Wedding Ceremonies in Thailand RELIGIOUS OR OTHERWISE, the concept of uniting two people in marriage is universal. While religion is still a fundamental part of marriage all over the world, Koh Samui Island Weddings recognises that there are many different ways to be married and tries to bring as many styles of ceremonies to you as possible. Non - Religious Weddings in Thailand BECAUSE THE TRADITIONAL ritual and words of a religious ceremony no longer fits in with everyone's outlook on life, Humanist weddings are becoming, by far, the most conventional Koh Samui wedding request. While a Humanist wedding may still be as formal as a church wedding, the religious elements are replaced by vows, readings or music that have real meaning to you. Christian Weddings in Thailand CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE IS a solemn declaration made in the presence of God that also serves as as worship service. Guests can also participate by sharing hymns or readings. As the Bible gives no specific pattern or order of service to define what should be included in a religious wedding ceremony, there is room for creativity the design of your service, however a Christian ceremony should make room for worship, question of intent, exchange of vows, reflection and declaration. Procession Also applicable in a Catholic wedding, the order of arrival & departure to your wedding can be based on inclusion of any of thethe procession / recession at your ceremony (order of arrival / departure) for the following members of the bridal party: Groomsmen / Groom Mothers Bridesmaids Maid / Matron of Honour Ring Bearer Flower Girl Bride / Father of the Bride Catholic Weddings in Thailand THE SYMBOLISM OF your Catholic ceremony is that it is God's doing and that, in marriage, you are bound together by God for as long as you both shall live. Order of Service Standard Catholic Wedding ceremony format. Procession & Entrance Music Liturgy of the Word Marriage Rites Lords Prayer & Nupital Blessing Departure & Recessional Music Buddhist Weddings in Thailand THE ESSENCE OF a Buddhist wedding ceremony, while appearing beautiful and somewhat mystical, is still easy to understand. Koh Samui Island Weddings attempts to provide you with information and options you still may not get else-where as part of a Buddhist wedding in Thailand. Marriage is considered a social occasion, rather than a religious one and although traditions vary, faith in marriage remains the same, with the harmony of a couple at its core. And as long as your commitment to family life is that of a Buddhist's, you are considered married, even without formal registration. Thai Buddhist Ceremony Format The standard ceremony format in Thailand is more in observance of cultural norms, rather than any Buddhist ceremony requirements. Monks, usually seated upon a raised platform, will be waiting for the bride and groom's arrival. Guests, if present, will be seated, usually on the floor, as it is customary not to raise ones head above that of the Monks. Kneeling, you will light candles, incense and place flowers at a shrine erected to Buddha. Then, with your hands placed together and heads down, in the Thai gesture of greeting (otherwise known as a 'wai'), to the Monks, the ceremony will then take place with blessings asked for your union, chanted in the Buddhist language of Sanskrit. Two head garlands, tied together with string, will be placed over your heads. String from these will also be tied over the heads of the monks, then somewhere up high as the connection point between our world and the spirit world, so that blessings from this world will join you. Blessed water will then be sprinkled lightly over your heads, symbolic strings tied around your wrists, and special ointment applied at three points on your forehead. Gifts and donations to the temple of enveloped money, care packs, incense & lotus flowers are given in thanks for the blessing. After or prior to the ceremony, a banquet is prepared for the temple or monks present, depending on whether you choose a morning or afternoon ceremony. Water Blessing Ceremony Blessed water filled with rose petals is scooped from a bowl by a traditional conch shell water holder, and sprinkled by those present at the wedding over your hands which will be held together over the bowl. As water is sprinkled, this is also the time to congratulate and offer best wishes to the couple (after which, it is then customary to party!) Muslim Weddings in Thailand Your Muslim wedding ceremony (Nikkah) can be conducted at any location by Ko Samui's resident Imam. Mutual consent is of great importance for the marriage to be legal. After the Imam reads verses from the Quran, the Nikaah is complete after proposal and acceptance. A dowry is then offered and marriage contract (the Nikaahnaama) can be registered. Chinese Weddings in Thailand IN CONTRAST TO the many elaborate preparations and rituals of a Chinese wedding, the ceremony itself is quite simple. Koh Samui Island Weddings is available to assist either with your choice of pre and post wedding events here in Thailand and the ceremony itself.

