Wedding Celebrant Vietnam - Leanne Summers

24/05/2024

How do we start with the ceremony process? I don't start until I know the couple. Either a call or a questionnaire (depending on your preference). It's hard to create a personal ceremony if you don't know the people ready to say the magic words and spend the rest of their lives together. Anyhoo, a couple filled out my questionnaire, said they had fun and then used the questionnaire answers as the words for their wedding website. Boom! I'd never thought of that.

If you're eloping or having a wedding overseas and not everyone can make it, a wedding website is a great way to involve everyone - especially if you're having a little shindig when you get home. Wedding websites are typically free and easy to build. And now - just for you - my exclusive (haha) "insert- eye roll - do I really have to fill this out?" wedding ceremony questionnaire gives me a place to start, and you get your website copy - happy days.

Image Anh Phan Photography

13/05/2024

Couples love the simplicity of the Let's Elope Package, so I've created a Vow Renewal Package for couples ready to say "I still do" in Vietnam. All the fun and all the romance without the stress - and one fixed price.

What do you think? Ready to say "I still do" in paradise?

Renew your wedding vows with all the fun and romance without the stress. Book your done-for-you wedding vow renewal package in Hoi An or Danang.

09/05/2024

People flew in from the world over to celebrate with C+T in their happy place: Hoi An.

They live in Singapore, but Hoi An was the first destination they visited as a couple, and it made sense for them to come back and have their wedding here. And everyone agreed it was a great idea because it was quite the turn out.

At the end of the ceremony, everyone went to the beach to throw a rock in the ocean to leave a lasting memory of the day (there's a unity ceremony behind the rock throwing, but here's not the place to explain). It was very cool. Especially since C+T were initially the only people throwing rocks into the ocean. Their friends and family had none of it - and everyone peeled off their shoes, and down to the shore we went. (The other guests at the hotel thought we were nuts.) But hey, anyone who books tickets to Vietnam to have a wedding party is a little bit nuts, right? That's why you're mind kinda people.

Want to know the story behind the rocks? Drop me an email, and I'll let you know.

Have a great day :)

02/05/2024

How cute are these showstoppers? Danny and Loan bought the house down with the funniest and most personal vows I think I've heard. Loan recalled googling "How to use a knife and fork?" before their first date. Danny joked about eating noodles on tiny stools way too small for his butt. You kinda had to be there because I'm no good at paraphrasing, and I could never do it justice. But it was terrific. In between the laughs and jokey vows was a stirring undercurrent of love, sincerity, and deep respect. Both of them were nervous and teary and so excited, it made me weapy.

They planned the wedding themselves, and honestly, the video (which is on YouTube) is worth watching just for the vows, decor, and violinist (Loan and her gown goes without saying). But aside from all that, it was the friends and family who'd flown in from all corners to enjoy the day that made it perfect. It's clear when a couple has the secret sauce, and they've got it in spades. Thanks so much for inviting me to Ho Chi Minh to share your beautiful day.

I can't find Luan Hoang Wedding on Facebook or Instagram, but they have a YouTube channel, and their photos and videos are out of this world.

27/04/2024

$100,000.

Three couples contacted me this week when they learned their wedding was likely to cost over $100,000. I'm still stunned. But all three decided to book an elope package for $2,000 and splash out on the honey-moon-holiday.

Everyone has their own style and vision, but I was delighted to tell them I could arrange hair and makeup, photography, flowers, and a celebrant (yours truly) for $2,000. I'll even make the dinner reservations.

Weddings don't need to cost a kidney and bank loan. Elope and have a holiday, too.

If eloping in Hoi An or Danang with cash for a holiday sounds like a great wedding idea, get in touch. I can help.

The awesome photo on the rooftop in Hoi An is thanks to Anh Phan Photographer - Vietnam Wedding Photographer

20/04/2024

"Let's meet at a wine bar, have a tipple to break the ice, and take a boat to the wedding, yeah?"

