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The magical setting for wedding photos in a cave.
Huynh Nam Dai is a wedding photographer with 13 years of experience. This is also the first time he has photographed a wedding in such a unique setting. The couple in the wedding are groom Van Quy (from Ho Chi Minh City) and bride Alexa, a foreigner, who wanted their big day to be more impressive and unforgettable than a typical wedding, so they decided to hold it in a cave.
A wedding photographed at Vung Duc Cave in Quang Ninh province has gone viral on social media for its uniqueness and inspiring nature, captured by photographer Huynh Nam Dai.
The couple in the wedding, groom Van Quy (from Ho Chi Minh City) and foreign bride Alexa, wanted their big day to be more impressive and unforgettable than a normal wedding, so they decided to hold it in a cave.
According to Huynh Nam Dai, the couple liked the dark atmosphere inside the cave and wanted to capture details such as holding hands and eye contact, so after brainstorming, they immediately booked a photographer.
“The day I received the confirmation email, I was so happy I couldn't sleep. The moodboard the bride gave me was like something out of a dream. And when I arrived at the venue and saw everything set up, I was truly overwhelmed. Just as everyone says, it was as beautiful as something out of a fairy tale,” Huynh Nam Dai recounted.
A wedding ceremony inside Vung Duc Cave offers couples and guests a unique and memorable experience.
The wedding took place on the third day of the Lunar New Year, when the weather was quite cold and dark: “The bride wanted everything to be as natural as possible, so we didn't use too many lights, and I didn't use a flash either to maintain the mood she wanted. That day, I used both digital and film cameras. Bringing a film camera into this setting was quite risky, as we almost had to focus manually and shoot at extremely low shutter speeds to get enough light. Luckily, the photos turned out even better than expected when we developed them.”
The cave where the wedding was held is Vung Duc Cave in Cam Pha, Quang Ninh. Tourists can travel there by road, but Huynh Nam Dai followed the wedding group from a Halong Bay cruise and then took a small speedboat for over an hour to reach the location. The phone signal there was quite weak and almost impossible to communicate.
This is an opportunity for everyone to explore the pristine beauty of the cave and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a different kind of wedding.
Vung Duc Cave boasts a pristine and majestic natural landscape with diverse stalactites, creating a mysterious and romantic atmosphere. A wedding held within this cave setting gives the couple and guests the feeling of stepping into another world, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's also an opportunity for everyone to explore the unspoiled beauty of the cave and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a truly different kind of wedding.
“Vung Duc Cave used to be a venue for events, but it was sparsely populated with tourists and remained very pristine. Our group got to work in a well-lit area, but there were still many dark corners that, according to the groom, were off-limits because they would disturb the bats in the cave,” Huynh Nam Dai said.
Vung Duc Cave offers a relatively secluded space, creating a cozy and private atmosphere for wedding ceremonies.
What should you keep in mind when having a wedding in a cave?
From the perspective of a photographer who was shooting a cave wedding for the first time, Huynh Nam Dai also offered some advice for couples.
In terms of decoration, muted colors will suit the cave environment. Maintain the natural lighting and avoid setting up too many spotlights, as this will affect the mood of the photos and the bats. Choose simple, comfortable clothing suitable for the cave's terrain. The cave is quite dark, and to maintain the right mood, everyone, including the makeup and photography team, will be working in that lighting. For convenient transportation to the caves, visitors should proactively contact the relevant authorities at Tuan Chau port.
A simple saxophone or acoustic guitar is sufficient for a cozy and intimate wedding reception, without the need for speakers. Additionally, always have backups such as batteries, memory cards, or other necessary accessories, as you won't be able to return to shore to retrieve them.
Couples can get creative with many unique photo ideas in the cave, from artistic shots with stalactites and lighting to romantic moments together.
Couples can get creative with many unique photo ideas in the cave, from artistic shots with stalactites.
“The idea of holding a wedding in a cave is truly unique and innovative. This will be an inspiration for couples planning their weddings to create impressive and distinctive ceremonies, as Vietnam possesses countless caves and breathtaking scenery. I would also like to thank Alexa and Mr. Quy – the hosts of the event – for giving me the opportunity to capture this special moment of the wedding. I hope this photo collection will give many ideas to those who are planning a memorable 'wedding destination' or 'intimate wedding',” photographer Huynh Nam Dai shared.
The idea of holding a wedding in a cave is truly unique and innovative.
