How to word your bilingual invitation with clarity, respect, and confidence
Feeling unsure about your Vietnamese wording?
This is something almost every bride we work with feels unsure about!
You might already have a vision for how you want your invitations to look - clean, modern, beautifully minimal.
But when it comes to the wording… it feels less clear.
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How do we word this properly in Vietnamese?
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Are we supposed to include our parents?
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What terms should we be using for each ceremony?
There’s often a quiet pressure to get it right - not just for you, but for your family, and that's ok!
This guide will walk you through the essentials, so your invitations feel thoughtful, refined, and respectful to both cultures.
1. Who is “hosting” the wedding?
In traditional Vietnamese invitations, the wedding is hosted by the parents - not the couple.
This means both families are formally introduced at the beginning of the invitation, typically representing:
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The groom’s family (nhà trai)
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The bride’s family (nhà gái)
This structure is familiar to older generations and is often expected when reading Vietnamese invitations.
A more modern Australian approach shifts toward the couple hosting instead - which is completely okay.
What we often recommend is a balanced approach:
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Keep the Vietnamese wording more traditional
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Keep the English wording more minimal and modern
This allows your invitation to feel aligned with your aesthetic, while still being culturally respectful.
2. Understanding Vietnamese ceremony terms
One of the most common areas of confusion is what to actually call each part of the wedding.
Here are the most commonly used terms:
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Lễ Ăn Hỏi - traditional engagement ceremony
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Lễ Thành Hôn - formal wedding ceremony (most commonly used on invitations)
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Lễ Cưới - a more general term for the wedding, sometimes used for a softer tone
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Lễ Vu Quy - bride’s ceremony (from the bride’s family side)
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Tiệc Cưới - wedding reception
Not every wedding includes all of these - and using the wrong term can feel unfamiliar to family members.
If you’re unsure, a simple and widely accepted structure is:
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Lễ Thành Hôn (ceremony)
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followed by Tiệc Cưới (reception)
This keeps things clear, respectful, and easy for guests to understand.
3. How to include your parents’ names
This is often where brides feel the most unsure.
In Vietnamese invitations, parents are typically listed formally, for example:
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Ông Bà [Full Name]
or
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Ba Mẹ [Name]
The level of formality depends on:
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Your family’s preference
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How traditional your wedding is
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The overall tone you want your invitation to have
What matters most is that it feels intentional and respectful - not overly complicated.
This is something we guide our clients through early in the process, so you’re never second-guessing the details.
4. Structuring a bilingual invitation (without it feeling cluttered)
A common concern is how to include both Vietnamese and English without overwhelming the design. There are a few refined ways to approach this:
Split layout
Vietnamese on one side, English on the other
→ clean, minimal, and easy to follow
Layered layout
Vietnamese first, English underneath
→ respectful for elders, still cohesive visually
Separate inserts
English main card, Vietnamese as an additional card
→ ideal for larger or more traditional weddings
The right structure depends on your guest list and priorities - but the goal is always the same: clarity for your guests, without compromising the overall aesthetic.
5. You don’t have to figure this out on your own
Most brides don’t feel unsure because they haven’t tried - it’s because this isn’t something you’re ever really taught.
Balancing tradition, family expectations, and a modern aesthetic requires care and understanding.
Even small wording choices can carry meaning.
This is why, at Lotus & Paper, we guide you through your wording before design begins - so everything feels considered, cohesive, and quietly confident.
Enquire for guidance and design
If you’re currently planning your wedding and want your invitations to feel both refined and culturally thoughtful, you’re welcome to reach out.
Whether you need help with wording, structure, or a fully custom bilingual suite, we’ll guide you through each step with clarity and intention.
Enquire to begin your stationery journey with Lotus & Paper.