Vietnamese Tea Ceremony Setup: Altar, Seating and Rentals

Vietnamese-American weddings in the Chicago area often blend traditions from Vietnam with American wedding customs. A common pattern is a morning home or hall ceremony with family, followed by a larger reception in the evening. The morning event can include an engagement ceremony with gifts, an offering at the family altar and a tea ceremony where the couple serves tea to their elders. This guide focuses on the setup and leaves the order of events to your families.

What the room needs

• An altar table. A table covered with a cloth for incense, fruit, flowers and photos, if the family uses one. The altar is often against a wall with a few feet of clear floor in front.
• A tea table and tray. A small table to the side for the tea set.
• Elder chairs. Armchairs or sturdy chairs for the parents and honored elders, set in a row or an arc facing the couple.
• Kneeling cushions or a clear floor. Some couples kneel or bow in front of the altar.
• Guest seating. Chairs along the walls or behind the elders.
• A photographer path. Leave a clear lane on one side.

Chairs and tables

For elders, choose chairs with arms and a firm seat. The Louis Medallion chair (estimated $20 to $30) and velvet dining chair ($18 to $25) are comfortable and look formal. For guests, Bentwood Bistro chairs ($9 to $12) are light and easy to move. See comfortable chairs for older guests.

Room size and flow

A living room of 12 x 16 feet fits an altar, six elder chairs and a clear floor for the couple. For a bigger family, use a banquet room or a hall. The processions and gift presentation need a clear path from the entrance to the altar, so remove coffee tables and rugs that trip people. If your parents' home is small, a second room can hold the gift trays and the family waiting to enter.

The reception that follows

The evening reception is often a banquet with many courses, rounds of 10, a stage for the couple and a dance floor. Plan the same way as other large receptions: group family tables, size the dance floor and add a gift table. See reception table names and seating map and dance floor size by guest count. For tea, bring your own tea set unless a venue supplies one, and ask about hot water.

Chicago notes

• Many Chicago-area families hold the morning ceremony at a parent's home. Ask whether rentals can be delivered the evening before and picked up the next day.
• Check building rules for apartments, including elevators and delivery times.
• Incense, candles and open flame are part of some altar traditions. Check with your landlord or venue and follow fire safety rules.

Plan the ceremony with us

Tell us your room, guest count and the items you need and we will help you choose chairs, tables and linens in one call. Book a free 15-minute seating call or request a quote.