Hello everybody. I hope that everyone has a happy day. Here, I'd want to share the joyful events—my sister's engagement and wedding—that I was privileged to witness, and I want to share a little bit about the Vietnamese wedding and engagement that happened.
Engagement party
The engagement party is considered a stepping stone of the wedding that any couple must complete. The engagement party is held a few days or months before the wedding and is also considered a very formal ceremony. The groom's family brought the whole ceremony to the bride's house on the day of the engagement party. During the engagement party, the groom's family plays a very important role, they need to prepare carefully, from costumes to offerings. Offerings include alcohol, pastries, fruits, betel and areca,… The engagement party was organized very spectacularly because the proclamation of the marriage between the two families is referred to as an official one.
The Engagement party in Vietnam will be different from the Western countries as the it will take place at the bride's house. The bride will receive a gold ring from the groom's mother at the wedding. Party is present, including friends and family. While in the West, the ritual is more private and the groom's mother is not expected to give bride ring.
About costumes, the bride and her bridesmaids will dress in delicately colored Ao Dai. Besides, the bridegroom will wear a vest or Ao Dai, and the groomsman will wear a white shirt and trousers.
The groom will accompany him to the bride's home at the start of the ceremony along with his family members. The groomsman will present the bridesmaids with offerings before entering the home and carrying out the customary procedure.
To give everyone a better idea of the wedding in Vietnam, here are some photos from my brother and sister's pre-wedding ceremony. My sister and my brother-in-law have been romantically linked since she was a student; they have been together for seven years, and this year, they will get married.
WEDDING CEREMONY
In Vietnam, the marriage of the young couple is formally announced at the wedding ceremony. To a new home, the girl must accompany her husband.
Following the engagement celebration, the couple will apply for a marriage license at the local government office before preparing for their traditional wedding ceremony. At the chosen time and date, the groom, his parents and the delegation will come to the bride’s house with wedding cars, flowers and offerings. Offerings in wedding is prepared like the Engagement party.
Usually, no more than 20 people are in the parade. The person carrying the wine tray, who serves as the procession's envoy, will ask for the offerings before the others and enter the house first.
In order to welcome the procession, the bride's family has at this point prepared tea, water, candies, and cakes. They will talk together and the representative of the groom’s family asks to receive the bride and bring her to their house. Then, parents off the bride will get the betel tray, put some on the altat, and lead the bride wearing traditional Ao Dai to greet all elders. It means their formal acceptance of ‘’letting her get married’’. The groom will bow to his parents-in-law and give wedding flowers to the bride.
Costume in wedding day as same as in the engagement celebration but Ao Dai of the bride and her bridesmaids will be more colorful. Common colors used in weddings are red and white.
Next, the young couple, in company with their parents, will come to family ancestoers and brun incense. The bride and groom will give the wedding rings to each other in the presence of both families. Simultaneously, the bride’s family will give their gifts to the new couple, such as necklaces, earrings, and gold rings,… moreover, the bride’s mother also gives her some pieces of advice before going to her husband’s home. The rest of the offerings such as betel. Areca, and wine will be bought back to the groom’s family.
After arriving at the groom’s house, the ancestral ritual must be performed here as well after arriving to the bride and groom's home, and one by one, the bride and groom's family will give the couple with wedding gifts. All members of the two families will be invited to have a galss of tea or water to show greetings and respect for the new pair.
Then the bride will change into her wedding dress and apply new makeup in order to get ready for the party.
Finally, the couple and their parents will welcome their guests, reatives, and friends at the wedding party held at home or the restaurant. At restaurant , the bride and groom will pour and consume wine. Everyone attending the party will sign up to sing the wedding carol. In the meantime, the bride and groom and their parents welcome each guest to a drink as a way of saying thank you for coming to the celebration.
Here are some pictures of my sister's wedding. I was there for my sister's egagement party and wedding. When my sister is smiling cheerfully next to the groom while looking stunning in her wedding dress, it makes me extremely pleased.
