Weddings in Vietnam

In my country people usually get married early. The average age is 22 years old for women and about 28 for men. In my country parents are often superstitious about the wedding. Weddings always have 2 days the first day is for the family of a bride it doesn’t have family of the groom, this is a party and it is usually for lunch. The party has a bride and a groom, the bride’s parents, relatives and friends. It starts at 11:00 am and usually the party takes place at home. When all the people come, everybody looks at the pedestal with the groom and bride on it. The beautiful bride wears a white dress. The bride’s father talks about the party and says thank you for coming to this wedding. After that the bride and groom cut the cake, open wine and kiss with a big clap from the crowd. They start to eat. The bride and the groom go around every table. They are happy for the wedding. The bride and groom choose food but it usually has soup, and, eggrolls, fried shrimp, something for appetizers, and chicken, beef, pork, and seafood. The last thing is some fruit for dessert. People who come to the wedding party usually give money for bride and groom. When the party is done, the groom goes back his house and waits for the bride to come the next day. The next morning family, relatives and some groom’s friends go to the bride’s house where the groom’s father talks to the bride’s parents. After that the bride comes in and stands next to the groom. The groom gives flowers to the bride. The groom’s mother gives her earrings and a necklace. So the groom and bride ring and the family of a bride give her something like money, gold, or jewelry. The bride goes with the husband’s family to his house. They will have party at his house too. Now newlyweds go on a honeymoon after the wedding, but we didn’t have that tradition before. They need to stay at the groom’s house for the first three day. After three days they can move to an apartment if they want. In my country we don’t change the last name after getting married, when we have baby they get the father’s last name.

Thanh Vy