Vietnamese Wedding, San Jose, CA, 1988
Item Description
A couple, their names unknown, pose for a picture after a formal introduction of the two families at the bride's home ("Vu Qui") when the groom's mother adorned her with jewelry. The bride holds a bouquet brought by the groom. Now she will put on a white wedding dress to be married in a Catholic church, after which they go to the bridegroom's home ("Tan Hon") to honor his family, and finally to the banquet.
Katrina Thomas's notes: Under a special act of Congress, refugees from Vietnam were first admitted to the U.S. after the fall of Saigon in April 1975. They included ethnic Chinese, Eurasians and Amerasians born there, most of whom are Christian. Vietnamese have settled largely in Texas, and in California, the state in which I photograph them. Weddings start at the bride's house with a formal introduction of the two families, followed by bestowing jewelry on her by the bridegroom's family, and progress to the bridegroom's house to honor his family. In their home country, their own customs were influenced previously by French culture so that couples here adapt rapidly to American ways. The ethnic nuptial rite has been superseded by the Christian rite or a Buddhist blessing.
Photographer's categories: Prenuptial rite , Bride , Bridegroom , Traditional apparel , Gifts , Bridal jewelry , Mother , Christian rite , Bride's home , Conjugal home