Imagine if one day your parents turned to you and said:
“We’re getting married tomorrow…at a Buddhist temple.”
Now imagine that you’re in Thailand when they said that…
Welcome to my life!
Let me explain…my parents have always been a wee bit non traditional. That resulted in quite a unique upbringing for myself, going way back to age 4, when a midlife crisis took our family to Ecuador! Along with that non traditional-ness came a lack of my parents marriage. It was just an accepted fact of life (well, our life, at least).
So imagine our surprise when my parents uttered that exact phrase in a Bangkok hotel room on December 30, 2006.
Now just why were we all in Bangkok? I had spent the past 5 months studying in Thailand and my immediate family, led by my travel-savvy grandmother, came to visit. My parents had kept their surprise under wraps for the nearly 2 weeks we had spent together.
Once we all picked our eyeballs up off the floor, it was clear this was really happening. 24 years together and my parents opted for doing something completely in character for them. A wedding in Thailand? How many others could boast that ceremony, dubbed “joining of souls?” Heck even the master wedding planners in Las Vegas can’t recreate that experience!
The Buddhist Temple
A mere 12 hours later, we arrived at a suburban Bangkok Wat (Buddhist temple) around mid-morning. This was a quiet and serene place, a far cry from the hectic environment we had just come from. It even had a lovely river running right by it!
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A Buddhist Wedding
To start things off, my parents bowed before a Buddha image, lighting incense and candles for good merit (karma).
Photo courtesy of Zzack
We were then seated in front of a long platform, atop which sat 5 saffron-clad monks. The ceremony, which lasted about an hour, began, as the monks commenced to chant in Pali, the language of the Theravada form of Buddhism, which is practiced in Thailand. We couldn’t understand a word of what was going on, but it was truly beautiful.
Video courtesy of Zzack
Lunch is Served (to the Monks)!
Suddenly, everything stopped. Mali, the Thai wife of a friend of ours who had arranged this whole ordeal, pointed my parents towards a tray of food.
Photo courtesy of Zzack
It was nearly noon, the hour at which Buddhist monks are no longer allowed to eat for the day. And so, my parents presented the monks with their lunch. And in one of the more unusual moments of the day, we got to sit there and watch the monks eat before they resumed the ceremony. But they definitely weren’t selfish. They fed every single cat that walked over.
After lunch, my parents offered the monks with what can only be termed “monk buckets” (buckets full of supplies monks use that are usually offered during morning alms) and flowers, both gestures to make merit by giving to the monastic body. Then, more chanting.
When it was over, my parents jointly poured a bottle of holy water into a small, gilded fountain, symbolizing the joining of their souls.
Photo courtesy of Zzack
And with that, they were joined. There was no declaration of “I now pronounce you man and wife,” and no “You may kiss the bride” (though they did). What we had was one very happy couple.
And as we made our way to the reception at Mali and her husband John’s house, it suddenly began to feel like every other day I’ve ever experienced with my crazy, crazy family (said with lots of love, of course)!
Photo courtesy of Zzack
Sounds like growing up was one helluva experience
Your parents sound awesome. There must not be a dull moment growing up, eh?
Jill – Jack and Jill Travel The World recently posted..Let’s Be Nosy- Simon and Erin from Never Ending Voyage
Hehe nope..
I feel like bob and I would do something like that- haha- we are always up for anything and it sounds like your parents are too. I like what you say about them being joined- for some reason that strikes me as very romantic!
Jade recently posted..Can you spot the Nunnery in the middle of the city
Hehehe thanks, I suppose it is really romantic! In a monks doing rituals that are very strange to you kind of way…
I wish my parents were this cool too :p
Congrats to them! Amazing way to celebrate a many-years-long relationship:)
Giulia recently posted..Jan 25- 2011- Egypt’s “Revolution day”
Thanks!
OMG – Your parents are awesome! What a great memory for you all. Congrats to them!!
Bethany recently posted..The Eiffel Tower in HDR- Paris- France – Somewhere In Time Weekly Travel Photo
Hehe…thanks! And yes, I would agree that my parents are awesome!
What a fantastic story!!
Thanks!
That’s a great story! I think you’re so blessed to have had such extravagant experiences throughout your life
Thanks! I give all the credit to my awesome parents who are responsible for many of those extravagent experiences in my life!
It’s kinda funny reading the post now after meeting you and hearing the story in person….I can definitely see where you get your adventurous spirit from. Great photos – such a fun story to be able to share with people!
Erin recently posted..Photo of the Week- Riedel Wine Glass Seminar
Haha thanks Erin! I was definitely blessed with adventurous parents!
Ok I’m a little late in reading this one, but awesome! Sounds like you have great parents, and this looks like it was quite an experience!
Ali recently posted..Friendship in the Time of Twitter
Indeed I do and indeed it was!
That’s awesome! Reminds me of when my parents decided to renew their wedding vows in Las Vegas… really, Vegas?! My sisters and I didn’t really believe them at first.
Audrey recently posted..Bebenhausen’s Beauty
Haha! As someone who grew up in Vegas, the thought of doing anything wedding related there is just….blegh!
that’s such a nice story. nowadays, it’s hard for marries couples to stay together half the time your parents have. congrats to them. what a great way to get married; with your family and children around in an unconventional (by american standards) way. awesome.
Why thank you for the nice comment Mack! I’d definitely say that it was totally typical for my parents to be unconventional about things! And nothing quite like taking 23 years to make sure you like someone before tying the knot!
Aw, your parents are so cute! How random- wonder why they finally decided to marry after 24 years of unwedded bliss?!
Leslie recently posted..Review: ‘Art in the Streets’ exhibit at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles (photos)
Well, it wasn’t quite so random, as they came to the decision after a minor medical scare when they realized they lacked certain legal protections should something happen to one of them.
The randomness was them keeping it a secret and springing it on us! But that they would do something like this is totally in character for them!
You’re parents seem like a blast!
Hahaha they sure are!
I love this story! They are truly an inspiration
Food plates look GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD! But question, where was the honeymoon?
Teresa Gotay recently posted..Lost in 2011, Found in 2012
Hahaha there wasn’t really a honeymoon. We were already IN Thailand…
What an incredible experience! I’ve personally found myself fascinated by the different methods/customs of weddings in each place I’ve visited around the world.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Two Khmer Girls Hug | Smiling Faces From Cambodia
Thanks Samuel! Differences in styles of wedding really are pretty big parts of religious traditions, which affect large parts of cultures and customs around the world!
super cool parents you have there.
lily riani recently posted..Day 1 | Johor’s Danga Bay & Car Lift (Macam Jepun)
Hehehe thanks!
What a great story, and to get married in a Buddhist Temple…just randomly, SO beats Vegas. It looks so peaceful and zen. Now I see what’s the matter with you (j/k)
Charu recently posted..Celebrating my 10th Wedding Anniversary: A Weekend in New Paltz (Part One)
Random, maybe, but TOTALLY in character for my parents (who frequently jokingly threatened that they’d just do the drive-thru wedding chapel in Vegas…)! And thanks!