ok, ladies....

the big question: what to wear???

korat, november...

1. my wedding thing is taken care of (sister in law et al provide issaan style stuff).... BUT for anon who owns no real decent clothes, is a button up short sleeve shirt and pair of pants (dont know what pants, he will choose i guess) enough??? and he wants real shoes (the spiffy slick type)...

and then, what do u all think i will need?? issaan village and we both are very laid back types anyway, he wears whatever there is including my and my son's clothes: so;

basic skirt/short sleeve shirt light weight for for going to amphur office/mfa stuff or do i need something more 'suit-like' /professional style (dont own stuff like that really)- i dont do minis and such

one pair heels (yuck but a must in thai woman dress up)

for the rest: decent pair of flip/flops/thongs?

sneakers/sports shoes

t-shirts and jeans/or are light weight viscose type pants ok or are they too much like pajamas ?

two lightweight sweatshirt/jackets

i'm mostly a skirt wearer (comes from living near to jerusalem) with 3/4 sleeves for the most part when i'm not in work clothes and i noticed last time i was in udon villages that the women wore pasins or jeans but i hate wearing jeans when its hot and humid and its easier in the bathrooms with a pasin on.

i have two 'khun ying' type thai silk 'chuuts' but they are only for 'occasions' ; i may have to bring the one his sister gave me, but when will i wear it i havent a clue....

i'm correct in assuming i will have to up dress for meeting the in laws/village folks since i'm coming as a bride (albeit an older one) and not as a tourist?

asking anon is useless he couldnt care less as long as i have modest clothes on (no belly shirts and minis) and a bra ) on the other hand we went window shopping once at a very expensive mall in tel aviv and he delighted in the fact that i wore the khun ying style suit-- drew lots of stares from the israelis:)

and for presents?: lotions and potions for the sis in law ;small stuff for baby nephews (he doesnt even know how old they are) , small 'made in israel' things (like food things, israeli munchies for kids etc. some colouring books, school stuff) for extra hangers on, and for the rest of the family anon wants to buy in bangkok (probably liquor/food). sound good? bricabrac does not excite him and the family house is poor issaan stilts leaks when rains.

he has already explained to one and all that even by korat village standards, i am poor, therefore not an atm and not a main provider so they are not expecting bmw's and things.

getting excited cant u all tell???

bina

Hi Bina, what dates will you be in Korat?

MFA - no need to dress up. You will be in & out in 5 minutes & back a week later to collect the documents, in & out in 5 minutes too.

It is a ticket system, come in get ticket, go to window, hand over documents & money & given a receipt. Leave. Nothing official & what you wear is irrelevant. Smart t shirt & linen trousers for example. (I wore jeans & smart top) Same at amphur, depending on how big a deal it is for you but there is no rules, me & hubbie had very casual (island style) wear on. Me again, jeans & T & him shorts & T. ( we were on route to shopping at tescos )

The village wear is again up to you, as long as it is conservative then you will be ok. I wear vest tops around the house & no one raises an eyelid but outside I put on a t shirt or shirt. Long trousers or 3/4 length trousers, flip flops or leather sandals. I am not a skirt wearer & personaly, with the kind of mossies in issan wouldn't wear one anyway. Shorts are even ok for around the house & bring long cotton trousers to sleep in otherwise you will probably be eaten alive be mossies. Also, if you are sleeping in the same room as the family (as we do) then trousers are more modest in case a nighty rises up whilst you sleep.

For Anon, buy some decent shoes in BKK at somewhere like MBK, you can pick up nice pair for a few hundred baht. Same for a nice pair of plain black or blue trousers & a white or beige shirt. This way they can be worn for any other "dress up" occasion you may have to attend.

Thai families are usually quite casual compares to farang at weddings, so don't stress about being dressed up to the nines as no one else probably will be

Methinks Bina is getting the Wedding freak out nerves!! Relax, babes, the day will go great and whatever you wear or do or gifts will be lost memories after all you have gone through to get there!!

I wish you and anon sunshine and lots and lots of thoughts (and i think i am speaking for a lot of people here) of happiness and joy and LOVE

Sounds like your every day casual wear will do just fine in a Thai village. Modesty in a woman is looked upon with favor. The skirts and 3/4 length sleeves will be fine. Just spray yourself with mozzie spray.

Flip flops in the village are fine, otherwise a decent pair of sandals will go everywhere else. I am guessing the shoes will be rented along with the wedding dress when you get there.

Gifts sound good, dried fruit always goes over well too (apricots etc, stuff they can't get in Thailand). Little kids love the talking books (best if you can get it in English tho).

I don't know, but am guessing that suits can be rented at the same shop that rents out the wedding dress as most of the ten gazillion weddings I have been to the man has been wearing a suit of some kind. And I am sure these guys don't own one. Not sure about the black pants, tho. My husband discourages the wearing of black at weddings --it is a color reserved for funerals. Navy blue would probably be better.

Good luck, and don't worry! We are all standing here behind you

Hi Bina: I'm not sure if this is done or not at an informal wedding such as yours, but think i would be appropriate to wear a local flower in your hair or on blouse. Have not particularly noticed that women in Thailand do this. But why not? I think it would be very sweet. Am returning to Chiangmai very soon and I'll ask my boyfriend. He buys me flowers.

I wish you joy and true happiness together.

Best of luck Bina!

thanx all for the congrats etc

yep, doesnt own a suit; as a matter of fact doesnt really own any clothes that arent worn in cabbage picking or olive harvesting ) so...

thought black pants etc out, but cream/khaki or blue or whatever... guess will have to beg borrow or rent

i do own several khun ying silk suits (long skirt and thai style over blouse)so might wear one of those, certainly dont wear them to the petting zoo so wont have an other chance..and he's not fussy about clothes....

i definately love flowers but noticed that thai dont use real flowers except in wat; everything else is artificial etc (like them too, house is full of flowers)

we've ordered a pig (7,000 baht)

am investing in israeli army strenghth mossie stuff (it works); yep will buy dried fruits (pre packed) and nuts; how about honey? this is our honey season now so there are many packaged sets of honey etc

yeserday, on our new year (jewish new year), went to bring ex and his new wife their new year present (thai herbs in a planter); he sort of knew i had a thai boyfriend but wasnt quite prepared for seeing in reality... my kids thought it was humurous; his new wife (i've known her for 3 years as his girlfriend) was very gracious ... what an interesting way to start a new year!!!! and very good timeing since by jewish tradition on the new year u have to forgive and start anew.... forgot to mention, we all live within walking distance on the kibbutz so rather funny situation... to walk together with all the mutual kids in the middle (her two older kids and my three....)hopefully this means that next step , bringing anon to the kibbutz and dealing with immigration visa /work stuff will go a bit easier

its wonderful to have virtual support.... thank you to all those who have sent their congrats .....

bina

israel

And remember to show us some pictures. Or maybe I should mind my own business

trust me, you'll get pics... once we get there, get it all done, and get back

...these times are difficult times we live in.....

never know what tomorrow brings...

bina

israel

Congrats, bina! Best wishes for a long and happy marriage! Don't forget the pics!

And remember to show us some pictures. Or maybe I should mind my own business

I see Donz has finally got round to putting a self-portrait in his avatar