While one of the things I love about my job as a New Orleans wedding photographer is getting to work with couples who forgo wedding traditions, it is very special to me when I am invited to document generational traditions. 

Traditional Vietnamese Tea Ceremony

While Cindy and Van are planning a spirited New Orleans wedding for later in the year, they held a traditional Vietnamese Tea Ceremony surrounded by their family at a family home in Baton Rouge.

It is tradition that the Tea Ceremony is held in the brides’ home, and the home will be decorated with vibrant colors and flowers to celebrate the union of the two families coming together. I loved how Cindy’s family home was decorated upon walking in!

The Tea Ceremony can also serve as the formal “engagement ceremony” where the groom will ask the bride and her family for her hand in marriage. In addition, the family will present gifts to the bride’s family, which include colorful trays of fruit and often a full roasted pig!

The couple will traditionally be dressed in Ao Dai, beautiful and colorful garments that are striking to look at and photograph!

This tea ceremony is also a special way to honor the couples’ ancestors who are no longer with us in physical form.

Incorporating both new and old traditions

While I will always stress couples’ plan their wedding their way, I find it meaningful and special when couples’ choose to incorporate something traditional to their overall wedding experience. The best part about planning a wedding is that there truly are no rules – if you want one aspect of your wedding experience to honor tradition, and the other to break all of the ‘norms,’ you can absolutely do that! Van and Cindy are an excellent example of this, and working with them on their Tea Ceremony has me excited for what’s to come for their wedding in the fall!

This was an incredibly special day to honor the long standing traditions, culture, ancestors of Van and Cindy, and ended with a delicious feast!

Traditional Vietnamese Tea Ceremony Portraits

Beside all of the delicious food that we ate after the ceremony, taking some portraits of Van + Cindy was one of my favorite parts! These photos feel intimate, vintage, and full of history. I especially love the Polaroids of them!

Interested in seeing other Vietnamese Tea Ceremonies in Louisiana? Check this one out!