An Elegant Wedding For Two in Vietnam

Updated on September 20, 2018

Quinn and Andy

Originally, San Diego couple Quinn Ly and Andy Van Le envisioned celebrating their wedding with 300 friends, family, and colleagues. But when planning started to overshadow the meaning behind their day, Quinn had a revelation: "Andy and I have always had so much fun together by ourselves," she says. "We wanted to capture that same feeling as we began our married life." So they decided to pare their guest list down—way down—and say their I do's à deux. Still, this was no quiet elopement."I wanted all the romance of a traditional wedding—the dress, the flowers, photos, and food—minus the stress of guests," explains Quinn.

After sending their planner an inspiration packet filled with lace, white flowers, and a little wooden boat, they started discussing possible locations in their shared ancestral homeland of Vietnam. Eventually, the duo settled on the riverside city of Hoi An and kicked off their wedding weekend with a lantern-lit dinner for two at a waterfront bungalow. Then the big day, February 12, 2012, began with an atmospheric ramble through town with their photographer as they posed in their wedding finery. "When we were making our way to the town center, residents started snapping pics of us, too," remembers Quinn. "We felt like movie stars!"

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The Venue

My Son Sanctuary is one of 981 locations deemed a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

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An Intimate Ceremony

Hand in hand, they exchanged nondenominational vows amid 4th-century temple ruins, a ceremony made even more special by some surprises arranged by their planner: Local children hoisted a ritual canopy, and musicians strummed Vietnamese music.

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The Bridal Bouquet

Quinn carried a lush clutch of sweet peas, jasmine, and lilacs.

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The Boutonniere

In keeping with the all-white theme, the groom's ranunculus boutonniere was trimmed with a vintage cotton leaf and thin silk ribbon.

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A Reception Afloat

A floating celebration followed on a fishing boat decked out with lace lanterns."Our jaws dropped when we saw it," says Quinn. The captain-chef served duck, fish, and mango dishes as the newlyweds glided along the Thu Bôn River. "We probably kissed and hugged a thousand times," Quinn recalls. And while the couple later threw a party back home to celebrate with loved ones, they were thrilled with their duet of a day. "A wedding for two isn't for everyone," says Quinn. "But it was perfect for us."

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The Little Locals

Neighborhood children in traditional ao dais toted lanterns.

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Local Decor

Lantern makers in Hoi An created about 50 custom lace versions in a range of sizes. Gauze vintage flowers from florist Mindy Rice's personal collection provided a neutral finishing flourish.

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Dinner for Two

Their on-deck dinner table was swathed in white, the bride's favorite color.

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The Menu

The Chinese character for "Double Happiness," often featured at Asian weddings, graced the menu.

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Dinner Details

A vintage napkin ring and gold-rimmed plate set the dinner for two.

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A White Cake

Sugar jasmine flowers from California's Sweet & Saucy Shop survived two international layovers to top off a chocolate cake iced with vanilla buttercream.

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