I’m back! After a whirlwind trip to Vietnam, and two weeks of seeing things that had existed only in my imagination, I am trying to get over jetlag and remembering some of the highlights of my trip.
Our first morning there, in a jetlag haze, my family and I were searching for a bank near our hotel, the Sofitel Metropole in Hanoi. Little did we know that because we were staying in a historic building, it would bride-a-palooza (my son’s words) outside.
Brides, brides, brides, brides, brides. Oh yeah – and grooms too. It’s something you see all over the cities of Vietnam, couple after couple having their “official” wedding photos done.
Some of the couples had a vaguely 1950s feel, don’t you think?
The couples come with a spare crew. Bride, groom, young male photographer who shouts directions at them, and someone to hold the light thingy. And the photographers are not always so careful. This one is stepping on the bride’s dress!
Many couples do two series of shots, one with the bride in “Western” wedding dresses and one wearing the tradition Ao Dai. Most of the wedding dresses we saw while there were pretty over the top confections and I have to confess that I much prefer the simplicity of the clean lines and elegance of the more traditional outfits.
One morning at breakfast, I looked out the window to see an actual van load of brides spilling out onto the street like a clown car of wedding dresses.
Our last night, in Ho Chi Minh city, we happened upon an evening wedding, a little unusual since we had seen countless daytime weddings, on all days of the week. Clearly, this couple was fancy!
I will share more trip photos as the jet lag subsides. Until then, come visit at Essentials if you want to hear more trip details!
