George Boyle
If you're attending a Vietnamese wedding, you'll want to dress to impress. It's considered disrespectful to turn up in casual attire, so make sure to wear something formal. In Vietnamese culture, the colour red symbolises luck and happiness, so it's no surprise that it's a popular choice for brides, along with white, which represents purity and innocence. Grooms usually wear blue, and both the bride and groom's outfits are often decorated with intricate embroidery and vibrant colours. Guests are encouraged to wear bright colours too, to signify happiness for the couple, but be sure to avoid purple florals, which represent sadness, and white florals, which are for funerals.
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What You'll Learn
The bride's dress: a traditional red áo dài
The áo dài is the national costume of Vietnam and is a popular choice for brides. The outfit is typically decorated with intricate embroidery and features vibrant colours, symbolising the joy of the occasion. The traditional fabric used to make the dress is silk, which drapes beautifully and adds to the overall sophistication of the outfit. The dress consists of five separate panels—two front panels, two back panels, and a long skirt. The sleeves are wide and flowing, giving the dress a graceful and elegant look.
The colour red is a traditional colour in Vietnamese culture, symbolising luck and happiness. Red is also considered the more appropriate colour for brides in Eastern cultures. White, on the other hand, represents purity and innocence. Some brides choose to incorporate both colours into their wedding gown, with a red top and a white skirt, or vice versa. Other popular colours for a modern Vietnamese wedding dress include pastel pink, blue, gold, and green.
Modern áo dài wedding dresses may feature intricate embroidery, beading, and lace details, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication. These gowns are often made from high-quality silk and adorned with delicate embroidery, beading, or lace. They come in a variety of styles, ranging from form-fitting mermaid silhouettes to flowing A-line dresses with trains. Some modern Vietnamese wedding gowns also feature intricate back designs, deep V-necklines, and off-the-shoulder sleeves, adding a touch of modern flair to the traditional dress.
The áo dài is also worn by guests to Vietnamese weddings. It is considered respectful to dress formally and brightly when attending a Vietnamese wedding.
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The groom's outfit: a blue áo dài or suit
The groom's outfit for a Vietnamese wedding is typically simpler than the bride's, with the only mandatory features being politeness and brightness. While the bride usually wears a red áo dài, the groom's equivalent is called an áo gam and is usually blue. The áo gam is designed to draw less attention and perfectly complement the bride's style and colours.
The groom can also wear a suit, which is the preferred choice for many. This typically includes trousers, a white shirt, a light tie, and a vest. The suit is usually ordered specifically for the wedding, as ready-made suits rarely fit perfectly.
If you are the groom at a Vietnamese wedding, it is important to avoid wearing something similar to what the bride will wear and try not to choose white, red, or pastel colours. Purple florals represent sadness, and white florals represent funerals and death, so these colours are not recommended.
In ethnic minority areas, most grooms choose to wear their traditional costumes.
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Guests' attire: bright colours, no casual wear
When planning your outfit for a Vietnamese wedding, it's important to consider the dress code. While the specific guidelines may vary depending on the couple and the nature of the event, here are some general tips to help you dress appropriately and impressively.
Firstly, it is considered disrespectful to the couple to wear casual attire. Formal wear is typically expected at Vietnamese weddings, and guests are encouraged to wear bright colours to signify happiness for the couple and to create a lively atmosphere. Purple florals, for example, should be avoided as they represent sadness. Instead, opt for vibrant shades that reflect the joy of the occasion.
When it comes to specific attire, both men and women can choose to wear the áo dài, which is traditional Vietnamese attire. The áo dài is a graceful and elegant outfit that consists of five separate panels: two front panels, two back panels, and a long skirt. The sleeves are wide and flowing, and the fabric is typically made of silk, adding to the sophistication of the garment. For weddings, the áo dài can be tailored in a variety of colours and patterns, but rich, vibrant shades of red, blue, and green are commonly seen. It is worth noting that the combination of red and gold or all white is usually reserved for the bride and groom.
