How to plan your gay wedding, now that it’s becoming legal in Thailand

As the country achieves marriage equality, those gay weddings in Thailand need to be planned. Here’s everything you need for that gay wedding of your dreams.

When that question comes up, and you said yes, and the ring pops onto your finger, it’s only just the beginning. All those smiles turn into a stressed frown as you realise how much goes into planning a wedding, and how much it costs to have that gay wedding of your dreams. That quaint garden wedding seems far-fetched now that your parents got involved, and how do we sit these guests together again?

Now that marriage equality is official becoming legal, let’s pump that gay up and get this gay wedding on the road.

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Thailand passes marriage equality bill: The first in Southeast Asia to achieve marriage equality

A guide to planning your gay wedding in Thailand

Make a guest list

Certainly one of the worst things brides and grooms first try to manage: who gets to come to our wedding? If you can’t invite everyone you know, what about your parents’ friends and that local politician? A lot of people list everyone they could think of inviting, then narrow the list down once they have the venue confirmed. Whichever way you do it, always plan your guest list early.

Book the venue

People have different dream venues when it comes to weddings. The same applies to gay weddings. Of course, hotel ballrooms are one way but that may not be for everyone. Garden weddings provide ample space, beach weddings make a lot of sense for Thailand, or even renting out your favourite restaurant can be an option. While the date is arguably the first thing you set when you plan a wedding, it often also depends on the availability of the dream gay wedding venue, so bear this in mind.

Choose a theme

Many dream up an image of the traditional black and white wedding with suits and gowns, and that’s fully fine, but some people may beg to differ on that level of formality. A lot of couples consider themed weddings on things they like, be it something as simple as a colour scheme, or a full-on theme. We’ve heard of Star Wars-themed weddings before.

Send out invites

You want to make sure people come attend, and RSVP so you can finalise the number of guests. Most places recommend sending out invites six to eight weeks before the date, but it’s not uncommon to do it before that. Do what feels right for you. You can even send out a ‘Save the Date’ if your wedding details aren’t get finalised.

Talk to vendors

There are so many things that go into making a wedding function: photographer, caterers, drinks, cake, florists, more decors, we could go on and on. It’s normal to plan and call up vendors 6-8 months in advance to get it over with. Some even hire a wedding planner to help ease the troubles, if it fits within the budget. In Thailand, there are several gay wedding planners available.

Shop for what to wear for the big day

Many couples say it’s the magical moment of seeing yourself in your wedding outfit that gives them the push to seal the deal. Whether you’re going for the traditional white dress, black suits and ties, traditional or themed costumes, you’ll feel like a monarch when you see that outfit.

Create a seating chart

When you think you have it all down pat, the last few questions arise. One of them is “who’s sitting with who?” Some go with round tables, some do long tables, but the headache is all the same. Our friends, our parents’ guests, those we haven’t met since college; so many names, so little time. Get in those RSVPs, and create your seating chart early on. There will be changes made for sure.

Realise it’s the same as planning a ‘straight’ wedding

Who would have known? Make your Thailand gay wedding as gay as you want to, or as traditional, or as bright and colourful. Hire a stripper, hire multiple strippers. Put rainbows everywhere, or don’t. Gay weddings are becoming legal in Thailand now, and it’s your wedding. As the marriage equality law comes into effect, it’s all equal, after all.