If you consider yourself an animal lover, or simply want that unique touch adding to your Thailand wedding why not think about including animals in your ceremony.

For some of us this conjures images of comedy Youtube clips, monkeys ripping off tiara’s, elephants stampeding the cake or doves delivering their own special ‘gift’ on the brides dress.

Not to worry, times have changed and if you choose the right company the animals you deal with will be happy ones. Most animals only act up if they are unhappy and most of us wouldn’t dream of having any animals included if they were unhappy and being mistreated. A good wedding company will only put you in contact with those who treat their animals well. It is important to note that sometimes animals do just do their own thing but, that is part of the charm right?

Here are just some of the options to consider when thinking about including animals in your ceremony:

• Elephants– By far the most popular of additions to a wedding in Thailand the elephant is an enchanting and dramatic creature inherent with Thai history and spirituality. Most commonly brides will arrive riding on the elephant which is usually adorned in colourful flowers and cloth. You can also have the elephant present at the end of the ceremony for photo’s or for a ride away with your new husband. Most companies offer elephants in all ages which means there is a less daunting baby elephant available should you want more of a cuddle than a large arm stretch!

• Koi Carp– A lovely Thai twist on animal release for special occasions is the release of beautiful fish into fresh water. This is a better option for those who can feel a little flustered dealing with flying creatures!

• Doves/ butterflies– The thought of releasing doves/ butterflies is a magical one and is a beautiful symbol of hope used at many an occasion. The releasing of doves from a basket is widely available and makes for beautiful wedding pictures. More unusually is the availability of butterfly release. These aren’t your usual back garden cabbage whites or peacock butterflies either. These are tropical butterflies which can be roughly the size of your hand or bigger. The stunning vibrant colours genuinely give the wedding photos that authentic tropical look.

When considering which animal you want to include in your ceremony, you may also want to make a contribution to their welfare through the wedding itself. Some people opt to nominate specific Thai animal charities to receive donations from wedding guests instead of receiving traditional presents or even make donations in lieu of giving wedding favors.

Some examples of charities are:

• Soi dog foundation: This charity was founded in 2003 to help aid the thousands of suffering street animals in Thailand.

• Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary: This sanctuary was created in memory of a baby elephant called Boon Lott which means ‘survivor’ in Thai. Katherine Connor created a home in Boon’s name for elephants in need of safety, rescue and retirement.

• The Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand: Officially registered in 1992 this charity was set up to continue the good work of a base sanctuary in Bangkok and to create further projects situated all over Thailand.
• Gibbon Rehabilitation Project: Working to Develop a method to successfully rehabilitate white-handed gibbons back into their natural habitat and end the demand for the illegal use of gibbons as tourists attractions and as pets

So why not consider doing something selfless and extra special for the animals and you on this amazing occasion. Contact Us