Kayla & Christopher’s Tea Ceremony
Welcome to the Mâm & Co Blog
We are Kayla and Jessica, sisters and co-founders of Mâm & Co, and we are delighted to welcome you to our space. Our mission is to elevate tea ceremony décor, thoughtfully curating every detail to honor tradition while creating modern, elegant, and meaningful experiences. Whether Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, or any cultural tea ceremony, our aim is to celebrate heritage with intention and beauty.
Our Story
Our journey began with a wedding — my own tea ceremony. In planning and styling this deeply personal moment, we discovered the joy, artistry, and significance behind every mâm quả gift tray, floral arrangement, and ceremonial detail. It was a profound experience that made us realise how powerful and moving this tradition is, and how much we wanted to share that joy with others.
From that experience, Mâm & Co was born: a space where heritage, elegance, and family connection converge, where each ceremony is designed to reflect the unique story of the couple and their families.
The Schedule
When I planned my wedding, my sister and I knew the tea ceremony would be a core event of the celebration. It is a day of deep respect, where the groom’s family formally asks for the bride’s hand and gifts are exchanged via beautifully curated mâm qua gift trays. We were determined to honour tradition while making the décor sophisticated, personal, and timeless.
The day started early, but we built in leeway for delays, ensuring the morning was calm, relaxed, and stress-free.
Arrival
Guests began arriving at 8:00AM, greeted with coffee from a small cart and a chance to settle into the space. This gave everyone a moment to connect, relax, and appreciate the beautifully styled ceremony environment before the proceedings began.
Procession
At 8:30AM, the groom, his family, and friends began making their way to the front door of the house, where the bridesmaids were waiting with traditional games for the groom to “prove his worth.” It was a playful and memorable start to the ceremony!
The games included:
Shaking ping pong balls out of a tissue box strapped to the groom and groomsmen’s waists
Finding green beans in a jar of coffee beans (fun fact: the groom, Kayla’s husband, is colourblind, so he delegated wisely!)
100 push-ups
Popping balloons without using hands
These light-hearted traditions added joy, laughter, and anticipation, creating a fun and engaging way for both families to come together before the formal ceremony began.
Formal Welcome
After the games concluded, the groom and groomsmen brought in the traditional mâm qua gift trays, offering them to the bridesmaids as part of the ceremonial entry. Once the groom and his party were settled, I descended with my mum to greet the groom and his family, marking the start of this meaningful day.
The Ceremony
With everyone gathered in the house, we began the formal tea ceremony. The proceedings included:
Paying respect to our ancestors
Serving tea to our elders
Receiving words of wisdom, blessings, and red envelopes from our family
Every step was designed to honour tradition while creating a warm, elegant, and intimate atmosphere for our families to share this special moment.
The Banquet
After the ceremony, guests moved to the kitchen area where we had prepared food, drinks, and cutlery for everyone to enjoy. It was a time to relax, connect, and celebrate, rounding out the morning with joy, laughter, and shared memories.
Styling the Day
We anchored our styling in the vibrant, auspicious colours of red, white, and gold, creating a stunning backdrop that perfectly complemented the traditional Áo Dài we wore.
The Welcoming Entrance
The entrance sets the tone for the entire event. We used red and white florals and traditional red lanterns to create a festive, celebratory entryway — the perfect first impression and where the energy of the day begins.
Styling Tip: For a home ceremony, consider focal points that highlight your décor, whether at the entrance or inside, as these areas make for beautiful photos and set the mood for your celebration.
The Procession and the Attire
The procession was filled with laughter and energy! The groom’s party brought in the mâm qua gift trays, and Christopher and his groomsmen embraced the playful door games with gusto.
For attire, traditional red Áo Dài for the couple was essential. We styled the bridesmaids in soft pink Áo Dài for a modern, cohesive aesthetic, while the groomsmen wore classic suits, blending tradition with contemporary elegance.
Styling Tip: Let your cultural attire inspire your décor colour palette. The vibrant red of Áo Dài, and black of the groomsmen’s suits, paired with the soft pink of the bridesmaids’ Áo Dài, naturally guided our choices for florals and linens, creating a harmonious and cohesive look.
The Ancestral Altar
The Ancestral Altar is where the couple honours their family lineage and pays respect to those who came before. We draped a rich, traditional red cloth and framed the ancestral photo with opulent red, pink and white florals, overflowing with fruit — a symbol of prosperity. The cake and ceremonial gifts, such as wine and betel leaves, were carefully arranged to ensure balance, symmetry, and the highest respect.
Culture Fact: Incense are a meaningful part of the décor. The rising smoke symbolises the ascent of prayers and gratitude to our ancestors, making them an essential and culturally significant element of the altar.
The Aftermath
The sheer joy and pride we experienced in designing this ceremony — from the finest details on the ancestral altar to the grand entrance — inspired the creation of Mâm & Co.
“Mâm” in Vietnamese refers to the traditional tray, central to every ceremony. Mâm & Co is our promise to help you create a tea ceremony that honours your cultural heritage, while reflecting your personal style and modern sophistication.
We believe every tea ceremony should be stunning, memorable, and a beautiful tribute to your culture. Whether you are celebrating Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, or other traditions, Mâm & Co is here to bring your vision to life with elegance and care.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. We look forward to sharing more styling tips, cultural insights, and décor inspiration for ceremonies that celebrate tradition and connection.
