Winter Weddings in Southeast Asia

November to February might mean snow and ice to many people across the world, but in tropical Southeast Asia the “cool season” is upon us (if you call 30 ° C “cool”, that is) and so we usher in the traditional time of year to say “I Do”.

Here is a selection of breathlessly romantic venues where you might consider tying the knot — be it by sunset under the palm trees on a white beach in Thailand or overlooking the green terraced rice paddies of Vietnam.

Elope to Tropical Paradise on Koh Samui

Idyllic Banyan Tree Samui is tiered into a tropical landscape and offers seclusion and intimacy, with each of its 88 majestic villas including a private infinity pool and plunge pool. This romantic resort is surrounded by lush greenery and has a private beach flanked by coral reefs. An award-winning spa offers massage and hydrotherapy treatments, while the choice of three restaurants includes Saffron, located at the crest of the resort and commanding spectacular vistas across the sea. Saffron is a fine-dining venue offering contemporary Thai cuisine and was listed in this year's MICHELIN Guide. Other options include Destination Dining, a romantic experience for two under a canopy on the beach with a candlelit atmosphere, as well as floating breakfasts in the guests' own pool villa.

Say I Do in Chiang Mai

“Say I Do at Meliá Chiang Mai” is a year-round promotion at one of Chiang Mai’s premier venues and the newest 5-star hotel in this city, which is famous for elephants, rainforest and charming Buddhist temples. Northern Thai nuptials include the choice of Thai Traditional, Western Ceremony, Vow Renewals and more. Wedding Packages at the hotel’s Khom Room start from just THB 150,000 net (US$4,600) and provide everything from traditional Thai ceremonies to intimate Western-style vow renewals, each celebration is beautifully crafted with elegant decor, floral arrangements and personalised service. Meliá Chiang Mai has two restaurants, one of which is Mai Restaurant & Bar, an intimate venue on the 21st floor, offering contemporary Northern Thai dishes with Mediterranean influences. The restaurant complements the rooftop MAI The Sky Bar as signature spaces for pre-wedding photos and after-party celebrations.

A Blissful Thai Beachfront for Brides and Grooms

Sporting an intimate Wedding Deck, elevated high above the beach and commanding a spectacular view of the sapphire Andaman Sea, Banyan Tree Krabi is a dream-come-true location for those seeking a tropical beach wedding. The Wedding Deck is accessible by electric funicular, escorting guests to new heights above this stunning 5-star resort where all 72 rooms face the sea and the sunset, and each has its own infinity pool and plunge pool.The resort is surrounded by nature on three sides: a forested national park with stunning viewpoints to the north and east, and one of Thailand's most iconic scenes – the uninhabited limestone cliffs of a the national marine park – to the west. Dining options include Afternoon Tea at the resort's exotic Bird's Nest tables, snuggled among the canopy of the trees. Banyan Tree Krabi also features Saffron, a fine-dining contemporary Thai restaurant, and an award-winning spa with the Banyan Tree brand's signature Rainforest hydrotherapy experience.

Seaside and Riverfront Nuptials in Vietnam

Azerai Resorts has unveiled new premium wedding packages at its award-winning properties in Vietnam. The oceanfront Azerai Ke Ga Bay and historic Azerai La Residence, Hue both provide scenic natural beauty alongside Azerai’s signature hospitality, including flexible indoor and outdoor arrangements for weddings of all sizes. Azerai’s wedding packages are all individually tailored to ensure that every celebration is as unique as the bride and groom. Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an all-suites-and-villas oceanfront resort in southern Vietnam, around 2.5 hours east of Ho Chi Minh City, offers a stunning backdrop for weddings for up to 100 guests. Azerai La Residence, Hue, situated in Vietnam’s former imperial capital, offers a historic yet vibrant setting for weddings with up to 300 guests. The hotel’s themed wedding packages, with poolside dinners overlooking the fabled Perfume River, are especially popular.

