Going to the Chapel
Ceremonial
Splendour
Unique Unions
Gowns, Veils, Top
Hat and Tails
Honeymoon
Heaven
Anniversaries
Abound
Unique Unions
 In
Thailand, there is no limit to
the spectacular locations and manner in which you pledge your love.
Valentine’s Day in the kingdom is celebrated by hundreds of
happy couples from the world over coming together for an unforgettable
Wedding experience. What could
be more exciting than scaling a rocky cliff-face with your loved
one beside you, exchanging your vows dangling some 20-metres above
the sea below as the civil official bravely hangs over the cliff
edge to present your marriage certificate. This is what several
adrenalin-seeking couples do at the annual Cliff Wedding
at Railay
Beach in Krabi province.
Equally as thrilling as ascending to heights for love, is plummeting
to depths under the sea for the Trang
Underwater Wedding Ceremony. Almost
a decade old now, this unusual annual event takes place off Trang’s
Pak Meng Beach, in a specially decorated seabed altar 10metres underwater.
In 2005, around 80-scuba-diving couples received their waterproof
marriage certificates, blowing kiss bubbles and swimming with hundreds
of vibrant fish that came as guests.
At Phuket’s Dusit
Laguna Phuket Resort, couples plant their own “Love Tree”,
which will grow and bloom for years to come just as your own matrimonial
union. Also on Phuket, the Club
Andarnan’s customised three-wheel “Wedding
Tuk-Tuk” is a quirky Thai-styled Wedding
carriage to begin your marital journey. For a truly endearing Wedding
escort, the JW
Marriott on Phuket can arrange
a cute baby elephant to accompany you to the altar.
In Thailand’s North, there
are some unique Valentine’s Day interpretations of the traditional
Lanna nuptials, including the magnificent Lanna Wedding
on Elephant Back. Held in the historic northern town of Lampang
near Chiang Mai, couples dressed
in full Lanna costume lumber atop the giant tuskers in an eye-catching
pachyderm procession that leads from the town centre to the Thai
Elephant Conservation Centre. Here they partake in the traditional
wrist binding ceremony, before a large evening feast.
Another northern-style celebration is the prestigious Legendary
Chiang Mai Wedding
Ceremony. In 2005, 55-bridal couples from around the world were
invited to this specially arranged mass marriage, which included
a romantic horse and carriage procession through Chiang
Mai’s old city. Those sharing their vows included Nepalese
royalty, a Korean celebrity, and a Thai pop star.
Closer to the Thai capital, The
Rose Garden Riverside in Nakhon
Pathom province is famous for its must see cultural shows that
highlight unique local customs and heritage. Set among lush tropical
gardens, the resort arranges the Seven Days in Paradise Wedding
and honeymoon package, with traditional costumes, the groom arriving
on elephant back, and a beach honeymoon in Krabi.
Whichever locale you select for your enchanting Wedding
celebration, your evening gala banquet is sure to be unlike anything
you and your guests have ever experienced. Revel in tropical opulence
as you feast on a bounty of regional favourites and Western specialities
artfully presented among elaborate ice sculptures. Colourful cocktails
will definitely fuel the festivities, as you are entertained with
graceful classical Thai dancing and masked Khon drama performances.
As you raise your sparkling glasses for the Wedding
toast, the dramatic finale will be a spectacular firework display
that illuminates the evening sky, along with atmospheric traditional
glowing paper lanterns floating off into the starry night.
Whether you tie the knot in Thailand
or just step off the plane for the start of your dream honeymoon,
Thailand’s superior hotels
and resorts do the utmost to spoil you in luxury. You will feel
like a king and queen as you are lavished with a complimentary upgrade
to the romantic honeymoon suite, adorned with special floral decorations
and full of indulgent little extras such as complimentary bubbly,
honeymoon cake, fruit bowls, and chocolates. And if all that pampering
doesn’t suffice, a few establishments also provide a free limousine
to the airport, or a couples’ massage at the spa.
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