Love, Culture and Ceremony
Love has no borders of geography, culture or language. And when two people from different worlds come together, their wedding becomes more than a celebration of love, it is a bridge between traditions.
At The Planners, we have had the honor of witnessing and curating these seamless fusions, where the cultural diversity blends into the Vietnamese heritage.
The Meanings
A traditional wedding in Vietnamese culture is far more than just a mere ritual, it’s a profound expression of the connection between two families and a deep reverence for ancestors. The betrothal gifts (tráp lễ) themselves are symbolic, representing the sincerity and blessings for the couple.
For multicultural couples, the wedding ceremony carries an even deeper layer of meaning. Beyond the familiar rituals is a journey back to one’s Vietnamese heritage or a beautiful way to embrace and respect the roots of each other. Ultimately, all of this makes cross-cultural weddings a meaningful bridge of understanding, blending and honoring between two families.
The Blends
At The Planners, multicultural weddings have become beautifully familiar. Rather than leaning solely toward either Eastern of Western influences, we aim for an aesthetically pleasing harmony – embracing a story that is uniquely the couple’s own. Sometimes, cultural imprints are expressed subtly through wedding details – forming a beautiful thread that connects every unique element together.
On Tim & Andrew’s wedding day, The Planners brought to life a celebration infused with the spirit of three cultures: American, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Eastern touches appeared in the smallest details: fortune cookies used as guest name cards, tò he (traditional Vietnamese figurines) as meaningful wedding favors, and a lively lion dance performance. Meanwhile, Western traditions such as the vow ceremony remained an essential part of the celebration, blending seamlessly into the day’s rhythm.
Another delightful example is our journey with Minnie & Seong — a Brazilian bride and a Korean groom who chose Vietnam for their wedding simply because they fell in love with bún chả. Their wedding beautifully intertwined cultures: the elegant Paebaek ceremony honoring Korean tradition, a heartfelt vow ceremony in Western style, and an intimate dinner featuring bún chả — a symbolic nod to the serendipitous beginning of their love story with The Planners.
The wedding of Zaklina & Dominik was a perfect testament to the beauty of cultural harmony in every detail. Having spent most of her life in Poland, Zaklina came to The Planners with a heartfelt wish – to honor her Vietnamese roots on her special day. The image of the bride in a vibrant red traditional áo dài became an unforgettable highlight amidst the enchanting natural setting of Yen Tu. At the same time, the Polish wedding ritual of “eating bread and breaking a glass” was beautifully preserved and seamlessly blended with the Eastern elements, celebrating a meaningful story of love, family, and heritage.
To us, a wedding is a blend of love, family and identity. When working alongside cross-cultural couples, we always strive to find ways to ensure every ritual and every moment carries the fullest meaning – honoring heritage while reflecting the aesthetics of the current era and the couple’s story.
The Stories
The beauty of a cross-cultural wedding lies in the delicate blend woven into every detail of the ceremony and concept. It might be a tea ceremony with distinct features from two cultures: refined betrothal gifts following Korean customs, a vibrant lion dance rooted in Chinese heritage,… Or simply, the couple’s choice of replacing the classic gown and suit with traditional attire characteristics of each origin.
At Hường & Alex’s Engagement Ceremony, The Planners created a seamless blend of Vietnamese and Korean cultures. From the décor concept inspired by the idea of “harmony between heaven and earth” and the natural beauty of Vietnam, to the traditional Vietnamese betrothal gifts (tráp lễ) beautifully wrapped in the Korean art of Bojagi, every detail carried a deep sense of gratitude – honoring heritage, family and the soulful love story of the couple.
In the project “Eastern Grace”, with the bride Phương, a Vietnamese of Chinese descent, and the groom, a Chinese-Canadian, The Planners chose to weave cultural beauty throughout the entire wedding concept. During the Tea Ceremony, the imagery of the Four-Panel Painting and “Mandarin Ducks by the Water” was artistically reimagined, creating a vivid and elegant space imbued with the essence of Eastern culture for the couple. On their wedding day, the color red, symbolizing luck and happiness, – adorned with Chinese cultural elements as a graceful tribute to the couple’s heritage on their most meaningful day.
Through every celebration, The Planners has defined that: love can be written into every detail and language, and honoring one’s roots is the most meaningful way to begin a lifelong shared journey.
