An Avant-Garde Vietnamese Beach Wedding Splashed in Cobalt Blue

A visionary no-flower wedding reimagined tradition with bold palettes, sculptural forms, and immersive design by the sea

An Avant-Garde Vietnamese Beach Wedding Splashed in Bold Blue

While many weddings speak the language of romance, few transcend into true artistry. Hieu and Châu’s Vietnamese celebration did exactly that – an extraordinary masterclass in imagination, intention, and curation. Built around a daring no-flower concept, their wedding redefined tradition with striking cobalt palettes, sculptural forms, and avant-garde details that echoed both art and architecture. Across three days, guests were immersed in a universe where design became narrative: pearls suspended like constellations above dinner tables, a cobalt stage rising from the shoreline, calla lilies standing alone as symbols of quiet strength. Every gesture, every element, was deliberate – shaping not just a wedding but a complete sensory journey, one that lingered long after the final toast. What made it unforgettable was not only the visual splendor but the emotion that flowed seamlessly through it all – proving that the most powerful designs are those that carry the weight of love within them.

An Avant-Garde Vietnamese Beach Wedding Splashed in Bold Blue

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

We first met while studying at RMIT Vietnam. It felt really natural—just like how most couples meet. We saw each other around campus and connected on Facebook, but we didn’t actually start talking right away. Years later, Hieu noticed one of my Facebook stories about a broken lipstick. Unlike most girls, I tried to fix and reuse it instead of throwing it away. That little detail caught his attention and gave him the push to finally start a conversation with me. From that moment, our story truly began—and we’ve been together since 2018.

^{The Proposal}

It happened in Australia while we were both studying abroad. One day, while I was still at the office, Hieu texted me asking if I’d like to go on a road trip with him to Adelaide (we were living in Melbourne at the time). Along the way, we stopped at the famous Pink Lake in Dimboola. But unlike what Hieu had imagined, the lake had dried up under the hot weather—there was no water, only pink salt. Even with that unexpected surprise, Hieu got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. And of course, my answer was a definite “yes.” It was quiet—no crowds, no cheering—just us. And it was perfect.

^{The Engagement Ring}

My engagement ring is truly special to me—it was designed and handmade by Hieu and his father. The prongs are shaped like hearts, symbolizing a love meant to last through the years.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

Unlike a traditional wedding, we chose a bold and unconventional concept: a no-flower décor theme where our favorite color, cobalt blue, became the soul of the celebration. Thanks to the artistry of The F Lab Wedding Planner, our vision came to life. More than just a design choice, our hope was for our dearest friends and family to experience more than a wedding—it would be a holiday, a retreat, a time to truly be close to one another. With loved ones living across different countries, we knew how rare it would be to gather everyone in one place. That made it all the more precious—a chance to personally thank each friend and family member who had walked beside us, witnessed our story, and supported our love.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

Every remarkable celebration is the result of talented creatives working in harmony, and we could not be more thankful for the incredible teams behind ours. Choosing The F Lab as our wedding planner was one of the best decisions we made. Creative, stylish, and truly bespoke, they not only listened to every need and desire but also offered thoughtful advice throughout. With meticulous care, they customized every single detail—transforming our wedding into something truly unique. Alongside them, KT Marry and Moc Nguyen Production captured not just moments but emotions themselves—every glance, every smile, every tear preserved as timeless memories. From stationery, MUA, hair stylist, fashion designers, to our celebrant, each vendor played a part in bringing our avant-garde wedding vision to life. We remain profoundly thankful to every one of them.

^{The Location}

Hieu chose the InterContinental Peninsula Danang because of a promise he made to himself years ago. At 14, during his very first stay, he was deeply impressed by its design and harmony with nature. He told himself that one day, when he got married, this would be his wedding destination. We hosted our event over three days across four stunning venues at InterContinental Danang: The Great Hall for the Welcome Dinner, Barefoot Beach for the Ceremony, The White Hall for the Reception Dinner, and M-Club for the After Party.

^{The Ceremony}

Our ceremony at Barefoot Beach featured a sculptural round stage in cobalt blue—minimal yet dramatic. The only flowers were calla lilies, a gentle contrast in the flowerless theme, reflecting us: simple and quiet on the outside, bold and unique within.

An Avant-Garde Vietnamese Beach Wedding Splashed in Bold Blue

In a traditional way, the groom entered first. Moments later, my father walked me down the aisle as the song “Một Đời,”performed by 14 Casper and Bon Nghiêm, filled the air. We were blessed with a heartfelt speech from our sibling, along with a special gift from a dear friend—a song titled “Something Borrowed, Something Blue,” composed and performed just for us. That moment was truly emotional and unforgettable.

^{The Cocktail Hour}

For the Cocktail Hour, our wedding planner added a special touch: a signature “Deep Blue Sea” mocktail—light, refreshing, with just the right hint of citrus. Crafted by the InterContinental to match our theme, it was the perfect taste for a tropical seaside setting. Guests enjoyed it alongside a selection of canapés.

