The Wedding

Tuesday was a wedding prep day.

A four hour spa treatment that included a scrub, stone foot massages, facials, massages, and an Onsen. We picked up our silk dresses — I had a traditional áo dài made — and then we capped the evening with pedi/ manis.

On Wednesday, we hit the ground running when we arrived in Buon Ma. We checked into the home stay and then went to her house for lunch with her family. Minh was cleaning and sitting with us even though the first of the parties was just a few hours later!

Wednesday night was party time with the bride’s family. Her house was beautifully decorated with pink, red, and white everywhere. Tables lined the alley next to her house, and fans tried to cool the area — though with 250 people there, I’m not sure how effective they were. We didn’t waste any time getting on stage dancing and singing Dancing Queen with Minh’s friends.

On Thursday morning, we headed back to her house for the engagement ceremony where the groom and his family walked to her house bearing gifts. After we took pictures, friends and family were invited to bring their gifts to the bride in front of the altar. I felt so honored to be included in this special day.

Afterwards, we headed to the next party. More food, dancing, and music. Fresh squid, fish that was caught and fried that morning, locally sourced fruit and vegetables, and cases of Tiger beer.

The traditional Vietnamese wedding is four days — two for the bride’s family and two for the groom’s. Since the families live just a few hundred meters from each other, both were present for all four days!

It was a beautiful two days and today we head back to Hanoi for the home stretch.