We truly appreciate your thoughtfulness, but we are planning a traditional Vietnamese wedding. Typically, there is no wedding registry. Instead, it is customary to give money placed in an envelope (it does not have to be red) as a gift. This is presented to the bride and groom during the reception when the wedding party visits each table for a brief toast. Please see more details about the customary gift below.
This money is traditionally given to the bride and groom to help cover the costs of the reception celebration. The idea is that we take care of each other. Essentially, this contribution helps pay for your place at the table, which includes a fine dining, full course meal (5 - 8 dishes) served family style, along with a bottle of quality alcohol at each table. The gift is presented when the wedding party comes to your table for a formal toast. Think of this customary monetary gift as a means to assist the bride and groom in providing you with a memorable night of celebration without incurring debt. All gifts will be used to cover wedding and reception expenses.
We sincerely appreciate any amount you choose to give as a gift. Your generosity is truly valued, so please give what feels right for you. To provide some guidance, the typical contribution ranges from $100 to $150 per person, as each table costs approximately $700 to $1,000, depending on the selected dishes. Think of this gift as covering the cost of a fine dining experience, which includes a full-course meal (5-8 courses) served at your table, along with a quality bottle of alcohol. Immediate and close family members often gift more. If there are any leftover funds from the gifts, the bride and groom are grateful to use that towards other wedding expenses, such as floral arrangements, décor, entertainment, and more. Our main hope is to at least break even on costs.
A videographer will follow the wedding party around to each table after dinner is served. (Yes, they will visit every table.) A microphone will be given to a designated speaker (only one speaker per table) who will deliver a short speech that will be recorded on video. During this time, gifts will be presented to the bride and/or groom. At the end of the speech, everyone will raise their drinks to toast the bride and groom.
Yes, children are welcome, but please note that they will still count as one seat taken. Regardless of whether they eat or not, the amount of food served will be the same for all attendees. Therefore, please RSVP accordingly so we can maintain an accurate count of attendance. Also, we kindly ask that you keep your child(ren) with you during the following special moments of our celebration: the wedding party and family introduction at the beginning of the reception (as it may get a bit rowdy), the bride and groom's first dance, the mother and son dance, and the father and daughter dance. These cherished moments will be captured on video as keepsakes, and your cooperation will help ensure they are truly memorable. Thank you for your understanding and support!
The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. Upon arrival, please sign our guestbook keepsake and take a photo with the bride and groom. After the photo, feel free to find your seats (see the next question regarding seating arrangements). The wedding party will be introduced at approximately 6:30 p.m., followed by the immediate families. Next, the bride and groom will share their first dance, followed by the mother-son and father-daughter dances. Food will be served immediately after the dances, featuring a fine dining, family-style, full-course meal for each table. Once the wedding party has finished eating, they will visit each table for a formal toast. The dance floor will be open to all during the toasts and afterward.
We will not have assigned seating at the reception. After you take your photo with the bride and groom at the start of the event, feel free to find your friends and choose any available seats. HOWEVER, we kindly ask that you leave the tables marked as "reserved" closest to the wedding party vacant. These tables are reserved for immediate family only and are typically located in the center of the ballroom. Thank you for your understanding!
We will have a bottle of Hennessy VSOP (cognac) available on each table. However, these will not be the only options for alcoholic drinks; you can also request beer and other non-alcoholic beverages from your waiter. Additionally, there will be an open bar featuring 1 to 3 signature mixed drinks.
Feel free to contact either the bride or groom. We are more than happy to clarify or answer!