Vietnamese Wedding Celebration

We made a last minute decision to go to California for a few days. Andrew served a mission for our church from 

2008-2010 in Anaheim, CA and he spoke VIETNAMESE! (I still can't get over it). He became really close with the 

members in the area because he was in the same area for the entire 2 years! One of Andrew's friends from the area 

was getting married and they had invited us to the wedding months ago but we were still on the fence about 

going because it was right after Christmas and we did not know how the weather was going to be. It was something 

that I knew would take a lot of time and I had so much to do at home (getting my new classroom 

ready with the layout, schedule, & lesson plans, putting Christmas decorations away, cleaning, etc.) so I was kinda 

dreading going. But once we made it it felt so good to be back in a place that Andrew and I love! 

(if you didn't know, I also served my mission in Anaheim, but English speaking)

We got there late at night (there was NO snow in Utah, but there was a snow storm on the Nevada/California border 

and it closed the road. Andrew and I took a L O N G detour that added 3 hours to the trip).

The traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony was early the next day. I love culture, so I really enjoyed seeing it! 

In the Vietnamese culture it is traditional to wear red Áo dài (pronounced Ow-y-eye) on your wedding day. 

The groom comes to the bride's home with gifts for the bride and they do a tea ceremony which is presented 

to the the family's elders. 

^Gifts for the Bride's Family, and a pig is very traditional^

After the ceremony there was a breakfast, then after the breakfast came more food! 

And that was only the beginning of the endless food. 

The couple were getting sealed in the San Diego temple later in the day. Andrew and I drove down early so we could tour 

the area. We went to the Mormon Battalion site which is a Visitor's Center to learn more about the history. 

About 500 members of the church joined the United States Army in the war against Mexico (while the church was 

currently fleeing to Mexico for religious freedom). The army made it to San Diego and that's why 

there's a Visitor's Center there.

We met up with one of Andrew's old mission companions there and Linda 

(the girl who introduced Andrew and me).

^We panned for "gold"^

We went to the temple and that place is gorgeous! 

The couple got sealed and the temple is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. 

The rest of the wedding party went and got food, but we stayed at the temple longer. 

When we came out it was dark, and look how beautiful the temple lights up the night.

We drove back to Anaheim and picked up Andrew's "viet mom", got spring rolls, and went to Downtown Disney

 to watch the fireworks. It was such a fun way to end the night. 

The next morning we met my "mission mom" for brunch. It was so good to see her again and it makes me wish 

we lived closer to California so we could go more. 

Went for lunch dessert with our Viet crew.

(Andrew's mission mom & Andrew's mission companion + his 2 brothers)

And of course we went to the beach. Guys, I really need more California in my life. 

That night was the wedding reception and it was gorgeous! 

And there was SO MUCH FOOD! I think the entire thing was at least 7 courses not including the appetizers before. 

There was fried rice, shrimp, lobster, noodles, and so much more. And it was really good. 

Andrew did try an 1000 year old egg. It reminded us of James Cordon's Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts. 

Andrew has tried 3 different things from that show: Balut, Pig's Blood, and now the 1000 Year Old Egg. 

The wedding was a lot of fun. Andrew really enjoyed it because he saw so many members, some who have moved 

away so when we come back to Anaheim, he doesn't see them. 

And the bride had S E V E N dresses! 

1. Her red traditional Áo dài 

2. She wore a white Áo dài to the temple

3. Her temple dress

4. Her white wedding dress after the temple

5. Reception dress #1- Long ball gown

6. Reception dress #2- Shorter white dress

7. Reception dress #3- White going away dress

That wedding spared no cost. My favorite part was the reception food.

Before we left California the next morning we saw some people I love. I saw the Wick's, one of the members in 

the last area I served in. The kids are so old. The youngest just turned 8 when I left now he's almost 13! 

California is always so good to us with the the weather, the experiences, the food, but mainly the people. We love it all so much.