I have been looking forward to shooting this wedding for well over a year. Erin and Patrick chose Asheville  to celebrate their up-coming marriage. The couple live in California. Patrick’s family is from the Carolina’s and Erin’s from Vietnam. What a beautiful union of families, love, and culture!

Erin had asked me to document a special ceremony before the actual wedding. The traditional Tea Ceremony. I was more than a little giddy about it! I prepared myself for the event by doing a bit of research and to better explain…i’ve posted a description below:

In The Vietnamese Wedding the Groom and the Bride in front of all their family and friends will serve tea (or wine) to their parents. Their parents would take turn to give their blessing, advice about marriage and family to the couple and give the newly wedded value gifts such as money in a red envelope.

The groom then pours tea for the couple, first into one large bowl then into one cup for bride. They drink the tea as they are watched closely by their family and friends. The offer and acceptance of tea is a very important ritual in Vietnamese culture.

 I arrived when Erin was getting ready. She is so beautiful. The following post is brief… but, wait until part II ! It’s a big one!

Erin’s sister Tina helped with the traditional headdress.

Erin’s father giving his blessing…