The water pouring is the most important part of the Thai wedding ceremony
as it is during this part of the ceremony that the couple officially become husband and wife. Traditionally, this was all that was required to validify the marriage, but nowadays the couples are also required to obtain a marriage certificate from the Amphur or local registration office.
Before the water pouring can take place the couple must seat themselves at the traditional water pouring tables (Tung Rod Nam ), with the Bride to the left of the Groom. Once at the tables they will each have a ceremonial headdress (Mong Kol), made from one piece of cotton to signify the joining of the couple, placed upon their heads. The Mong Kol will have previously been blessed by the Buddhist monks earlier in the wedding.
The couple will be fully prepared for the water pouring to commence once they place both hands (palms together), overhanging the water pouring table and positioned above flowers that have been arranged in a water tray, to capture the water that runs off.
Each of the elder guests in turn will take the ceremonial water pouring conch shell (Sung Rod Nam), which has been freshly filled with holy water from the Buddhist ceremony, and pour a trickle of water from the base of the thumb to the fingertips over first the Groom's and then the Bride's hands. While performing this step of the ceremony, the guest will offer a personal blessing to the couple.