When Laurie and Vincent began planning their destination wedding, they knew they wanted something once-in-a-lifetime. “We wanted to bring people somewhere that would take their breath away,” Laurie says. That dream came to life in Halong Bay, Vietnam, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its emerald waters and limestone karsts.
Hosted entirely aboard an Indochine-style cruise, their celebration flowed from ceremony to dinner to dancing, all surrounded by the still beauty of the bay. As far as they know, they’re the first American couple to host a full wedding on Halong Bay itself. See all the beauty below, as designed by Bayla Destination Weddings and captured by Kien’s Collection.
Laurie and Vince’s love story began in 2018, when a mutual friend decided to play matchmaker. “Vince was her childhood friend, and she was my coworker at Disney,” Laurie explains. “She had a feeling we’d be a good match, so she organized a low-key group date in Downtown LA. We played darts that evening (on the same team) and the rest is history.”
That same friend later stood beside them in Vietnam…as their officiant.
Fashion Notes: Modern Elegance with Heirloom Touches
Laurie wore a Netta Benshabu gown from LA boutique Jaxon James - a delicate, embroidered corset gown she instantly knew was “the one.” “It didn’t look like much on the hanger,” she laughs, “but when I tried it on, my friend gasped out loud.”
For the reception, she slipped into a Meshki halter dress for dancing, paired with pastel blue Jimmy Choo Saeda heels - her “something blue.” Vince wore a light beige suit for the ceremony, switching to a tuxedo for the first dance…“a total James Bond moment.”
“I wore a bracelet made from my grandmother’s wedding pearls,” she says. “She couldn’t travel to Vietnam, but it felt like having her there.”
The Venue: Vintage Indochine Romance on the Water
Laurie and Vince’s venue, the Indochine Premium cruise, brought cinematic Southeast Asian charm to life. “We didn’t want the sleek, modern look of a yacht,” Laurie explains. “We wanted something that felt authentic and connected to Vietnam’s history.”
The Indochine’s checkered floors, botanical drapes, and warm yellows and greens created the perfect blend of vintage romance and tropical warmth for their Vietnam wedding. It even matched their wedding color palette, right down to the cabin details.
Their ceremony florals by Fléur. by Tunlee, were bold, textural, and full of movement - an artistic balance of tropical flowers like heliconia and orchids, mixed with cascading greenery and amaranthus.
“The florist even incorporated bananas,” Laurie says with a laugh. “I was surprised but it looked amazing and fit perfectly with the tropical vibe.”
Their design was a beautiful mix of heritage, color, and meaning. Working with Bayla Destination Weddings, they drew inspiration from the Birds of Paradise flower - native to both Vietnam and Los Angeles.
The Most Emotional Moment
For both Laurie and Vince, the most unforgettable moment came as Laurie walked down the aisle. “We decided not to do a first look, so seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony was emotional. As I hugged my dad, the sun broke through the clouds, it was magic.”
Laurie’s advice to future brides? “Don’t sweat the small stuff. I had to redo my hair 30 minutes before the ceremony because of the wind! But in the end, those things don’t matter. What matters is being present and savoring the joy.”
For Laurie and Vince, their floating wedding in Halong Bay wasn’t just a celebration…it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that tied together love, heritage, and adventure in one unforgettable weekend.