A Colorful And Multicultural Indian And Vietnamese Wedding

The visual identity of this offbeat love story is a beautiful blend of cultures and locations. Captured by Morni Studio, the photographs showcase the unconventional union between Chanda and Loi. The couple’s special day was marked by two distinct celebrations: an Indian wedding at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor in Maryland, and a Vietnamese wedding held at their homes in Maryland.

Give us a few highlights from your Indian and Vietnamese wedding:

As a kid, I was fascinated by grand Indian weddings, where vibrant red lehengas, fragrant flowers, and non-stop dancing under starry night skies created an unforgettable atmosphere. Growing up as the youngest sibling, I had the privilege of attending numerous such celebrations, which fueled my own desire for a fairytale-like wedding experience.

Fast forward to our special day, where attention to every detail was crucial.

As a graphic designer, I wanted our celebration to be an immersive and visually stunning experience for our loved ones. We spent over a year planning, pouring our hearts into every aspect from the color palette to the decorations. Our wedding colors – white, pink roses, and blue hydrangeas – became the thread that wove together our invitations, decor, and even our online presence.

In contrast, our Vietnamese wedding was an intimate and heartfelt celebration held at our homes.

It began with a small ceremony at my home, where Loi’s family joined us to bless our union. The festivities then moved to Loi’s home, where we concluded the ceremony by paying respects to his ancestors. Following this emotional exchange, we came together for a joyous family lunch in our backyard.

Tell us about your Indian ceremony:

Our cultural fusion celebration was a two-week-long extravaganza that blended Indian and Vietnamese traditions. It kicked off with our Mehndi ceremony, where I was adorned with intricate henna designs to calm my nerves before the big day. The process took around six hours, but it was worth it for the stunning result. Next up was our Sangeet night, a vibrant gathering of loved ones that brought everyone together through music and dance.

This traditional Indian celebration featured energetic performances by family and friends, followed by a lively Jago ceremony where we passed a decorated pot around while dancing on our heads. The night wrapped up with an open dance floor, reminiscent of a wedding reception. The final pre-wedding event was the Haldi, a unique ritual where friends and family applied turmeric paste to my skin to wish me well and give me a radiant glow.

After getting ‘hosed off’ by Loi’s sister-in-law, I joined everyone for lunch before moving on to the Chooda ceremony, a special bangles tradition reserved only for my side of the family. As I took my seat and closed my eyes, waiting in anticipation to put on my own set of bangles on the wedding day.

And those were just the pre-wedding events!

As we embarked on the Indian wedding celebration, the day began at 4:00 AM with my hair and makeup preparation. Our picturesque venue, overlooking Baltimore Harbor, served as the backdrop for a poignant first look between Loi and me. The tender moment was marked by tears of joy in Loi’s eyes when I gently tapped him on the shoulder. Following this emotional reunion, we parted ways to allow Loi to proceed with his Baraat, a traditional groom’s procession.

Riding a decorated white horse, Loi led his family and a mobile DJ playing lively music to the venue. My family and bridesmaids joined in, attempting to steal Loi’s shoes – a playful tradition where the bride’s side holds the shoes as ransom, requiring the groom to pay them off after the wedding. We then entered the ceremony space for the Ganesh pooja, a sacred ritual blessing our union.

Under a stunning floral canopy held by my brothers, I joined my family in walking around a small holy fire seven times, symbolizing our seven wedding vows. This sacred circle marked the beginning of our new life together. As we concluded the ceremony, Loi adorned me with a traditional wedding necklace and applied vermillion to my hair part, signifying our marriage. We exchanged rings, sealing our union, and then greeted each of our family members for their blessings.

A lively negotiation ensued as Loi attempted to retrieve his shoes from my mischievous bridesmaids. As the emotional atmosphere reached its peak, I bid farewell to my loved ones, and we walked back up the aisle. The final custom was for me to toss rice behind me, symbolizing my continued prayers for their health and prosperity. With that, Loi and I departed in a palanquin carried by my brothers, ultimately making our way to our reception later that evening.

