Getting married is one of the world’s happiest traditions, a celebration of love that takes different forms in various countries and cultures, but is always a heart-warming union between two people who want to spend the rest of their lives together.
The nation of Thailand is well known for its beautiful arts, fascinating culture, and friendly people so it’s no surprise that it has some of the world’s most charming wedding traditions! Every year the popular Thailand wedding venues are booked full of joyous couples and their families and friends eager to perform the ancient rites and help complete the bond that is formed on that very special day.
Let’s now learn about what happens at a traditional Thai wedding ceremony!
The Buddhist Ceremony – Buddhism is the foundation of most Thai customs and has a major influence on their way of life. The traditional Thai wedding begins with a Buddhist religious ceremony that starts in the morning before 11 AM. The couple will invite nine monks, a very lucky number, to their home to bestow blessings upon them, which are repaid in offerings of food, and followed by the monks anointing the foreheads of the groom and bride with water to bless them. This ritual sets the tone for a prosperous married life and symbolises the beginning of their new chapter together.
Khan Maak Procession – After the Buddhist ceremony the groom will lead a joyful Khan Maak parade consisting of the groom’s family and friends to the home of the bride. The procession is accompanied by musicians playing traditional long drums as the entourage dances its way through the neighbourhood. When they arrive at the bride’s family home, the Khan Maak Ek takes place, where some light-hearted games are played before allowing entry, and a dowry payment that often includes gold, silver, and sweet treats is presented to the bride’s family and accepted after some friendly wrangling.
The Engagement Ceremony – The exchange of the engagement rings symbolising their commitment to one another takes place as the groom and bride are surrounded by their family and witnesses. Ceramic rings for weddings are becoming increasingly popular due to their unique look and lightweight nature, offering an alternative to traditional metals while still symbolizing the couple’s everlasting bond.
Paying Respect To The Elders – The wedding couple sits in front of their parents or elders and express their gratitude to them and ask for their forgiveness. Holy threads are tied around their wrists and the elders are given valuable gifts as an expression of their children’s love and respect.
The Conch Shell Blessing Ceremony – The couple are seated side by side with the bride to the left of the groom and their hands bound together. An important elder pours water over their hands from a conch shell to bless their union. This heartfelt moment is a poignant one, the point where tears of joy are often shed.
The Bedding Ceremony – Next comes the reception, the time when family and friends give the couple their blessings, the cake is cut, and everyone has a jolly good time! The bridal bed is adorned with symbols of love, prosperity, and happiness. The couple is then led to the bed chamber by the parents as they provide last-minute advice for a joyful and enduring marriage!
The Thai wedding is a wonderful tradition to be cherished by all who attend!