Getting Married in Thailand All You Need To Know

Enjoying our gorgeous elephant

Are you dreaming of saying "I Do" in a tropical paradise with its stunning beaches, warm hospitality, incredible food, vibrant culture then Thailand could well be the place for you. However, before you dive into wedding planning mode, let's explore the ins and outs of getting married in Thailand.

Legal Requirements:

Getting legally married in Thailand involves navigating some bureaucratic hurdles. Both parties must be at least 17 years old, and if either party has been previously married, proof of divorce or death certificates of former spouses are required. Additionally foreigners need to obtain an Affirmation of Freedom to marry from their own Embassy or Consulate in Thailand, so we would have needed to get this from the British Embassy which is located in Bangkok and this usually takes 2-3 days to obtain. This document must then be translated into Thai so you will need to find someone who is able to do this for you and then you must have it authenticated by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All of this takes time, around a week if all goes smoothly. Firstly you can not just turn up to your Embassy you need to book your appointment and you can only do this a certain amount of time in advance, so if you have an unlimited amount of time in Bangkok / Thailand then this may be ok for you, however, if you are on a tight schedule read on.

Legal vs Symbolic Wedding:

Many couples, like us, opt for a symbolic ceremony in Thailand, than going through the legal process. This allows for a stress-free experience, as you can complete the legal formalities at home in your own country. Symbolic weddings still offer all the flare of a traditional wedding would just without all the bureaucratic hassle.

After our traditional ceremony

Cultural Considerations:

Thailand is known for its rich cultural traditions, and incorporating some of these into your wedding can add an extra layer of authenticity and meaning. Consider including elements such as Thai water blessing named Rod Nam Sang - where guests pour water over the couples hands to symbolise blessings and good luck - this is what we opted for, however, as we had no guests Jax (our son) and our incredible photographer took part in our blessing.

Thai Water Blessing by Jax

Thai Water Blessing by Monk

Choosing The Right Venue:

This can be really tricky especially if you have a number of guests to consider too, however, if you are like us and opt to have no one then your possibilities are pretty endless. What do you love, where do you see yourself getting married. Thailand offers a plethora of wedding venues from luxurious beachfront resorts to intimate jungle hideaways. When selecting your venue consider factors such as a the season, logistical location and wether the venue offers wedding packages that include coordination services, catering and accommodation

We originally wanted to get married on a stunning beach in Koh Yao Yai at a beautiful hotel but logistically we couldn't make it work, it was too far south for where we were going to be at the time and when we sat back and thought about it, the beach wedding was just not for us. We wanted something secluded, something remote, something much more intimate and something Jax would remember forever and that is when we found Chai Lai Orchid an elephant sanctuary in the north of Chiang Mai - it was absolutely perfect and we fell in love with it instantly.

Our Wedding Rings with Elephant

After our Blessing in the Jungle

Budgeting Wisely:

While a Thailand wedding can be much more affordable than many Western Countries, it is essential to budget wisely for your destination wedding. Factor in costs such as venue hire, catering, decorations, photography, transportation and accommodation for yourselves and your guests. Remember to account for currency exchange rates and any additional fees for legal documents. Lost of hotels / resorts will offer a wedding package that includes all of the above but you may find some of the stuff included is not needed but the price may not be negotiable. Also lots of venues like this will offer packages for up to 10 guests and then jumps to up to 50 guests so it might be worth keeping that in mind also.

Logistical Planning:

Planning a wedding in a foreign country requires meticulous attention to detail. You could consider hiring a local wedding planner (there is lots of information on this out there as this is something we looked into) who is familiar with the area and can handle logistics on the ground. This will elevate stress and will ensure your special day runs smoothly. If you have picked a venue already they will have a a wedding coordinator at your disposal ready to answer any questions you may have.

Making it Family Friendly:

For us having Jax at the forefront of our wedding was paramount, like it might be if you have guests at your wedding so creating a wedding experience that is enjoyable for all guests is a must. Thailand offers a myriad of family-friendly activities from elephant sanctuaries to snorkelling adventures. Consider incorporating excursions or childcare services into your wedding itinerary to cater for families attending your celebration.

Jax Feeding the Elephant Sugarcane

Final Thoughts:

Getting married in Thailand is a dream come true for so many couples, offering a blend of natural beauty, cultural richness and unparalleled hospitality. Wether you choose to make it legally binding or opt for a symbolic ceremony, your wedding in Thailand is sure to be an unforgettable experience for you, your partner and your loved ones.

We will be adding a further blog post soon about our full wedding day soon so keep checking back

With our Elephant in the River

Lantern Release