VIETNAMESE TEA CEREMONY IN MELBOURNE

For the Vietnamese, a wedding is incomplete without a Vietnamese wedding tea ceremony.  
The wedding is divided into two events: an engagement ceremony and an actual wedding ceremony.

VIETNAMESE ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY

During the engagement ceremony, the groom’s family makes a visit to the bride’s family taking round red boxes with tea, fruits, nut, cake and wine as gifts. And speeches are made to introduce the two families to each other, which is then followed by an invitation for lunch by the bridal family to share the gifts and celebrate. The lunch party consists of food brought from the groom’s side, whilst the bride’s side does the cooking as an interactive session for the two families.

VIETNAMESE WEDDING TEA CEREMONY

At the wedding ceremony, the groom’s family proceeds to the bride’s family with more gifts and asks to receive the bride. During the request and offering, the bride stays in a separate room before her mother presents her to the guests. A candle and incense lighting ceremony follows as a sign of unity between the two families. The couple then offers tea to the bride’s side of the family before the groom takes her to his home.
The next tea ceremony is conducted for the groom’s side of the family. The couples serve tea to parents and relatives in exchange for advice. Unlike Chinese tea, Vietnamese tea may mean wine or other beverages. After taking tea, gifts in the form of jewellery and red pockets are presented by parents and relatives while saying words of blessing. Jewellery is usually worn immediately by couples as a sign of appreciation.

TEA CEREMONY GIFT TRAYS

At an oriental wedding, it is customary to prepare trays of gifts for the altar or as a gift offered to the bride’s family. Traditionally there should be an even number of trays, the larger the number of trays, the more significant amount of wealth is displayed. Below is a list of gift ideas that you can include:

Boxes of Tea and Tea set

Suckling roast pig

Alcohol

Fruits

Cakes

Sticky Rice

Betel and Areca 

Tins of Premium Seafood like Abalone or Shark Fin

  

THE PROCEEDINGS

A Vietnamese tea ceremony involves the bride, groom, parents, close relatives, elders, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. The day progresses in the following fashion:

  • The bride and groom get dressed at their respective homes

  • The bride and groom wear a traditional Vietnamese wedding attire called an Ao Dai

  • The groom followed by his friends and family makes their way to the bride’s home

  • A representative of the groom who is typically one of the groom's parents will knock on the door of the bride's house. They will be the first to enter the house followed by the elders, then the groom, and finally the groom’s friends.

  • Sometimes, door games may be introduced to add a fun element. As the groom and his groomsmen ask the bridesmaids to see the bride.

  • Once succeeded, the groomsmen will be carrying a tray of gifts which they will offer to the bridesmaids.

  • Upon entering the house, the representatives from both sides will come forward and light a candle at the altar.

  • The bride representative will go inside and bring out the bride for the first time

  • The couple will light candles and incense sticks and offer their respects to the altar

  • The best man will hold the tea tray while the tea will be poured by the maid of honour into teacups

  • The teacups will be carried by the couple and they will offer them to their family members

  • The tea is traditionally first served to the eldest member of the family such as grandparents and is then served to the parents and younger members

  • Upon accepting the tea, the family members will give their blessings. It is common for the members to present gifts to the couple once they have drunk the tea.

The entire process of the Vietnamese wedding tea ceremony could take up to a whole morning based on the number of people present. This is why it is commonly recommended that you start the ceremony early in the morning or the day before. Traditionally rings can be exchanged at this ceremony but if you prefer to have the ring ceremony in a church or civil ceremony then that’s perfect too.

We passionately support the Vietnamese belief that a strong beginning signifies a strong relationship and a well-organised Vietnamese wedding requires a tea ceremony that matches the essence of combining two souls in matrimony. If you’re looking for specialists for a Vietnamese tea ceremony for hire in Melbourne, then look no further. We have dedicated ourselves to helping couples have their dream wedding with a traditional practice that will please their parents and help them get in touch with their roots. We offer a wide array of modern packages from DIY sets to fully organised and decorated Deluxe options. View our hire page for more.