Wedding Ceremonies in Thailand

RELIGIOUS OR OTHERWISE, the concept of uniting two people in marriage is universal.

While religion is still a fundamental part of marriage all over the world, Koh Samui Island Weddings recognises that there are many different ways to be married and tries to bring as many styles of ceremonies to you as possible.

Non - Religious Weddings in Thailand

BECAUSE THE TRADITIONAL ritual and words of a religious ceremony no longer fits in with everyone's outlook on life, Humanist weddings are becoming, by far, the most conventional Koh Samui wedding request.

While a Humanist wedding may still be as formal as a church wedding, the religious elements are replaced by vows, readings or music that have real meaning to you.

Christian Weddings in Thailand

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE IS a solemn declaration made in the presence of God that also serves as as worship service. Guests can also participate by sharing hymns or readings.

As the Bible gives no specific pattern or order of service to define what should be included in a religious wedding ceremony, there is room for creativity the design of your service, however a Christian ceremony should make room for worship, question of intent, exchange of vows, reflection and declaration.

Procession
Also applicable in a Catholic wedding, the order of arrival & departure to your wedding can be based on inclusion of any of thethe procession / recession at your ceremony (order of arrival / departure) for the following members of the bridal party:

Groomsmen / Groom
Mothers
Bridesmaids
Maid / Matron of Honour
Ring Bearer
Flower Girl
Bride / Father of the Bride

Catholic Weddings in Thailand

THE SYMBOLISM OF your Catholic ceremony is that it is God's doing and that, in marriage, you are bound together by God for as long as you both shall live.

Order of Service
Standard Catholic Wedding ceremony format.

Procession & Entrance Music
Liturgy of the Word
Marriage Rites
Lords Prayer & Nupital Blessing
Departure & Recessional Music

Buddhist Weddings in Thailand

THE ESSENCE OF a Buddhist wedding ceremony, while appearing beautiful and somewhat mystical, is still easy to understand.

Koh Samui Island Weddings attempts to provide you with information and options you still may not get else-where as part of a Buddhist wedding in Thailand.

Marriage is considered a social occasion, rather than a religious one and although traditions vary, faith in marriage remains the same, with the harmony of a couple at its core. And as long as your commitment to family life is that of a Buddhist's, you are considered married, even without formal registration.

Thai Buddhist Ceremony Format
The standard ceremony format in Thailand is more in observance of cultural norms, rather than any Buddhist ceremony requirements.

Monks, usually seated upon a raised platform, will be waiting for the bride and groom's arrival. Guests, if present, will be seated, usually on the floor, as it is customary not to raise ones head above that of the Monks.

Kneeling, you will light candles, incense and place flowers at a shrine erected to Buddha. Then, with your hands placed together and heads down, in the Thai gesture of greeting (otherwise known as a 'wai'), to the Monks, the ceremony will then take place with blessings asked for your union, chanted in the Buddhist language of Sanskrit.

Two head garlands, tied together with string, will be placed over your heads. String from these will also be tied over the heads of the monks, then somewhere up high as the connection point between our world and the spirit world, so that blessings from this world will join you.

Blessed water will then be sprinkled lightly over your heads, symbolic strings tied around your wrists, and special ointment applied at three points on your forehead.

Gifts and donations to the temple of enveloped money, care packs, incense & lotus flowers are given in thanks for the blessing. After or prior to the ceremony, a banquet is prepared for the temple or monks present, depending on whether you choose a morning or afternoon ceremony.

Water Blessing Ceremony
Blessed water filled with rose petals is scooped from a bowl by a traditional conch shell water holder, and sprinkled by those present at the wedding over your hands which will be held together over the bowl. As water is sprinkled, this is also the time to congratulate and offer best wishes to the couple (after which, it is then customary to party!)

Muslim Weddings in Thailand

Your Muslim wedding ceremony (Nikkah) can be conducted at any location by Ko Samui's resident Imam.

Mutual consent is of great importance for the marriage to be legal. After the Imam reads verses from the Quran, the Nikaah is complete after proposal and acceptance. A dowry is then offered and marriage contract (the Nikaahnaama) can be registered.

Chinese Weddings in Thailand

IN CONTRAST TO the many elaborate preparations and rituals of a Chinese wedding, the ceremony itself is quite simple.

Koh Samui Island Weddings is available to assist either with your choice of pre and post wedding events here in Thailand and the ceremony itself.