Nam Phap Church English Club

WEDDING IN VIETNAM Organizing a wedding is very important for a couple because it's an event that happens once in their life. So the prepare carefully for the marriage ceremony. One day before the ceremony both families build a frame made from coconut leaves in front of their houses. On the top of each frame there is a small red board with these words in yellow! "#N $ON at the groom's house and %& '&( at the bride's house. On the day of the ceremony all the groom's family have to go to the bride's home on time because they chose the good time some months ago. "he traditional gifts include betel and areca)nut ca*e and fruit. "hen the groom and the bride worship at the altar of ancestors. Ne+t the ,room puts the ring onto the bride's finger earrings into her ears and a nec*lace onto her nec*. "he cost of -ewelry depends on the groom's finances. "he bride also puts a ring onto the groom's finger. #fter that he brings her to his house. "hey sometimes have a small meal at the bride's house. On that evening they have a wedding party at a restaurant with their relatives and friends. "here is usually a band to play music during their mean. .n the middle of the meal the couple go around and go to each table to get wishes and gifts or money from their relatives and friends. .n conclusion after the party the bride belongs to the groom's family and she will live with the groom for the rest of her life if nothing wrong happens to their life// WEDDING IN GERMANY .'d li*e to give you an idea about the way couples start their married life in ,ermany. "here is an entertaining custom to 0punish0 men and women who reach the age of thirty and still aren't married. #ccompanied by their friends those 0offenders0 are ta*en to the city hall where the men have to sweep clean the stairs and the women have to clean the shoe)polish) covered door handles of the building. Only if a 0virgin0 from the opposite gender gives them a *iss are they allowed to stop their cleaning activities. .n contrast to the &.S. where you can get married in hours in ,ermany you have to give a si+)wee* notice of your intended marriage to the city. #fter that the civil wedding may ta*e place in the city hall usually only with a few people such as two witnesses and the parents attending. Nevertheless sometimes friends gather in front of the city hall to congratulate. Some days before the wedding friends and relatives bring old porcelain and *itchenware to throw on the ground in front of bride and groom. "his is supposed to grant them a happy luc*y life1 that's why this evening event is called Polterabend))the evening with lots of bro*en porcelain. "he ,erman proverb))0Scherben bringen ,l2c*0))which can be translated as 3!44 P5 6ednesday 347894:933 Page 7

Nam Phap Church English Club

0;ro*en croc*ery brings you luc*.0 is derived from this custom. "he Polterabend often develops into an informal and casual party. .f couples decide to have a church wedding in addition to that))and most do))the the civil wedding is scheduled one wee* or one day before the ceremony in church. ;ride and groom put a lot of effort to plan and prepare the ceremony and the following celebration. #t least si+ months ahead a room in a restaurant or hotel is reserved the band is ordered and paper and design of the invitation cards are chosen. "he menu has to be considered and they meet with the priest to tal* about the mass! songs readings and the ceremony itself are determined. On the wedding day the bride enters the church in a long usually white dress carrying her flower bou<uet. Escorted by her father she ma*es her way to the groom who is waiting for her in his dar* elegant Photo from &lri*e ,ahn #fter church bride and groom either get into a car whose flower)decorated hood shows everybody that there is a -ust married couple inside or they ta*e a coach with horses to ta*e a ride to the restaurant. suit with nec* or bow tie in front of the altar. 6e gave our promise without any assistance from the minister and it turned out to be the most touching moment of our life. #fter church bride and groom either get into a car whose flower decorated hood shows everybody that there is a -ust married couple inside or they ta*e a coach with horses to ta*e a ride to the restaurant. #ccompanied by their horn hon*ing guests in their white ribbon e<uipped cars they ma*e their way. =epending on the time schedule the party may have coffee and ca*es or directly starts dinner. Some couples now ta*e the chance to have some wedding pictures ta*en. =uring dinner everybody who wants to at least the two fathers ma*e a speech to praise the new husband and wife. #fter that bride and groom open the dance with a waltz parents and witnesses -oin them. 6ith the ne+t song all guests are invited to perform their ballroom dancing s*ills. Occasionally dancing is interrupted by some friends or relatives who present little sta*es to entertain the party. .t is very popular to as* the couple to ta*e part in those games. 6hereas in #merica bride and groom leave the party after dinner to start their honeymoon immediately in ,ermany they stay and celebrate until the last guest goes home. Conse<uently this a very e+hausting and long day >and night? for the new couple

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