Wedding Thailand Guidebook by EventBanana
Many people are still unaware that the culture and traditions of weddings in Thailand have been passed down through generations, embodying a legacy of grace and charm. Thai wedding customs are among the most exquisite and captivating, and they are highly auspicious. Every Thai region celebrates weddings in a different way. Due to the beauty and grace of the customs, many foreigners have chosen Thailand as the location for their wedding celebrations.
Introduction to the Sequence of a Thai Wedding Ceremony
Thai wedding ceremonies vary from region to region, but all regions share the same beauty and sophistication. Here are some key elements of a Thai wedding ceremony that are common in all regions:
The Monk Ceremony
The most important thing on the morning of a Thai wedding is that the bride and groom and their families must offer food to the monks to bring good fortune to their couple. They also need to listen to sermons and because it is believed that this will bring happiness and success to the couple's life. This is because the majority of Thais are Buddhists and weddings are considered auspicious events.
Khan Maak Procession/ Barring the Groom from approaching the bride
The procession includes auspicious items such as gold, fruits, sweets, and other symbolic offerings that the groom brings to the bride, accompanied by traditional Thai music. This ritual signifies respect and honor toward the bride's family. As the groom approaches the bride's location, he will encounter the silver and gold doors to reach the bride. In this playful ceremony, the groom must complete a series of light-hearted tasks to pass through the gates and finally meet his bride.
Engagement Ceremony
After the completion of the Khan Maak procession, the engagement ring ceremony takes place. During this ceremony, the couple exchanges engagement rings in the presence of witnesses, including both families and attending guests. Following this, the groom and his family present dowry items to the bride's family. The ceremony concludes with a formal paying of respects to the elders from both sides.
Water Pouring
It is an auspicious ceremony that serves as an opportunity for family, friends, and guests to offer their blessings to the couple. During this ritual, the couple sits together with their hands placed on a pillow, and their heads are connected by a sacred thread to symbolize the strengthening of their bond. Subsequently, family members, friends, and guests pour water from a conch shell over the couple’s hands while reciting words of blessing.
Wedding Ceremony
Once all the auspicious ceremonies are completed, the next significant moment is the wedding celebration. This joyful occasion is filled with warmth and festivity. The couple may share a video showcasing their love journey or host a bouquet-tossing ceremony. The celebration is typically accompanied by a variety of delicious food and live music, creating a lively atmosphere for guests to enjoy. Souvenirs are often distributed to guests as tokens of appreciation for joining the couple in their special day.
Bridal Bed Ceremony
When sending the couple into the bridal chamber, the family traditionally changes the bed sheets, as it is believed to symbolize a lasting and harmonious love. This intimate ceremony is typically attended by close family, relatives, and friends before leaving the room, they offer blessings to the couple, wishing them happiness and prosperity, before allowing the couple some private time together.
Marriage registration in Thailand for foreigners
Many foreign couples, whether marrying a Thai partner and, choose to register their marriage in Thailand due to the relatively straightforward process and it is not complicated. To help guide both Thais and foreigners through this procedure, EventBanana has outlined the key steps to ensure that the marriage is legally recognized and that a valid marriage certificate is obtained as follows.
Documents to prepare
- Passport/ID card
- Certificate of Single Status, translated into Thai (can be obtained from home country and issued by the Embassy)
- Two witnesses (one from each side)
Next, bring all the required documents to the district office to officially register the marriage. Once the registration is complete, the couple will receive a marriage certificate, and confirming the legal recognition of their union in Thailand. As seen, the process of registering a marriage in Thailand is relatively straightforward, provided all necessary documents are prepared in advance.