That's what S+S guests did when they began celebrating their beautiful wedding at Red Bridge last week. Everyone gathered in the Old Town for a beverage of choice (non-alcoholic, too, for the AF's and kids). Then, after a short meander to the dock, they boarded a couple of traditional Vietnamese boats for a 15-minute scenic ride down the river to the wedding venue. Of course, the red bridge is where everyone gets off the boat, and the other is where S and her dad make a beautiful entrance to meet everyone.

S+S spent 14 years curating their wedding vision, which was personal, beautiful, laid-back, and full of love and fun.

didn't miss a beat. Beautifully planned and executed. Hats off xx

TIN Wedding Photography did a masterful job with the photos, including some local shots of S+S riding a scooter in full wedding garb. I can't wait to see the rest as S+S share.

If you don't want a beach wedding and you have a group of 30+ people coming to your wedding, Red Bridge is something special. And even if you're coming on holiday and not getting married - head to the cooking school or have a meal in the restaurant. The food is out of this world x

Looking for inspiration on unique places to wed your one, drop me a line and we have a chat. Happy weekend.

16/04/2024

Shoes! Appropriate footwear is essential at a wedding. High heels are a nightmare on the beach, and if it's hot, the sand will melt bare feet. Stilettos on grass give you the "just staggering out of a club at 3 a.m." look.

Choosing shoes is something I talk about a lot.

K + K had no issues on the footwear front. K had a lovely pair of colourful sneakers ready to swap out after the ceremony so they could have their wedding photos in the Old Town and new hubby K was happy to do the honours X and new hubby K.

Congratulations to you lovely humans. I know I'll see you again because Vietnam is your second home. Can't wait to see the pics x

PS: Need some wedding shoe advice? Send a DM :)

13/04/2024

T'was just like a fairytale.

I can hear you saying "...awwww".

R+M eloped earlier in the year, and I've not had a chance to enjoy their photos. Today, I'm working on my website (a fun way to spend a rare wedding-free Saturday, but a girl's gotta eat). I'm looking through all this year's pics, and it's amazing. There are so many different couples from all over the world—all of whom are crazy in love.

Thank you for trusting me.

Thanks, Anh Phan Photographer - Vietnam Wedding Photographer for the gorgeous pic and for the princess hair and makeup vibes.

05/04/2024

It all started with cheese and Vegemite sausages. An animated debate about the mystery bags of goodness in a pub in Perth started everything for L + S 10 years ago. They were strangers when they arrived at the pub, and when S met L, he thought she was too good to be true. L felt the same, and the rest is history.

In fact, I'm going to let L's vows tell the story:

"You know how indecisive I am. It takes me over thirty minutes to choose what to order in a restaurant or watch on TV. But it took me less than a second to decide that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. "

Needless to say, I watched 65+ people grappling for tissues to wipe away the tears. It was a beautiful day with more smiles than I could count. Thank you, L+S. You are gorgeous humans, and sharing your day with you was a pleasure and delight.
weddingphotography was there for all the moments that mattered and got them on film.
m planned a picture-perfect wedding and reception party. Stunning as always
Barbary Coast made magic with hair and makeup.

A glorious day x

01/04/2024

Why are kids so excited about a vow renewal?

I've done lots of vow renewal ceremonies, and when there are kids involved, they're always more excited than the couple, and I've always wondered why. When L's parents returned to Vietnam to renew their vows in the place they honeymooned in 2004, she was over the moon. Counting the days, buying a new dress, telling all the teachers about it - even though she's been abroad many times. We got to chat, and she said the same thing many kids say. "I wasn't at mum and dad's wedding, and I can't understand why..." When I thought about it, it made sense. Many kids aren't born when their parents marry - and because they have no memory of life without mum and dad - it's bewildering they weren't invited. L set the record straight. She now has wedding photos that she's in. It was very cute.

Of course, I'm making a sweeping generalisation about families and children - and in this case, I'm talking about the couples who marry and have children later on. All families are different....but for most, the children always wonder why they weren't there. Until they're old enough to figure it out :)

Thank you to Anh Phan Photographer - Vietnam Wedding Photographer for the beautiful ceremony and family photography. M + V didn't want any decor or fuss on their day. A simple ceremony and family photos on the beach. It was perfect.

