In the engagement ceremony of the bride, Hoang Yen, and the groom, Anh Quan, they wore the wedding attire including the ‘Ao Dai Wedding‘ (Vietnamese traditional wedding dress), wedding suit, and traditional engagement Aodai, from the renowned brand Khai Vinh Bridal. The bride, Hoang Yen, wore a white Aodai wedding made from premium lace material. Her wedding dress reflected the latest trend of 2023. The exquisite fabric used in crafting the bride’s Ao Dai exemplified elegance and sophistication.
Engagement ceremony of Hoang Yen and Anh Quan
The engagement ceremony is one of the significant rituals. It is usually organized before the decision to live together as a couple. Therefore, the meaning of engagement is similar to introducing the relatives, siblings, and friends. You need to prepare thoroughly and attentively to ensure a beautiful and successful engagement ceremony.
How to prepare and decorate the engagement ceremony appropriately? How should the bride and groom choose their wedding attire to impress all the guests?
What does the bride’s family prepare for the engagement ceremony?
- Preparing the ancestral altar
- Decorating the house
The house is cleaned and tidied up, arranging tables and chairs to create a space for the engagement ceremony. Prepare a backdrop for the betrothal ceremony, decorate the wedding gate with flowers. Additionally, if there are stairs in the house, you can decorate them with balloons, ribbons, or silk ribbons to make the space more vibrant.
What does the groom’s family prepare for the engagement ceremony?
In addition to decorating the house, the groom’s family also needs to prepare offerings similar to the bride’s family. They should also prepare ceremonial items and jewelry to bring to the bride’s house. The specific preparations may vary depending on the region and local customs.
- Preparing for the traditional betrothal ceremony
The preparations for the betrothal ceremony vary in quantity based on the specific region and the agreement between the two families. In the northern region, it is common to have 5, 7, or 9 betrothal trays. On the other hand, the southern region often requires an even number of betrothal trays, such as 6, 8, or 10.
Each betrothal tray consists of essential items, including betel nuts, tea, and wine. Additionally, fresh fruits, preserved cakes, bride and groom cakes, roasted pig, and chicken rice are prepared to make the ceremonial tray more abundant.
- Preparing jewelry and gratitude money
Prepare a set of jewelry to present to the bride during the betrothal ceremony. The basic jewelry set typically includes a necklace, earrings, and bracelets. Depending on the family’s financial situation, the jewelry can be made of solid gold or appropriate gold-plated materials that fit within the budget.
The family should also prepare gratitude money to express appreciation for the efforts of the bride’s family. This is a way to share the costs and contribute to the bride’s family. In the northern region, the gratitude money is often an odd amount, such as 1 million, 3 million, 5 million, or 7 million. In the southern region, the tradition is to give even amounts, such as 2 million or 4 million. The exact amount can be determined based on the agreed conditions between the families.
The sequence of rituals in the betrothal ceremony
The betrothal ceremony is familiar to many people. However, there are still many who do not fully understand the complete sequence of steps in this ritual. The betrothal ceremony takes place in a comprehensive manner. You should refer to the following sequence of rituals:
1. The groom’s family comes to greet and present ceremonial offerings to the bride’s family.
During the betrothal ceremony, on the agreed-upon date and time, the groom’s family brings the betrothal gifts to the bride’s house. The wedding host and the groom carry the tray of betel nut and wine into the bride’s house to present them for the engagement. If the bride’s family agrees, then the groom’s family is allowed to enter the house with the following ceremonial trays. They then offer the ceremonial gifts on the ancestral altar.
Representatives from both families speak and express their gratitude on behalf of their respective families. Typically, the betrothal ceremony lasts for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Therefore, both sides make concise and focused speeches, ensuring they do not extend the time or interfere with other rituals.
2. The bride is introduced to both families
Once the bride’s family agrees to accept the betrothal gifts, they allow the groom to go upstairs to greet the bride and introduce her to his family. It is important to note that the bride should not appear before both families on her own initiative. According to tradition, she should wait for the groom to come and fetch her. Taking the initiative to appear without the groom’s presence may be seen as lacking proper etiquette, and it may lead to a lack of respect for the bride when she enters her husband’s family home.
After being fetched, the bride and groom descend together to greet both families. The bride pours water to invite the groom’s family, and vice versa.
3. The bride and groom pay respects at the ancestral altar
During the introduction of the two families, the mother of the bride takes certain items from the tray of five fruits and offers them at the ancestral altar. The parents of the bride then guide the bride and groom to light incense at the altar in the bride’s family home to pay respects to their grandparents and ancestors.
4. The groom’s mother presents jewelry to the bride
The groom’s mother presents jewelry symbolizing wealth and prosperity to the newlywed couple. This gesture represents close affection and a high regard for the new bride. It is also considered a memorable gift from the mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law.
Let’s admire the happiest moment of the engaged couple (Hoang Yen & Anh Quan)
Together with Khai Vinh. Witness the wedding dress by Khai Vinh Bridal, featuring gentle and refreshing colors, creating a warm atmosphere for the ceremony. The bride’s radiant smile shines through the crowd, reflecting the happiness shared by friends and family on your special day!
