty started the tradition of wearing Ao Dai, women wore the beautiful o di at weddings as the show of Vietnamese traditions and customs, its design is relating to the o mnh ph (royal o di) of court ladies in Nguyen Dynasty. Some will be gifted to the grooms family and some to other family and friends so they can share in the celebration. At the same time, those who desire could also perform one or several on stage. Love is always in the air! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Western practices such as cake cutting and the first dance can also be incorporated, and each party can take as late as after dawn. Then, the gifts are unwrapped, with some placed on the ancestral altar, which means the groom now has permission to take the bride with him. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The unusual eats in Hanoi showcases the countrys nonpareil creativity when it comes to delectable dishes. Different scenarios require different behavior. Gastronomic Experience: Original Vietnamese Dishes, Which City has the Best Nightlife in Vietnam, Vietnam Travel Update: Mandatory Quarantine Extension for Travelers, Unique Story: Vietnam Policemen Teaching Inmates to Read and Write, A 70-year Old Couple Cross Vietnam by Motorbike. Guests of both houses also wait with the groom and enjoy the treats by the brides family, which are often fruits and cakes. Wedding cake: It is one of these cakes is placed in the box: Vietnamese husband and wife cake (Banh Phu the), young rice cake (Banh com), pia cake (Banh pia), or the wedding cake. Unlike American, Vietnamese adults are not in favor of leaving a box at the check-in table to drop the wedding gifts. Any elegant suit or dress is fine for such occasions. The wedding dress for the bride in a party is quite expensive compared to the living standard of Vietnamese people. For example, with the HMong people, the groom usually wears a white shirt underneath, a dark shirt with nice patterns on the sleeves, and wide-leg black pants. However, in the past, due to Chinese influenced tradition and feng shui, many Vietnamese people believe that you should avoid giving couples these things because of their bad meaning: In Vietnam, a wedding is not only a happy day for the couple but also a day for the parents to show off their social status.