It’s a Nice Day for a Thai Wedding – Part I

Finally the day has arrived! The reason family and friends crossed oceans to celebrate the wedding of Sasi and Patrick.

We do not hear hear the alarm and wake up at 4.45, i.e. Rebecca wakes me.

Rebecca wears a lovely beige dress, sleeveless, kneelength, soft material and I wear the tiger print long skirt with beige linen top and shortsleeved jacket. Flat heels (dressy flipflops) for me and high heels for her.

Strange to be up at this hour, the bus ride is a killer, we arrive at the parents’ house shortly before 7, cold drinks and a Nespresso machine (the ultimate in status symbols!) await us.

Everything is lovingly decorated:

We all wait to see the bride and bridegroom in their dresses: in the morning both are dressed in yellow and gold. They look absolutely glorious and happy.

Baggemugge and two majors: our first encounter with the bride and the bridegroom!

It is a long ceremony in the morning: 5 hours. But it is funny, there are very emotional and spiritual moments followed by some hilarious Thai tradition (e.g. the bridegroom has to bribe his way into the house of his bride, the parade), and it is not as taxing as sitting firm someplace as we are free to move, go outside, have a drink, smoke a cigarette and chat.

First part of the wedding ceremony: the priests’ blessing. 8 priests chant and bless the couple. They give each other jewellry and exchange rings.

The priests receive bowl filled with rice and presents.

They also bless the new house:

And they bless all the guests sprinkling water over them.

The guests wish the couple well by letting water flow over their hands and telling your good wishes.

Round tables are set up in the open barn, roughly 300 people are invited for the wedding breakfast / lunch with typical Chinese and Thai wedding dishes at 9 am.