A "Choose Your Own Adventure" Vietnam Destination Elopement

Two women, one in a suit and one in a white dress, eat food at a Bánh Bèo street food stall while a vendor in a conical hat serves them.

A “Choose Your Own Adventure” Vietnam Destination Elopement

August 18, 2026
Words by Kinsley Brown
Photos courtesy of Anh Phan

When actor Bethany Brown (star of FOX’s Murder in a Small Town and the feature film A Safe Distance) and her partner Selena Neumark (Director of Product Development at Tradable Bits) invited their loved ones to their destination wedding, they didn’t just send an invitation. Rather, they offered a three-week journey across Southeast Asia where guests could literally “choose their own adventure.”

Two women walk hand in hand down a street; one wears a white wedding dress, the other a black suit. They are surrounded by lanterns, flowers, and colorful buildings.

Two women pose together on a street decorated with hanging orange lanterns, one in a black outfit and the other in a white dress, in front of a yellow building.

Spanning Vietnam from south to north, the couple designed a travel itinerary packed with distinct options so friends and family could tailor the trip to their own travel style. There was a little something for everyone: foodies enjoyed local tasting tours, thrill-seekers took part in adventurous excursions, and those looking to simply unwind enjoyed the beach and spa treatments. It all concluded in a 3-day, 2-night boat cruise reception aboard a vessel with Genesis Regal Cruises through the breathtaking Hạ Long Bay.

Two women in wedding attire embrace and smile in front of a building with glass doors, red lantern, and Chinese New Year decorations, surrounded by greenery and sunlight.

“We had best friends, old friends, family friends, cousins and parents meet us along the way,” Selena says. “Everything culminated in Hanoi and Hạ Long Bay where we had the most people all at once. Sheer chaos and hilarity ensued, as well as some truly once-in-a-lifetime moments.”

Two flower vendors sit by a yellow wall, while two women in formal dresses walk past in the background. Bright orange flowers are in the foreground.

Two women sit closely together on a small boat; one wears a suit, and the other wears a wedding dress. The water is visible in the background.

Balancing Big Families and Big Passions

For Bethany and Selena, world travel had long been a core element of their relationship. Faced with balancing a massive family on one side against a smaller, geographically spread-out family on the other, the flexible destination model provided the perfect solution.

“I want our life together to feel balanced,” Bethany says. “Of course we can have celebrations that include everyone, and will, but this one was for us to come together in the union of our love.”

Two women, one in a white wedding dress and one in a dark suit, stand side by side in front of a colorful display of hanging lanterns.

A Sacred, Intimate Ceremony in Hội An

Nested within the multi-week expedition was the main event: an intimate vow exchange in the garden of a private villa in Hội An. Guided by wedding celebrant Leanne Summers, the couple took part in an emotional candle ritual to signify two flames becoming one.

Two women sit together in a white freestanding bathtub on a patterned tile floor; one wears a formal dress, the other casual clothes.

Lantern Light and Unscripted Moments

Coinciding with Lunar New Year (Tết), the streets of Hội An glowed under a canopy of lantern light and vibrant festive energy. After exchanging vows, the newlyweds explored the old town in full wedding attire, sampling local street food, navigating bustling markets and taking in impromptu fireworks.

A busy street market scene with people, motorbikes, flower vendors, and a woman in a white dress standing among the crowd.

A bride in a white dress walks beside another woman along a riverside promenade lined with boats, people, and parked motorcycles at sunset.

Two people lie close together at the front of a boat, floating on a river with buildings and boats lining the shore under a cloudy sky.

They boarded a small boat on the Hoai River to light and cast floating lanterns together. Yet, one of the most endearing memories of the day came from an unexpected street encounter:

“We love animals, and I leaned down to pet a dog in the street,” Bethany explains. “Selena pulled me back, concerned that the dog may have fleas. I burst out laughing, remarking that I was sure the dog didn’t have fleas. And somehow the photographer caught the exact moment, and wouldn’t you know, there’s the dog in the bottom-left corner of the frame, scratching away. This captured ‘us’ so uniquely and beautifully.”

A bride and another person walk together in an outdoor market at sunset, with a dog sitting nearby and stalls in the background.

The sweet couple shared some advice for others considering planning a destination elopement adventure. “Have fun, make it your own, and check something off your bucket list,” Bethany encourages. Selena agrees, adding, “Don’t be afraid to do something unique to the two of you. You will miss the people who can’t come, and that’s okay. Just be open to celebrating with them another time.” By staying true to themselves, Bethany and Selena proved that an elopement can be both an intimate personal sanctuary and an incredible shared journey.

A couple in wedding attire stands close together, watching fireworks at night with a crowd. Red lanterns and trees are visible in the background.

Vendors: Photographers: Anh Phan and Trung Dinh; Planning & Celebrant: Leanne Summers; Hair & Makeup: Trieu Duong Makeup Studio; Suit Designer: MD Bespoke; Reception Cruise: Genesis Regal Cruises