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Wat Thai of Los Angeles
วัดไทยลอสแองเจลิส · Est. 1971
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Wedding Ceremony Program Schedule

Detailed program schedule for traditional Thai Buddhist wedding ceremonies at Wat Thai of Los Angeles.

Traditional Thai Buddhist wedding ceremony at Wat Thai of Los Angeles

Typical Ceremony Schedule

A traditional Thai Buddhist wedding ceremony at Wat Thai of Los Angeles follows a time-honored format that blends sacred Buddhist rituals with Thai cultural traditions. Below is the typical program schedule for the day.

9:45 AM — Gathering

Guests arrive and are seated in the ceremony hall. The bride and groom prepare with their families. This is a time for everyone to settle in and greet one another before the religious portion of the ceremony begins.

10:15 AM — Religious Ceremony

The formal religious ceremony begins with the couple and their families seated before the presiding monks. The ceremony proceeds through the following steps:

  1. Pay homage to the Triple Gem: The couple pays respect to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha by lighting candles and incense at the altar.
  2. Observe the Five Precepts: The couple formally undertakes the Five Precepts (Pañca Sīla), affirming their commitment to moral conduct as they begin their life together.
  3. Holy Verse chanting by monks: The presiding monks chant sacred Pali verses to bless the union and invoke auspiciousness for the couple's future.
  4. Anointment of the couple: The monks sprinkle holy water on the couple and anoint their foreheads with a sacred paste as a blessing of purification and good fortune.
  5. Sign names in the marriage book: The couple officially signs the temple's marriage register, witnessed by the monks and family members.
  6. Offerings to the monks: The couple presents offerings of food, robes, and other necessities to the monks as an act of merit-making (tamboon).
  7. Monks give blessings: The senior monk delivers a Dhamma talk and offers words of wisdom and blessings for a harmonious and happy marriage.
  8. Holy water blessing: The monks chant while sprinkling holy water over the couple and guests, spreading blessings throughout the hall.
  9. Couple pays respect to parents: The bride and groom kneel before their parents and elders to express gratitude and receive their blessings. This is a deeply meaningful moment in Thai culture.
  10. Blessed water pouring (Rod Nam Sang): Guests line up to pour blessed water over the couple's hands, offering their personal wishes and blessings. This is the signature ritual of a Thai wedding ceremony.

Important Notes

  • Arrive on time: The religious ceremony follows a precise schedule. Please arrive by 9:45 AM to be seated before the monks begin.
  • Dress appropriately: Guests should dress modestly and respectfully. Avoid wearing black or all-white, as these colors are associated with funerals in Thai culture.
  • Remove shoes: Shoes must be removed before entering the ceremony hall. Sandals or slip-on shoes are recommended for convenience.
  • Photography: Please ask the couple or ceremony coordinator about photography rules before using flash photography during the religious portion of the ceremony.

Planning Your Wedding at Wat Thai

For full details on planning a traditional Thai Buddhist wedding at Wat Thai of Los Angeles, including available dates, fees, and preparation guidelines, please visit our Wedding Information page.

Contact Us

If you have questions about the wedding ceremony program or would like to schedule a ceremony, please contact the temple office at (818) 780-4200 or visit us at 8225 Coldwater Canyon Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91605.