Family guide — Groom's side

Hendrik
& Thuý Hằng

Saturday, 20 June 2026

Welcome to the family! This guide walks you through everything you need to know for today — where to be, when, and what to expect at each moment.

Part I

Ancestral Ceremony — Bride's Home

Good to know
A traditional Vietnamese ceremony
This is a meaningful Vietnamese family ritual. You'll be welcomed into the bride's home as honoured guests. A translator (Hà) will be by your side throughout to make sure you follow along and feel comfortable. Simply follow the planner's guidance — you won't need to do anything unexpected.
9:00
am
Getting Ready
Makeup & Dress
The morning is for getting ready. Hendrik's mother should be finished with makeup and dressed by 11:00. The planner and photographer will be present at the groom's room.
11:15
am
Photos
Getting-Ready Photoshoot
The photographer captures getting-ready moments — áo dài, accessories, tea & cakes. A relaxed, informal shoot lasting about 30 minutes.
11:45
am
Photos
Full Family Group Photos
All groom's family members assemble for group photos with Hendrik. The planner will organise positions — just follow their lead.
12:10
pm
Departure
Board Vehicles to Bride's Home
The full groom's party boards vehicles together to travel to Hằng's home. The planner will coordinate timing and notify the bride's family before you arrive.
12:30
pm
Arrival
Form Up Outside Bride's Home
On arrival, the planner will arrange everyone into a single-file line before entering. The order is: officiant → Hendrik → gift tray bearers → Hendrik's parents → family members. A group photo is taken before you enter.
13:00
pm
Ceremony
Enter the Bride's Home
On the planner's signal, the party moves inside. The groomsmen hand the decorative gift trays (mâm quả) to the bridesmaids — a symbolic and photogenic exchange. Hà will translate throughout.
13:10
pm
Ceremony
Be Seated for Tea & Introductions
The bride's family invites everyone to sit. Guests are seated in order: officiant first, then parents, then family. Tea and refreshments are served. Both families' officiants give brief speeches of introduction.
Dad's role — action required
Hendrik's father speaks on behalf of the groom's family. With Hà translating, he should:

1. Introduce the groom's family and explain the purpose of the visit.
2. Present the gifts that have been brought — the necklace, ring, earrings and the gift tray — and briefly describe their meaning as tokens of love and respect.
3. Formally ask whether the bride's family accepts Hendrik into their family and gives their blessing for the marriage.

Hà will be right beside you to translate each part into Vietnamese as you go. Keep it warm and brief — a few sincere sentences is perfect.
13:30
pm
Key Moment
Hằng Is Presented to the Family
Hằng's mother leads her out to meet everyone for the first time. Her hand is placed in Hendrik's. The couple bows to both families and hugs both mothers. Both mothers are invited up for a photo with the gift trays.
13:40
pm
Ceremony
Ancestral Incense Ritual
Hằng's father lights the incense at the ancestral altar to honour the family's ancestors. Once the incense has been lit, Hendrik and Hằng bow together before the altar as a sign of respect. A quiet, meaningful moment — simply watch and take it in.
13:50
pm
Ceremony
Tea Service & Ring & Jewellery Exchange
The couple serves tea in this order: Hằng's parents first, then Hendrik's parents, and after that the oldest members of both families. Once tea has been served, both families cheer together with their teacups.

After the toast, Hendrik's mother puts the jewellery on Hằng in this order: earrings first, then the necklace, and finally the wedding ring.
14:00
pm
Gifts & Photos
Gift Giving & Family Photos
Hằng's mother presents Hằng with jewellery and money as a final gesture of love from her family.

Anyone who has brought a gift is invited to come forward and present it to the couple at this point — the planner will guide this. Photos are taken with each person or group as they give their gift.

