The procession is actually the engagement. This could include trays of fruit, liquor, pastries, and jewelry underneath red embroidered silk linen. The dress code in Vietnam varies quite a bit depending on where you visit. "The bride's parents will escort the bride to finally see her partner. Back to Cheongsam Corner | East Meets Dress. I have visited a dozen or so countries in Asia, and the Vietnamese struck me as by far the most hospitable to Westerners and forgiving of our quirks. For those coming to teach English in Taiwan, the dress code for teachers is going to be modest, but not too formal. For example, the shoulders are usually covered, if not the entire arms, as well as most of the legs. Rehearsal Dinners, Bridal Showers & Parties, Flower Girl Dresses and Ring Bearer Outfits, 8. During this wedding tradition, two families are brought together to have a, . Ao dai clothes come with royal embroideries, beads and silk of various patterns. Brides typically wear a red Ao Dai, while grooms wear a blue one. ", Much like with the m Hi, Bui explains that "the groom's procession will parade up to the door of the bride's house, where an equivalent couple from the bride's family will greet them. Most Vietnamese brides choose modern-style wedding dress designs. amrufm/Flickr. The Thnh Hn follows the Vu Quy, but it takes place at the groom's family home. Nguyen goes on to share that, "similar to the Western tradition of an engagement and engagement party, the m Hi is the ceremony during which the groom officially asks for the bride's hand in marriage. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. 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. This goes for both male and female travelers. Except for some ethnic minority areas, the traditional costumes that Vietnamese brides use to perform important wedding ceremonies in their lives are ao dai and turban. "Furthermore, what I've seen with less traditional Vietnamese weddings in America is that often the exchange of rings does not happen during the ceremony at allthe Vietnamese portion of the wedding happens at the beginning of the day and then a more modern American ceremony takes place in the afternoon or evening with a processional, officiant, exchange of vows and rings, and recessional.". "Wedding guests should not wear black because that's what you wear to a funeral, no purple florals as they represent sadness and no white florals as they represent death and funerals," advises Chan. The groom then presents his dear with a bouquet, and the couple finds themselves on their way to the altar for the Tea and Candle Ceremony. There are a few things to consider when deciding what color to wear to a Vietnamese wedding. ", As for guests, it is important to keep in mind the colors that are reserved for the to-be-weds and plan a wedding guest outfit accordingly. This is in irreplaceable mandatory attire. Meaningful Decor 8. The colors in an o di is indicative of the wearer's age and status. In fact, many may be pleased to see visitors wearing the traditional local attire. However, it's not unusual that it's organized on the morning of the wedding day. Groom's outfit: 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. For weddings, the brides usually wear red, white, or pastel colored o di. And, you will attend a Vietnamese wedding but dont know what to wear? You know those Thai-pants that every second traveler in Southeast Asia seems to be wearing? The bride can choose to use one, two wedding dresses or maybe more at her wedding party. Perhaps, you've decided on including some of the traditional features. For men can use a shirt, trousers, possible to add a vest. They come bearing (symbolical) gifts. They all meet at the groom's house for a secondary tea ceremony and followed by lunch hosted by the groom's side," notes Chan of the m Hi engagement ceremony, which actually carries a striking resemblance to the flow of a traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony. It's usually velvet and may feature a special brocade pattern. . Brides usually wear a, After the wedding ceremony, the bride should say goodbye to her parents and follow the groom to his house where the reception is held. Also, stay away from fabrics featuring patterns that are mostly white or ivoryfor example, florals, polka dots, or stripes. In Vietnamese culture, odd numbers and red color symbolize luck and wealth for the young couple. How did Dominion legally obtain text messages from Fox News hosts? The groom will pour tea and offer it to the matchmaker. At this point in the wedding day, it's time for the couple to pray at the altar that's been set up in the ceremony space. Additionally, content creator Hong-Kim Cung, a member of The Knot's Most Influential Weddings crew, opens up about her recent nuptials and how she infused her Vietnamese heritage into the celebration. For example, in the northwestern highlands around Sapa, many women dress differently according to their tribe (see image above). Should they are given one, they will receive an invitation to come inside where gifts are exchanged, and the ceremony can continue. Chan encourages all to-be-weds to "order a lot of Cognac for the reception!" Most noticeable and outstanding is the brides wedding dress. This doesnt mean you have to. Most of the options are suit with trousers, white shirt, light tie, and elegant vest. Khn ng is made by tightly wrapping long, flattened fabric so that each fold is perfectly placed to create its crown-like shape. What to wear in Vietnam is also going to vary by season. But also this has to do with modern history the large American presence in the Vietnam War and the fact that Ho Chi Minh City today is the countrys business center, with lots of foreigners and international companies based there. The members of the groom's family typically carry gifts. As most weddings used to be arranged in the past, this was usually the first time the