22/03/2024

What do you get when you mix a summer camping trip, a few beers, and a philosophical discussion about weddings?

A cheeky plan to elope in Vietnam!

B + B discussed their ideas about weddings, and even though no one had made any proposals, they decided a traditional shindig in Australia wasn't for them. They'd planned a holiday in Vietnam and thought it would be cool to get married while they were here.

The day before the wedding, B proposed. He thought it might be nice to be engaged before they married, but no rule says you must be engaged before you wed.

We spent a lovely afternoon in Danang, and B+B tied the knot under a beautiful tree before popping the champagne and dancing on the rooftop.

Thanks for sharing your special day with me. It was lovely.

got all the smiles and stolen kisses
made the glamour

21/03/2024

M + T, how to describe? When I first met them, it was on WhatsApp, and all I had to work with were their profile photos—a puppy and an AI-inspired alien. It was a couple of weeks before the wedding, and they were focused on the party, not the bit that happened on the grass. (I get it—it's cool.) I think they thought the hotel would plonk a cookie-cutter celebrant on the lawn, and they'd go through the motions. When we chatted, they understood the ceremony was personal, and they said, "Whoa....um.....we don't really do that kinda thing....just do what you need to do...." So I did :) I extracted their story without them really knowing (all on chat) and created a ceremony I thought would fit. I sent it over to them, and it all came together after a couple of changes.

I met them at the rehearsal and could see their faces. Two crazy humans who've been together so long are comfortable and at ease with each other—not an alien in sight. We practiced and got a little emotional (even though M+T doesn't do emotional), and on the day, it was beautiful. Light, sincere, with a few laughs along the way.

PS: I just remembered M promised to bring me Tim Tams - and on the way to the reception, I was walking with her, and she asked me to come to her room and help with some props for the party - and presented me with a big bag of Tim Tams!

(I've forgotten about them till now because I need to hide them from my husband, or they'll be gone in a day. I might just have one now :)

Thanks M (+T) - you're the best xx
vn did an amazing job with the photos.

18/03/2024

The dilemma........you want to get married, but you don't want to be the centre of attention, you don't want to spend a fortune, and you don't want to cater to what everyone else expects.

The answer is to book a holiday and incorporate an elopement in Hoi An. The elope package was just the ticket for G + B, who loved the quiet, rustic, and authentic Hoi An feel of Zest Resort for their ceremony. We took a quick trip to the Old Town and captured some stunning photos. Instead of staying in the Old Town for a posh nosh meal, they returned to the resort, got out of the wedding gear, and had a swim, some cocktails, and room service for dinner.

Whatever works for you, we can make it happen. If wedding planning pressure sounds like your idea of punishment, please give me a holler today.

Thank you for the shots
always supplying the glamour x

16/03/2024

Talking a walk. Sneaking kisses and getting the thumbs up from passers by. Happy anniversary S + L x

Anh Phan Photographer - Vietnam Wedding Photographer making the moments shine.
for the glamour

12/03/2024

Ceremony on the sand and dinner under the bluest of skies. A wonderful day at Shoreclub, An Bang, Vietnam.

11/03/2024

Girls are having a lark! I might possibly write a book about the elopement today. A truly awesome couple with an incredible story. They planned the elopement before the proposal, came to Da Nang and had their wedding in a Japanese resort - complete with a mini Mount Fuji, Sumo Wrestlers, Samauri Warriers and authentic Japanese gardens. Oh, and sake. Stand by for more.

got THE fabulous moments and created the glamour x thank you to these incredible humans.

PS: Elopement Package is on the website :)

PPS: I didn't neck any champagne.

10/03/2024

A wedding with so much heart, it melts x

10/03/2024

This wedding hit me in the heart bone big time. T + M's parents fled Vietnam in a boat during the war. T was just 2 years old. They started their new life in an Australian suburb along with thousands of Vietnamese refugees (a suburb where I grew up.) Six degrees of separation, right? Was an absolute delight to meet their parents and hear the stories. A beautiful couple and a beautiful day. Congrats M + T. Make it a big one tonight x

10/03/2024

Escaping the crowds and leaving the wedding 'rule book' at home.

in the Hoi An Old Town

08/03/2024

Little kisses in the lanterns. The things you can do when you elope.

