Thailand Wedding Ceremony

A traditional Thai wedding ceremony is a fascinating collection of cultural and religious blessings that create the coming together of two families, as well as the joining of two souls. For that reason, Thai weddings are colourful and joyful events, often attended by literally hundreds of guests. Although Thai law does not actually recognise these marriage rites as binding, the ceremony is still seen as an essential part of the marriage process as it joins the bride and groom spiritually and at the same time keeps traditional Buddhist teachings alive and maintains their importance in society as a whole.

Most Thai wedding ceremonies are held on days considered auspicious in the Buddhist lunar calendar as this guarantees good fortune and happiness for the newlyweds. Nine monks generally conduct the ceremony itself - the number nine signifying progress and therefore associated with positivity and personal wealth. The nine monks perform the age old rites in front of gathered family members and close friends, all of whom make offerings during the ceremony, providing food for the monks and financial donations to the temple. Even though the ceremony may seem very religious, with plenty of chanting and prayer, it does not focus heavily on religious scriptures, but more on the symbolic joining of two souls, reflecting Thai cultural traditions that have been handed down through the centuries.

The colour and excitement at a truly traditional Thai wedding begins well before the marriage ceremony proper, with a dancing procession from the groom's house to the bride's family home.  During the journey the groom is presented with several symbolic obstacles, which he must overcome by crossing the palms of designated 'gatekeepers' with silver and gold. This metaphorical tax proves to the gathered observers that the groom is willing and able to look after his wife-to-be and once he passes these symbolic tests he is allowed access to his waiting bride's home. The whole procession is a happy and noisy affair with family members and close friends following close behind to encourage the groom and also make sure he follows tradition, which also includes offering gifts to the girl's family on arrival.

A well rehearsed Thai ritual takes place at the bride's family home. The couple kneel before a respected member of the bride's family, who ties a thin, sacred cord to the couple’s heads and hands while they lean forward in a traditional Thai ‘wai’ pose - holding their palms together in a sign of respect. The family member then pours holy water over their hands as a blessing for a lasting, happy and prosperous future.

After all the processions and ceremonies are complete, the party can begin and often sees guests gather outdoors at table and chairs to eat, drink and toast the bride and groom. The reception is in many ways similar to those in the west, although in contrast to a western wedding where guests give the happy couple gifts to start them on their married life, in Thailand the happy couple are given envelopes containing money. The cash not only covers the cost of the wedding party, but may also help them to buy a house or build a home.

Foreign couples, either those living in Thailand or simply visiting on a holiday, often decide to get married in one of the country's famed tropical destinations and many choose elements of the traditional Thai wedding ceremony to add a sense of local flair. Even at beach weddings in the famous Thai resort destinations like Phuket and Koh Samui, foreigners like to include some of the above traditions. In fact, people from around the world now chose Thailand as their ideal wedding destination, celebrating the day with a personalised blend of local and international customs.

Most private villas, high-end resorts and good hotels now provide Thai-style wedding packages for guests. The added spectacle  makes a  special occasion even more memorable. If privacy is a key concern, secluded private villas can also be rented for a personalised wedding to celebrate with their nearest and dearest, surrounded by stunning seascapes.  A Thailand wedding ceremony, either traditional or a fusion of east and west, offers a day to remembered in a country known for its unique charm.