How long are vietnamese weddings

These days, however, the latter part of the ceremony will happen at a later date — or not at all. For most people, the festivities begin at the reception. When you come into the reception hall, the newlyweds will be the first ones to greet you. Every guest gets a picture with them, which gets pretty amusing after a while because their smiles begin to look robotic.

After your picture, grab a spot inside. If there are assigned seats, one of the planners will point you in the right direction. Now the real show begins: firecrackers, loud music and comically awkward speeches. Western-style weddings will have a table with a sign-in book and a place to display gifts. At traditional weddings, the couple will accept gifts as they make their rounds to visit all the tables.

Vietnamese weddings spare no expense when it comes to impressing guests. Typical meals consist of six or more courses. The first courses are usually cold platters, often featuring cheese, bread and spring rolls. The main course will be a hotpot, or a choice meat with several side dishes. Fruit is the traditional desert, though many families splurge for modern dishes like ice cream and a western-style wedding cake these days.

By the time the night ends, your arm will be tired. The first toasts are given by speakers and the couple themselves. Wedding ceremonies in Vietnam, as in other countries of the world, have been modified for centuries. Previously, it was of little importance, as it literally united the communities among themselves. Now the wedding does not have such goals and is more festive and solemn in nature; it is nowadays more desire than need. What is more, over time, young people began to have the right to choose their own mate.

A lot of people nowadays tend to make their wedding in American style with the bride in a white dress and the groom smoking standing in front of the altar giving their vows. In this article, we are going to get acquainted with the beautifully authentic Vietnamese wedding traditions that often perfectly combine Western and Vietnamese features.

It all begins with Vietnamese engagement celebrations. As a result, the wife and husband-to-be might not even have seen each other before the marriage.

The tradition of celebrating engagement still exists today with the one difference that the groom and the bride are already in love so that all the engagement activities are performed in a rather playing manner. At the head of the procession is the richest and most successful couple among relatives. The lead couple should be the first to enter the house with a tray of wine. They invite the parents of the bride to take a sip of wine together. It should be noted that Vietnamese women are usually very beautiful, so there is definitely a lot to describe.

The bride then goes out to the groom in traditional wedding attire. After the groom gives all the presents to the family, he will be able to see his bride.

Sweets, fruits, and a coconut tree are brought as gifts. According to the old Vietnamese legend, the wife went out to look for her missing husband, cried on the battlefield, and her tears turned into a coconut palm, and she herself became a tree that encircled this palm. Usually, the couple or their parents go to the fortuneteller to find out what is the best time for the wedding.

Indeed, the culture of tea ceremonies is very strong in Vietnam. So, it is no wonder that the Vietnamese tea ceremony is a very important stage in the chain of marriage celebrations.

This is the celebration during which the newlyweds honor their family members and exchange rings surrounded by the loved ones. The groom will offer his beloved one the most expensive jewelry he can afford to demonstrate his dignity as a husband and breadwinner.

The groom himself will be at the end of the procession, often carrying a bouquet. The groom's designated head couple will ask for permission to enter, and the bride's head couple will grant it and the whole parade will troop into the bride's house, to be met by the bride's family, except for the bride herself, who will be hidden in a different room. The bride's family will accept the gifts, taking the trays, and someone from the bride's side usually the bride's dad will give a speech welcoming the groom's family.

Once this is done, the bride will be escorted into the room to applause, and the groom may present the bride with her bouquet. 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. Bui explains that "first the parents of the groom, then the parents of the bride, then the bride and groom themselves pray together. Vietnamese tradition doesn't neatly fall into any of the world's major religions, so the prayers are directed to the ancestors of the couple and involve an altar with lit candles and small offerings of food, sometimes as well as incense sticks that the penitents will clasp in their hands until their silent prayers are done, at which point after an obeisance, they will place the stick of incense in a small censer.

At this point, the couple may exchange jewelry, placing wedding rings on each other's fingers, and if there was a gift of jewelry in the procession earlier, this will be ceremoniously put on the bride. Guests are encouraged to wear brightly colored clothes to signify happiness for the couple," advises Nguyen. Nguyen goes on to explain that there's a misconception that since Vietnamese couples often choose to wear traditional attire, there isn't space for personalization within their wedding-day outfits.

Brides typically have three outfit changes throughout the day. 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. Additionally, she encourages wedding guests attending Vietnamese wedding celebrations to "always wear something formal, do not wear jeans, khakis or casual attire to a Vietnamese wedding. If you come looking casual or sloppy, it's disrespectful to the couple. It would surely impress the to-be-weds.

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.

During a traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony, it is customary to include a tea ceremony and candle ritual. The groom and groomsmen will line up in a procession to offer more gifts to the bride and family. This could include trays of fruit, liquor, pastries, and jewelry underneath red embroidered silk linen. While traditionally the groom will offer gold necklaces and bracelets, more modern couples now offer diamond jewelry instead.

After initial greetings, the bride will be brought out to join the groom to commence the tea and candle ceremony," explains Nguyen.

By drinking the tea, the elders signify the acceptance of the couple's marriage and offer advice for a long-lasting, healthy marriage. Incense is then offered to the ancestors as a way to introduce the groom to the family ancestors. Finally, the union is bonded by the candle lighting custom, where the couple light a dragon and phoenix candle.

Afterward, the bride's family will offer gifts to the couple. Traditionally, they are red envelopes of money, other congratulatory gifts and words of wisdom. The bride will greet all the family members. The couple will offer tea and be presented with gifts again, and then lunch is served. Chan elaborates by explaining that some modern couples forgo tea in favor of alcohol. So be careful, you can be taking a shot of alcohol or enjoying a sip of hot tea.

This is the part of the wedding where you light incense and candles, bow and pray to your ancestors. Over the course of a Vietnamese wedding day, the couple will honor their elders and ancestors in a variety of meaningful ways. Bui explains that "after the short wedding ceremony, there is an opportunity for more speeches and bonhomie, and then the couple serves hot tea to their elders; each set of parents, and grandparents if they are there, as well as aunts and uncles.

Depending on the size of this family, this may take some time, but it demonstrates respect and togetherness. Nguyen elaborates, sharing that "Vietnamese couples honor their elders by involving them in each step of the wedding process leading up to the reception.

The traditions set in place value each parent's opinion and pay respect to the deceased ancestors. Food is a big part of Vietnamese wedding celebrations as is alcohol, notably cognac. Chan encourages all to-be-weds to "order a lot of Cognac for the reception! It's served family-style and may have a minimum of eight courses. All that good food brought in by the groom's side, and whatever feast has been prepared by the bride's side, is set upon by one and all.

Of Vietnamese wedding reception dinners, Nguyen explains that "while the morning is filled with respectable customs, the receptions are usually parties to remember! A bottle of Cognac is a staple part of the tablescape for a Vietnamese wedding, so the guests can immediately get the party started without even having to hit the bar. While tables with elders are simply met with words of wisdom and cheers, tables with younger guests would tend to play short drinking games with the couples. This alleviates financial stress on the newlywed couple, who typically pay for the wedding themselves, and allows for a more lively atmosphere with higher attendance.

Some people may be surprised to learn that there isn't a specific moment in Vietnamese ceremonies where an officiant pronounces the couple married. Many Vietnamese wedding receptions will showcase lion dancers. Chan explains that a lion dancer performance "is to bless the couple for a long and happy marriage. Main Menu. Sign Up. Back to Main Menu.