Wedding in Thailand - our dream comes true!

Sunset, barefoot in the white sandy beach, in the middle of a beautifully decorated gazebo, lavish floral decorations, the most important people gathered around, a white dress and the most amazing man by my side - this is how I've always dreamed of my wedding.

And that dream came true at the beginning of this year for us!

My husband and I would say our vows on a beach in Thailand!

Our dream come true!

Therefore, in the summer of 2017, we started looking for a suitable location and offers from wedding planners, hotels, and wedding agencies for this unique event.

It was anything but easy, as there is a multitude of providers on the internet.

Finally, after extensive research, we found our dream beach and our perfect wedding package:

A wedding on the beach of the luxury resort Santhiya on the beautiful, peaceful island of Koh Yao Yai. That was it... the pictures and a beautiful video instantly spoke to us and made us dream of our own wedding.

I immediately contacted the hotel by email and requested a quote and further detailed information about a beach wedding.

Soon, I had a nice email with all the information in my inbox!

Since we are very interested in the traditions in Thailand and I can identify myself very well with the Buddhist teachings and beliefs, we ultimately decided on a wedding package that combines a traditional Thai ceremony with a Western wedding.

Until the dress rehearsal on the day before the wedding, we were not fully aware of what the package exactly includes, although there were a few key details in the offer, it was not something we could fully imagine or were familiar with... I will tell you more about this later! J

Organisationally, we still had to clarify whether we would experience this special day together or if our families and friends wanted to accompany us.

Therefore, we initially planned the location, the ceremony, and the decoration with the wedding planner, who organized everything for us from the hotel headquarters in Bangkok.

Soon, we received feedback from our families and closest friends, and indeed, 11 people wanted to accompany us on this special day! We were incredibly happy - it is something special to have the most important people by our side in a distant country, a piece of home is with us!

And so, we were able to soon finalize the wedding menu with Rose, our wonderful wedding planner via email. To some extent, you just have to trust, you don't know from a distance how the food is there - although we were quite relaxed due to our previous trips to Thailand and good hotel reviews. We had not yet experienced dining in Thailand, so we decided to have a dinner in Thai style, which means local cuisine. Even if it may not suit everyone's taste, this is the most digestible and freshest cuisine that I have had the pleasure of tasting on my travels. Fortunately, everyone indulged and raved about the food on that day, so much can I reveal at this point (the exact menu will be disclosed later J)

With each step, the anticipation grew more and more, the countdown on our phone was set, and my beach wedding dress was soon found. The further planning with Rose, the wedding planner, went smoothly and very friendly.

And finally, the day had come: on New Year's Day, our plane departed to Phuket.

This time our layover was at Singapore Airport.

This is an absolute must-see when traveling. Singapore Airport is currently the cleanest and most comfortable airport, if you ask me. And it has one of the most extensive entertainment offerings that I have ever seen at an airport.

Unfortunately, we only had about 2 hours layover, but we were still able to see a lot of what the airport has to offer, including the Orchid and Sunflower Gardens, lounging and seating areas everywhere, an entertainment deck with a cinema and gaming room, and probably the cleanest toilet I have ever seen at an airport. (I think it's important to also talk about our basic needs J)

So, if you ever have the opportunity to visit this airport, do it.

Of course, Singapore Airlines is also a top airline - very nice stewardesses, great food, and more legroom than other airlines.

Anyway, we arrived in Phuket after about 12 hours of flight without any problems and already with some impressions in our luggage. This year, the immigration process was extremely exhausting, I had never experienced it like this before - nothing was progressing and the lines were getting longer and longer. It was very tiring and incomprehensible for our parents, who were entering Thailand for the first time, why such bureaucracy was in place. But that's just how it is... you have to deal with it if you want to enter Thailand, but usually, this process is completed in about 30 minutes. Unfortunately, this time we had to wait for about 1.5 hours. (!!!)

Of course, our luggage had already gone around the baggage carousel 10 times, so it was just put aside by the airport staff. This was the case for about 70% of the other passengers as well. Unthinkable in Germany, but in Thailand, you just have to accept it, what else can you do? You have to be grateful if your suitcase is still there and no one else has taken it J

Finally, we had all our luggage and then somewhat annoyed made our way to the exit to exchange some Baht and to find our shuttle, which hopefully waited for 1.5 hours. Everything went smoothly, and we got into the shuttle towards Khao Lak, where we would spend the first week.

We all quickly fell asleep in the car, as the climate change and the travel weariness took their toll. I woke up when we reached the Khao Lak sign and enjoyed the feeling of finally being there! Since we had been to Khao Lak three times before, it was always exciting to see what had changed since the last time and what new restaurants, hotels, and shopping opportunities had been added.

