Issan Wedding Costs

[bergen]

I've been to several weddings (and funerals) both Thai/Thai and Farang/Thai.

Sin sots:

Starting from 20k Baht. Last wedding was between two Thais, sin sot was 200K Baht, (which was returned to the bride) + 50k Baht value of gold.

At the time I left which was around 11.00. ( I arrived at 0800)

Fights: none.

Security: none

Drunks: a few men and women, but well taken care of by the more sober.

Scavengers: probably a few, but didn't see any.

All in all I witnessed no problems while attending!

Different families/people, and different places, probably means different experiences.

[EirikJohannesen]

If my daughter marries a Thai Boy Ohhhh he must pay, payback time LOL It will not be Lao Khao on the table for sure Sin sod: He better start saving

[englishinsiam]

I can't believe some of the negative comments here.

I have been to numerous weddings in Thailand - Thai and Thai - Thai and Foreign.

A Sin Sot has been paid in all of them, however I haven't been to any bar girl weddings so can't comment once they have a Kid etc.

The last wedding was in Buriram 2 weeks ago. It was 2 wealthy Thai families. The Cash was 999,999 Baht (For Luck) - A total of 64 Baht of Gold (Some from Groom some from Brides father) and the Brides father gifted the couple another Million in Cash.

My Sin Sot (I'm English) was 280K and 6 Baht of Gold. We got 200K Back gave her mum 80K and obviously we have the Gold. We also kept the Envelopes and no-one put in less than 200 Baht. And that was only 1 Envelope from 100 the average was about 500 Baht.

My wifes family are poor but for them it was making sure their youngest daughter is happy. We take care of her mum and dad with a small cash deposit every month the same as her brothers and sisters do, they are pensioners and there is very little state pension £10 a month in case you didn't know. We are all family and we share the costs and I don't feel as a foreigner they ask for more from me. Although when her mum was in hospital last year we offered to pay half the room costs.

I think the positives outweigh the negatives in my situation and I hope the OP ignores the crap on here and enjoys his new life with his wife.

Good luck for the future.

[prakhonchai nick]

The Op did ask about Village weddings

The negative comments made are simply because thats what happened. Why pretend otherwise. Sad isn't it

Town weddings are usually different completely, often involving hotels etc.

The riff raff and freeloaders etc are more generally found at village events.

The Buriram wedding you describe is in my opinion obscene. Yes people have money, but why flaunt it? Money, like sex should be private

Edited May 16, 2011 by prakhonchai nick

[cardholder]

The Op did ask about Village weddings

The negative comments made are simply because thats what happened. Why pretend otherwise. Sad isn't it

Town weddings are usually different completely, often involving hotels etc.

The riff raff and freeloaders etc are more generally found at village events.

The Buriram wedding you describe is in my opinion obscene. Yes people have money, but why flaunt it? Money, like sex should be private

Sex and money - some people seem to have a need to show it. They even say size is important.

Wouldn't come under that bracket of "FACE" again, would it ?

I am also sure the events you describe didn't really happen - at least not in the rose-tinted world of some people.

Edited May 16, 2011 by cardholder

[Patronus]

Security people are usually in attendance at all local weddings. Cannot speak for the rest of Thailand. At a joint wedding 2 farangs and 2 thai sisters, there were more than a dozen security (not sure what they were) but they had 3 AK47's between them!

Sounds more like a Carabao concert !

[robbo1]

Can not remember exactly, I think around 80 to 100,000 baht.

But it was the best money spent food, drink, entertainment.

Probably the best party that I have ever been involved in,dancing girls on stage the side road closed just a great night.

Approximately 300 people,I knew about 10 people 4 of them aussie blokes that I met a week ealier in our hotel in Loei.

It really does not matter how much it costs if it is like my wedding it will be the best party you have ever been involved with.

[englishinsiam]

I am also sure the events you describe didn't really happen - at least not in the rose-tinted world of some people.

Why would I have the need to lie? Ok maybe they shouldn't show off their vast wealth if thats what Socialists think. But they did and I was making a point it's not just Foreigners that pay across Sin Sort it is a Thai tradition. Mine was a token amount because my wifes family love me as family.