couple would meet. The groom's family will fill up 'mam qua,' which are red tins that are filled with gifts, known as a dowry in the old days. Thats why I usually prefer an umbrella instead. Wedding Processional: What's the Traditional Order? While you probably would get criticized as a racist for doing this in the US, here in Vietnam, it is unlikely that anyone will care. Cognac and a ton of food are considered a standard part of Vietnamese wedding traditions and customs. Because ready-made suits often do not fit everyones body. During dinner service, the bride and groom greet each table to thank them for coming in a custom called cho bn, which literally translates to a greeting table. Vietnamese people are big on alcohol, especially cognac. It's not unusual for couples of different cultures, one of which is Vietnamese, to organize another wedding ceremony after the Tea and Candle one. vegan) just to try it, does this inconvenience the caterers and staff? After marriage, Vietnamese women graduate to wearing richer, more vibrant colored o di. It would surely impress the to-be-weds.". Ao dai attire is still widely used in most of the Vietnamese wedding. Purple florals represent sadness, and white florals represent funerals and death, so they are a big no for wedding guests. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Most of the people who are invited to participate in the ceremony of a wedding are the family, close relatives of the bride and groom. 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The traditions set in place value each parent's opinion and pay respect to the deceased ancestors. Chan explains that a lion dancer performance "is to bless the couple for a long and happy marriage. After the wedding ceremony, the bride should say goodbye to her parents and follow the groom to his house where the reception is held. Additionally, you should do your best to familiarize yourself with the different customs and rituals you will see. In the past, black and white were two colors that you could not wear to a wedding. For example, you may seem them in hoodies or winter-like jackets when you still think its shorts and T-shirt weather. I'll emphasize the red envelope. The north of Vietnam, including the capital Hanoi and other cities/areas like Ninh Binh and Halong Bay, as well as Central Vietnam, like Vinh, Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An, is noticeably more traditional and modest than the far south. When attending a traditional Vietnamese wedding, make sure you are wearing something formal. When it comes to wedding decorations, the home where the wedding is taking place is usually "decorated with a traditional altar with red and gold, double happiness symbols, traditional candles and incense," says Chan. The power of social media was made apparent after a daughter posted a clip of her parents' empty Vietnamese restaurant to TikTok, and it blew up, amassing over one million views. Apart from white, you should also avoid colors like ivory, beige, off-white, cream, or eggshell. And suddenly . These are easier to slip off when necessary in temples, and can just feel nicer to wear when its very hot or humid out. The wedding dress is always prepared carefully by the bridegroom and the bride as well as the people who have the honor to attend the wedding ceremony. Themost popular wedding outfit for the bride is the 'national costume' - ao dai. However, nowadays, most couples choose a, Before we give you tips on what you should wear, here's what you can expect to see the bride and groom wear. In the 1700s, Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, who ruled over the southern region of Vietnam, mandated that trousers be added to the o di to make his subjects distinguishable from the northerners. The same goes for traditional Vietnamese weddings. If you order a special airline meal (e.g. Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, February-March 2023 Photo Competition: Renovated. Brides typically have three outfit changes throughout the day. She said she reached out to DeBose, concerned all the internet attention might be getting . To ensure solemnity and courtesy for the ceremony, most attendees in the wedding have to choose their outfits carefully. It marks a celebration of the bride and groom coming together as a couple. Upon arrival the highly professional staff explained to me that it's unusual to show up early but I did not cause any difficulties anyway. Families, relatives, and friends are all invited to this ceremony, One of the most interesting things about traditional Vietnamese weddings is that the, sets the wedding date. In other cities, almost no famous designer can be found. Requesting guests to either wear bright, bold colors, pastels, or all white or all black.". It was a very interesting experience I didn't want to miss! ", During the m Hi, Chan advises that "the groom's side lines up with offerings of food and alcohol. "Even with all the customs and tradition, Vietnamese brides are still able to bring their own twist to their weddings. This article walks you through what to say during your wedding tea ceremony to show respect and gratitude to your elders and unite your two families as one. That doesnt mean it rains all the time. ", Over the course of a Vietnamese wedding day, the couple will honor their elders and ancestors in a variety of meaningful ways. For men, the main outfit is a suit, including trousers, a light shirt, a tie, and a vest. Family members are assigned to light candles and incense to honor their ancestors and serve tea to their parents, grandparents and elders. Don't worry about not speaking Vietnamese, as little communication is needed for the groomsmen; they're mostly the bearers of the gifts. It appears that your cart is currently empty! Theo di is an iconic piece of fashion that's been a big part ofVietnamese weddings. 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