Vietnamese Tea Ceremony: A Beautiful Wedding Tradition.

One of the best things about living in the United States is the exposure to so many cultures all in one place. Because so many of us come from different backgrounds, we get the chance to experience traditions that families continue to celebrate and sometimes—if you’re lucky—you’re invited to be part of them.

For me, that invitation came while documenting Natasha and Michael’s wedding. This time, I had the chance to experience a Vietnamese Tea Ceremony—a meaningful wedding tradition that brings families together.

I had visited Vietnam twice in the past, back when I was designing high-end mountain bikes and touring carbon factories. But even then, I never had the opportunity to participate in the country’s rich traditions.

A Vietnamese Tea Ceremony is a traditional pre-wedding ritual where the couple serves tea to their parents and elder family members. It’s a gesture of gratitude and respect, symbolizing the unity of two families and the beginning of a new marriage. The groom’s family presents gifts, the couple serves tea while dressed in traditional Vietnamese wedding outfits, and in return they receive blessings and advice from their elders. The ceremony often concludes with a shared meal, bringing everyone together. Michael’s grandparents emigrated to the USA around 1975, most likely due to the traumatic events happening in Vietnam at the time. He still has a large extended family there and has returned to visit them. His mother, born in Vietnam and later married to a non-Vietnamese American immigrant, was especially excited to share this tradition with us. She made sure everyone understood the protocol, since for many of us it was the first time experiencing a Tea Ceremony. She also cooked delicious traditional food (and I’ll admit, I happily went back for seconds). Michael’s father was very touched and emotional during the ceremony—it likely reminded him of when he was the groom serving tea years ago. I felt welcome in this important family event and I am grateful I was so warmly invited in.

Curious what it looks like? Here are some of the photos I captured during this beautiful celebration of culture and family.