First of all I went into the big Ceremony for my wife but on the day I had the best day of my life.

Can not remember exactly, I think around 80 to 100,000 baht.

But it was the best money spent food, drink, entertainment.

Probably the best party that I have ever been involved in,dancing girls on stage the side road closed just a great night.

Approximately 300 people,I knew about 10 people 4 of them aussie blokes that I met a week ealier in our hotel in Loei.

It really does not matter how much it costs if it is like my wedding it will be the best party you have ever been involved with.

I could not agree more and now after the event I am a little ashamed I thought about saving pennies on silly little things.

Luckily it didn't detract from a fantastic day. And so far married life with my Thai Princess gets better every day. But there will be haters here who don't know either of us who will tell me it won't last.

To the OP ignore the negative comments if your sure she is your girl go for it and push the boat out. You will get 10 times more joy back than the cash you laid out.

[kdc1899]

What age were the bride and groom at the HiSo Buriram wedding?

[englishinsiam]

What age were the bride and groom at the HiSo Buriram wedding?

Both mid twenties

[kdc1899]

What age were the bride and groom at the HiSo Buriram wedding?

Both mid twenties

That's suprising a girl that old in a thai wedding would fetch that amount. She's probably no where near a virgin.

Sounds more like the hiso parents were making a business deal.

[mizzi39]

I got married in Issan 4 years ago. We had a morning ceremony with about 100 guests and an evening ceremony at a hotel with about 250 guests. Total cost on my end was 30,000 baht. Every guest dropped an envelope with money, so aside from the 30,000 baht which covered most of the morning ceremony, (food, booze, flowers, etc. etc) most Thai weddings pay for themselves.Buddha willing

[englishinsiam]

That's suprising a girl that old in a thai wedding would fetch that amount. She's probably no where near a virgin.

Sounds more like the hiso parents were making a business deal.

What ???????

Who cares if she is a Virgin or not why think of that?

All I know is she's a good friend of my wifes from their University days and comes from a well off Chinese descended family. But to be around her she is not money just a nice down to earth girl.

Not everything has to revolve around Sex maybe there was a business deal done too. Why not? If you get 2 powerfull families joining why not make them more powerfull.

Poverty is only 1 wrong business deal around the corner.

[Hollywood13]

I just wanted something memorable where everyone would have a good time.

Don't forget to factor in the legal fees and other ancillary expenses from the inevitable divorce, not to mention fees for sick buffaloes, bail/bribe money for brother Somchai on his third yaa-baa conviction, the plot of land, the house which must be built on the plot of land, the motocys for various tertiary relatives, et. al.

;>

Legal fees and other ancillary expenses from the inevitable divorce = THB 0 (not going to happen)

Fees for sick buffaloes = THB 0 (her family doesn't have any buffaloes)

Bail/Bribe money for brother = THB 0 (she's an only child...no brothers or sisters)

The plot of land = THB 0 (we'll be renting for the first few years while deciding if we'll stay in Thailand permanently or not)

The house which must be built on the plot of land = THB 0 (same reason as previous answer)

The motocys for various tertiary relatives = THB 0 (she has one that she pays for, no others will be bought unless I want one too)

I'm bored of you now.

[prakhonchai nick]

There was the third in a week of 3 wedding eve parties in my village yesterday. This was the biggest of all.

It was an all day event, with live music and dancing girls supposedly arriving at 10am. This was subsequently rescheduled to 4pm, but didn't commence until 5.30, because the girls refused to dance as it was too hot.

So I joined the invitees at 5.30 and must say the music was the best I have come across, and the girls were very pleasing in every way.

Unfortunately though, there was no food. Why? Because it had all been taken away in plastic bags by the local women, who had donated their 20 bahts and considered it their right to take food home. They consider it just like going to the market -have no interest in the wedding or whatever.

Lao khao and warm Leo was available, and for just a few "privileged" guests including myself, some blended whisky was available. Fortunately it made up for the lack of food (but as I lived next door I popped home to make a cheese sandwich!)

