Hong Hanh, a doctoral candidate working in China, spent six months preparing for her wedding. She meticulously selected decorations and accessories, shipping them from China to Vietnam. She also commissioned six custom-made wedding dresses and traditional Vietnamese ao dai. The total cost of the wedding neared 200 million VND.

"I poured my heart and soul into this wedding. Every detail was perfect, until I saw the photos," Hanh recounted her disappointment after receiving nearly 2,000 pictures from the photography team on 13/7.

Hong Hanh's wedding photos from the official ceremony. Photo provided by the subject.

Hong Hanh's wedding photos from the official ceremony. Photo provided by the subject.

"My husband had to stay up for several nights comforting me," Hanh shared. After the photographer apologized and issued a refund, Hanh decided to recreate the wedding and engagement settings for a second photo shoot with a different team on 27/7.

"Fortunately, my husband supported my decision," she said.

To avoid the impression of having a "second wedding," the couple opted not to erect a tent at their home. Instead, the wedding venue allowed them to use a hall to partially recreate the atmosphere of their wedding day from two weeks prior.

Around 10 close friends were invited to witness the "reenactment." Hanh re-wore her six wedding dresses and ao dai. The bride and groom performed the rituals of exchanging vows, pouring the ceremonial wine, and exchanging rings in front of their friends. "The total cost this time was also quite significant," Hong Hanh admitted.

In return, she finally had photos she loved.

Hong Hanh and her husband recreate their wedding setup for a second photo shoot on 27/7. Photo provided by the subject.

Hong Hanh and her husband recreate their wedding setup for a second photo shoot on 27/7. Photo provided by the subject.

From 31/7 onwards, she gradually posted the new wedding and engagement photos on social media, receiving hundreds of likes and well wishes from friends, family, and even strangers.

Earlier, after receiving the initial disappointing photos, Hanh had posted about her experience online, sharing her feelings of letdown. Despite receiving encouragement from many who said, "photos are secondary, marriage is what matters," Hanh remained determined to retake her wedding pictures. She appreciated the advice but wanted to preserve beautiful images of the most significant event of her life.

"Photographs capture emotions, moments, and memories, so I couldn't go without photos on my big day," she explained.

From a psychological perspective, marriage and family counselor Le Khanh (TP HCM) suggests that for those who value memories, unsatisfactory wedding photos can cause mild emotional distress.

However, instead of dwelling on the disappointment, it's best to view it as a humorous mishap that will become a story to share in the couple's life together.

"A marriage isn't defined by photographs. What matters is the understanding between two people," Khanh stated.

Tran Quoc Huy, a wedding photographer in TP HCM, advises couples to thoroughly research a photographer's style, clearly discuss expected outcomes, delivery timelines, and post-production costs before making a decision.

"Beautiful photos aren't solely the product of a photographer's skill. They also depend on the overall investment in makeup, decorations, attire, and the emotions of the wedding day," he said. To avoid a situation like Hong Hanh's, couples should also sign contracts to protect their interests.

Reflecting on her experience, Hong Hanh acknowledges that every bride desires perfection but emphasizes the importance of detailed planning and balanced budgeting.

"I focused too much on decorations and dresses while overlooking the photographer, which led to a ‘version two’ of my wedding," she said.

Pham Nga