GETTING MARRIED IN PARADISE

You'll hear a wedding procession at Coral Bay Resort before you actually see it. The sounds of the traditional klong yao (long drums), khowng (gong) and ching charb (cymbals) drift down the long driveway, heralding the start of the bridal cavalcade. The rhythmic beats create a lively counterpoint to the high-pitched chanting of women singing traditional village songs usually sung when asking for the hand of the bride. As the proud father of the bridegroom remarked in happy amazement, “Here Comes the Bride will never sound the same again!”

The bridal entourage slowly descend the tree-lined “aisle,” headed by a pair of flower girls strewing handfuls of orchid petals. Then come dancing and singing women dressed in northeastern ceremonial attire of handwoven silk sarongs and long-sleeved blouses with draped sashes. Behind them the musicians keep up the lively tempo, although the last--and largest--member of the festive procession pays absolutely no attention to it.

Transporting the bride and her father (or sometimes the groom) in a large wooden saddle perched on its gently swaying back, the elephant “limousine” lumbers slowly down the road to the parking lot. After depositing its two passengers (who climb down a flower-draped rolling stairway), the majestic creature kneels down on one front leg and poses for photos. (Family members and guests are always welcome to join in the photo op!)

While the wedding guests stroll from the hotel reception area through the lush tropical gardens to the beach, the prospective groom reenacts a centuries-old Thai wedding tradition. He pays a token “toll” of a few Baht in order to pass through two symbolic gold chain gates and enter the “village” to claim his bride and escort her to the temple. Nowadays the village is represented by the stone pathway descending to a seaside arbor covered in flowers and palm fronds.

With the Gulf of Thailand behind them and their family and friends arrayed in front, the bridal couple exchange their vows as the setting sun colors sea and sky from a palette of pink, blue and fuchsia. Few dry eyes are in evidence which, after all, is as it should be on such a momentous occasion.

After plenty of hugs and kisses, more photos and celebratory mango daquiris for everyone, the wedding party adjourns to the Coco Rock bar for cocktails, an opulent buffet dinner, and a spectacular late-night fireworks display. Some guests choose to head off to their bungalows around midnight, but others party until dawn. “Everything about the wedding was absolutely perfect,” pronounced the bride's new mother-in-law. “The hotel has worked so hard to make this day possible. They've been fabulous.”

Of course you don't have to ride to your wedding on the back of an elephant if you don't want to. At Coral Bay Resort we specialize in transforming your every wedding fantasy into a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Whether your wedding party is large or small, the ceremony Buddhist or secular, we have had years of experience creating personalized weddings for as few as two people or as many as 100 or more. We handle all the logistical details--paperwork, catering, photography, music, etc. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the occasion!

Contact us for full details of all the options we offer.