Vietnamese Wedding Traditions

In Vietnam, an astrologer sets the wedding date. The groom's mother visits the bride's place along with pink chalk (so the bride may paint a rosy future) and betel nuts (symbolizing respect). The groom travels to the bride's home with his relatives, who carry lacquered leather trunks lined with pink satin, filled with gifts of clothes, jewelry, and money.

As most Vietnamese are Mahayana Buddhists, they have two different ceremonies. But these days the two ceremonies often take place on the same day: one at the bride's home and then one at the groom's. The groom presents an "entrance fee" in a red envelope, and then lays his gifts before the bride's ancestors.

The group then moves to the groom's home, where the bride must step over burning coals to banish evil spirits before entering. While tea is served to guests, a separate wedding ceremony is set up facing south, and cooked rice (stained red), a boiled chicken, and incense are laid before it. The groom's parents bow and invite a priest forward, who asks the gods of marriage to bless the couple. He binds them with a red thread and wraps it around the altar. The couple is considered married and all celebrate by eating rice and chicken.

Here are some Wedding Traditions performed around the world