Vue Uncles

I was at Thomas & Anita's Hmong wedding capturing photographs while listening to the table talks. Anita is my cousin and these are my Vue Uncles standing or sitting with small glasses of beer on their plates.

What my Vue uncles are telling Thomas and Anita is to be faithful to one another. Be patient with each other. Love together whole heartily. Do not cheat on one another. Don't get physical and fight with each other or else the marriage is ruin.

My Vue uncles advices to both Thomas and Anita are that they're here for them. If Thomas isn't being a good husband, cheats on you, abuses you physically & mentally, then go talk with his family and relatives first. If his family and relatives are not taking any steps to solve the matter, then the Uncles are here for Anita. Bring Thomas to talk with them and they will help resolve the matter. They'll also talk to Thomas's relatives and parents about Thomas's behavior. They want the best for their niece as they do see her as their own daughters.

These are the same words that applies to Anita as well that if she isn't being a good wife, cheats on Thomas, abuses him physically and mentally, then bring her to the Vue Uncles so they can have a chat with her. Since Thomas is now their son-n-law (Vauv), they will love him just as much as they love Anita and wants the best for him. After that, Thomas and Anita say a few words to them and they all drink together to keep their words.

Even though these words are from my Vue Uncles, I do hear these wise advices a lot from many other Hmong weddings that I have attended and captured. It feels like a long processes listening to the uncles talking to the bride & groom, but it shows a lot of love and support they have for the both of them. If you ever get the chance to see and listen, do so as its worth it. And it's not just Uncles, it will be aunties, parents, brothers, sisters, cousins and even children.