Thailand has become a popular travel destination, and for a good reason. It’s home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, rich culture, the kindest people and, of course, amazing food! All of those things also make it a great destination to get married.
Whether you’re looking to get elope on the beautiful beaches of Phuket, or surrounded by lush mountains – Thailand has something for everyone.
I know the thought of a destination wedding in Thailand can seem a little daunting, but that’s why I created this guide. I break down the best places to elope, how to get legally married, and ideas for fun activities for your trip.
Khao Yai National Park is one of Thailand’s best national parks to see wildlife, but it’s also home to some pretty epic waterfalls too.
If you’re looking for stunning turquoise water, Ko Luang Waterfall in Mae Ping National Park is the spot for you.
Located in Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, Thi Lor Su the tallest + most spectacular waterfall in Thailand. It has over five tiers and you can even swim in it – talk about an epic start to your marriage! And since it’s located within Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, you’re sure to see lots of wildlife too.
Khao Sok is where stunning views meet ultimate adventure. There are elephants, jungle safaris, glamping tents, kayak excursions, and so much more. Not to mention, you’ll be surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery Thailand has to offer.
Phuket is Thailand’s largest + most popular island, known for it’s beautiful beaches and fun nightlife. While it may be popular, there are still a lot of hidden gems on the island if you want to get away from the crowds. Phuket is also a great starting point if you want to take a ferry to explore other islands (which I highly recommend)!
While a lot of people visit Thailand for the beaches, my favorite part of the country is the northern region. Chaing Mai is the most well known city in Northern Thailand, but there are so many other places too.
Doi Nang Non is a lush, tree-covered mountain range in Chiang Rai. Once home to opioid fields, this area now grows coffee beans and strawberries. The mountain views here are some of the best in Thailand and would make for an amazing backdrop for exchanging vows. Bonus, it has a ton of amazing coffee stands! Fun fact: this is the area where the Thai soccer team got stranded in the cave, so I don’t recommend exploring inside the caves/spelunking!
Another great thing about Northern Thailand: it’s wine country! Chiang Rai in particular is home to two beautiful wineries: Mountain Creek Vineyard and Chiang Rai Winery (original name, I know).
Thailand has a tropical climate, which basically means it two seasons: wet and dry. Wet season is May – October and dry season is November – April. As you probably guessed, dry season is probably a preferable time to elope in Thailand. Just remember that it also means it’s considered high season – which means higher prices and more tourists. If you’re on a shoestring budget, eloping during wet season may be a great option.
To avoid potential headaches and stress, I highly recommend getting married at home before heading to Thailand. Don’t worry, it won’t make your Thailand wedding any less special. Your marriage begins when you commit your lives to each other on your own terms – but you gotta make sure everything is good with the paperwork too 😉
if you’re set on doing the legal part in Thailand, I recommend using this company can make sure your marriage is, well, legal. Getting legally married in Thailand requires paperwork, registering with the appropriate offices, and a lot talking in a language you probably don’t understand. It’s best to leave the important stuff like that to the expert. The expertise of hiring a company will cost about $400+ dollars, but that’s a small price to pay for peace-of-mind.
Unfortunately, Thailand does not recognize same-sex marriage.
Planning a wedding abroad can be tricky. I help you with a lot of the logistics and planning, but if you’re looking for an elaborate setup, I recommend hiring a planner. Most are based out of Phuket since it’s a popular area to get married.
Don’t you think you’ll want to relive your epic Thailand elopement over and over (and over and over) again?? I mean, you’re traveling halfway across the world – that deserves to be captured. That’s where I come in. I have years of international travel under my belt, including a trip to Thailand where I explored the country from north to south. Check out my international/Thailand elopement packages for more information on what’s included and how I can help make your Thailand elopement dreams come too!
If you want to go above and beyond – hire a videographer for your day! If you’re not convinced, check out this stunning wedding video by Parfait Productions on Railay Beach.
The cost depends on a lot of factors, but you can expect to pay between $1,500 – $7,000 for a wedding and a weeks worth of accommodation and food.
If you want to have a cheap elopement, you can stay at budget accommodation, eat street food (which, let’s be honest, is the way to go whether you’re trying to save money or not), minimize tours/activites, and take care of the legal part back home.
For a higher-end elopement, you can splurge on luxury accommodation, eat at nice restaurants, and enjoy some fun tours and activities. Speaking of activities…
Includes:
– 6 hours of photography
– Help finding the perfect spot within the park for your elopement
– My travel (yay to no surprise fees!)
– Vendor recommendations
– Online gallery + highlight slideshow so you can relive the day over and over (+ share it with loved ones!)
– Planning guidance every step of the way (accommodation suggestions, ideas for fun activities to include on your day…the whole shebang!)
If you’re ready to start planning your epic Thailand elopement, contact me so we can get this party started!!
December 5, 2020
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