A Wedding Reimagined: The Journey of Hong Hanh
When Hong Hanh tied the knot in Hai Phong City on July 13, she believed every detail of her wedding was perfect. However, this belief was shattered when she saw the photos. The 31-year-old PhD student from China had spent six months meticulously planning her big day. She personally selected every decoration and accessory, had them shipped from China to Vietnam, and even commissioned six wedding gowns and traditional dresses. Additionally, she prepared 15 ceremonial trays for the event.
The wedding, held at her family home in Hai Phong City on July 13, cost nearly VND 200 million (US$7600). Hong Hanh recalls, "I poured my heart into this wedding. Every detail was perfect until I saw the photos." Her disappointment grew after receiving nearly 2,000 pictures from the photography team on the same day.
"My husband stayed up for nights comforting me as I cried," she says. After the photographer admitted they were at fault and refunded her money, she decided to recreate the wedding and engagement setting for a second photoshoot with a different team on July 26.
"Luckily my husband supported my decision," she explains. Instead of setting up a marquee at home, a wedding center lent the couple a hall to recreate their original ceremony from two weeks prior. Some 10 close friends were invited to the wedding reenactment. Hong Hanh again wore the six wedding gowns and traditional dresses. The bride and groom repeated the vow, wine-sharing, and ring exchange rituals in front of their friends.
"It was pretty expensive to redo the ceremony," Hong Hanh admits. However, for her efforts, she finally got a set of photos she was happy with.
Since July 31, Hong Hanh has been posting the wedding and engagement photos on social media, receiving a warm reception from friends, family, and even strangers. After the first batch of photos turned out poorly, she had shared her frustration on social media. While many comforted her by saying the photos were less important than the marriage itself, she still chose to redo the shoot, explaining that she wanted lasting, beautiful images of the most important day of her life.
"Photos are a way to capture emotions, moments, and memories; you cannot do without photos of your big day," she said.
The Emotional Impact of Poor Wedding Photos
HCMC-based marriage and family counselor Le Khanh notes that disappointing wedding photos can cause mild emotional distress for people who value memories. However, he advises couples to instead look at it as a minor mishap, something to laugh about and retell later in their married life. "Marriage should not be defined by photos, what matters is the understanding between two people."
Photographer Tran Quoc Huy of HCMC, who specializes in documentary-style wedding shoots, advises couples to sign a contract to protect their interests before doing a photoshoot. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication and expectations.
Hong Hanh reflects on her experience, saying, "I focused too much on decorations and dresses and overlooked the importance of choosing the right photographer. That mistake cost me a ‘version two’ of my wedding." Her story highlights the significance of balancing aesthetic details with professional expertise to ensure that the memories captured are as meaningful as the events themselves.