Banquet Hall vs Home Lễ Gia Tiên: Booking Timeline
A home Lễ Gia Tiên usually needs a shorter load-in and a smaller altar; a banquet-hall ceremony needs earlier booking, a floor plan, and a longer setup window. 0001Decor’s complete Gia Tiên package typically starts at $1,600. Full wedding décor (ceremony + reception) typically starts at $6,500. We work both in Bay Area homes and banquet rooms we already know, including Dynasty Chinese Cuisine, Koi Palace Milpitas, and Mayflower Seafood.
Last updated: September 2026 · Author: Thuy An Nguyen, Owner / Lead Floral Designer
Home ceremony — what changes
Most San Jose and South Bay families hold Lễ Gia Tiên in a living room, garage, or backyard the morning of the wedding. Walkways, stairs, and parking for the truck matter more than ceiling height.
- Book: 2–6 months ahead is usually enough if the date is a weekday or a non-peak Saturday.
- Measure: altar wall width, ceiling height, and the path from the front door to the altar.
- Setup: typically 1–2 hours before guests. We scale florals so the room still photographs cleanly without blocking elders.
- Teardown: after family photos, before the couple leaves for the western ceremony or banquet.
Banquet hall — what changes
Hotel ballrooms and Chinese restaurants have load-in rules, union or venue coordinators, and a shared parking lot. The altar is often larger and sits next to a stage or buffet line.
- Book: 6–12 months for peak Saturdays (April–October). The venue calendar fills before the florist calendar.
- Share: floor plan, load-in time, and whether the same room is used for the reception.
- Setup: often 2–4 hours, depending on backdrop size and whether we also dress the family table.
- Same-day reception: many couples book both Gia Tiên and full wedding décor so morning red-and-gold connects with evening ivory or blush.
Recommended booking timeline
- 6–12 months (hall) or 2–6 months (home): send date, city, and a phone photo of the room. Free quote within 24 hours.
- 8–12 weeks: lock the $1,600 Gia Tiên package or a custom add-on. Confirm áo dài colors if you want the altar to match.
- 2–4 weeks: confirm guest count at the family table, mâm quả count, and whether a front-door arch is needed.
- Week of: load-in time with the venue or the person at the house who will be awake.
How much does it cost?
The complete Gia Tiên package is typically $1,600 and can include floral gate, welcome sign, named backdrop, altar table, family table, and mâm quả styling. Custom size for a large banquet stage is quoted separately. Full wedding decoration packages start at $6,500 / $7,500 / $10,000+.
Next steps
Read how a Lễ Gia Tiên works in the Bay Area, browse the tea ceremony service page, or text 408-204-0001. Bilingual English & Vietnamese.