|
 |
If you're looking to escape the world you know,
nothing beats nuptials in Thailand, you'll stumble
across coral-rimmed, private-island hideaways that
seem like something out of a tropical fairy tale.
The waters that lap up onto palm-tree-lined beaches
are so warm you can happily swim in them for hours.
Those in the mood for breathtaking beauty infused
with ancient tradition should head for Koh Samui the
land of hidden lagoons and Buddhist temples. The
country's renowned hospitality coupled with its
cuisine will have you wishing you never had to
leave!
|
|
|
 |
A no-stress schedule for your faraway day
6 to 12 months before
Choose a locale and confirm marriage and residency
rules (the number of days you have to be in the
country before you wed) with the tourist board.
Find a coordinator. Try a resort, nuptial company,
tourism bureau.
Send save-the-date notices that reflect the tone of
the affair-from painted coconuts to engraved
announcements. Phone to follow up.
Get a rough head count and have the coordinator
reserve a block of hotel rooms. (Often, wedding
guests receive a discount.) If you're planning o
marrying or staying at a resort, investigate
alternatives for guests on budgets
Ask your planner or resort to recommend an,
photographer, hairstylist, florist, caterer, band or
DJ, and a few ceremony locations. (Beach spots at
sunset generally fill up first.)
Request musician's tapes or CDs, and have
photographers and florists send you snaps of their
wedding work. (Your planner or resort can arrange
this.)
Check out air discounts. |
|
|
|
|
4 months before
Confirm your choices for flowers, menu, music,
photographer, and hairstylist with your planner or
resort.
Ask your coordinator to schedule events for guests
(a welcome party, sunset sail, etc.)
Send out a text messages, emails or create a web
site that lists details, including airline and hotel
information.
Buy your plane tickets. |
|
|
|
|
8 to 10 weeks before
Ask your planner or resort to check on any paperwork
you've submitted.
Order the gifts you need (How about spa gift
certificates for the moms?) |
|
|
|
|
2 weeks before
Finalize the head count and confirm any group
activities you've booked. |
|
|
|
|
2 to 7 days before
Arrive at the resort.
Tour the grounds to get acquainted with your
ceremony and reception sites, preferably at the same
time of day as your wedding.
Meet with your planner or resort manager to review
last-minute details.
Distribute a list of events and greeting bags (with
goodies like sunscreen, local maps, flip-flops, and
bottled water) to your guest's rooms.
Make sure you apply the sunscreen. Burns and tan
lines don't flatter anyone.
Get a manicure and pedicure, and do a wedding-hair
test run.
Go for a lazy garden stroll. Kick back and order
another round of drinks. Have a massage. Have two.
Who said marriage was stressful? |
|
|
|
|
The Guest List
If you're watching your wallet, the best way to stay
within budget bounds is to keep your celebration
small. (An informal bash thrown back home later will
help soothe any ruffled feelings.) Give invitees as
much advance notice as possible (ideally, a year)
with save the date cards, so they can reserve
airline tickets and block off holiday time. Follow
up with a phone call to get an estimate of how many
people will be attending. (A rough number will allow
you to reserve a block of hotel rooms, usually at a
discount.) As the big day approaches, Send out, text
messages, emails or create a web site that lists
details, alternative hotel information, with price
ranges, activities, transportation details,
baby-sitters, restaurant suggestions, and other
information. |
|
|
|
|
Flowers, Music, Photos
When you throw a destination wedding, flexibility is
key: After all, there's no reason to spend a lot of
money shipping roses to Koh Samui when armfuls of
orchids and hibiscus are grown just around the
corner. Same with music-on the beach, a local Thai
band might set the tone better than a swing
orchestra. With every detail, avoid disappointment
by making sure your planner or resort knows what you
want, and that you know what you're getting. Always
request photos of floral arrangements, sample CDs
from bands, and composites from photographers
(usually available for viewing on-line). |
|
|
|
|
Hair and Makeup
Ask your planner or resort to recommend
hairstylists, and have him or her send you photos of
their work. Once you've picked one, mail them copies
of the styles you've culled from magazines-and make
arrangements for a test-drive a few days before the
ceremony. As for makeup, keep in mind that a dark
tan and heavy eyeliner do not a pretty portrait
make. Consult a cosmetics counter to find out which
techniques and formulations work best for Koh
Samui's climate. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Dress
Beach brides often opt for simple slip dress styles
with local flowers in their tresses, but if you've
been obsessing about princess seams and cathedral
veils, go for a full-on gown made of a
wrinkle-resistant, lightweight fabric like chiffon,
silk organza, georgette, silk tulle, or Chantilly
lace. Be sure to transport your dress in a garment
bag, just as you received it from the salon. Carry
it on the plane and ask the flight attendant to hang
it in a closet close to your seat, so you can keep
an eye on it throughout your voyage.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Very few formalities
are required for a non-Thai couple to marry, it is
easy to arrange and inexpensive. The legal marriage
registration can be done at any district office in
Thailand on any working day between 8am and 3pm.
To marry in Thailand you need to both have your
passports and proof that you are single. If you have
previously been married which ended by divorce or
death you will need the original certificates. If
you have never been married the Thai authorities
require that you produce to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs a Statutory Statement of Non-Attachment
notarized by your respective embassy. However not
all embassies are willing to accept your word that
you are single and free to marry and they may
require proof of this from your home country. You
are advised to contact your embassy in Bangkok
directly to enquire as to their individual needs if
you are not a UK national.
Your embassy will normally charge a fee for
notarizing it and the Thai Ministry of Foreign
Affairs make a nominal charge for registering it and
issuing a certificate to enable you to legally marry
anywhere in Thailand. A further fee may be required
to have the document officially translated into
Thai.
You should allow five working days in Bangkok prior
to registering your marriage as you are required to
have been resident in Thailand for at least three
days before you marry and you must allow time for
the paperwork to be processed in Bangkok. This also
allows you to visit some of the attractions of this
amazing city.
|
|
|
|
|
Thai marriage law also
states that in addition to the documentation
mentioned above the following rules are met:
Both parties must be at least 17 years of age and if
under 20 must have the consent of their parents or
guardians.
The parties must not be blood relatives.
Neither party must be of unsound mind.
Neither party must be married.
Both parties must freely consent to the marriage.
If you wish you can also have a traditional Thai
(Buddhist) wedding ceremony, however please note
this alone is not sufficient to qualify as an
internationally recognized marriage, only the legal
registration is accepted.
A question often asked is, can a Buddhist ceremony
be outside? This is not possible to hold a Buddhist
ceremony on a beach or any exterior location, they
are only ever held indoors.
It is also possible to arrange a Buddhist Wedding
Ceremony but not during the Rainy Season |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Anatara : |
 |
Aloha Resort & Spa : |
 |
Amari : |
 |
Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort & Spa : Paradise Found |
 |
Big Johns : |
 |
Buriraya Resort & Spa : |
 |
Central Samui Beach Resort : |
 |
Chaweng Regent Beach Resort : |
 |
Coral Bay Resort : |
 |
Dressing Studio : Your perfect wedding is not just a dream...wedding
arrangement: wedding gowns, flowers&decorations,ceremony,legal married
paper,photographer and all you needs. |
 |
Laem Set Inn : |
 |
Le Royal Méridien Baan Taling Ngam : |
 |
Montien House : |
 |
Nora Beach Resort : |
 |
Pavilion Resort : |
 |
Poppies : |
 |
Rocky Resort : Rocky Resort offers some of the most personalized and romantic
weddings on the island, in one of Samui's most beautiful locations. |
 |
Zazen : |
|
|
|
|
|
|