Traditional Thai Beach wedding

Legally it is relatively simple to marry in Thailand. What you need precisely depends upon the type of wedding you want & where you are from. Basically, a Thailand wedding is legal for citizens from Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, Canada & most other countries.

 However, a wedding in Thailand is a sacred institution that has evolved and thrived for thousands of years. It can take place in a number of settings: a tropical beach, a garden, one of the many offshore islands, a Buddhist temple or even beneath a waterfall! The procedure is quite spiritual and in a traditional setting, extremely joyous.

 During the weeks before the wedding many couples commission a photo session somewhere like an elephant camp (weddings in the past used elephants for good luck) or at the beach. It is traditional for the bride and groom to pray at a Buddhist temple before the wedding, but not obligatory.

  On the day, the actual ceremony begins with the groom leading the "Long Drum Parade" across the garden or beach to wherever the altar has been set up. Here the groom is joined by the bride who will usually be dressed in a traditional, close-fitting, brightly colored Thai silk outfit. The legal ceremony takes place when the couple pronounce their vows and exchange rings, normally to Thai music.

The wedding cake is cut and champagne toasts are made. Many weddings have a firework display, while invited Buddhist monks chant prayers of health and happiness for the couples’ future. The monks are given food and wedding gifts in return.

Once the vows have been made, the bride and groom kneel together and a holy string is draped from one to the other in a circle and connecting the couple and symbolizing their spiritual union.Wedding flower garlands are presented and powder is placed on the forehead. Then, as the couple clasp their hands together in the traditional prayer-like gesture, the guests pour a conch shell full of sacred water over the couple's hands while saying a blessing for good luck. Gifts of either money or presents that have been placed in a basket beforehand are now checked by the bride’s mother. The ceremony is completed by the couple planting a tree as a gesture of love.

Honeymoon in amazing Thailand

Jomtien Beach and the surrounding area is a perfect location for either your wedding or blessing - it is an exciting beach resort set across a beautiful large bay. Nearby Pattaya provides everything for any couple visiting Thailand for a wedding. Great facilities and nighlife will keep you and your guests entertained throughout the stay.

Pattaya beach is a perfect location for marriage ceremonies

Church weddings and western style civil wedding ceremonies are also popular in Thailand. Often after a church wedding a Thai blessing in arranged. Western style civil marriage ceremonies are often used for beach weddings in Thailand. The wedding vows of couples married in different countries, and by different religions, can be blessed by Buddhist monks in a beautiful ceremony. Many couples who are celebrating a wedding anniversary by holidaying in Thailand choose to have their vows repeated in this way, and it adds a very romantic feature to a second honeymoon.

For an in-depth discussion, and for help on the legal requirements to get married in Thailand for couples from all countries, please contact us using the form on our Contact page. We are Thai speaking and very knowledgeable about all the official requirements for wedding cermonies which can often seem bewildering to non-Thai people. We can also help arrange blessing ceremonies for you if required - once again, contact us for help and advice.

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