1. Real Weddings

Thuyphuong & Bao: A Spring Wedding in Wichita, KS

Because hot pink was Bao’s favorite color for his girlfriend, Thuyphuong, to wear, she used the shade to decorate their spring wedding. “It became my

Because hot pink was Bao’s favorite color for his girlfriend, Thuyphuong, to wear, she used the shade to decorate their spring wedding. “It became my favorite color too!” Thuyphuong laughs. The Bride Thuyphuong Tran, 27, accountant The Groom Bao Nguyen, 31, computer programmer The Date April 29 Thuyphuong and Bao first met on their college campus and soon became very good friends. The duo started dating after they realized they had great chemistry together and almost seven years later, Bao proposed to Thuyphuong on Valentine’s Day in downtown Wichita. “He got on one knee on the sidewalk with 24 beautiful red roses and asked me to be his wife,” Thuyphuong remembers.

For the traditional Vietnamese ceremony, Thuyphuong wore a red, floor-length gown with a matching hat. She donned a strapless, white, A-line gown for the western ceremony, and accessorized with diamond earrings, and a pearl necklace and bracelet. To end the night, Thuyphuong did one last wardrobe change into a formal red satin gown for the reception.
The newlyweds shared their first dance to “Love of My Life” by Jim Brickman. Afterward, the mood became lighter as guests took turns singing karaoke.
Both Thuyphuong and Bao are Vietnamese Americans and practicing Baptists, so they opted to have ceremonies honoring both backgrounds. The traditional Vietnamese ceremony was held at Thuyphuong’s home, while the couple exchanged traditional vows in a western ceremony held at the Immanuel Vietnamese Baptist Church. “We’ve been going to this church for years,” Thuyphuong says.
Thuyphuong and Bao’s four-tiered white cake was covered in cherries and sugar-glazed strawberries. The confection featured several tropical Vietnamese flavors such as coconut, jackfruit, and durian.
Thuyphuong’s two bridesmaids wore hot pink, floor-length dresses. The guys all sported three-button tuxedos by Andrew Fezza. Bao’s vest and tie were a deep red color to match Thuyphuong’s gown and the groomsmen wore hot pink vests and ties to match the bridesmaids.
Thuyphuong carried a bouquet of hot pink and ivory roses sprinkled with freesia, while her bridesmaids carried similar bunches of light pink and ivory roses.