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Nathiya & Soraj: A Traditional Thai Celebration in Chiang Mai, Thailand

With a wedding coordinator, Nathiya and Soraj planned a Thai wedding celebration for more than 300 guests using a yellow and cream color scheme. The

With a wedding coordinator, Nathiya and Soraj planned a Thai wedding celebration for more than 300 guests using a yellow and cream color scheme. The Bride Nathiya Himathongkham, 22, jewelry designer The Groom Soraj Prathnadi, 34, network engineer The Date January 7 After Soraj’s surprise Valentine’s Day proposal, Nathiya began preparing for not one, but two wedding celebrations. The first would take place in the bay area, where the couple currently resides, and would be mostly for friends. The second wedding would be a destination celebration in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Soraj’s mom and almost all his relatives still live there, Nathiya explains, so it was important for him to have it in Chiang Mai so his family and especially his older relatives could attend. Once the couple decided on their location -- the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Hotel -- the rest of the details came together over countless emails and phone calls.

In keeping with their traditional theme, Nathiya and Soraj participated in several customary rituals during their ceremony, including the wrist binding where chanting is done to appease spirits and older relatives are invited to come in pairs and tie a white cord around the bride and groom’s wrists, passing on well wishes and advice.
The newlyweds and their guests remained outside for the reception. Several of the hotel’s structures were decorated to resemble an ancient Thai cityscape and the large space was warmly illuminated to create an intimate, romantic ambiance.
A traditional Chiang Mai band playing traditional Thai instruments provided the soundtrack for the evening.
Nathiya wore a turquoise ensemble for the afternoon ceremony. The skirt, which Nathiya borrowed from one of Soraj’s relatives, featured intricate embroidery with gold and precious jewels. For the reception, Nathiya changed into an ivory gown with a matching jacket and Thai pattern designed by a Thai dressmaker. Soraj wore a traditional shirt with a headwrap and modern black pants for the celebration. His brothers all wore yellow silk Thai-style shirts to match the couple’s color scheme.
Nathiya and Soraj served a traditional fruit cake following dinner. “I regret that I didn’t have a chance to try it,” Nathiya says. “Everyone said it was delicious.”
The Flowers
The Decor
The Hair
Nathiya and Soraj were married outdoors on a lush lawn surrounded by wooden Thai houses elevated on stilts and a beautiful garden. The couple also incorporated the Thai flower throughout the ceremony, which is used in all weddings as good luck, in addition to orchids and roses.