Thai ceremony traditions, explained

A traditional Thai wedding is a sequence of separate rituals, usually held in the morning.

The khan maak procession brings the groom and his family to the bride with gifts, music and dancing. The monk blessing, when included, comes first in the day and sets the tone. The sai monkhon — twin white threads linking the couple — is placed by the most senior guest. Then the rod nam sang: guests pour blessed water over the couple's hands from a conch shell, one by one, offering a few words each.

Most of it takes three to four hours including breakfast. It combines well with a Western ceremony later the same day, and nothing in it requires either partner to be Thai or Buddhist — though we will always be honest with you about what is meaningful and what would simply be costume.