Danang Photographer capturing the love.

05/03/2024

Eloping. Doing our thing. No one to worry about but us.
finding the love as always
for the magic looks

29/02/2024

Remember to breathe and have fun x

Ruxat awesome pic :)

26/02/2024

M+E love The Simpsons and asked for a ceremony, Simpson style. They asked their guests to choose the zaniest, colourful fabric they could find in the Hoi An tailors and get outrageous for the wedding. The result. Crazy, happy outfits galore, and lots of laughs (even though there were many tears).

"M+E, embrace the unexpected, like a McRib reunion, and cherish the ordinary, like Apu's endless Squishies, because love thrives in the small joys. Love isn't always a Krusty Burger commercial, perfect and predictable. It's Moe's Tavern brawls, laughter, tears, stolen donuts, and whispered forgiveness. It’s a messy but beautiful blend that only you can savour."

Thanks for the pic Riko Studio
Hair and Makeup
Venue: Shore Club, An Bang Beach

16/02/2024

Wedding Wing people - and what do they do. Couples often ask a best friend or sibling to stand at their side during the ceremony. Aside from the honour of standing with a bestie on their wedding day, wing people have stuff to do.

1. Be a beacon of emotional support: be there if stuff goes to pud, or someone freaks out, and stay calm before, during, and after the wedding. When someone decides to break out the Hennessey at 11am, the wing person keeps things under control.

2. Planning & Organization: Couples typically want to micro-manage everything. A great wing person will offer (nicely) to step in and take care of stuff the couple doesn't need to deal with.

3. Point Person: Be the go-to resource for guests with questions or concerns on the wedding day. This is super important for destination weddings where guests are in a foreign country and will naturally want to talk to the couple. My fave is taking the couples' phones (gasp) and filtering messages so the couple isn't dealing with guest questions or arranging new room keys because a guest lost theirs in the water fountain at the party the night before.

4. Hold the tissues! Wedding besties should have a secret stash of Kleenex for the ceremony. Even if it's just for "wiping sweat because no one will cry," there's nothing worse than a couple crying with nothing to wipe their face. It happens all the time.

5. Do the stuff. The couple may want a wing person to read during the ceremony, do a dance, or wear a funny outfit. Wing people suck it up and do it - and love it. The bloke reading in the pic is the groom's best friend of 30 years, and it meant so much to the couple.

6. Champion the Cheers: Wing people keep guests involved, cheer the loudest, and ensure the dance floor is full. The party is the time to let down your hair and have fun, but wing people ideally keep it together enough to ensure all the gifts, souvenirs, and other important items at the reception return to the room. (I once had a couple who lost a family heirloom when the caterer threw it out, thinking it was cheap decoration.)

PS: Wing people are optional :)

Thank you TIN Wedding Photography for the beautiful pic :)

12/02/2024

Hot tip (because Vietnam is hot - haha).

Don't forget to provide pre- ceremony beverages for your guests - especially if you've requested they arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony. A drink is a nice touch, a helpful icebreaker, and can save a life.

Your guests will never tell you they expected a drink on arrival - but they do - and I hear the moans.

So when you're deciding between fancy macroon favours or pre-ceremony thirst quenchers, go with the beverage, even if it's water :)

11/02/2024

The biggest fear couples have when looking for a celebrant is getting a generic, cookie-cutter ceremony that doesn't reflect what they want. When J + C contacted me, they said they didn't want a traditional wedding. They want me to throw them into Vietnamese culture and let them experience it firsthand. We discussed their spirituality, and they decided a Buddhist Blessing was what they wanted. A Buddhist Blessing is a variation of the traditional Hang Thuan Ceremony in Vietnam. It is not for everyone because there is a lot of chanting. But if you're into letting Buddha into your life and blessing your union, it's life-changing. When the Monks have finished, I translate the blessings into English. C + T had their woven wristbands blessed instead of wedding rings and the tears at the end said it all.

