Home

Magazine

Real Weddings

A Lush Island Wedding in Tropical Vietnam

A Lush Island Wedding in Tropical Vietnam

Spilling in lush overgrown foliage against the oceanic backdrop of Cát Bà Island

For Ninh and Duong, their wedding was not just the start of a new chapter, but a breathtaking tribute to a decade of love and shared dreams. Set against the stunning, pristine natural landscape of Cat Ba Island in Vietnam, their 10th anniversary wedding was intimate, elegant and deeply meaningful. Their altar was no ordinary structure, but a sculptural overgrown installation – a mesmerising fusion of lush foliage and white tulips. The ceremony segued into a candlelit reception, with warm golden glows flickering over carefully curated forest green and brown décor. From the intimate setting to the stunning floral installations, their celebration was a dream woven into reality.

A Lush Island Wedding in Tropical Vietnam

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

We met ten years ago in high school and have since shared a decade-long love story, including seven years of a long-distance relationship.

^{The Proposal}

Five years ago, in 2020, on my birthday, Ninh proposed to me. He had secretly arranged a birthday party with my friends to create a surprise.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

As a wedding planner with five years of experience, Duong had high hopes for a 10th-anniversary celebration that would leave a lasting impression on every guest. It was also an exceptionally special occasion for both of us—a time to gather our friends and family to celebrate our decade-long journey together. We had been discussing this event for two years before it took place, and we truly wanted it to be extraordinary.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

Our wedding planning team, The Planners, consists of Duong’s close colleagues, and there’s nothing more wonderful than being able to completely trust your wedding planner. The Planners took care of almost everything for us—from welcoming and attending to our guests, arranging transportation and logistics, brainstorming ideas for guest gifts, to designing the décor, timeline, and even the surprise performances. We only needed to provide a few keywords about our vision for this special event because I knew they truly understood what we wanted, and they executed it flawlessly. I realize that not everyone is fortunate enough to find a team they can trust 100%, so I feel incredibly lucky and deeply grateful to my colleagues. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them.

Our videography vendor was Teammate Productions, and our photography vendor was KT Marry. These partners were not only professional collaborators but also close colleagues who have accompanied Duong over the years. When I began planning, KT Marry was the first photography vendor that came to mind; their perspective on wedding photography and the color palette they infused into their shots convinced me immediately. As for Teammate Productions, I even challenged them to create a video that was entirely different from their usual style—and they rose to the occasion effortlessly. They even helped me achieve our target for social media content production. Their professionalism and steadfast commitment played a significant role in capturing many memorable photos and video clips.

^{The Location}

We chose Hôtel Perle d'Orient Cat Ba - MGallery, a boutique hotel located on Cat Ba Island, near our hometown and about two hours away by travel. All our guests experienced taking a ferry from the mainland to the island, followed by an hour-long journey from the harbor to the hotel, along a route boasting stunning, pristine natural landscapes. Although the hotel isn’t a large resort or grand establishment, it offers exceptionally high standards in both aesthetics and culinary delights—a key reason for my choice. If anyone ever visits northern Vietnam, I would undoubtedly recommend this venue.

^{The Ceremony}

The ceremony took place on the hotel's rooftop, ensuring the privacy we desired. This area is actually the hotel's yoga deck, surrounded by uniquely styled spa rooms. What I loved most was the panoramic view, especially the promise of a beautiful sunset. Unfortunately, on our event day, cloudy skies and mist prevented us from witnessing that perfect sunset. However, when I returned later for another wedding as a planner, the sunset was absolutely breathtaking.

When envisioning the ceremony, I had one simple wish: to use a single type of flower throughout the space. Quynh Anh, the creative lead for the event, proposed the idea of using white tulips set against a backdrop of lush green leaves. Notably, one of the leaves even shares my Vietnamese name, Tung Duong. The arch’s design was also inspired by the shape of the limestone mountains of Ha Long Bay, our shared hometown. This idea truly reflected how well Quynh Anh understood us. That moment during the ceremony remains one of our favorites—a memory etched in time as everyone cried tears of joy for our happiness, and so did we.

^{The Reception}

The reception area was another distinctive element of our overall event concept. Sticking to the primary palette of green and brown, we incorporated leather accents alongside flowers and houseplants to create a unique character for the celebration. We provided leather keychains engraved with each guest's name, serving both as a name tag and a keepsake to remind them of us. Candles were indispensable to our reception; I insisted on having plenty of them to establish a warm and inviting atmosphere for everyone.

Our Style

^{The Grooms' Looks}

For the ceremony, we chose two bespoke tuxedo sets, tailored to perfection at one of my favorite tailors in Hanoi. Both of us opted for tuxedos with shawl lapels and decided to accessorize with a handmade silk flower rather than fresh blooms.

For the after-party, we switched gears and went with two suits that were less traditional and more daring, incorporating trendy details for a modern twist.

Our Advice

^{For The Planning Process}

Trust the process and trust your wedding planner. I believe that everyone working as a wedding planner is deeply passionate and dedicated to creating happiness for others, so it's important to cherish them. Having open, honest, and thorough communication with your planner will go a long way in bringing your vision to life.

^{For On The Day}

Take a deep breath and enjoy because it’s your day. When you and your team of vendors have worked tirelessly in the lead-up, on the day itself, just relax and savor every emotion that comes your way.

A Lush Island Wedding in Tropical Vietnam