Caleb Falcon
Destination weddings are a hot favorite among the world's affianced, and planning your nuptials in Thailand's breathtaking capital Bangkok is an achievable dream if you follow these simple steps in organizing your walk down the aisle.
Those hoping to tie-the-knot in Thailand's capital city Bangkok should first look in to the duration of their stay. From first landing and organizing the legal and ceremonial aspects of the wedding to the time of the ceremony itself, the duration of the couple's stay should be calculated for visa purposes. Nationals of most countries are allowed to enter Thai territory sans visa provided that the stay will be limited to a 30 day period. If the stay is decidedly longer, then one needs to obtain visa in advance from the Thai embassies in one's homeland. This all depends on when you plan to arrive, plan and conduct the wedding ceremony and whether you're planning to spend the honeymoon in Thailand as well. Family and friends arriving in Bangkok for the wedding should also be made aware of the visa requirements should their say exceed a month.
Destination wedding are all about timing and there's nothing more disappointing that planning a wedding in an exotic location only to have it ruined by local weather conditions. Thailand, and indeed Bangkok experiences three varying season in terms of weather- hot, temperate and monsoon season. Summer in Bangkok officially falls between the months of March and May while the rainy season occupies the months of May and June. Temperate, cool weather conditions prevail over the city between October and March which is also the peak season for tourist arrivals in the country. If you're planning on having your wedding during the tourist season, book accommodation and other necessities well ahead of time to select the best venue options without breaking the bank at the last minute.
Littered with stunning locations couples are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to venues in the Thai capital. Most couples opt for 5 star hotels in Bangkok for convenience and appearance as establishments such as Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa and the like offer wedding packages to suit the needs of foreign couples. Whether it's a wedding by the beach or the Chao Praya River doing your research on hotel locations and the various wedding packages on offer will save you time and effort once you arrive in the country. Most hotels also offer wedding planners and coordinators to help make you dream wedding a possibility.
Style is one of the most attractive aspects in a destination wedding and Bangkok is no different. Couples can chose to get married in a tux and gown or opt for a more exotic cultural experience while tying the knot. Buddhist wedding ceremonies are the norm in Bangkok which is a sacred ceremony blessed by monks and traditional rituals dating back centuries. Catholic, Christian and Islamic weddings are also available to couples of various faiths while those without religious affiliations can opt for a non-religious ceremony in which bride and groom can pen their personal vows and invent new traditions that suit their lifestyle and personalities.
A successful marriage ceremony is always a legal one and the legalities of one's nuptials are a key aspect that needs to be looked in to when opting for a destination wedding. Documentation such as a Statutory Declaration needs to be obtained before going ahead with the ceremony while one's personal identification documents etc. must be translated to Thai before being sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for processing. Couples who wish to avoid the nitty-gritty of the legal aspects can hire a wedding co-coordinator to execute these crucial processes for them. Most resorts and hotels in Bangkok also offer such services for added convenience.
