Add Vim and Vigor
to Your Wedding Trousseau
through the Vietnamese ao dai

Our guest columnist Tuan Le, owner of RedHotBrides.com, will be sharing the history and the joys of wearing red on your big day. Here he discusses Vietnamese culture and their take on a red wedding dress. The couple, Quynh and Thuy, in the photos both attended Stony Brook University. They all graduated around 2003.

In case you are fancying a dream wedding in a real theme, go for this stately costume of ao dai from the charming land of Vietnam. Well known for its sensuous damsels and colorful culture, the splashy red wedding gown of ao dai has stirred up quite a lot of interest among the brides all over the world. If you are a bride who wants to leave a strong personal stamp on your wedding costume, march to your own beats with the head turner of ao dai. Gone are the days when brides religiously stuck to the white wedding gown (in most cases it could be just because they never ever had a second option!)

A modern red hot hot Vietnamese bride adorning an ao dai - Photo courtesy of Quynh

As you step into the aisle in this figure flattering beauty from the Orient you are sure to win a few envious glances. Paint the town red in these flowing garbs that almost brush the carpet. The long splits that set off right from the waist line not just make you to walk in grace but also show off your pencil shaped long legs. The splits in the neckline expose the right amount of skin winning you raves for being sensual. Not forgetting the sophisticated red Swarovski crystals and diamond earrings to complete the style statement. Nothing can beat the charm and magic of the timeless red, which is all about passion and lust.

Photo courtesy of Quynh

The contemporary designs of ao dai typically consist of just two pieces - a figure flattering dress worn over loose silk pants. The dress could be of short length that reaches just below the knee or the graceful floor sweeping design that makes you look like a princess of the yore. The gown has a tight fitting bodice and four slit panels. You can go for eye-catching blings or ornate buttons to deck up the front and sides or go with the popular tide where the seams extend from the neckline to the underarm in a diagonal pattern. There are many stores specializing in this costume where you can grab one that will highlight the perfect feminine contours of yours. It is one of the few dresses where comfort meets beauty as the long slits ensure free graceful movement for the bride. You can make your pick from silk or wrinkle proof synthetic which is easy to maintain and comparatively cheaper than pure silk.

Photo courtesy of Quynh

Photo courtesy of Quynh

Photo courtesy of Quynh

Photo courtesy of Quynh

On the wedding day, the bride and the groom change their dresses at least three or four times. This allows you to pick up a white gown too if you wish, to add variety and a speck of western theme to the whole ceremony. A matching red shoe with pearl or white stone decorations would top off your profile in style. Make sure to pick up a material that could be dyed so that you can color it with any neutral color that could be used later with your casuals.

Take the breath ways from the onlookers in this fiery red gown that would sweep your partner off his feet in no time!