Compared to Phuket, Khao Lak is a very peaceful town with dreamy beaches and good food. So, if you are looking for the perfect mix of entertainment, relaxation, and beautiful beaches away from Phuket's tourist areas, you are in the right place here. Interesting sights, such as Khao Sok National Park, can also be easily explored by tours or on your own in a short distance.

This time we checked into a modern hotel in Khao Lak called "The Waters by Kathatany". It is a very nice, also quiet hotel with a good price-performance ratio and incredibly friendly staff.

Take a look at the relevant hotel review sites, or check out some pictures that I will attach later J

So, we spent the first week of our 3-week stay in Khao Lak to settle in, soak up the sun, and relax.

Of course, we had to try the nearby restaurants recommended by the hotel for our first few evenings. Tom Kha Gai, Pad Thai, Papaya Salad, and other delicious Thai dishes - it was always a joy. The best restaurants are always those set back and not on the tourist street, as that's where you will find the most authentic Thai food!

Of course, we also planned an excursion with our Thai friend Pond. We met Pond 2 years ago in Khao Lak. He offers tours for tourists who want to get to know Thailand off the beaten path. Since our parents had never been to Thailand before, we wanted to show them the country and what we love about it.

Thus, we planned an individual day tour with Pond, including a visit to a local café where we had a typical Thai breakfast (called Dim Sum); a visit to a Thai school and a local market; elephant bathing; and a temple visit. A full program for sure J

We started at 7 am with a 20-minute drive to the Thai breakfast. As the only tourists in the café, we were certainly looked at, but we quickly started a conversation and the men exchanged cigarettes and some funny words. The women and I focused on the numerous delicacies that were piled up in front of us on the table. Sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves with mango mousse, palm sugar, and even with wild boar filling. An explosion of flavors! And the Thai coffee with sweetened milk was a calorie bomb, but very delicious and awakened the last bits of sleepiness in our brains.

We then went to the local market across the street, where usually only Thais shop. It may not have been the best idea on an empty stomach, as the impressions and smells might not have been as good, but luckily, we were still satisfied from breakfast. There were heaps of fresh fruits and vegetables on the stands, along with fresh fish, meat, and clothes. A collection of sights and a hustle and bustle that is hard for a European to imagine. But the people were very friendly, and one person even gave me his newly purchased package of pork rinds, which I had to try under his watchful eye J

Tastes great, but then stays in your teeth for hours - that was my conclusion. But still, the gesture was great - giving something to a complete stranger without expecting anything in return, except maybe a smile! That is the Thai mentality that I appreciate so much.

Afterwards, we went to a dam, where we rode paddle boats in a nostalgic way. I hadn't done this in Germany for such a long time, even though we live right by the beautiful Lake Constance. It was so much fun and made us feel like kids again. Here too, we were the only tourists who then lounged in the sun.

Soon it was lunchtime, and Pond had another highlight planned for us: we would prepare a typical Thai meal ourselves. With the help of an elderly Thai lady, we learned how to cook the Thai noodle dish Pad Thai.

She had set up her stand on the side of the road, along with her wok and fresh ingredients. Pad Thai costs 30 Baht for locals, but in a restaurant, we pay three times that amount, which is still cheap at around 2.50 EUR.

My mom and I watched in amazement as she prepared the dish...

And then it was finally time: both of us had the opportunity to cook Pad Thai in the wok under the watchful eyes and giggles of the Thai lady.

Here is our Thai recipe for a good Pad Thai (1 serving):

- Heat a ladle of oil in the wok.

- Add spring onions to the wok and sauté until translucent.

- Crack an egg into the wok and prepare a kind of scrambled egg.

- Add a pinch of sugar and a splash of fish sauce.

- Add a sauce mixture of chili powder and crushed tomatoes.

- Bring to a brief boil and mix everything together while stirring.

- Then add a handful of wide rice noodles (previously soaked in water) to the wok.

- Stir again and mix all the ingredients together. After 3-4 minutes, move everything to the side in the wok.

- Add bean sprouts to the wok and fry briefly, then stir in the remaining ingredients.

- Garnish with some spring onions and serve with lime.

- ENJOY!

Our result was actually pretty good, and we really enjoyed it.

You can get all the ingredients for Pad Thai at an Asian store, and if in doubt, just ask.

Afterwards, we visited a Thai primary and secondary school. As we drove onto the school grounds in Pond's car, the younger children who were currently rehearsing a dance for Children's Day noticed us and waved eagerly. Some of them even forgot to dance, which the teacher didn't really appreciate, but she still smiled J

Pond explained the Thai school system to us and that children are at school from 8 am to around 4:30 pm every day.