12 Swimming Pools Ideal for Wedding Setups

Alma Resort, commanding 30 hectares on scenic Cam Ranh peninsula, is anchored by 12 swimming pools that cascade down to one of Vietnam’s most stunning stretches of sand, Long Beach. Whether an intimate ceremony for two or a larger event, loved-up couples can tie the knot under an arch festooned in seasonal flowers either poolside or on the beach. Two of the pools are home to the hotel’s Pool Bar and Beach Bar, with the latter, with submerged seating, adjoining a big beach lawn area that makes for a spectacular tropical wedding setting with its backdrop of traditional sampans and coracles plying the aquamarine waters and islands strewn just offshore. Surrounded by vast pool terraces, the swimming pools offer various surprises such as contemporary floating gazebos, with the largest pool some 75 metres long. For the wedding reception, the Alma Convention Center features a majestic ballroom that caters to up to 300 hundred guests as well as a lobby bar and reception areas.

Wedding Bliss in Cam Ranh

The Anam Group cut the ribbon last year on Axi Plaza, a striking multipurpose convention centre with a design inspired by the country’s ubiquitous coracle boat. The largest multipurpose convention centre in the region’s remarkable facilities that cater to weddings include a vast state-of-the-art conference hall, a 360-degree rooftop venue and a stunning outdoor beachfront event space. The 1,197sqm conference hall and ballroom area on the third floor accommodates up to 1,000 people. Dominated by a high ceiling with timber beams fashioned in a fan formation, the hall features a cutting edge 75sqm LED screen and panoramic vistas encompassing swimming pools, a manicured lawn and the ocean. Totalling 1,077sqm, the fifth floor rooftop area has been designed for receptions. The outdoor event space is underpinned by the capacious lawn that fronts three picture-perfect swimming pools. The exterior of the building is crisscrossed with wood set to last at least 100 years. By night, Axi Plaza changes colours in an elaborate lighting display.

Timeless Weddings in Vietnam’s Capital

Charlie Chaplin honeymooned at the Metropole in Vietnam in 1936, and today the hotel’s Heritage Wing boasts a suite honoring the iconic Hollywood star. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi provides three elegant venues for wedding receptions: the chic, French-inspired Thang Long Hall, the refined La Veranda, and the picturesque open-air Le Balcon du Metropole garden. A lavish wedding at Metropole Hanoi features exquisite Vietnamese and Western dining options, bespoke floral designs, professional photography services and more. The Heritage Wing, with its 103 carefully restored rooms and suites, underwent a 21-month renovation before reopening last year and includes suites named after other notable figures too, including Graham Greene and Somerset Maugham.

Love in Ancient Angkor

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the luxury heritage hotel near ancient Khmer archeological sites in Cambodia, offers the ultimate in memorable weddings: the chance to exchange vows at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat. The bride and groom can travel to their ceremony by private helicopter, alighting from the nearby Royal Gardens. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor only offers bespoke weddings – no pre-planned packages. Guests orchestrate the tiniest details to craft their own perfect day. The hotel also offers luxurious accommodations in addition to Khmer fine dining at 1932 restaurant, a host of relaxing spa treatments and much more.

Make a Vow by the Sea in Pattaya

Perched above the waves with sweeping Gulf of Thailand views, Meliá Pattaya’s rooftop is the city’s most romantic stage for a sunset wedding. Exchange vows as the sky blushes pink, then celebrate under the stars with family and friends. Couples can choose from Thai or Western ceremony packages—from traditional water-pouring rituals to modern vow exchanges—each elevated by themed floral décor, personalised touches, and a dedicated events team. The experience includes luxurious perks such as a night in The Level One Bedroom Suite, signature mocktails or tea ceremonies, and bespoke wedding favours. Whether it’s an intimate elopement or a 40-guest celebration, Meliá Pattaya transforms the day into a tropical fairytale framed by sea breezes and golden light.