Nele & Daniel | Koh Phangan Island Elopement

Koh Phangan Elopement

They did it! Nele & Daniel’s tropical island dream wedding finally went ahead on Koh Phangan, Thailand.

Like so many weddings in the last 18 months, their celebrations on Koh Phangan were interrupted. They had to postpone their original date a year earlier. But this time around they were prepared to go ahead, whatever. Numerous flight changes and nasal swabs didn’t stop them. Sadly, it meant losing most of their wedding party but amazingly their parents were still able to join them on the trip from Germany.

Begrudgingly, I left the British winter behind and travelled to Thailand. Once again I braved the heat, tackled spicy curries, and refocused my lenses over one of the most picturesque corners of the globe.

Wedding Day

The day began with a relaxed photoshoot on stunning Haad Khom. Coral Bay hosts one of the island’s most gorgeous beaches, yet few people venture this far. And the locals like it that way!

Their beautiful ceremony was at a private waterfall behind the Mayor’s grand wooden house. Nadine and the team at Phangan Weddings had to work hard to carry all the equipment up and Russia, a supremely talented underwater videographer was on hand to record the special day.

The celebrant, James, also a divemaster and veterinarian, put the couple at ease and even conducted the ceremony in German. Melodies were provided by Tez and his acoustic guitar, perched on a rock whilst dangling his feet in the pool below. Incredibly, he had only just written the wedding march song the night before the ceremony.

Buddhist Blessing

A trademark longtail boat took the depleted wedding party back to Haad Khom for a beachside seafood lunch before returning to Choloklam Bay and then heading off on two wheels!

Wat Phu Khao Noi is an enduring Buddhist temple with a pretty white exterior set in tranquil mountainside surrounds. Daniel & Nele received their blessing whilst being serenaded by the dulcet tones of the monks chanting.

Their sunset photo shoot was at the only beach I know without any people (more secret than ‘Secret Beach’). Then followed by a feast at the meticulously run Seaflower Resort on Haad Chao Pao where the couple had made a home for the week. Lise and her family run a tight ship at the resort and Doris from Phangan Weddings once again sprinkled her magic over the reception.

Destination Wedding

Huge congratulations to Nele & Daniel, and also to Phangan Weddings and everyone else involved for pulling it off despite all the challenges.

A destination wedding simply means traveling somewhere to get married. But if you really want to experience a destination wedding, Koh Phangan awaits.