Every wedding is unique. Every couple is different. I start every ceremony with a blank sheet of Google Doc :)

Congratulations friends.

29/01/2024

"When our celebrant dropped out just two weeks before our wedding day, we were in a state of panic. Luckily, we found Wedding Celebrant Vietnam online. Leanne Summers was quick to respond to our initial enquiry and thankfully was available on the day of our wedding. The role of the wedding celebrant is hugely important. Their voice will guide you through the solemn promises you make to your partner. Their face will be in all of your wedding photos. They will forever be a part of the most important day of your lives.

We were anxious to entrust this responsibility to a complete stranger, but one Zoom video call with Leanne was all it took to put our minds at ease. Leanne is clearly a very experienced professional. She is easy to talk to, personable and funny, and instantly looks lovely and caring. She took the time to understand our story and the vision we had for our special day. With so many weddings under her belt, we felt assured that Leanne had 'seen it all.' We were confident that she could make informed suggestions and guide us through any mishaps we might encounter, which she did. Weddings are times of high emotion, especially for the bride and groom. On the day, Leanne had a calming presence. She walked the bridal party through each step of the ceremony, helping everyone to feel more relaxed and confident. We chose to write our ceremony script ourselves, but Leanne delivered it with a warmth and sincerity that moved everyone to tears. The highest praise came from the mother of a good friend, whom we had met only a few days prior: "I cried my eyes out, and I barely know you!"

Our wedding ceremony was magical, and it would not have been so perfect without Leanne. All who attended said it was beautiful. Despite the limited time we had to get to know each other, we connected with Leanne such that many of our guests assumed that the lady we had invited to officiate was a close friend or an aunt!

Thank you, Leanne, for rescuing us from a sticky situation, for imparting your sage advice, and for helping to make our wedding day truly unforgettable. The next time we experience nerves or awkwardness speaking in public, we will remember to be "graceful swans"!"

26/01/2024

What is a wedding celebrant? This question popped up in my inbox yesterday. A wedding celebrant or marriage officiant is the person who marries people.

Vietnamese people don't need a wedding celebrant to get married because the government issues the marriage licence, and the wedding rituals are very different.

Because destination weddings in Vietnam aren't recognized under Vietnamese Law, they are unlikely to be recognized at home. So, tourists who have a wedding in Vietnam don't need a wedding officiant either.

How come all the couples use a wedding celebrant, I hear you ask? I think it is because couples who travel to Vietnam for a wedding want all the bells and whistles of a Western wedding ceremony without the hassles or the expense they'd get at home. It means they can work with me to design a ceremony that speaks to them, they can enjoy the flow in their style and relax and have fun.

Young Vietnamese couples are opting for the traditional Vietnamese celebration and incorporating a Western ceremony as well. There's something about that magical moment in between getting dressed up and heading to the party that couples love.

I even write ceremonies for couples who ask a friend to officiate their wedding or if I'm double booked.

Destination weddings and elopements aren't for everyone, but when I see a couple swimming in each other's eyes and oblivious to the world around them for the 20 -30 minutes of the ceremony, I know I've done my job well.

Get in touch if you're considering a wedding or elopement in Vietnam. I'm all about making it easy, real, and fun. (With no boring bits.)

Thank you KT MARRY Studio for this lovely photo

16/01/2024

Two decisions that change two lives forever. The gorgeous bride moved her flight home from Ho Chi Minh forward by one day. The groom upgraded his seat on his flight. Fate sat them together, and they had 8 magical hours to get to know each other on the way home to Australia. Fast forward 3 years, and they returned with their families and friends to tie the knot in Vietnam.

They had to say this the next day: Hi Leanne, it was a wonderful night. The best part for me was the ceremony. It was more than what we have wished for ☺Thank you."

C + A, it was my pleasure, and I look forward to hearing about your honeymoon adventures. Thank you for allowing me to share your very special day x