Guest Experiences

For some, the idea of planning a traditional western wedding can send shivers down their spine. From venue hire to spiralling costs and guest lists, it can sometimes overwhelm even the most organised and level-headed of people. To help combat the stresses and strains of such a momentous occasion, many couples are choosing to get married abroad, with Thailand being a particularly popular and exciting location to exchange your vows.

The advantages of having your wedding abroad could be quite surprising to some. Firstly, the cost of the whole event is usually a lot less than a traditional wedding at home. The average cost of a UK wedding broke the £20,000 mark in 2008, but the average wedding in Thailand is only a small fraction of this, with many hotels and resorts offering free wedding packages if you agree to stay for a certain number of nights. Obviously prices vary depending on where you stay and how many friends and family you pay for, but the whole wedding and honeymoon package could be as low as a few thousand pounds.

One of the deciding factors for many is the weather abroad, which is usually a bit more predictable than the UK and quite a bit warmer. Thailand has an equatorial climate in the extreme south and a tropical monsoon climate in the centre and north of the country. This means it can be quite important to get your dates right. Most of the rainfall will be between May to October each year. This can get quite heavy, but there is still an average of five hours of sunshine during this period. The driest months are November to April and the hottest in April and May. The wet season is probably best avoided, it will be cheaper but the mix of heat and humidity can be quite oppressive.

Some couples might want to ship their whole collection of friends and family out with them to enjoy their special day, but that can be expensive unless everyone is willing to tie the wedding in with a holiday. Thailand weddings are best enjoyed as small and intimate affairs or for second marriages where the relaxed personal experience and the gathering of a few close friends and family members is much more attractive than a costly reception with many guests you hardly even know.

Most tour operators will brief you on everything you need to arrange before your trip to the Far East. It is worth noting that a registered marriage for UK and Irish citizens is legally binding in the UK. You should try to book as far in advance as possible as dates can get snapped up quickly and some resorts will need up to 12 weeks notice. You also want to make sure there is enough availability for any friends and family who are coming with you. Documents can also take some time to be processed so it is wise not to leave anything to the last minute.

It is not hard to see why many people choose to take themselves to Thailand to enjoy their special day and honeymoon. The country is so diverse and has so much to offer with stunning landscapes, mountainous areas, rugged jungles, exotic beaches and bustling cities. Some of the most popular locations for