A Wedding In Thailand
by Trevor Takasu
A few months ago I had the pleasure of setting up a wedding for a couple in
Phuket, Thailand. This was the first time for me to do a wedding such as
this in an exotic Asian location. I discussed the style of Buddhist ceremony
that is done in Thailand and the type of attire worn. The bride had her mind
set on wearing a wedding dress in to the Buddhist Temple.
The couple stayed at a beautiful resort hotel in Phuket and each day found
them sightseeing, enjoying water activities, and just lazing around the
pool, and beach.
The wedding day had arrived, and the couple was ready for their Thai style
wedding ceremony. The leading up to, before, during, and after parts of the
ceremony took the better part of a full day. The bilingual wedding
assistant, and limousine driver around 8:15am to pick up the couple, and
transfer them to Phuket Orchid Garden which was about 30 minutes drive from
the resort hotel area. The limousine was decorated with ribbons on the
front, and back, with a bow tied on the roof making the car look like a
wrapped present. On the hood of the car the driver attached bride, and groom
wedding dolls just like on the top of a wedding cake.
The Phuket Orchid Garden is a famous day tour where travelers experience
real Thai culture. There are a variety of shows including dancing, Thai
boxing, food tasting, restaurants, elephant rides, etc. Its very similar to
the Polynesian Culture Center in Oahu, Hawaii. The wedding can only be done
in the morning before the Phuket Orchid Garden opens to the public.
After arriving at the Orchid Garden at around 9:00am the couple was taken to
their separate rooms where the bride had her hair, and make up done and was
fitted in traditional Thai costumes. In his own room the groom was also
outfitted in a Thai wedding costume as well. They both looked stunning in
their wedding attire. The bride wore a wrap-around that was designed in a
variety of colors including gold, red, brown, blue, and green. She wore a
lot of jewelry such as long gold necklaces, arm and wrist bracelets, topped
off with, and a golden tiara. The groom wore a simple white cotton top, and
pants. Of course, the couple had a wide range to choose from.
At 9:30am the couple were ready. The groom took part in a procession with 35
boys and girls all dressed in Thai costumes. They all arrived at the front
of the Lakeside Restaurant where traditional gifts such as sugar cane and
fruits awaited them. Thai whisky, as well as other gifts were presented to
the bride's family as offerings to their family's spirits.
The groom, rode in on a decorated elephant, in the wedding procession which
was led by a long drum dance, joined the bride's family at the function
area.
He and his parents were allowed to pass through a Golden Gate when the groom
satisfied the Gate Keepers with tips. Since the couple didn't have
friends,
and family members attending their ceremony the Orchid Garden staff were
assigned to stand in as various members of the family, and the local Thai
community made the couple feel at home, and a part of their family.
The bride's parents welcomed the groom, and his parents to sit with
them.
From assistance of the master of ceremony the groom's parents asked for
permission of the bride's parents to allow the wedding. Once this was
finalized the couple exchanged rings, paid respect to the Buddha image and
moved to their respective wedding seats. The master of ceremony provided
them with a neck garland and bond the couple with Mongkol string. Then
blessed them with dots of white powder on their foreheads. Two males and
females stood behind the couples seat while the parents, relatives and
friends poured holy fragrant water on the bride & groom in the traditional
water blessing. In the background a band played Thai classical music until
the process ended.
At 10:30am wedding party moved to a separate area where Thai classical
dancing was performed. After the ceremony the couple both rode on the
elephant, taking a short tour of the area. Both bride, and groom changed
from their Thai costumes, into a more traditional western hemisphere style
of wedding attire (a wedding gown, and tuxedo). Usually the couple wear
different Thai attire throughout the ceremony. Different colors are worn as
different ceremonies are about to take place. The bride really wanted to
wear a wedding dress at some part of her wedding, and I was worried what the
Buddhist Monks would say about this. The monks gave permission for the bride
to wear her dress only on the condition that her body wouldn't be
exposed.
She wore a long sleeved, high necked, full length gown.
The next part of the ceremony took place in the Wat Chalong Temple. A
beautiful, large temple with step down roof, and a variety of golden
ornaments, both inside and out.
10:45am the couple arrived at Wat Chalong Temple and the Abbott blessed the
wedding with prayers, and sacred water. The couple must pay respect to the
famous Luang Poh Cham & Cham Poh Cham (Buddha statue image set inside the
temple).
At 11:45am they were transported back to the couple's resort hotel which
brought a close to the wedding ceremony. Upon arrival at the hotel the
wedding assistant helped the bride out of her wedding dress, and the couple
spent a romantic wedding luncheon at their hotel's restaurant in
beautiful
tropical surroundings.
The wedding was nothing like I expected. I found the Thai people to be
very helpful, friendly and kind. It was a great experience which am sure the
couple will cherish forever.
Our company WORLD BRIDAL produces destination weddings in over 40 countries
around the world. Let us help turn your dream in to reality.
You can email Trevor Takasu at trevor@worldbridal.co.jp
You can visit World Bridal at http://www.worldbridal.com