^{The Reception}

As a tribute to my name, Minh Châu (“bright pearl”), we reimagined the dinner as a poetic scene of floating pearls, suspended above the celebration like stars. On each table, strings of pearls drifted at the center, intertwining like threads of memory—an eternal symbol of connection.

An Avant-Garde Vietnamese Beach Wedding Splashed in Bold Blue

Unlike a traditional Vietnamese wedding, we were able to slow down and truly savor the evening—with delicious food, joyful dancing, heartfelt performances, moving speeches from friends, and a special gift from Hieu to me: he played the piano for the first time ever. The dinner was filled with laughter, tears, and unforgettable memories.

^{The Special Touches}

At the reception dinner, Hieu gave me the most unforgettable surprise—he sat at the piano and sang “Flightless Bird, American Mouth,” our favorite song and one that reflects our love journey. Though he had never done anything like this before, he bravely stepped out of his comfort zone, practicing in secret for months to make it happen. It wasn’t just a performance—it was his way of telling our story through music.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

Our friends’ speeches became one of the most memorable parts of the celebration, bringing back countless memories we had shared together. They didn’t just recall the good times—from the funny little stories to the milestones that shaped our journey—but also filled the room with heartfelt wishes and unexpected surprises. Each word reminded us how lucky we are to be surrounded by such love, support, and laughter, making the celebration even more meaningful.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

For the ceremony, I wanted to embody timeless elegance—classic, refined, and seamlessly tied to the wedding theme. My gown, designed by Phan Đăng Hoàng, was a true work of art. Inspired by the calla lily—the signature flower of the ceremony décor—he reimagined its graceful silhouette into cascading layered sleeves that draped softly, evoking petals unfolding in bloom. The structured bodice balanced the fluidity of the sleeves, creating a silhouette that was both romantic and architectural. Beauty was entrusted to MUA Quí Đoàn and Hair Stylist Eric Nguyễn, who highlighted my natural radiance with care and precision, creating a fresh, elegant look. To complete the look, I chose Manolo Blahnik’s iconic white satin pumps with a blue jewel buckle. More than just shoes, they carried the “something blue” tradition while adding a touch of sparkle that caught the light with every step.

Instead of a traditional bouquet, I carried sculptural metallic calla lilies—bold, modern, and in perfect harmony with our no-flower décor theme. The bouquet itself became an artistic statement: unconventional yet deeply symbolic. For the reception, I transformed into a vision of glamour with a shimmering sequin gown by Barcadee, designed to make me the center of attention. The dress caught the light with every movement, creating a dazzling effect that felt both modern and celebratory. To elevate the look, I paired it with a diamond necklace and bracelet from Ngọc Thẩm Jewelry—pieces that added timeless sophistication and a touch of brilliance. Together, the ensemble struck the perfect balance between bold sparkle and refined elegance, ensuring the evening look was as memorable as the day. Bringing all of these elements together was The Gallerie.Styled. With a masterful eye for detail, he curated not only the fashion but also the makeup, accessories, and overall styling. His vision ensured every piece—gown, shoes, bouquet, beauty—formed a cohesive look that felt true to me and to the spirit of the celebration.

^{The Groom Looks}

For both the ceremony and reception, Hieu embodied classic elegance in a made-to-measure Tom Ford chalk tuxedo, impeccably tailored and paired with a bold butterfly bow tie and polished tuxedo shoes, also from Tom Ford. A Rolex Datejust 41 Sundust watch lent the perfect touch of timeless refinement. His look captured the essence of a true gentleman—sophisticated yet traditional, confident yet understated—standing in perfect harmony with the bride’s bold and graceful style.

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

Throughout the planning process, always listen and communicate openly with your wedding planner. Every idea or wish you have—no matter how small—should be discussed with them, as they are the ones who will weave all the details together. Their expertise and perspective ensure everything stays aligned with the concept, preserving the spirit of your theme while balancing personal desires with practical planning. This way, you can enjoy the journey with peace of mind, knowing your wedding will be brought to life exactly as you envisioned.

^{For On The Day}

On the big day, make sure to eat and stay hydrated. With a packed schedule of makeup, hair, and photography, it’s easy to forget—but being well-nourished will keep your energy steady and your spirit relaxed. Secondly, try not to overthink or carry too many worries. Let everything unfold naturally and trust your wedding planner, who is there to make sure every detail flows seamlessly.

^{For Post-Wedding}

Don’t stress over small imperfections; weddings are about love, not perfection. Instead, focus on gratitude—thank your family, friends, and vendors who made the day possible. Finally, carve out intentional time as newlyweds—whether it’s a honeymoon or simply a cozy weekend at home—to celebrate the beginning of your new chapter together.