Bizarre scene of the groom's family pouring cold water on the bride's day in Nghe An.

(Baonghean.vn) - Right from the moment they stepped through the gate of the bride's house, the groom's wedding procession was met with a barrage of cold water.

The water-splashing ritual was prepared in advance before the groom's family arrived. Photo: Huu Vi

This happened literally, but the cold shower from the water-splashing ceremony to welcome the groom's family in the Thai wedding custom in Nghe An is actually quite funny.

Splashing water on the groom's procession as they come to pick up the bride has become a common custom in Thai wedding traditions. This custom is easily found in weddings of Thai communities in Con Cuong district (Nghe An province).

During wedding season, besides sharing in the happiness of the newlyweds, the villagers also find excitement and good fortune in participating in the water-splashing ritual to bless the young couple.

A matchmaker escorts the bride and groom at a Thai wedding in Con Cuong district. Photo: Huu Vi.

The Thai people in Con Cuong, as well as in some areas of western Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces, still have the custom of bringing the bride home in the middle of the night or early morning. This custom has become a tradition and is explained as an auspicious time for a girl to go to her husband's home. Many young men marrying far away often have to "leave" the bride at the nearest relative's house, and around 1 a.m., the groom's family beats gongs and lights torches to bring the bride home for the wedding ceremony.

Typically, the wedding procession arrives at the bride's house the day before, either in the morning or afternoon. The time for picking up the bride is chosen by an elder from the groom's family. They will stay at the bride's house until the wedding. The time for picking up the bride is also decided by the groom's family, but it must be before dawn.

Representatives from the groom's family thank the bride's family for sprinkling water as a blessing for the wedding. Photo: Huu Vi

Typically, cold water is prepared in advance by the bride's family, and as soon as the groom's family arrives, a group of people immediately throw water at them. Locals call this "punishment" at weddings.

Some believe this is a blessing ritual, similar to the Laotian custom of splashing water. In the beliefs of the Laotians, as well as some Thai communities in western Nghe An province, who originate from the land of a million elephants, water brings happiness, fulfillment, abundance, and promises a prosperous life.

However, viewed in the most lighthearted way, the water splashing at a wedding is like a form of "punishment" that the groom and his family must endure. The water splashing is truly a "test" set by the bride's family to challenge the groom's family. But the main purpose of this custom is still to ensure that the wedding and the new life afterward for the bride and groom will be prosperous and fulfilling.

Watch the water splashing ceremony at a Thai wedding in Con Cuong district:

A Thai man's wedding is also the only time in his life he is "splashed with cold water," but he feels happy about it. Conversely, if the groom is not "dipped" in water by the bride's family, the joy of the wedding day is almost incomplete.

Weddings are also an opportunity for people to freely splash water on each other without having to think twice or hesitate.

After the initial greeting with drinks, the groom offers betel leaves to the bride's family. Photo: Huu Vi

Of course, the groom is always the most sought-after "victim" by the bride's family. Some even prepare a basin of water specifically for the groom.

If the groom stumbles or gets soaked from head to toe, the bride's guests will feel they have done their best.

Huu Vi