When we briefly visited the individual classrooms, I was somewhat shocked to see the conditions in which the children spent their entire day. It's incomparable to our schools; our students can consider themselves lucky to be taught in such modern and well-equipped schools. Here, the children sit on small plastic chairs, some of which have seen better days, and I don't imagine them to be very comfortable. The other teaching materials are also somewhat outdated. Pond told us that donations are constantly being collected to buy new sports equipment and/or teaching materials.

We will definitely contribute something to the school next time we visit...

But despite everything, Thai children are very eager to learn, attentive in class, and enjoy school - which we experienced firsthand in the next half hour:

Sports lesson with the 5th grade, playing volleyball and football. We even joined in and played a short round, which the children were very excited about. Afterwards, the children wanted to take a group photo, which I have included in the photos. It was a lovely afternoon with smiling and happy children. It warms your heart!

Our last activity for the day was a visit to an elephant camp, although it was raining heavily. But it was still a fun experience. Sitting on an elephant's back in the rain and then bathing and grooming the elephant - it was something special! J

Tired, happy, and full of impressions, we finally returned to the hotel, where we enjoyed a hot shower and later a delicious meal. It was a wonderful day with great people and beautiful memories of what life in Thailand can be like beyond tourism. Thank you, POND, for this great tour, we will be back.

In the following days, our wedding guests arrived one by one, and in the evenings, we celebrated with a meal. During the day, everyone explored Thailand on their own, and in the evenings, we came together to share our experiences...

And soon, the second week arrived, which was when the wedding took place, specifically on January 13, 2018, on Koh Yao Yai, a small island about 30 minutes away from Phuket.

Here, we treated ourselves to 4 nights in a Private Pool Villa at the luxury resort. Who can, should do it J I think that for such a special occasion, we deserve it, after all, we both work hard for our money...

We were picked up by a shuttle taxi on January 11, 2018, at the Phuket Marina Bay, where we waited in a waiting area that was specially rented by the hotel for us. The boat ride started a little late. It was a bumpy ride, and the spray hit our faces - I love speedboating J

After about 30 minutes, we reached the island, and from a distance, we could already see the beautiful bungalows and villas nestled in the mountains. It was an impressive hotel complex, and we recognized it even before we docked at the pier.

The walk to the island was amazing - an extremely long pier (reminded me a lot of the Maldives) led to a beautiful beach. We were greeted at the beach restaurant and led into the lobby. We passed a pool with a waterfall and floating boat-shaped loungers, as well as an incredibly beautiful flora and fauna.

Every detail of this hotel is well thought out - small figurines, beautiful plants and flowers, and lovely wood carvings can be seen everywhere.

If you want to treat yourself to a reward or some relaxation during your trip to Thailand, this is definitely the place to be. If you book for 3-4 days, you will be well taken care of and can admire and enjoy all the details of the hotel (more on that later J)

We checked in with great anticipation for our room. After a small welcome drink, we were driven by a hotel taxi (also designed like wood) to our villa via winding roads. Our room attendant then opened the door and showed us our paradise for the next few days - and I could hardly believe that all of this would be ours. Three huge rooms and an outdoor bathroom with a sunken bathtub awaited us.

We took it all in and unpacked our suitcases. From the balcony, we had a breathtaking view of the open sea. It's simply unbelievable how beautiful this world is! Who wouldn't want to travel and explore it!

We also wanted to explore the rest of the hotel complex on foot, literally hiking up and down the winding roads - some of which had steep slopes, so we had to take a short break at the top, catching our breath. (Not recommended for sports haters or physically impaired people!)

The hotel complex is also absolutely amazing, with all the buildings covered in ornate wood. The attention to detail can be admired at every corner. Well-maintained flower beds, ponds with large koi carp, and lovely figures invite you to linger. The infinity pool at the breakfast restaurant is a popular photo spot, as well as the adjacent jetty where you can gaze into the vastness. The pool at the lobby has a giant man-made waterfall and loungers that are designed like boats and float in the water - a constant refreshing sensation at your feet. So, I can only say it's a "MUST SEE" - simply amazing!

At the bottom, at the lobby, we were met with a tearful surprise - my mother-in-law and her boyfriend, as well as Patrick's brother, secretly checked into the hotel to surprise us, even though they were supposed to stay at another hotel on the island. Unfortunately, we arrived at the check-in point at exactly that moment, which ruined the surprise J

But of course, we were very happy about the situation, which we celebrated with cocktails and dinner that evening, even though it was raining.

