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Ái Phương and Thanh Phong's Đám Hỏi (Dam Hoi) (Vietnamese Engagement Ceremony)

September 29, 2014 • Leave a Comment

The Vietnamese engagement ceremony is probably one of Vietnam most beautiful tradition and I think it is one of the neatest ways to ask for a lady’s hand in marriage. What makes this ceremony so unique is the underlying theme that the fiancé’s whole extended family is asking for the fiancée’s hand rather than just him making the proposal. It is also considered to be the union of two families rather than of just two people. Now, of course all of this talk of marriage would have to be discussed beforehand and the ceremony is more of a formal announcement of the engagement since you cannot go through all of this planning (as you will see) and have her say no. So that is the basis of the Vietnamese engagement ceremony, now I will walk you guys through the various steps of the day so people can have a better understanding of this very unique tradition.

Before I go on, I will say that this particular Đám Hỏi is very special for me since I have known Phương from like the second week of our Freshman year of college at UCONN. It is absolutely thrilling and surreal to be apart of such wonderful memories of one of your very close friend and boy was I glad that I can be her photographer for that the day. I was essentially capturing my own memories.

Phương met her fiancé in Texas where she is currently working and while her fiancé's family is from Houston, they still made the long trip to her hometown of Bristol, CT where her parents still reside to formally ask for her hand. This makes me realizes how importance and symbolic the Vietnamese engagement ceremony is. Sure, it is just a formality at this point but it certainly take a lot of love and effort to pull it off.

Vietnamese Engagement Ceremony (Dam Hoi)

So let start at the hair salon. I love taking photos at hair salon, I do not know why but the the photos you get at the hair salon when the ladies are getting their hair and make up done, you simply cannot really get it anywhere else. It is just the perfect combination of glamour and fun and the overall atmosphere is totally relaxing.

The funny thing was when we showed up the hair salon was everyone was confused as to why Phương is getting her hair and make up done just to get engaged? So this is why I am writing this piece in a bit of detail so other can learn of this wonderful tradition.

Below are some of the "gifts" and "offering" for the ancestor on the family's mantel.

Representatives from the fiance's family came to state their intention before the rest of the family can enter.

Representatives from the the fiance's family asking for permission to bring the rest of the family into the house and cheering to a joyous union.

"Bridesmaids" waiting to receive gifts from the fiancé's family.

Grandma's leading the way into the house while the rest of family brought gifts wrapped in red. Probably one of the most memorable moment.

The most anticipated and probably the most comical gift is the roasted pig

The exchanging of the gifts which typically bring all kind of hilariousness along with it. Of course, the pig would be the star of this show.

Welcome and greeting from both families as well as stating their intention for the special occasion.

Beside getting her engagement ring, Phương also get a pair of earrings and a necklace as gifts from her in law in accordance to Vietnamese tradition. What a great way to make lady feel special on her engagement day, I was so happy to see her get so many gifts lol!!

The serving of wine to your to your in-laws as a sign of respect.

After the cozy ceremony, we gather around for quick lunch with all the guests in the back yard and gather round for some quick portraits with close family members.

To signify the official end to the ceremony, the fiancée's family return the boxes to the fiancé's family. Noticed how everything is much messier now? lol

In short, that is the Vietnamese Đám Hỏi or Engagement Ceremony. So far, it seem pretty unique to our culture and I definitely think it is a very beautiful tradition as you cannot really make a girl feel any more special than with such a meaningful celebration with close friends and family.

We also photographed Phương and Phong engagement session the next day with a "normal" modern theme, and the results were interestingly different.....both the traditional and modern looks are stunningly gorgeous but yet they are so different! You can see the Phương and Phong's engagement portraits in the link below:

Ái Phương & Thanh Phong's Engagement | Torrington, Connecticut

UPDATE: So my friend Phương got married this pas May and I am very proud to have all of her wedding journey documented on my blog!!! You can see her beautiful traditional Vietnamese wedding here:

Traditional Vietnamese Wedding at Kim Son | Houston, Texas | Ái Phương & Thanh Phong

Ái Phương & Thanh Phong's Engagement | Torrington, Connecticut

September 29, 2014 • Leave a Comment

To be able to capture the happiest moments in someone life time has always been one of my greatest privilege as a photographer. To be able to do it for your love ones is an absolutely thrilling experience, I cannot even begin to describe it. Phương and Phong actually flew up to her hometown in Connecticut for the Vietnamese engagement ceremony (more on that later) and then they went up to my hometown in Torrington, Connecticut for their engagement photos. So in this blog, not only do I get to show off my old college friend but I also get to show off my hometown of Torrington, Connecticut; more specifically: my backyard, front yard, the neighborhood swing sets, a walking trail down the road, and Burr Pond State Park which is also down the road from me. So, yeah, this was quite a personal photo session for me and I truly enjoy every moments of it and it really show that you do not have to go far to find true beauty in this world. Here are a few photos from the session, I hope you guys will enjoy it like the way I enjoy photographing it.

A Gorgeous Wedding at The Woodwinds

September 26, 2014 • Leave a Comment

I had a chance photograph Jennifer and Ethan's special day with the super awesome Steve Blazo (www.blazophoto.com). Steve was absolutely wonderful to work with as he just let me roamed as get photographs that I thought would best capture the day.

I started with the guys getting ready at the hotel. We had an absolute blast as we just had too much fun with the handkerchief! The ceremony was on absolutely gorgeous ground at The Woodwinds. Both Ethan and Jennifer gave each other a gorgeous rose as soon as they got married, what a beautiful first gift as a married couple! We had a quite a celebration that night with a lot of dancing and wonderful, wonderful speeches! Congratulations again to Jennifer and Ethan!!

A Wedding at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception| La Bella Vista

September 19, 2014 • Leave a Comment

When Amber of AB Photography asked me to be her second photographer for Blake and Kathy's wedding in Waterbury, Connecticut, I was really excited as I have never photograph any event in the city. Sure, I drove by it pretty often but to be able to photograph in a "new" city was pretty exciting.

Now, I have lived in Connecticut for about twenty years and I would never have imagined that some of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen from around the country as well as abroad are actually right here in Waterbury, Connecticut. I don' know whether or not I should have been surprised, but I was in shock!! I mean, when I first walked into the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church, I thought to myself “did anyone from the Royal family get married here? They should!!!” It is truly a spectacular spectacular church! I am glad to be apart of Kathy and Blake's big day and to be able captures truly beautiful moments in an absolutely magnificent church! Kathy and Blake then had an absolutely wonderful reception at the La Bella Vista where the hall was beautiful decorated with some amazing silverware, and I am not just talking about knifes and forks! This is definitely a Brass City's Wedding!