Kindly RSVP by May 20th, 2024. Please type in the name(s) listed on the invite. One RSVP per invitation.
Unfortunately, certain events are RSVP only due to space and capacity. Please refer to your invitations.
Unfortunately, due to space limitations, we are not able to have all of our lovely guests bring a companion of their own. Therefore, we ask everyone to please not bring a plus one, unless they are specifically named on the invitation. Thank you so much for understanding!
Infants and newborns who won't require an additional seat are all welcome. Children old enough to require a seat may only come if named on invites due to limited space capacity.
Friday's Vietnamese ceremony will begin with a groom procession to the bride's house where the groom's side will present the bride's side with gifts. The tea ceremony takes place inside at the ancestral shrine where parents exchange wise words, incense is lit, prayers are made, and tea is poured for our ancestors.
Afterwards, we will then proceed to a buffet dinner outside and a fusion Vietnamese reception meets mehendi meets sangeet will occur. There will be lion dancing, bubble tea, henna, and a talent show
As for Saturday, before the Hindu ceremony begins, a baraat, takes place. This is essentially another groom procession with drums and dancing (although who knows, perhaps this bride will want to join in lol). The actual ceremony itself will last around an hour and includes a swing, an exchange of garlands, a fire, and more. Further information linked below.
After the ceremony, we will then proceed to a cocktail hour with live cello music. The night will be capped off with a Việt/Indian buffet and Bollywood/K-Pop all night!
Also, don't be surprised if both cultures tend to walk in and out or talk amongst themselves during the ceremonies. This is normal!
If you're interested in learning more about the Vietnamese tea ceremony and the Hindu ceremony, check out the following linked blogs and resources. Please keep in mind that our day may not follow the timelines exactly since certain rituals may be passed over to condense the time.
VIETNAMESE
HINDU
It can get messy and it can stain! Once applied, mehendi can take 30 minutes to an hour to dry. Please plan eating/drinking and any sangeet (talent show) performances around mehendi!
On Friday, we welcome everyone to wear the Vietnamese traditonal dress - the áo dài. Places to order them online include Facebook Marketplace (it will surprise you) and Etsy!
On Saturday, we welcome our guests to wear Desi clothing. Feminine-wear traditionally includes (more formal to less formal) saris, lehengas, dresses/churidhars, and salwar kameezes. Most Desi guests will be wearing saris and lehengas, lots of jewelry (including bangles and earrings), and a bindi!
For those who have never worn something like this before, the lehenga is formal, but easier to wear than the sari since there's less draping. Salwar kameezes are also easier to wear, but less formal.
Masculine-wear is usually just a Western suit. However, there are those who wear a kurta for the ceremony and then change into a Western suit for the reception.
For those wanting to participate in our respective cultures, we hope this information helps you decide what best represents your identity and what you'd want to wear the day of!
Here are some online stores we recommend:
Please note that cultural dress is encouraged, but by no means required! It's just our way of sharing our respective cultures with those we love. And for those who are concerned, none of this is cultural appropriation since in-community members are giving explicit permission.
For those who aren't feeling it, think semi-formal/formal attire. Keep in mind that Indian & Vietnamese culture tend to be a lot more glam than Western culture when it comes to weddings. Don't be surprised to see guests dressed to the nines and wearing lots of jewelry
At the end of the day, everyone should just wear what makes them feel the most beautiful!
While we understand that Vietnamese and Indian cultures tend to be flexible with time, we hope to start both ceremonies promptly. To do so, we ask all guests to arrive at least 15 minutes early. Doors will open 30 minutes before the Baraat at 3:15pm. Thank you!
On Friday, both the Vietnamese tea ceremony and the ensuing mehendi/sangeet will take place at the Van Family Home: 3025 Copper Oaks Alcove, Woodbury, MN 55125.
On Saturday, all events will be taking place at the same venue: Minneapolis Event Centers which has 3 event spaces (212 2nd Sreet SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414).
However, due to rain, the Hindu ceremony will now be held indoors in the event space named The View. Cocktail hour and the reception remains the same and will take place at the attached event space named The Grand 1858: 212 2nd Sreet SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.
Essentially, our wedding will now be using 2/3 event spaces at the Minneapolis Event Centers.
Unfortunately, there is no shuttle from the hotel to either venues. We advise using Lyft or Uber (after negotiations, Lyft & Uber have decided to stay in Minneapolis).
Since Friday's venue is in the suburbs, we suggest scheduling a ride beforehand to ensure peace of mind that drivers are available to pick you up, especially later into the night. We are hoping to wrap up between 10pm - 10:30pm (including any dance practices).
For Saturday, we still advise using Lyft or Uber even though the venue is so close to the hotels. While walking is possible, you would need to cross a busy highway bridge. For that reason (and for those wearing heels), we advise hailing a 5-10 minute ride via Lyft or Uber.
Since Friday takes place at a family home in the suburbs, there should be free parking in the neighborhood. The guest count is also quite high and street parking could get chaotic (pray there will be no grad parties that day). To help limit parking, please carpool and/or get dropped off. Also, please abstain from parking in the cul de sac; the space is reserved for drop offs and lion dancing. The neighborhood is a loop and we advise finding street parking somewhere along the loop. Those wearing heels might want to see if they can get dropped off first.
On Saturday, the St. Anthony Parking Ramp is located across the street from the venue. It's address is: 201 2nd Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. While the parking ramp is not owned by the venue, it is affiliated with them.
The parking ramp costs $7.50 for up to 12 hours and $12 total for 12-24 hours.
It's going to rain! Friday will be outside, but with tents. Saturday will all be indoors.
Dress accordingly (consider warmth & comfort). Wear comfy shoes (especially on Friday since it's muddy, wet grass).
Consider umbrellas and/or rain jackets!
Yes!!!
On Friday, canned and bottled alcoholic drinks will be available.
On Saturday, open bar during cocktail hour. Afterwards, it will become a cash bar. If you're planning to drink, please come prepared!
In accordance with our respective cultures, we do not plan on receiving boxed gifts. A cash fund has been linked to this website and monetary gifts are welcome day of.
If you have any other questions other than what we have listed here, please feel free to call or text Vikram (763-607-7556) or Quynh-Huong (651-206-8023).