The next day, after breakfast, we had a meeting with our wedding planner, Rose, and the hotel manager to discuss the details of our ceremony, which was scheduled to take place the next day.

To be honest, Patrick and I hadn't put much thought into the exact procedure of the Thai ceremony in advance.

However, the hotel staff had meticulously prepared a plan of action, which surprised us and also initially shocked us. In addition, a fitting of the Thai robes and a dress rehearsal were scheduled for that evening, to which all the wedding guests who were already present were invited. So, the Thais also work according to the motto "preparation is half the battle" J

A Plan B for the dinner location was also decided. Instead of being outdoors, an additional table at the beach restaurant was to be set up under the roof, as the weather had been unpredictable in the past few days.

After discussing the details of the decorations, the dinner flow, and the music selection, we were finally dismissed after a 2.5-hour meeting. Until then, we had been very relaxed, but from that moment on, an inner tension could not be hidden anymore. A wedding is not a walk in the park, even though that's how it sometimes appears to guests. There is a lot to plan and consider in advance and on the day itself. Those of you who are already married will nod in agreement J

We finally had the opportunity to use our own pool and loungers after lunch - a few rays of sunshine appeared.

At 5 pm, unfortunately again in pouring rain, we gathered at the hotel lobby to inspect and try on the Thai robes that we would wear during the Thai ceremony the next day. We were provided with truly beautiful costumes by the hotel.

Then, each guest was introduced to the specifics and flow of the Thai ceremony. All the details and procedures were discussed... Who does what? What ceremony parts are there? etc... Every detail has been thought of. We sat together for about 2.5 hours in the Thai boxing ring on mats (a funny location for a wedding rehearsal :-)), but I think everything was clarified at that point, and we proceeded to the beach restaurant, where a buffet was waiting for us.

Full of information, impressions, and buffet food, we all went to bed around 10:30 pm - since the next day promised to be an eventful and varied program for everyone involved. :-)

The wedding countdown was running...

THE BIG DAY! The Wedding!

Of course, we woke up before the alarm even went off.

The first thing we did was look through the balcony door to the sky - the weather gods had really heard our prayers from the past few days... the pouring rain and wind were truly over - we could see blue patches and a few rays of sunshine. A good sign for the big day!

Our mood and excitement instantly rose, and our guests greeted us with joyful smiles at breakfast!

The nervousness was still manageable, only a few butterflies of anticipation fluttered in our stomachs.

After breakfast, we were actually able to soak up the sun and mentally prepare ourselves for the upcoming hours that we had been looking forward to for so long.

At 12:00 pm, Patrick's brother arrived to do my hair, as he is a trained master hairdresser. With good music and a bottle of champagne ordered to the room, the good mood quickly rose, and we already started a little pre-wedding party in the villa J After all, such a backdrop must be enjoyed...

The Thai costumes for us and our witnesses were delivered around 1 pm, and the Thai girls giggled as they helped us get dressed. For them, it was a special event to see Europeans getting married in this way.

Meanwhile, Patrick was moved to his father's room, where they prepared for the ceremony.

At 2:30 pm, it was time for Patrick to participate in the "DRUM PROCESSION" with his parents and numerous drummers and dancers.

At the same time, I was picked up by a shuttle and taken directly to the location to wait for him. (In Europe, for example, it is the other way around - the man waits for the woman J)

During the DRUM PROCESSION, the groom symbolically has to pass 3 different gates, represented by relatives who ask him questions, ask for money, or make him perform other tasks. If he passes these requirements, he is allowed to proceed and gets closer to his bride, who then receives him with the mother of the bride. A wonderful symbolism.

Of course, Patrick also did well and successfully mastered the "GOLDEN GATE", the toughest and final gate (symbolically represented by his brother), with dancing and singing.

Afterwards, the "TEA CEREMONY" took place - here, the parents of the bride and groom sit together at a table in comfortable armchairs. The couple asks for their blessings and offers tea and sweet treats to obtain the parents' "YES".

Fortunately, everything went well for us J and we were able to exchange rings with a blessing from the officiant in Thai.

After this ceremony, the prayer and blessing by Buddha followed.

Everyone knelt on the ground J

Next was the water blessing, which would conclude the Thai ceremony. Again, we knelt in front of our guests, who dripped blessed water onto our hands and expressed blessings and wishes for us as a couple. This part was very emotional and, for me, the most beautiful part of the Thai wedding.

