If you have met a young lady in Thailand and after a suitable time of courtship, you have decided to marry and relocate to this enchanting country, you certainly aren’t alone, as many men seek out a new life in the Land of Smiles. In this short article, we offer a basic guide to help you tie the knot in a 5-star setting in Bangkok.

Sourcing a wedding venue

The best wedding venue Bangkok has to offer is only a Google search away and they have all the amenities you need to make your event a very special one. If you are planning a themed wedding, the venue has you covered; they can handle up to 670 guests, with the average guest numbers at 150-200. The first person you meet would be your event manager, a person who is dedicated to liaising with clients to plan their event and after a couple of hours, they can probably give you an all-inclusive quote. Your assigned event manager would wish to have several Zoom meetings with the couple in order to gain the information they need to prepare for the big day. The hotel has associations with musicians, photographers and videographers, so they can source whatever it is you are looking for.

Marriage registration

In order to make your union legal, you and your Thai partner need to make an appointment at a local Amphur District Office, where a government official will preside over the ceremony. You need to check online, but things you will need include an affidavit from your home country’s embassy that confirms you are eligible to marry, then you sign a marriage register and each party receives their marriage certificate. You might require a certified translator, this differs from Amphur to Amphur; the best thing to do is ask your Thai partner to visit the Amphur you will use and ask them what is required. The cost of the marriage registration is no more than a few dollars and once the register has been signed and witnessed, you can head off to the hotel and start the wedding reception. We recommend that you have the marriage certificates coated in plastic as a form of preservation, as they are important originals. Click here for a post-wedding checklist that might help you.

The groom would normally be required to have essential documents translated into Thai language; your embassy would be able to put you in touch with certified lawyers for translation of any documents. If your bride-to-be visits the Amphur Office, they can request a list of what is required to register the marriage.

Certified translations

Thai traditions

There are unique traditions in Thailand and your partner’s family would normally want to have a hand in arranging the wedding party. It is traditional for the groom to pay the bride’s family a dowry, which might include gold and cash. Many of the parents are happy to return the dowry after the reception, which should be there for appearances. 

Overnight guests

If you have guests arriving from abroad specifically for the wedding, they will need accommodation; you could negotiate with your chosen venue and maybe you can get special deals for your guests, should they book a room for the night. Your partner’s family will all be coming to the city for the wedding, although they would likely arrange their own accommodation.

Honeymoon options

You are fortunate to have so many fantastic destinations for a honeymoon, such as Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Rayong, Pattaya, Koh Samui and Phuket Island. Most major resorts have honeymoon suites where you can relax in luxurious surroundings while you both celebrate your union. Stunning beaches make for the perfect backdrop for a romantic honeymoon; enjoy walks along the beach at sunrise and sunset; Google can help you find out more about various tourist destinations located in all regions of Thailand.

Research Thai traditions

The Internet hosts a wealth of free resources on Thai traditions, especially weddings and the more you know about Thai culture, the richer your experience will be. Then you will be prepared and have a deeper understanding of the various processions and traditions that Thai people practice. The dowry, for example, is paid to compensate the bride’s family who have raised their daughter to be a positive member of society. The amount is to be negotiated and these days, the dowry is usually paid in order to meet traditional values and the bride’s parents often return the dowry to help the newlywed couple start their married life.

We hope that the information in this short article helps you to prepare for your Thai wedding and that you both enjoy a long and happy marriage together.