TKeverlasting's Vietnamese Engagement Party

Last fall we celebrated our engagement with a traditional Vietnamese ceremony...

As part of the Vietnamese culture, the bride wears the traditional dress called an ao dai (pronounced ow yaii). My sweet family in Vietnam actually picked out this fabric style and got it custom made over there and shipped to me! It was really kind and generous of them and I feel so blessed that even when we're on the other side of the planet, they are still a part of my special life moments.

With the traditional Vietnamese engagement tea ceremony, the bride is usually at her parent's home and the groom (along with his family) comes to the bride's side bearing gifts inside traditional red bins. Upon arrival the groom's side holding the red bins will line up on one side near the front of the house. On the other side, directly across from each guy holding a tray will be a female (mostly the bridesmaids plus family/friends if extra people are needed) to accept the gifts. Then they all go inside the bride's family's house to have a tea ceremony where parents and family members are introduced. 

Afterwards, everyone gathers to eat and mingle...and take photos.

I really wanted a cute dessert table and adore this easy setup! The two-tiered naked cake was custom ordered from Albertson's (about $60) and the other sweets were provided by our good friend Long from Glee's Donuts & Burgers. 

To create a rustic outdoor engagement party, I used burlap (from Michael's, about $5-10/roll) as a center table runner over white table cloths. Our good friend and florist Betty (founder of Vanda Events) put together these beautiful floral arrangements to match our theme. Since both our families were meeting for the first time, it was also the perfect moment to share our Save the Dates (from SGX Print) with everyone.

Of course you can't have an engagement party without a drink station! I found these gold glittered champagne glasses randomly at Target and they came out to about $1 each - score!

To jazz up our desserts, I borrowed this dessert stand from my good friend Kelly (thank you Kel bell!) and we put these fun gold toppers on them (ordered them from Amazon).

Throw in some couple photos and quotes and ta-da! Dessert table is complete. (click here to see more of our mini moon couple photos from our San Francisco getaway)

And so the adventure begins...

Thanks to all my close friends who came out to celebrate!

And thanks to all my girls (aka bridesmaids and Maids of Honor) for being there by my side. Love these gals!

We feel truly lucky to be surrounded by so many great friends and family and can't wait to share our big day with everyone next month!

Have you ever gone to a traditional Vietnamese engagement party? 

I've gone to several but it feels so different when you're going to your own (haha). Thanks for reading and sending you hugs!

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Kudos and thanks to my bridal party, family, and friends for helping to set up and decorate!!

Photos by Gordon On

Flowers by Vanda Events

Desserts provided by Glee Donuts & Burgers

Cake custom ordered from Albertson's

Champagne glasses from Target

Hanging signs custom made by the little sisteroo Susan 

Tassel garland from Michael's 

Dessert toppers & wooden hearts from Amazon

Bride-to-be's ao dai & head piece custom made in Vietnam

Groom-to-be's suit from Macy's

#TKeverlasting

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