Under the Tree: Loreta and Thasit’s Enchanting Bangkok Wedding at Nai Lert Park

Love Story

It began with a chance encounter in a university lecture hall in the U.S., when Thasit "Film" Kulvaranon took the only available seat next to Loreta Chan. What followed was an eleven-year journey spanning multiple countries, with the couple moving from Hong Kong for graduate school to Shenzhen for work, and eventually settling in Xiamen while frequently traveling between China and Thailand. "Meeting the person you love and being able to stay together is already a blessing," Loreta explains thoughtfully.

Despite the challenges of an international relationship between two only children from traditional Asian families, their commitment never wavered. Loreta sacrificed better career opportunities while Thasit adapted to life in foreign countries, even risking his safety during the pandemic to be with Loreta in China during lockdown. "The 15,413 kilometers we've crossed symbolize the effort we've put into making this work." Their perseverance culminated in their December 2024 Bangkok wedding, with plans for another celebration in China in May 2025.

About Your Wedding

When asked about her vision for the wedding, Loreta's eyes light up with passion. "I like it to be intimate, natural, and able to reflect who we are. There are many people who help us in our relationship, so I want them all to be able to participate more and recall the good memories together."

With 200 guests and just six months of planning, the couple poured their hearts into creating personalized elements that would make the celebration uniquely theirs. "We designed the wedding gifts for our guests ourselves," Loreta shares enthusiastically. "One was a heart-shaped shopping bag—I sketched the design, created a DIY fabric sample, and then had a factory produce them for us. The other was a camera-shaped portable charger, a fun combination representing both of us: Film’s name and my work in the battery business."

Their thoughtfulness extended to interactive elements as well. "We also created some interactive games for our guests. One was a mini knitted flower shop because I felt that real flowers wouldn’t last long. All the knitted flowers were handmade by a group of soon-to-be moms looking for part-time work to support their families. Another game was a toy car parking challenge,where we designed and decorated the parking map ourselves."

When asked what inspired them most during the preparation process, Loreta's answer is simple yet profound: "Our heart and gratitude for all the guests." This sentiment of appreciation permeated every aspect of their celebration, creating an atmosphere of genuine warmth and connection that guests still talk about months later.

Morning Details

The day began with thoughtful details that set the tone for their celebration. The couple's invitation cards were sketched by a dear friend who had known them since their relationship began. "She knows about us since day 1," Loreta smiles. "We invited her to sketch the invitation card for us, and her work really reflect the style of invitation card we want!"

The wedding rings were selected together, a joint decision like so many others in their relationship. Loreta also wore traditional gold jewelry passed down from parents, aunts, and uncles. "I received so much love from them," she says softly.

Bride Getting Ready

For her wedding gown, Loreta chose celebrated Thai designer Patarasiri, flying to Bangkok monthly for fittings. "They designed the dress step by step, drawing inspiration from our conversations and the personality they saw in me—making it a truly one-of-a-kind piece," Loreta beams. "It's a customized design, so there won't be another same dress in the world anymore."

The result was a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind creation—airy, feminine, and so captivating it garnered 80,000 views, 5,000 likes, and over 2,000 saves when shared on Chinese social media. "I believed in 'less is more,'" explains Loreta about her accessories. "I didn't wear a veil or a necklace as my wedding dress designer suggested. It was already a very complete, airy look with the dress."

Her bouquet, crafted by PHKA, complemented the dress perfectly. The getting-ready photos took place in her hotel room, capturing quiet moments of anticipation. "I didn’t have bridesmaids this time," Loreta reveals. "I had them for my engagement ceremony, and I saw how exhausting the role could be. This time, I wanted all my female friends to fully enjoy the event without having to worry about me. Instead, I had a professional team from the organizers to handle everything."

Photoshoot Before The Ceremony

The pre-ceremony photoshoot took place throughout the elegant spaces of their hotel and the lush grounds of Park Nailert. The hotel's classic architecture provided sophisticated backdrops, while the park's tropical greenery offered a serene, organic setting that complemented their vision of an intimate, authentic celebration.

Ceremony

Nestled beneath the sprawling branches of a magnificent tree in Park Nailert, Loreta and Thasit exchanged vows in a ceremony that perfectly embodied their decade-long journey together. The choice of venue wasn't random—it was deeply meaningful to the bride. "I always want to do it under a tree," Loreta shared, her eyes glistening with emotion. "I also wrote something that explains my reason of it in my vow: "Film, we’ve grown up together over these 10 years, our roots so deeply entwined that the thought of separation is inconceivable. Our branches have reached toward each other, creating a small shade that could shelter what we love from life's storms..... While I cannot promise eternal passion, but I know, even when after a long time, when our hair turn gray, and the blossoms fall from our branches, we'll become as one old tree—strong, rooted, and unbreakable.""

What truly set this ceremony apart was the absence of a traditional officiant. Instead, the couple invited their closest friends to participate in guiding the ceremony—a touching nod to those who had supported their relationship throughout the years. "Without their support, we couldn't make it to today, and who could know our story better and also care about us more!" Thasit explained.

The couple prepared individual cards for each part of the ceremony—opening remarks, vow exchanges, ring ceremony, and more. Before proceedings began, the wedding organizer asked for volunteers from among the seated guests. Each volunteer received a card and would later stand to read their designated part. "Many of our friends later recalled the moments when they announced those important words for us," Loreta remembered fondly. "They were so touched that they said they would remember the moment forever."

The natural setting, combined with this deeply personal approach to the ceremony, created an atmosphere of authentic connection rarely felt at more traditional weddings.

About Photoshoot after the ceremony

Wedding Venue & Decor

The couple embraced a deep, intimate color palette, with rich shades of dark red, crafting a nostalgic "90s salon" ambiance at Park Nailert. The venue, steeped in history and surrounded by natural beauty, became the perfect setting for their cross-cultural celebration, blending timeless elegance with personal significance.

Reception

For their first dance, Loreta and Thasit swayed to the timeless "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"—a fitting choice for a couple whose eyes first met in a university classroom eleven years earlier. The reception featured fine dining Thai cuisine, a thoughtful choice to introduce their international guests to Thailand's rich culinary heritage.

As the evening came to a close, surrounded by 200 of their closest friends and family members, Loreta and Thasit looked back on their extraordinary journey—from that first university lecture to this magical night under the stars in Bangkok. Their love story, now immortalized in their wedding celebration, stands as a testament to perseverance, sacrifice, and the beautiful things that can bloom when two people refuse to let go of each other—even when separated by oceans, cultures, and circumstances.