For Catholic couples planning to celebrate their wedding in Phuket, it is entirely possible to hold a proper Catholic marriage ceremony on the island. As with any Catholic wedding outside your home parish, a number of requirements need to be met in advance, and it’s important to coordinate closely with your home parish, the resident priest in Phuket, and the local diocese.
This article provides an overview of how to organize a Catholic wedding in Phuket, including which church we recommend, what documents must be prepared, and what the rules are regarding ceremonies held outside the church.
St. Joseph Church in Cherngtalay
Phuket has a few Catholic churches, but not all are suitable for weddings or have a resident priest in charge. In our experience, the most appropriate option for a Catholic wedding on the island is St. Joseph Church, located in the Cherngtalay area, not far from Bangtao Beach and the Laguna resort complex.
The church is of recent construction, built in a simple and gracious style. It offers a peaceful setting and can comfortably host up to about 180 worshippers. It is served by Father John, a kind and spiritual priest who speaks both English and Thai and has experience supporting international couples.
St. Joseph Church belongs to the Diocese of Surat Thani, which oversees Catholic communities across southern Thailand. All documentation for the wedding must be submitted to the Diocese, in addition to being shared with the officiating priest.
You can visit the parish website at phuketcatholics.com, where you’ll find more photos of the church, background information about its history, and details about the community it serves.
Preparing for a Catholic Wedding in Thailand
Couples who wish to celebrate their Catholic wedding in Phuket must obtain a number of documents from their home parish. These must be submitted to the Bishop’s Office of the Diocese of Surat Thani and to the priest who will officiate the wedding at least three months in advance.
Here is the list of required items:
- Certificates of Baptism and Confirmation for both the bride and the groom.
- If only one party is Catholic, a dispensation must be granted by their Bishop to permit marriage with a non-Catholic.
- Note: The marriage of two non-Catholic Christians is not within the competence of a Catholic priest.
- Certificate of completion of a pre-nuptial enquiry and evidence of having completed a marriage preparation course, issued by the couple’s home parish priest.
- Certificate of “Status Liberus,” confirming each party is free to marry.
- Written permission from the couple’s parish priest to be married outside of their parish jurisdiction. This letter must include the priest’s email address.
- Contact information (postal address and email) for the churches where the bride and groom were baptized.
In addition to submitting these documents, the couple must personally speak with the priest who will officiate their wedding. This is an essential step that allows the priest to verify that the spouses understand the nature of Catholic marriage, including its responsibilities, and are entering into it freely and with proper intent.
Outdoor Catholic Weddings: Are They Possible?
The short answer is no, with very few exceptions.
Although it is not categorically forbidden to celebrate a Catholic wedding outside of a consecrated place, such a request must receive explicit approval from the Bishop. In practice, permission is only granted in exceptional situations — for example, if the church becomes suddenly unavailable or if the number of guests exceeds the capacity of any Catholic church in the region.
Couples should plan for their sacramental ceremony to take place inside a church, with the possibility of holding the reception afterward at a resort or outdoor venue of their choice.
Final Thoughts
Organizing a Catholic wedding in Phuket is entirely possible, but it does require thoughtful preparation and coordination with your home parish, the resident priest of the chosen church, and the Diocese of Surat Thani.
At Phuket Romance, we’ve already assisted several Catholic couples from around the world in organizing their weddings here, and we’re happy to support you as well. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Photos: St. Joseph Church (from official website)
