Pouring cold water on the groom's family on the wedding day in Nghe An

This happened literally, but the cold water from the water splashing ceremony to welcome the groom's family in the Thai wedding custom in Nghe An is completely a funny thing.

The water splashing ceremony was prepared before the groom's family arrived. Photo: Huu Vi

Splashing water on the groom's family to welcome the bride has become a common custom in Thai weddings. This custom is commonly seen in weddings of Thai communities in Con Cuong district (Nghe An).

During the wedding season, the villagers not only share in the happiness of the bride and groom, but also find excitement and luck when participating in splashing water 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 some areas in the West of Nghe An and Thanh Hoa also have the custom of taking the bride home at midnight. This custom has become a tradition and is explained as a favorable time for a girl to go to her husband's house. Many men who marry far away often have to "send" their bride to the nearest relative's house, and at around 1am the groom's family beats gongs and lights torches to lead the bride home for the wedding ceremony.

Usually, the wedding procession has to arrive at the bride's house the day before. It can be in the morning or afternoon. The time to pick up the bride is chosen by an elder of the groom's family. They will stay at the bride's house until the bride is picked up. The time to pick up the bride is also decided by the groom's family, but it must be before dawn.

The groom's family representative thanked the bride's family for pouring water on the wedding. Photo: Huu Vi

Usually, the bride’s family has prepared cold water in advance, and when the groom’s family appears, a group of people will immediately throw water on them. The locals call it “punishment” at the wedding.

Some people believe that this is a blessing like the water-splashing custom of the Lao people. In the concept of the Lao people as well as some Thai communities in Western Nghe An, originating from the Land of a Million Elephants, water brings happiness, fulfillment, abundance and promises a good life.

Water splashing at a Thai wedding in Con Cuong district

However, in the most cheerful way, water-splashing at weddings is like a form of “punishment” that the groom and his family must go through. The water-splashing is actually a “barrier” that the bride’s family sets up to test the groom’s family. But the main purpose of this custom is still to make the wedding and the new life of the bride and groom become prosperous and full.

The wedding is also the only time in a Thai man’s life that he is “doused with cold water”, but he feels happy. On the contrary, if the groom is not “doused” with cold water by the bride’s family, the joy of the wedding day is almost incomplete.

Weddings are also an opportunity for people to throw water at each other without thinking or hesitation.

After the water greeting, the groom brings betel leaves to the bride's family. Photo: Huu Vi

Of course, the groom is always the “victim” that the bride’s family hunts for the most. Some people keep a bowl of water ready just for the groom.

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