From the dreamy palm-fringed beaches of Koh Samui to the lush green rice paddies of Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, and beyond to the bamboo thickets of the Golden Triangle, every tropical scenario imaginable is represented by Four Seasons Resorts Thailand.
Wedding Story at Four Seasons Thailand
Weddings are Forever!! While wedding-related spending took a backseat during the pandemic, they are back with a bang. Couples who postponed their weddings over the last two years are looking for opportunities to drum up the celebrations. The spectrum is wide – Couples are willing to spend more on offbeat luxury settings while keeping the setting intimate and tailored on one end. These are couples organizing their own weddings having reached financial independence and looking at a more luxurious high-end wedding with guests who really matter. There is a trend of keeping it minimalistic and sustainable in some cases. On the other end is an expression of megabucks being spent on over-the-top destination weddings with buyouts of hotels and resorts. Wedding experiences have become more innovative, florals continue to play a big part in the décor, entertainment options are more lavish and unique and event planners, bride and groom stylists, and wedding couture continue to thrive.
Weddings at the Four Seasons Resorts of Thailand are unique as they break the mold of the usual ballroom wedding sets that are a replication of one style or the other. Intimate weddings are the natural setting within the serenity of the northern Thailand landscape where one can opt for their traditional ceremonies combined with elements of Thailand’s cultural traditions and natural landscapes.
At Chiang Mai, the couple pledges their lifelong commitment against a backdrop of Lanna architecture, rice fields, and stunning mountain views in the tranquil Mae Rim Valley ending with a reception at the enchanting Orchid Garden with the gorgeous backdrop of the water body and hanging lamps.
Koh Samui lends a bohemian flair to a wedding. Couples feel the warmth of the Thai sun on pristine sandy beaches bordered by tropical greenery fringed by tall coconut palms and the azure blue seas of the Gulf of Siam.
Set amid lush bamboo jungles alongside the gushing Ruak River, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle brings romance and effervescence to every part of the day. At Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, you and your guests will find the adventure of a lifetime, surrounded by bamboo jungles and mountain trails. Limited to 30 guests, the camp is the perfect setting for an intimate celebration filled with romance.
“Thailand is among the most-preferred wedding destinations in the world for its accessibility, the innate hospitality of the Thai people, and not least – for its stunning natural beauty,” comments Sean Mosher, general manager, Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and Tented Camp Golden Triangle. “When you add the Four Seasons’ unique style and elegance to this, you have a match made in paradise,” smiles Jasjit Assi, general manager, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui.
Boutique weddings are what this collection of resorts excels at, with buy-out celebrations allowing private access to all venues within the premises. For more intimate celebrations, Koh Samui can accommodate up to 80 guests by the private cove, while the expansive landscape at Mae Rim allows for slightly larger celebrations of up to 120 persons. The Tented Camp in the Golden Triangle is ideal for smaller, more exclusive celebrations with a maximum of 20 guests.
Island celebrations
Known for its pristine beaches, with lush tropical hills rolling down to the sea, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui offers some of the most exotic island scenery anywhere. “From a bohemian vibe to a traditional Southern Thai celebration, we have something for everyone,” adds Vallapha Srijame, conference services, and sales manager.
Love Spell Beach Boho: A bohemian-style beach wedding – this is a sea and sand affair, with warm, earth-toned decorations, and a selection of aisle and arch designs. “A complimentary couple’s spa and a Once in a Blue Moon dining experience for the couple wrap up this celebration at Water’s Edge,” she adds.
Look Phrao – Palm Inspired: The quintessential tropical paradise wedding – guests exchange vows under a canopy of coconut palms along the resort’s immaculate white-sand beach.
Once in a Blue Moon: “With sand beneath your feet, in a private cove, and a table set for two – this is the ultimate way to say ‘I do’!” beams Srijame. With only tropical flowers in abundance and the ocean for company, this romantic dinner for two is followed by a flower petal bath with candles at the villa, to round off a magical night!
“We also have a host of other fabulous venues such as Beach House, Pla Pla, CoCoRum, Koh Thai Kitchen, and Infinity Dining that can be customized for the celebration,” she smiles.
Mae Rim magic
Thailand’s cultural heartland, Chiang Mai, is a land of gorgeous Buddhist temples and verdant rural landscapes. For those who prefer a more immersive Thai-styled celebration, Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai offers picturesque backdrops for a special, out-of-the-ordinary way to say I do. “There’s no need to stand on ceremony here – allow the crisp mountain air, and the serenity of Thailand’s cultural capital to create the magic for you,” says Pimsupang Busapapong, conference services and sales manager.
Truly Thai: “Walk through rice paddies holding hands, to a private ceremony with a traditional nine-monk blessing ceremony, led by a village elder,” she suggests. This authentic Thai wedding ritual, complete with wedding garlands and traditional attire with the mountains as backdrop can be done at sunrise or sunset for the most dramatic effect.
Into the Sunset: Under a floral wedding arch by the pool, as the sun sets across the horizon – this evening wedding in a stunning garden setting includes tropical flowers for decoration. “Revel in the hues of gold and green as the sun does its ceremonial dance across this celebration in the countryside,” adds Busapapong.
Nature’s Embrace: “We can pair eco-friendly themed décor with sustainable organic menus will bring to create a wonderful green celebration in this magical tropical setting,” she shares. The Orchid Nursery is a venue straight out of a storybook. “Live orchid plants in every hue and colour, and tropical ferns and other exotic flora are all the décor you need!” she smiles.
Milestones and jungle-scapes
If it is truly a getaway celebration that you are looking for, however, nothing can be more apt than the Tented Camp Golden Triangle. Deep in the heart of the bamboo jungles, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle is a world away from city life. “Set along a scenic stretch of the restless Ruak River, as it makes its way towards the mighty Mekong, this is a wedding destination for those who embrace adventure, “says Camp Manager Macall Newman.
Given the intimate nature of the experience here, there are several venues tucked away in the jungle for those meaningful exchanges of lasting commitments. “Sunset weddings are my favorite,” smiles Macall, “A safari-style rendezvous can be fun, as the Camp’s Land Rover escorts the groom to the highest point of the Camp, where the bride is waiting. The groom may begin celebrations with a typical Kaan Maak procession where he dances his way to his beloved, accompanied by musicians playing traditional long drums. This is followed by the tying of the sacred thread, Sai Mongokol, and a traditional Thai water blessing ritual Bai Sri Su Kwan.” The Camp’s dedicated team of experts can customize the experience for the couple to be a whole-day affair, starting with a signature breakfast, and easing into a romantic couple’s spa session at the tree-fringed open-air spa. “End the night on an auspicious note with the lighting of the beautiful khom loy, traditional wish lanterns that rise up into the night sky in a trail of light!” Macall suggests.
