An Indian and Vietnamese Wedding at Lauritzen Gardens

August 20, 2025

This wedding celebration was spread across a weekend, and the two days were very different. The first day was all about tradition and honoring the two different cultures represented. Both families met together in a home and performed the traditional ceremonies of each culture. The first ceremony was a Vu Quy, a Vietnamese Tea Ceremony. This ceremony traditionally signifies the bride’s departure from her family to join her husband’s family. The groom’s family arrived with gifts to be used for the ceremony and lined up in front of the home and passed the gifts to the bride’s family. The gifts were then brought inside and set on a table in front of the families. Xuan made a beautiful entrance, the trays were opened, and the rituals began. Xuan’s parents placed a necklace on her neck, then the bride and groom served tea to their parents.

The second ceremony had many South Asian rituals. First was a Varmala or an Indian Garland Exchange. This ritual traditionally signifies acceptance of the couple into their new families and unity. Second, they exchanged sweets with signifies happiness and blessings. Then Asheesh placed a Mangalsutra, or a sacred necklace, on Xuan as a symbol of marriage. And finally, Asheesh adorned Xuan’s forehead with Sindoor signifying she was a married woman.

The second day was a huge celebration. They had a Vietnamese Catholic ceremony, followed by a luxe garden party reception at Lauritzen Gardens. It’s hard to believe this lush escape is in Omaha, Nebraska. It made for the most perfect place (seriously stunning) to explore and celebrate on their wedding day.

With the bride being a professor of Fine Arts and the groom being a professor in the Department of History, every detail throughout the weekend was both beautiful and intentionally planned out.