Now tell us about your Vietnamese ceremony:

Just a week after our vibrant Indian wedding and reception, we embarked on another significant ceremony – our intimate Vietnamese wedding. This traditional affair took place at Loi’s home, setting the tone for an afternoon of warm rituals and joyful celebrations. The ceremony commenced with a heartfelt prayer to Loi’s ancestors, honoring their memory and seeking their blessings. As family elders and Loi’s parents took their seats at a beautifully set table, we began the traditional tea ceremony.

With great reverence, Loi and I served them tea, symbolizing our gratitude for their love and guidance as we embark on this new chapter of life together. This sacred ritual marked the beginning of our married life, and we felt truly blessed to share it with our loved ones. Following the tea ceremony, Loi and I participated in some delightful post-wedding games.

The first challenge was a test of skill and patience – finding Loi’s ring hidden among milk and flower petals in a series of five rounds. And for those who remember our Indian wedding, we also had to untie the intricately knotted threads that had been tied around our wrists and ankles during the bangles ceremony. The winner? Well, let’s just say it was a close competition!

After these fun-filled games, we all gathered for a delightful lunch, followed by an evening of karaoke and merriment with friends and family.

What’d you do at your Indian and Vietnamese wedding reception?

We wanted to infuse our personalities into the celebration, so instead of a traditional lunch option, we surprised our guests with a refreshing serving of bubble tea. The unique touch resonated with our friends and family, making our special day even more unforgettable.

As we look back on the whirlwind reception, it’s hard not to smile at the memories of heartfelt speeches, energetic dance performances, including surprise renditions of my favorite Jonas Brothers and BTS songs, a delectable dinner spread, and an evening filled with joyful dancing under the lights.

What was SINGLE MOST the most important lesson you learned?

As I look back on my wedding planning experience, one of my biggest challenges was achieving perfection in every detail while also trying to ensure everyone’s happiness. It got to a point where even minor setbacks would send me into a spiral of stress and anxiety. But then I realized that sometimes you just have to let go and accept that things won’t always go as planned. My advice to fellow brides is to learn to roll with the punches when things don’t go according to plan.

If it’s something that can be easily fixed, great! But if it’s beyond your control, try not to let it ruin your special day. Instead, focus on the bigger picture and what really matters – the love you’re sharing with your partner. In hindsight, I wish I had taken more time to appreciate the little moments on my wedding day. It goes by so quickly, and before you know it, the cake is being cut and the party is over! While small mistakes may occur, they’re just that – small.

What’s most important is that you get to spend your special day with the person you love, surrounded by the people you care about. So, take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy every moment of it.

Vendors behind this Indian and Vietnamese wedding:

In the world of Indian weddings, there are several key elements that come together to create a beautiful and memorable celebration. One such element is the array of talented artists and vendors who bring their unique skills and expertise to the table. In this context, we take a look at some of the fantastic professionals who contributed to making Chanda’s special day so unforgettable.

Mehndi artist @blushingandbeautiful added her own flair to the proceedings with a stunning design that perfectly captured the essence of Indian tradition. Her outfit, courtesy @anis. collections1, was nothing short of breathtaking, while the jewelry, courtesy @jewelrybyhenna, sparkled and shone in all its glory.

Moving on to Sangeet, we see Chanda rocking a beautiful lehenga from @nazranaanj, paired with Loi’s stunning sherwani and shoes, also from @nazranaanj.

The stole, courtesy @the_hand_krities, added a touch of elegance to the overall ensemble, while the jewelry, courtesy @ibtidadesigns, sparkled like diamonds in the light.

In terms of Haldi, Chanda opted for a lovely saree and blouse combo from @mayasdesiboutique, paired with Loi’s beautiful kurta from @cbazaar. The floral jewelry and haldi thaali, courtesy @the_hand_krities, added a pop of color to the proceedings.

Of course, no Indian wedding would be complete without a special mention of the reception. Chanda looked radiant in her lehenga from @khajanaboutique, while Loi’s suit, courtesy @menswearhouse, was every bit as dashing.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese wedding celebration saw Loi’s amazing aunt take center stage with her stunning outfits, complemented by a beautiful chooda from @the_hand_krities.

The HMUA team, consisting of @resalonspa and @sunuwarresu, did an excellent job of capturing the essence of the occasion through their photos.

In conclusion, it’s clear that the key to pulling off a successful Indian wedding lies in the hands of talented artists and vendors like those mentioned above. Their unique skills and expertise come together to create a truly unforgettable celebration.

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