At 6.30 the inevitible fight started between the "groom" and a very drunk guest. Luckily for the guest who was on the receiving end of quite a pummelling, 2 police officers arrived in seconds.

So not really the best of events. The taking away of bags of food is ingrained in Thai village life, but to me is wrong. People are "invited" to a PARTY. To eat and drink they must participate -attend -join in. TAKE-AWAY BAGS SHOULD BE BANNED.

[SantiSuk]

There was the third in a week of 3 wedding eve parties in my village yesterday. This was the biggest of all.

It was an all day event, with live music and dancing girls supposedly arriving at 10am. This was subsequently rescheduled to 4pm, but didn't commence until 5.30, because the girls refused to dance as it was too hot.

So I joined the invitees at 5.30 and must say the music was the best I have come across, and the girls were very pleasing in every way.

Unfortunately though, there was no food. Why? Because it had all been taken away in plastic bags by the local women, who had donated their 20 bahts and considered it their right to take food home. They consider it just like going to the market -have no interest in the wedding or whatever.

Lao khao and warm Leo was available, and for just a few "privileged" guests including myself, some blended whisky was available. Fortunately it made up for the lack of food (but as I lived next door I popped home to make a cheese sandwich!)

At 6.30 the inevitible fight started between the "groom" and a very drunk guest. Luckily for the guest who was on the receiving end of quite a pummelling, 2 police officers arrived in seconds.

So not really the best of events. The taking away of bags of food is ingrained in Thai village life, but to me is wrong. People are "invited" to a PARTY. To eat and drink they must participate -attend -join in. TAKE-AWAY BAGS SHOULD BE BANNED.

This page is getting a bit out of hand in the negativity stakes. without questioning veracity I will just add a bit of balance by saying that I have attended three Issaan weddings including my own. All had loads of food for everyone and I did not see people slinking off with doggy bags. No security, no fights, Sin Sod paid at all three. Enjoyed all three except when my wife lambasted me for not resisting more forcefully the overly flirtatious advances from an overly obvious Pattaya girl (not at my own wedding I hasten to add)

[prakhonchai nick]

Whilst I fully accept and appreciate Santisuk's comments, I have only reported what I have found. I have no ulterior motive other than to warn. It is not my intention to field negativity, but unfortunately that is the way it is.

Isaan is a huge area with some 18 million inhabitants. What I have described is very normal for my part of Isaan which encompasses Buriram and Surin. perhaps it is different in Udon, Khon Kean etc

Takeaway bags are the norm for any event here where food is provided other than by outside caterers. This includes weddings, deaths, lucky homes, get well soon parties conducted by the monks, and in one case in my village a good luck party for our newly concreted road!!! In the villages outside catering is a rarity except when it is a farang/thai wedding, and even then the morning do (including the wedding ceremony) is accompanied by DIY food and doggy bags!

As you will see from scrolling back, many posters have agreed with my comments. It must be just pot luck!

Until the next event, I have nothing more to report!

[cardholder]

This page is getting a bit out of hand in the negativity stakes. without questioning veracity I will just add a bit of balance by saying that I have attended three Issaan weddings including my own. All had loads of food for everyone and I did not see people slinking off with doggy bags. No security, no fights, Sin Sod paid at all three. Enjoyed all three except when my wife lambasted me for not resisting more forcefully the overly flirtatious advances from an overly obvious Pattaya girl (not at my own wedding I hasten to add)

"Negativity" is over-used defensively on these threads.

It is not negative to state facts. Those facts can be different at each wedding. Whilst you may not have experienced these things yourself, it is very useful to understand that it COULD happen. At least it reduces the shock factor if a fight does break out.

I have only seen one fight at the weddings I have been to, but I have seen the old hags slinking off with doggy bags at all but one wedding I attended.

[SantiSuk]

This page is getting a bit out of hand in the negativity stakes. without questioning veracity I will just add a bit of balance by saying that I have attended three Issaan weddings including my own. All had loads of food for everyone and I did not see people slinking off with doggy bags. No security, no fights, Sin Sod paid at all three. Enjoyed all three except when my wife lambasted me for not resisting more forcefully the overly flirtatious advances from an overly obvious Pattaya girl (not at my own wedding I hasten to add)

"Negativity" is over-used defensively on these threads.

