This kicks off the engagement portion of the wedding and involves the groom’s family and friends leading the Khan Maak parade, accompanied by traditional Thai music, to the bride’s home. Everyone is encouraged to dance too!

Gate crashing is where the groom’s party is blocked from reaching the bride by symoblic doors or gates. To pass the gate, the groom and his entourage will have to successfully complete a series of games predetermined by the bride’s friends and family.

Once the groom reaches the bride’s house, the marriage proposal and official engagement ceremony will take place. It is a very intimate part of the whole wedding because it involves the couple’s parents and exchanging of rings.

There will be refreshments and breakfast available throughout the morning as the events take a few hours - don’t worry, you won’t be hungry!

This is the wedding ceremony in Thai culture. To start, there is a white thread ritual, where the bride and groom will be connected by string, which represents the union of the couple.

Thai people believe that water is a powerful symbol of blessing. The bride and groom will be seated next to each other with their hands together, while wedding guests will line up to pour water over the couples’ hands using a special blessed shell while wishing the couple well or giving advice on their lives together. This portion of the ceremony is reserved for guests who are older than the couple.

As Tanya’s family is Thai-Chinese, we wanted to honour the Chinese culture by also having a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony.

The bride and groom will serve tea to their respective families, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other respected elders.

Thai wedding receptions are more like cocktail receptions, where guests are free to roam around the event, explore the food stalls, and mingle. The bride and groom will be greeting guests and taking photos as they arrive. There will be an area where guests may sign a book to wish the couple and leave their gift or envelope.

Then the MC will call the couple to the floor. The guest of honor will give a speech and toast to the couple.

The bride and groom will cut the wedding cake and serve their parents, senior relatives and guest of honor.

The after party will follow until late!