If you choose not to wear the áo dài, there are still plenty of options available. Women can opt for a formal dress in a bright colour, and men can wear suits or white dress shirts. Black is also an acceptable colour for guests, which is unique to Vietnamese wedding culture. Just remember to avoid upstaging the bride and groom, especially by wearing the reserved colours of red and gold or all white.
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The role of colour: red and gold are lucky
Red and gold are considered lucky colours in Vietnamese culture. Red symbolises luck, happiness and prosperity, and gold symbolises wealth. It is therefore common to see these colours in Vietnamese weddings.
The bride often wears red, and the colour is also used in decorations. For example, the mam qua, or gift trays, are traditionally adorned with gold lace and pearls. The trays are filled with gifts symbolising prosperity, wealth and luck, such as expensive cognac, sticky rice, luxury teas, desserts, fruits and money. These gifts are often presented in red tins or envelopes, symbolising good fortune and financial stability for the newlyweds.
The colour red is also important during the tea ceremony, a symbolic event celebrating the union of the couple. The groom offers tea to the matchmaker, and the newlyweds pray at the ancestor's altar for happiness in their marriage. The bride may wear a red áo dài, the traditional Vietnamese wedding dress, during this ceremony.
The colour gold is also significant in Vietnamese weddings. In addition to its association with wealth, gold represents luck when combined with red. This combination is reserved only for the couple on their wedding day.
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Headwear: a flower crown or turban
When it comes to headwear for a Vietnamese wedding, there are a few options to consider. One popular choice is a flower crown, which can add a touch of freshness and elegance to the traditional attire. Another option is a turban, known as a "khan dong", which is a circular headdress that is part of the traditional Vietnamese wedding attire. It is typically worn by both the bride and the groom during the ceremony and reception.
The flower crown is a more modern take on the traditional Vietnamese wedding headwear. It can be made with fresh flowers, adding a natural and romantic touch to the bride's attire. This style has become popular on social media, with many brides-to-be inspired to embrace this cultural twist. The flower crown can be customized to match the colours and themes of the wedding, creating a cohesive and stylish look.
The "khan dong", on the other hand, is a traditional and elegant choice. It is usually made of fabric that matches the bride and groom's outfits. This headwear has a circular shape and can add a sense of grandeur and sophistication to the overall attire. The "khan dong" is a symbol of Vietnamese culture and history, with roots in the royal families and nobles of the Nguyễn dynasty.
When choosing between a flower crown and a turban for a Vietnamese wedding, it is important to consider the overall style and theme of the wedding, as well as personal preferences. Both options offer a unique and meaningful way to honour Vietnamese traditions while celebrating the union of two families. It is worth noting that, regardless of the headwear chosen, bright and vibrant colours are typically favoured in Vietnamese weddings, symbolizing the joy and happiness of the occasion.
Additionally, it is important to remember that the choice of headwear should not take away from the bride's attire but rather complement it. The focus should be on the bride, and the headwear should enhance her overall look without upstaging her. This consideration applies to both the flower crown and the "khan dong", ensuring that the bride stands out and feels confident and radiant on her special day.
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Frequently asked questions
The traditional Vietnamese wedding attire for the bride and groom is called the áo dài. The bride typically wears a red áo dài, while the groom wears a blue áo dài. Both outfits are often decorated with intricate embroidery and vibrant colours, symbolising the joy of the occasion.
Bright colours are a must for guests attending a Vietnamese wedding. Purple florals represent sadness, and white florals are associated with funerals, so these colours should be avoided. Black is acceptable, and guests can even wear it to a Vietnamese wedding, which is unique to the culture.
It is considered disrespectful to the couple to dress casually for a Vietnamese wedding. Formal attire is expected, and guests are encouraged to wear brightly coloured clothes to signify happiness for the couple. The áo dài is also commonly worn by guests.
Modern Vietnamese wedding gowns often feature intricate back designs, deep V-necklines, and off-the-shoulder sleeves, blending traditional and contemporary design elements. These gowns come in a variety of colours, including soft pastels and bold jewel tones, and may incorporate sheer fabric or a dramatic train.
Yes, it is quite common for Vietnamese couples to take engagement photos in their wedding attire. It is also typical for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding day and even accompany her while shopping for it.
