A Thai wedding generally consists of two parts: the legal part and the ceremonial part. These are done separately. There is no requirement of government documentation to have a religious ceremony, which is most common with Thai people. This is considered by many to be the real wedding. Normally, weddings in Thailand are Buddhist. A dowry is still common, but arranged marriages are rare.

The legal part is performed at a local Amphoe where the marriage is registered. It is not a chattel marriage, but a contractual marriage. The marriage certificate is in the Thai language.