In August 2004 I got married to my long-time girlfriend, Piyada, who I met while studying at my university in England. We had a traditional Thai ceremony followed by a big reception in the Siam City Hotel in Bangkok. There were over 200 people, which is quite normal for a Thai wedding, all of the extended family and friends are usually invited.
The Thai ceremony started off with my close relatives and I walking into the room carrying the rings and a dowry consisting of cash and gold jewelery. The dowry is symbolic these days and isn't kept by the bride's family. Having handed over the dowry and thus paid for my bride, we exchanged our rings and paid respects to our parents. We showed respect by kneeling in front of them so we were physically lower down.
After that we lit candles and incense sticks and paid respect to the Buddha. Then the "water pouring" ceremony started. Invited guests filed past one by one, pouring holy water over our hands and giving us a blessing, wishing us luck in our married life.
As is the way with all weddings, we paused for every possible photo opportunity as well as for group photos!
A couple of hours later the evening reception began, this part is really the same as a Western style reception. People sit down for a buffet/dinner, followed by the speeches, the first dance, cutting the cake and the bride throwing her bouquet. The only difference really is that the bride and groom and their parents stand up on a stage at the front of the room. They all give a speech as does the guest of honour.
Finally, as my wife is half Chinese, we had a Chinese Tea ceremony at the end of the evening where the bride and groom offer a small cup of Chinese tea to relatives along with a small gift of thanks. In return any married relatives give an envelope with some cash inside.
Overall Thai weddings can be quite over the top, especially the reception, with all the extravagant room decorations and bright lights! But why not, it's your wedding day, who wouldn't want to show off?!
