Part of our ongoing editorial series exploring why couples from around the world choose Thailand as the setting for their wedding day, and what the destination offers that nowhere else quite can.
For Grace and Ben, choosing where to marry was never going to be a purely logistical decision. Their lives already spanned continents — Grace originally from the UK, Ben from New Zealand, and the two now based in Sydney — so when the time came to bring their families together, they wanted somewhere that felt both meaningful and memorable for everyone involved.
“I’ve always loved Thailand,” Grace says. “The warmth of the people, the food, and the incredible landscapes.” Ben had never been before they were engaged, but shortly afterwards they travelled there together. “He completely fell in love with it. From that trip, it felt clear that Thailand was where we wanted to get married.”
A Meeting Point for the World
With families spread across three countries, hosting the celebration somewhere meaningful for everyone mattered deeply to them. More than anything, they wanted their wedding to feel like an experience shared with the people closest to them.
“Hosting our wedding in Thailand gave everyone the opportunity to experience a place we love, turning the celebration into a shared adventure and a lasting memory for our guests as well as for us.”
This spirit extended beyond the wedding day itself. On the day after the celebration, the couple organised a boat trip to explore the surrounding islands — an experience designed to show their guests one of the most spectacular sides of Thailand.
“It felt like a rare and special chance to bring our families and friends together in a way that was meaningful, immersive, and truly unique — something a local wedding simply couldn’t offer.”
Like many couples planning a destination wedding in Asia, Grace and Ben briefly considered Bali. But the feeling simply wasn’t the same.
“Thailand has an incredibly warm and welcoming culture, and there’s a sense of ease and generosity there that’s hard to beat. From the people to the atmosphere, it simply felt right, and once we compared everything Thailand stood out as the place that truly reflected the feeling we wanted for our wedding.”
Design language rooted in the location
That sense of effortless hospitality is something many couples notice when planning a celebration here — a combination of professionalism and warmth that allows the experience to feel elevated without ever becoming rigid. Their venue, the iconic Amanpuri, provided the perfect setting for this atmosphere. Set along Phuket’s dramatic coastline, its architecture and natural surroundings shaped the entire visual language of the celebration.
“The natural beauty of the Thai coastline, combined with the architecture of our venue, strongly influenced the design,” Grace explains. “Our floral palette was drawn directly from the colours found throughout Thailand — lush greens, warm tones, and soft tropical hues — so everything felt connected to its surroundings.”
Relaxed and effotless – but thoroughly planned
“We wanted the weekend to feel relaxed and effortless — even though behind the scenes it was very well organised,” Grace says. “Most of all, we wanted it to be genuinely fun. The kind of celebration where guests could fully let go, connect, and create memories they’d talk about long after the weekend was over.”
Food was another essential element of the experience, and the couple made a deliberate decision that reflected their appreciation for the country. “We chose to only serve Thai food for all three events,” Grace says. “There are so many flavours and dishes that we wanted our guests to try.” For many guests, this became one of the most memorable aspects of the weekend — a culinary journey woven naturally into the celebration.
Planning From Across the World
Planning a wedding abroad might sound daunting, but for Grace and Ben it proved surprisingly straightforward. “What surprised us most was how easy it was,” Grace explains. “A lot of that came down to The Wedding Bliss. The entire process felt calm and well considered — the timeline was clear, every stage was discussed well in advance, and nothing ever felt rushed.” Their advice for couples who might be hesitant about planning internationally is reassuringly simple:
“If you get a good wedding planner then it is just as easy.”
The Energy of the Night
If the ceremony captured the elegance of the setting, the reception captured the couple’s personality. “We loved weaving games into the reception,” Grace says. “Each table was assigned a song and had to get up on stage and dance to it together — and everyone fully committed, to the point where people ended up jumping in the pool. That sense of playful chaos felt very us.” Another detail guests still remember was the couple’s welcome table.
“I loved our ‘take a shot and take a seat’ table,” Grace laughs. “It instantly set the tone.”
A Weekend That Stayed With Everyone
“People still tell us how amazing the weekend was,” Grace reflects. “I think a big part of that was how different each of the three events felt — every celebration had its own energy and atmosphere.” The day-after boat trip in particular continues to be mentioned by guests. “We even had personalised merch waiting for everyone on the boat, which people still have and talk about,” she says.
When asked to summarise the entire experience in one word, Ben answers simply:
When asked to summarise the entire experience in one word, Ben answers simply:
FUN
WHY THAILAND
Grace and Ben’s celebration illustrates something that couples across the world are increasingly discovering about Thailand. It offers extraordinary landscapes, world-class hospitality, and vibrant culture, yet perhaps its greatest strength lies in how effortlessly it allows people to connect. Weddings here are rarely confined to a single evening; they unfold across days of shared meals, island excursions, and moments of discovery.
For couples whose lives span continents, it offers something even rarer: a place where everyone can meet halfway, celebrate fully, and leave with memories that feel like a journey rather than just an event. And as Grace and Ben discovered, sometimes that journey begins with a single trip — and ends with a wedding that everyone will still be talking about years later.
