The initial, indirect interaction between a vesicle membrane and a membrane to which it is targeted for fusion. This interaction is mediated by tethering factors (or complexes), which interact with both membranes. Interaction can occur via direct binding to membrane phospholipids or membrane proteins, or via binding to vesicle coat proteins. This process is distinct from and prior to interaction between factors involved in fusion. [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27243008 ]