Exploring everything about Vietnam wedding traditions

Every country in the world has its own beauty and uniqueness in wedding customs. In Vietnam, from preparation to rituals, every detail reflects the profound significance of the national culture. Below are some customs that have always been present in weddings from ancient times to the present. Let's explore these with DWP!

1. Choosing an Auspicious Date

Choosing a wedding date is always considered an indispensable part and a top priority for couples when starting their preparations. In Vietnamese wedding customs, adults in the family guide the couple in finding an auspicious date, suitable for both, to organize the wedding ceremony. This not only holds special importance but also brings luck and happiness to the couple on their important day.

2. Engagement Ceremony

Instead of just proposing before the wedding as in the West, in Vietnam, there are up to three traditional engagement ceremonies. Among them, the first ceremony is the engagement ceremony, also known as the betrothal ceremony. According to custom, this is when the groom's family comes to ask for the bride's family's permission for the proposal.

The groom and his family visit the bride's house to give gifts, offer greetings, and discuss with the bride's family representatives to seek permission to marry their daughter to their son. This ceremony holds deep meaning in Vietnamese wedding traditions, emphasizing respect, agreement, and approval from both families.

3. Prayers at the Ancestral Altar

On the wedding day, the bride and groom perform rituals and prayers at the ancestral altar or an altar set up in the wedding venue. The altar is adorned with lit candles, incense, and other ceremonial items. The couple will light candles together or join their hands in prayer in front of the altar until the prayers are concluded. This act of prayer helps the couple receive blessings from their ancestors, hoping to bring good things to their married life.

4. Offering Tea and Lighting Candles

During the wedding ceremony, many rituals are performed, and among them, offering tea and lighting candles on the ancestral altar is essential. Two dragon-phoenix candles are lit from the candle on the altar. A representative holds the candles for reverence, then passes them to the bride and groom, each holding one to place on the candle stand on the ancestral altar. This gesture signifies harmony and prosperity in marriage.

Next is the tea or wine offered to the attendees in order from grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and siblings from both families. If the tea ceremony takes place at the bride's home, priority is naturally given to the members of her family. The ultimate meaning of the tea offering ritual is to welcome the new groom and bid farewell to the bride with her family before embarking on their new life in the groom's home.

5. Wedding Gifts

"Wedding gifts" here can also be understood as part of the dowry that the parents of both families give to the couple. Or they can be gifts from relatives of both families, often money, gold, or jewelry. This can be seen as a small sum of money for the bride and groom as they embark on their journey to start a new family.

6. Bride's Wedding Attire: Ao Dai

With many different historical periods of ups and downs, the traditional wedding attire of the Vietnamese people has also undergone significant changes. Among the outfits used recently and most recognized by many international friends is the ao dai.

On the wedding day, the bride often wears a wedding ao dai in red, white, or other colors of her preference. The image of the bride in an ao dai on her wedding day has become familiar but still leaves a strong impression on viewers, especially the groom. Although the ao dai may not be too extravagant, it is undoubtedly the most beautiful moment for brides on their special day.

7. Wedding Reception Decoration

In the weddings of our grandparents and parents in the past, although not elaborately decorated as today, there were still traditional altar decorations with red and yellow, symbols of marital happiness, along with traditional candles and incense.

However, nowadays, with the continuous development of wedding services, couples invest more in decorating the space for their wedding day. Not only limited to the altar, they also choose to decorate flower gates, reception tables, or guest chairs. This not only makes the space more beautiful but also creates a dignified and elegant atmosphere for guests attending.
 

If you have more questions and need professional assistance to organize a perfect wedding, don't hesitate to contact us:

(+84) 936 436 602 - Ms. Tien

(+84) 983 03 61 03 - Ms. Hanh

Visit our fan page https://www.facebook.com/December.WeddingStore