It is not negative to state facts. Those facts can be different at each wedding. Whilst you may not have experienced these things yourself, it is very useful to understand that it COULD happen. At least it reduces the shock factor if a fight does break out.

I have only seen one fight at the weddings I have been to, but I have seen the old hags slinking off with doggy bags at all but one wedding I attended.

I was only stating facts too - that the factual reports (which I do not challenge the veracity of) were presenting an overall negative view, which I wanted to balance out with my own experience.

[prakhonchai nick]

Then it's very much a case of Caveat Emptor!

[bergen]

There was the third in a week of 3 wedding eve parties in my village yesterday. This was the biggest of all.

It was an all day event, with live music and dancing girls supposedly arriving at 10am. This was subsequently rescheduled to 4pm, but didn't commence until 5.30, because the girls refused to dance as it was too hot.

So I joined the invitees at 5.30 and must say the music was the best I have come across, and the girls were very pleasing in every way.

Unfortunately though, there was no food. Why? Because it had all been taken away in plastic bags by the local women, who had donated their 20 bahts and considered it their right to take food home. They consider it just like going to the market -have no interest in the wedding or whatever.

Lao khao and warm Leo was available, and for just a few "privileged" guests including myself, some blended whisky was available. Fortunately it made up for the lack of food (but as I lived next door I popped home to make a cheese sandwich!)

At 6.30 the inevitible fight started between the "groom" and a very drunk guest. Luckily for the guest who was on the receiving end of quite a pummelling, 2 police officers arrived in seconds.

So not really the best of events. The taking away of bags of food is ingrained in Thai village life, but to me is wrong. People are "invited" to a PARTY. To eat and drink they must participate -attend -join in. TAKE-AWAY BAGS SHOULD BE BANNED.

This page is getting a bit out of hand in the negativity stakes. without questioning veracity I will just add a bit of balance by saying that I have attended three Issaan weddings including my own. All had loads of food for everyone and I did not see people slinking off with doggy bags. No security, no fights, Sin Sod paid at all three. Enjoyed all three except when my wife lambasted me for not resisting more forcefully the overly flirtatious advances from an overly obvious Pattaya girl (not at my own wedding I hasten to add)

As I've said before, different places and people gives us all different experiences!

I totally agree with SantiSuk, but I guess we're just lucky living, and experiencing our part of Isaan?

[Millard]

Hollywood13 and other members mentioned that police and soldiers are hired for security. Is that common? Also, is it actually necessary or more for show? I can't imagine what could happen that would require such a security force. It sounds excessive to me, but I've never been to a village wedding.

[sezze]

IMHO

not needed but it is depending on the place , surrounding , people etc . Small problems with drunks are nearly unavoidable in the village , and most of the times it is nothing more then that , small issues . Let you intuition and GF and family guide you weather you need it or not . Normally it is for show , so that way you are sure not much happens .

I personally know of a woman in a village who has never been married , no kids and i am 100% sure and she is well within 30's and not that bad looking . They DO exist , not a problem to find one , but it is not common . From what i heard she was close of getting married at 1 point but the parents wanted too much money ( Thai Thai as it is really village , no farangs here ).

In my area beef is eaten just as any other kind of meat . I heard of Thai people not eating beef but not in the area where i am .

Edited May 27, 2011 by sezze

[EirikJohannesen]

Hollywood13 and other members mentioned that police and soldiers are hired for security. Is that common? Also, is it actually necessary or more for show? I can't imagine what could happen that would require such a security force. It sounds excessive to me, but I've never been to a village wedding.

All villages have a layer of security volunteers with own uniforms. But this is mostly for the sake of sight, "show off" Most weddings I've been in there have been disturbances at night, too much alcohol, some have begun and fight. but it is seldom. But this usually happens after the wedding couple and normal people have gone home to bed.

[irishken]

oops wrong tread Edited June 22, 2011 by irishken