The engagement
Traditionally, the engagement is performed well in advance of
the wedding, just as in western culture, but recently, it has become common for
it to be carried out on the wedding day after Counting the Dowry.
The
engagement is historically a way of introducing the bride to the groom, who has
been selected by her parents and gives a chance for the couple to get
acquainted before the wedding, but nowadays most couples choose their own
partners.
Besides
an exchange of rings, the groom also put the jewellery from Sin Sod tray
for the bride as well. The exchange is performed in front of the parents of
both parties.
Thread and water pouring ceremony
After
Sin Sod ceremony is finished, the groom and the bride will get ready for water
pouring ceremony.
The water pouring is the most important part of the Thai wedding
ceremony as during this part the couple officially become husband (สามี
[săa-mii]) and wife (ภรรยา
[pan-rá-yaa]). Traditionally, this was all that was required to validate
the marriage, but nowadays the couple are also required to obtain a marriage certificate (ทะเบียนสมรส [ta-bian som-rot]) from the
Amper or local registration office.
Before the water pouring can take place the couple must seat
themselves at the traditional
water pouring tables (ตั่งรดน้ำ [Dtang Rot Naam]), with
the bride to the left of the groom. They will each have a ceremonial headdress (มงคล
[Mong Kol]) , made from one piece of cotton forming a circle and
signify the joining of the couple, placed upon their heads.
Then senior members of the family or special guests of honor
perform the anointing of the couple’s foreheads with three dots of white powder
to represent the shape of a pyramid. Traditionally, this powder is made of dirt
or clay, ground, and mixed with holy water and blessed by Buddhist monks. As
with all of the ceremony’s traditional customs, the ritual is meant to bring
good fortune to the couple.
The couple is ready to receive water pouring from the guests.
The
couple will be fully prepared for the water pouring to commence once they place
both hands (palms together), overhanging the water pouring table and positioned
above flowers that have been arranged in a water tray, to capture the water
that runs off.
Each of the elder guests in turn will take the ceremonial water pouring conch shell (สังข์รดน้ำ [Sang Rot Naam]),
which has been freshly filled with holy water from the Buddhist ceremony, and
pour a trickle of water from the base of the thumb to the fingertips over first
the groom’s and then the bride.
Ministry gilded tray used in traditional ceremonies
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