Destination weddings or weddings where you follow the traditions and customs of the country you are in are becoming popular all over the world. Among the numerous luxury wedding venues that are highly favoured – Maldives, Vietnam, Langkawi – Thailand also is ranked up high. Before you sign up for a Thai style wedding, though, it is important to know the traditions and customs you are signing up for.
A large part of Thai wedding customs involve negotiation of a dowry, invitation distribution, as well as paying respect to ancestors. All these are done prior to the actual wedding, and it is unlikely you will be taking part in these activities. However, there are quite a few customs that take place on the wedding day itself that you might find interesting. One is Sai Monkhon. It is a custom where an elder wraps a long piece of string around the wrists of the couple while they kneel before him. The string is looped in circles which symbolise that the couple’s destiny is linked, but their individual identity is retained. Water is poured over this while chanting blessings. Following this blessing by the elder is the Shell Ceremony where other guests bless the couple. The name of the ceremony is derived from the use of a conch shell filled with water, which is poured over the couple’s entwined hands. It is in this instance that each guest places their gift in a basket – usually an envelope of money. You might not have the latter part of the tradition, but you most certainly can have the former.
As some of these customs might be uncomfortable for your guests, it is a good idea to have a wedding planner. Alternatively, you can opt for the service of a luxury hotel like Anantara Hotels, Resort & Spa to ensure that your theme wedding is customised.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
