My-Van and Anthony’s epic wedding celebration was full of so many incredible details, and really is a perfect example of how to personalize your day and make it truly unique. We always encourage our couples to approach wedding planning as a chance of telling their unique story: filling your wedding with details that are all about the both of you, your cultures, your history, your story as a couple and your individual personalities – is frankly the best way to enhance the entire wedding experience and easily create those memorable, distinguishing moments you and your guests will never forget.

Such was the case with My-Van and Anthony. Anthony is Irish and My-Van is Vietnamese — the wedding day was full of Irish traditions, but the day before featured a gorgeous traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony. We are obsessed with the beautiful and authentic details, and are so excited to share some of it with you today! Scroll down to the end for more info on the tradition itself!

Vietnamese Tea Ceremony

There is much symbolism and careful preparation that goes into a traditional Vietnamese Tea Ceremony. The purpose is to both formally announce that a wedding will take place, and give both families of the couple a chance to meet, honor each other and their ancestors. It’s a beautiful and meaningful ceremony full of incredible, carefully chosen details. The couple will light incense and bow to the altar, for example, to honor their ancestors. Gifts and dowry will be exchanged, and representatives from both sides of the family will make speeches. The tea is the apex of the ceremony: it symbolizes the husband and wife’s connection, and the couple will ceremoniously pour and offer tea to their family members, in order of age (oldest to youngest), a sign of respect and deep admiration. In turn, each family member will offer a piece of advice, blessing, or words of encouragement to the couple. Finally, the couple will cheers with wine or champagne with their guests!

The Gorgeous Details

My-Van took the lead in coordinating all of the elements for the tea ceremony. We brought in flowers in the colors for her wedding the day before as a bit of a “sneak peek” for what’s to come. Her and Anthony’s attire were traditional (and absolutely stunning!).  Again, My-Van surprised everyone by serenading them with a song.

For more on My-Van and Anthony’s gorgeous wedding day, visit the post here!