It is really difficult to put it into words - it is unique and indescribably beautiful to be able to experience such a moment in such a setting with your loved ones. I hope that the pictures and descriptions give you an idea and allow you to be a part of our fairy tale J

After the official ceremony, there was still a ritual of the hotel - we were allowed to plant trees in 3 large pots with our witnesses and 3 other guests. These trees would later be planted in the hotel complex and grow symbolically for our marriage. One was a banana tree, which was intended to bear fruit, the second was a type of palm tree for growth and protection, and the third was a type of sugar cane, which symbolizes sweetness in marriage. It was a very nice gesture, and we will definitely come back to the island on the anniversary of our marriage to see how our plants have developed.

After that, a short break was announced for the guests, and we had time to change outfits and freshen up a bit. The temperature of almost 30 degrees had affected both our hairstyles and makeup. But we had a personal hairdresser and makeup artist, so it wasn't a problem.

After about 30 minutes, we were picked up again from our villa and taken to the beach, where our guests were already waiting for us in a dreamy setting. First, Patrick and his best man, Frank, entered with cool music by Dick Brave, and shortly after, I entered to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" - the feeling: Indescribable, the setting: Indescribable... just like a fairy tale.

A flower-adorned gazebo, white wooden chairs with our loved ones, and the most amazing man by my side - exactly how I had dreamed it, and in reality, it was even more beautiful. As you can tell, I'm getting carried away, but you really shouldn't expect anything else here J

The Western-style ceremony was lively, our English was initially a bit rusty, but the "I DO" came out confidently and firmly from our mouths. Our personal words to each other were not rehearsed but spontaneous and beautiful!

And just like that, after about 20 minutes, the official part was over! The guests applauded, even some hotel guests who didn't want to miss the spectacle. However, they were at a respectful distance, as the hotel provided security guards who cordoned off the wedding area and made sure that nobody got too close to take a close-up photo. The organization was really great.

We walked along the center aisle, past the radiant faces of our guests. Afterwards, we finally popped the champagne and received congratulations and hugs from everyone and toasted together to this perfect day we had experienced so far. Also, because the weather had been more than good to us - we were even treated to a sunset... almost unbelievable considering the rain in the previous days - but I guess we simply deserved to enjoy our day like this.

We took group and individual photos on the pier, while our dinner area (naturally outdoors in the sand) was being prepared for us. Because we all had dry throats, we indulged in a few aperitifs.

Then, it was finally time for our Thai-style wedding dinner, which we had all truly earned. Very delicious, beautifully presented dishes were served individually on our plates. Dinner music played in the background, and after eating, our DJ (also the hotel manager :-)) played music that soon drew us onto the sandy dance floor!

We celebrated our day until around midnight and then said goodbye happily and full of memories and emotions.

I would do it all over again without hesitation, it was the wedding we had always dreamed of.

The organization was great, there were some minor hiccups, but overall, the whole package was perfect. If we were to consider the financial aspect - an experience like this, the decorations, and the food would have cost us a fortune in Germany. In Thailand, however, it was within a "normal" range, which you would expect for a wedding in the "mortal" world.

So, if you want a special location and an unforgettable beach wedding, you are in good hands at the Santhiya Resort! Thumbs up and 100% recommendation. If you would like more information, feel free to contact me.

We spent our honeymoon/ the day after the wedding on the island. We started the day with breakfast in our room. Then we enjoyed some time at our private pool before indulging in a 2.5-hour spa treatment, which was also included in our wedding package.

The last day on the island was rounded off in the evening with a private dinner on our own terrace. Of course, with candlelight. We had a 3-course BBQ deluxe menu with lobster and beef steak, and various side dishes. It was delicious, too much food for us, and even a personal waiter who waited behind our villa to serve us the next course. At some point, we felt a bit guilty and would have liked to offer him a seat and some food.

On the day of departure, we had a leisurely breakfast in the breakfast room and then checked out, bid farewell to the staff and our lovely wedding planner, Rose. The hotel manager, also the DJ, appeared at the pier and, of course, received our parting gift - a white sunglasses with our names and wedding dates. A really lovely gesture, and it was really hard for us to say goodbye. In the last few days, we had met so many nice, attentive, and considerate people. We promised him that we will definitely come back and thanked him once again for all his effort.

And just like that, the speedboat departed from the pier, and soon, Koh Yao Yai was just a tiny dot on the horizon - but it will always be a present and very special place in our hearts and memories!

After about 30 minutes, we reached the mainland, where the final stage of our journey awaited us. We had another 5 days to relax and enjoy our honeymoon, just the two of us, under the Thai sun, with good food, the beach, and the sea!

Thailand, our heart belongs to you, and there is nothing more beautiful than coming back again and again, now with new wonderful experiences and a dream wedding on the beach!

Sawasdeeeeeeeee!!!!