The menu features seafood (grilled prawns, ethnic-style catfish), beef in a pepper sauce served with bread, chicken with mushrooms, fresh greens, sticky rice with butterfly pea flower, fragrant jasmine rice, and a pork ball mushroom soup. The dessert is a passion fruit mousse cake. A multi-tier wedding cake and a champagne tower will be displayed at the reception.

Dietary needs — vegetarian or allergies — please tell Vân directly when you confirm. Alternatives can be arranged at your table.

From 9:00 to 11:00 at Vân's family home in Mỹ Lộc, the groom's family processes formally to the bride's house bearing five red lacquered trays — betel and areca, tea and wine, cakes, fruit, and the ceremonial envelope. Marc's mother leads the procession; Marc's three sons and two nephews carry the trays. The two mothers meet at the threshold, vows are exchanged at the family altar, and Vân is formally welcomed into Marc's family. This is the cultural marriage in Vietnamese eyes — close family only.

A red and gold banner that means "leaving home to marry" — flown when a daughter is being given to a new family from her hometown. You'll see it above the family table.

A small lacquered tray holding green leaves and pale-yellow nuts. The most ancient symbol in Vietnamese marriage — a thousand-year-old legend that betel and areca, like husband and wife, always belong together.

The red candles you'll see lit on the family table are marked with the double-happiness character (囍). They bless the union with brightness, joy, and warmth.

The flowing silk you'll see Vân, Marc, and the families wearing — both bride and groom in matching red, the traditional colour of Vietnamese marriage. You're warmly welcome to wear áo dài yourself; it's considered an honour, never an imposition. The hotel can arrange one locally.

Vietnamese tradition is for guests to bring a red envelope (phong bì) with cash as a wedding gift, equivalent to your meal cost or what feels right. Around 500,000–1,000,000 VND (£15–30) is usual for friends; closer family typically give more. There will be a red envelope box at the reception desk. Please don't feel obliged — your presence is gift enough — but if you'd like to follow the tradition, this is how it's done.

Áo dài welcome — or suit, dress, or smart-casual. Please avoid white (it's the bride's colour for the afternoon ceremony). Bright colours are encouraged; Vietnamese weddings are vibrant celebrations, not sombre Western affairs.

In a quiet corner you'll find a photo of Marc's father, who couldn't be with us today but whose presence is felt all the same. You're welcome to pause there if you wish.

During the reception, Vân and Marc — with their parents — will visit every single table in turn to thank each group of guests and share a toast. This takes around an hour or two of the evening, so don't worry if the bride and groom briefly disappear and reappear at different parts of the room. It's the most cherished part of a Vietnamese reception.

Children are warmly welcome at every part of the day. Both families have plenty of children — Marc's three sons, Vân's two, and Vân's young nieces will be flower girls. Vietnamese weddings are family events; the more, the merrier.

Photos are encouraged — we'd love to see the day through your eyes. Just please no flash during the afternoon ceremony, and let our professional photographer have the front row for the formal moments. We'll share the official photos with you all afterwards.