Destination Wedding Recap: How Tastemaker Tracie May Executed a British-Vietnamese Wedding Weekend in Vietnam
Destination weddings promise romance, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable memories. Yet behind those picture-perfect Instagram moments lies a labyrinth of logistics, cultural nuances, and unexpected challenges. Former Angelino and event producer turned Ho Chi Minh City resident Tracie May recently leveraged her extensive network of trusted local vendors to curate an elegant Vietnamese/British hybrid wedding weekend for 120 guests at a remote riverside resort, just an hour outside the bustling city. Sharing insights from her firsthand experience, Tracie reveals how strong vendor relationships, meticulous coordination, and creative problem-solving transformed an ambitious vision into an unforgettable celebration.
When Tracie first connected with the bride a year before the wedding date, she confidently anticipated smooth sailing. After all, having orchestrated numerous high-profile events during her years in Saigon, she thought, how challenging could a destination wedding in Vietnam really be? Yet, as plans unfolded, the complexity far exceeded her initial expectations. Tracie soon discovered that executing a destination wedding with thoughtful resourcefulness required meticulous attention to detail and creative solutions to unforeseen hurdles. Ultimately, it was the unwavering “all-hands-on-deck” support of her carefully chosen “army” of top-tier Ho Chi Minh City vendors, who generously went above and beyond the call of duty, offering invaluable favors, that transformed every challenge into an elegant, heartfelt celebration.
The wedding location, Chi-Bu Riverside Resort in Đồng Nai, chosen by the bride and groom, is a charming and romantic, family-owned oasis nestled along the banks of the tranquil Ông Kèo River. Situated just over an hour from Ho Chi Minh City by a combination of car and ferry, the resort offered an idyllic backdrop of lush gardens and peaceful river views. Yet, accessibility presented logistical challenges. Reached only by narrow dirt roads stretching more than a kilometer from the nearest freeway, transporting guests, vendors, and supplies became the first major hurdle. To ensure flawless execution, Tracie enlisted the expertise of TravelThru, a Vietnam-based global transportation company. They meticulously coordinated buses to comfortably shuttle guests, arranged trucks to deliver decor, fresh flowers, and even kegs of beer and cider, and provided SUVs to transport vendor teams to and from the city throughout the wedding weekend. This precise orchestration was instrumental in bringing every detail seamlessly together at this breathtaking but remote riverside retreat.
Wedding décor sets the emotional tone and visual narrative of any celebration, transforming an already beautiful setting into an unforgettable scene filled with personality, elegance, and romance. For this crucial element, Tracie called upon her trusted friend and long-time collaborator, Lý Quốc Cơ (Leo), founder of Zealart, the most elite event design company in Vietnam, renowned for creating spectacular installations for the world’s top luxury brands. With impeccable vision and meticulous attention to detail, Leo and his extraordinarily talented team crafted a stunning design that perfectly complemented Chi-Bu Riverside Resort’s natural charm. Their artistry elegantly enhanced the lush landscape, effortlessly merging sophisticated floral arrangements, thoughtfully curated décor, and bespoke installations into the resort’s riverside gardens, turning an idyllic setting into a breathtaking, immersive wedding backdrop.
Initially, Tracie envisioned bringing an executive chef from one of Ho Chi Minh City’s high-end restaurants to oversee Chi-Bu’s in-house kitchen team. However, when finding the perfect chef proved elusive, she swiftly pivoted, reaching out instead to Mạ Quán, a beloved Vietnamese restaurant in District 1, to cater the wedding dinner. After countless Zalo messages exchanged with the restaurant’s manager, Mạ Quán provided a vibrant meal featuring traditional Vietnamese canapés and dishes. Their authentic flavors beautifully showcased the rich culinary heritage of Vietnam, creating an unforgettable experience for the bride’s international guests who had traveled from the UK to share in this special celebration.
A wedding cake often serves as a symbolic centerpiece of celebration and joy, so Tracie turned to her favorite local bakery, Dulce de Saigon, to create something memorable. The talented team at Dulce de Saigon not only designed an elegant three-tiered wedding cake but also prepared delicious passion fruit gelée-filled sheet cakes, ensuring every guest could indulge in a taste of sweetness. The cake beautifully blended artistry and flavor, becoming yet another delightful highlight of this special celebration.
Recognizing that exceptional audio sets the rhythm and atmosphere for every stage of a wedding, Tracie enlisted the expertise of Medusa AVL Vietnam to bring the event to life through music and sound. Together in their studio, they meticulously crafted customized playlists for each distinct chapter of the celebration – from guest arrivals and the ceremony to the lively cocktail hour, intimate wedding dinner, and high-energy after-party. Medusa AVL’s professional team of sound technicians handled every detail, seamlessly installing speakers, soundboards, and audio equipment, ensuring crystal-clear sound quality that kept spirits high and the dance floor full well into the night.
For the bride, founder and CEO of Saigon Cider, Vietnam’s first authentic and organic cider company, the beverage selection at her wedding was naturally of utmost importance. Given Vietnam’s vibrant beer culture, she seized the opportunity to showcase some of the country’s finest locally produced craft beers alongside her signature ciders. Enlisting her friends, the visionary owners behind beloved Vietnamese craft beer brands such as Origins, Fuzzy Logic, 7 Bridges, East West, and Heart of Darkness, she curated an exceptional collection that perfectly complemented her own ciders.
Through the dedication, collaboration, and tireless efforts of everyone involved, most notably the bride and groom themselves, the wedding unfolded beautifully into an extraordinary and memorable event. Each carefully considered detail ultimately came together, creating moments filled with warmth, joy, and genuine connection. Amid laughter, heartfelt toasts, and dancing by the river, the celebration left lasting impressions on all fortunate enough to share in this special occasion. When asked if she would take on another destination wedding, Tracie admitted the jury is still out; however, she readily acknowledged it was a challenge she’s glad she accepted, she tried her very best and ultimately delivered an event she was very proud of.
