![]() The offerings they carry all have specific meanings.įor Thais, it is quite common nowadays for the engagement to take place on the same day as the wedding. On their way, they would sing songs and play instruments such as traditional Thai long drums, and basically have a traveling party. ![]() The groom’s paraders would carry offerings for the bride’s family. In past times, the groom would travel on foot from his home to his bride’s home, accompanied by a procession of his family, friends, and other well-wishers. Having reached an agreement for the Sin Sod (dowry) (actually this is done long before the wedding day but is acted out on the day), the groom can now go to claim his bride – sounds primal! The Thai Engagement Ceremony (Khan Maak Procession) However, in Thailand it is rare to see a best man or matron of honour.ĭuties aren't specific and will very depending on the needs of the couple. Bridesmaids and GroomsmenĪs with wedding parties all over the world, the bride and groom will choose a number of Bridesmaids and Groomsmen to aid them in organizing the wedding and helping on the day. ![]() We also held our wedding in a hotel, as opposed to the family home. I was more than happy to wear a suit over the traditional Thai clobber. My wife wanted a “proper” wedding dress and not the old school Thai style. The men will usually wear the Thai traditional pants, but may switch out the traditional Thai top in favour of a more Western flavour.Īs you can see in my wedding pictures, We are wearing Western influenced dress. The traditional bridal dress does vary, with about six different styles to choose from. Though it has become common for modern couples to wear the typical western style of white dress (woman) and suit (man), the Thai classic attire is still widely used. If the merit ceremony happens on a different day than the wedding, the couple are still likely to wake early in the morning to meet a monk for a quick blessing. However, it is common for this ceremony to take place on the day of the wedding, particularly if the marriage is happening at home. This ceremony may be treated as a separate event entirely, so it could happen days before the actual wedding takes place. The monks will chant and offer life advice, and in return the family will feed them before sending them on their way. In the case of a wedding, the family will invite monks to bless the bride and groom as well as their home and pay respects to their ancestors. There are numerous ways to “make merit” such as donating money to a temple. Most often, before any important event or holiday, a Buddhist will “make merit” to summon good things into one’s life. Making Merit and Honouring the Bride’s Ancestors Traditionally, the invitation is hand delivered by a member of the adjoining families. More often than not, one invitation will suffice, unless you are planning to invite different to different aspects of the wedding. For example, there is usually a separate engagement ceremony, but it's commonplace for this to happen on the same day as the wedding. Since there are often multiple ceremonies involved with the Thai / Buddhist wedding, there may be a separate invite for each event. Thais believe that there are favourable dates and times for planning significant and important events.Īn important monk with a knowledge of astrology is consulted to help decide what date would be best for the union to be blessed and for the marriage to be given the strongest footing from the outset. The Sin Sod must be negotiated with the parents, not with the bride to be. The asking of the bride's parents is still commonplace today, and it is considered ill-mannered to not follow this tradition. If the bride's parents agreed, the bride’s parents would then negotiate the ‘Sin Sod'. Historically, if the groom’s parents agreed with their son’s choice of wife, the son's parents would then ask the would-be bride’s parents if they agree to the marriage. These days arranged marriages aren't so common, but plenty of “introducing” still goes on, particularly in the upper echelons of society. Even if a marriage wasn't arranged, it was, and still is, very important that the parents of the bride and groom be consulted before any arrangements are made. Not so long ago it was common for Thais to arrange their children’s marriages. So, if you’re planning on marrying a Thai, or you’re just looking to broaden your worldly perspective, here’s how it’s done. I've been through one myself, and have attended a handful too, so I have a pretty good grasp on the topic. In this article I aim to shed a little light on how a Thai wedding actually goes down. Every culture has their version of a wedding ceremony, which, while deeply rooted in tradition, is usually mixed with modern trends, and may differ between sectors of society.
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