Lily & David's Vietnamese Engagement Ceremony

About a month ago I had the pleasure to photograph the traditional Vietnamese engagement ceremony of Lily and David, held at Lily's parents home in San Jose.

You may be wondering what an engagement "ceremony" (as opposed to the usual engagement "session") is, just as I was when Lily first contacted me, shortly after the Modern Bridal faire.

According to Vietnamese tradition, the engagement is a festive ceremony involving the fiancé's and fiancée's families, and arranged in advance by the parents. The engagement is considered very important, and in some areas, even more important than the wedding itself. The fiancé's family prepares gifts, that are placed on an odd number of trays. The gifts, as you will see in the photos, are covered by red cloth. Vietnamese belief states that the odd number and the red color will bring luck to the young couple. The gifts include betel leaves, areca nut fruits (trầu, cau), wine, tea, husband-wife cake (bánh phu thê), sticky rice and one of the most important gifts--a whole roasted pig.

The fiancé's family bear the gifts to the fiancée's home and are greeted by the fiancée's family. Once everyone is inside, fiancé's father asks the the father of the fiancée for the fiancée's hand in marriage on behalf of his party. The fiancée's father graciously accepts the gifts and presents the fiancée to her in-laws to be united. The fiancé then places the engagement ring on his fiancée's finger.

After the ceremony, the families celebrate the momentous occasion with a feast organized by the fiancée's family, where the fiancée serves the members of her own and her newly acquired family.

And now, on to the photos:

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Lily's family greeting David's family outside the house.

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The gifts.

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Lily serving the family heads.

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The food was decilious. Lily's mom was so sweet and gave me a full plate to take home after the ceremony, so when I say it was very good, I speak from memory, not conjecture. :)

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And here it is, the whole roasted pig! What a beauty!

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When the formal part of the ceremony was over, we snuck out to take some cute engagement photos of Lily and David.

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Lily's laughter is just contagious!

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Congratulations on your engagement, Lily and David! I am looking forward to your wedding next year!

Until next time!
http://www.alicesokoloffphotography.com/

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