The ceremony then closes with the return of half the gift trays to Hendrik's family — a Vietnamese tradition symbolising that what is shared between families is now shared equally. An invitation to the evening dinner together follows.
Part II

Part II

Vow Ceremony — 50 Guests

16:00
pm
Arrival
Doors Open — Find Your Seat
Guests are welcomed and guided to seats. Pastries are served while you settle in. Close friends and family sit towards the front.
16:20
pm
Programme
Ceremony Begins — Hendrik Enters
Hendrik walks in with his groomsmen. MC introduces him to guests. He's then asked how he's feeling while waiting for Hằng — a sweet moment.
16:30
pm
Programme
Bridesmaids Enter, Then Hằng
Bridesmaids walk in first. Then at 16:35, Hằng enters with her father. MC will provide a translation for all key moments — nothing will be lost in the ceremony.
16:40
pm
Programme
Love Story Video & Guest Game
A short video tells the story of how Hendrik and Hằng met and fell in love. This is followed by a fun Kahoot trivia game — guests team up and play on their phones.
16:45
pm
The Big Moment
Vows & Ring Exchange
Hendrik reads his vows first, then Hằng. The Vietnamese translation is displayed on screen for all guests. They exchange rings and share their first kiss as a married couple.
17:00
pm
Programme
Bridesmaid Speeches
Two of Hằng's bridesmaids — Vivien and Hà — share their speeches. Translations are shown on screen.
17:10
pm
Celebration
First Walk — Confetti Streamers!
The couple walks out hand-in-hand. Guests pop confetti streamers as they pass — the planner will hand these out beforehand. Group photos with all vow ceremony guests follow.
Part III

Part III

Evening Reception — 300 Guests

17:50
pm
Arrival
Find Your Table & Fill in Your Lucky Draw Slip
Find your seat, enjoy the slideshow, and fill in the last 4 digits of your phone number on the lucky draw slip at your table. The photo booth is open!
18:05
pm
Programme
MC Opens the Evening
Hà opens in English, followed by MC Sơn in Vietnamese. The love story clip plays again on the big screen.
18:10
pm
Entrance
Hendrik Enters, Then Hằng
Hendrik enters first, followed shortly by Hằng with her father. A grand, celebratory moment — enjoy it!
18:16
pm
Family Entrance
Both Families Enter Together
Hendrik's parents enter alongside Hằng's parents, each pair walking in together as MC introduces them to the room. A proud moment — the whole venue will be watching and applauding.
18:25
pm
Speech
Speech from Bride's Family
A representative from Hằng's family shares words of welcome and blessing. A brief translation will be provided.
18:30
pm
Key Moment
Cake Cutting & Wine Pouring
The couple cuts the cake and pours wine together. 4 chairs are set up for both sets of parents to sit front and centre and take in this moment. The couple then toasts their parents — Hendrik toasts Hằng's parents and she toasts his. MC invites all guests to raise a glass. Confetti cannons fire!
18:40
pm
Programme
Couple's Speech & First Walk
Hằng delivers a thank-you speech to guests. The couple then walks through the venue together before she changes outfits for table rounds.
19:00
pm
Programme
Couple Visits Your Table
Hendrik and Hằng will come around to greet every table. This is your chance for a photo with the newlyweds!
19:20
pm
Entertainment
Games & Lucky Draw
A fun stretch of entertainment: warm-up trivia → lucky draw consolation prizes (presented by Hendrik's grandmother & her friend) → couple's quiz game → lucky draw 3rd prizes (presented by Hendrik's parents) → music guessing game → lucky draw 2nd prizes (presented by Hằng's parents). Hà will translate all games into English.
19:30
pm
Special Mention
Grandmother & Her Friend in the Spotlight
The MC will take a moment to celebrate that Hendrik's grandmother (83!) and her friend travelled so far to be here. Expect a warm round of applause from the entire room.
20:20
pm
First Dance
Grand Entrance & First Dance
Hằng changes into her dance outfit. The couple makes a grand entrance and shares their first dance together as a married couple.
20:30
pm
Grand Prize
Hendrik & Hằng Draw the Grand Prize Winner
The couple announces the grand lucky draw winner. Make sure your slip is in!
20:40
pm
Finale
Bouquet Toss & Evening Closes
Hằng tosses her bouquet to close the celebration. What a day — welcome to the family!

Roles for the Groom's Family