Visitors to Koh Samui cannot fail to be enchanted by this beautiful tropical island with its lush green mountainous scenery, golden palm-fringed beaches and brilliant blue shimmering seas. Add to this almost year-round sunshine and spectacular sunsets, it’s an island just made for those significant moments in life and many visitors are inspired to return to celebrate that big birthday or anniversary, or for their wedding. It’s not wonder then, that Koh Samui weddings are top of the list for those seeking a magical setting.
The small island abounds with brand-name luxury resorts dotted along its famous beaches from Chaweng to Ban Talig Ngam. But it’s the prospect of having your very own private paradise in which to celebrate with friends and family that is the ultimate prize for many. Koh Samui is renowned for its wealth of private villas from sprawling beachfront and hillside estates to more intimate properties perfect for a smaller but no less special occasion, you are spoiled for choice.
Elite Havens is the operator of Asia’s largest collection of luxury holiday villas, many of which are ideal for hosting events such as weddings. The company also has a specialist events team to show you your best options and to advise on decoration, catering and entertainment to create your unique celebration.
Weddings On Samui’s owner, Juliette Burrows, says, “Whether you’re looking for a villa to accommodate the entire wedding party for a two or three extravaganza with a programme of activities for your guests such as sunset boat trips, spa days for the ladies, or adventures for the guys, or simply a stunning location for your big event, Koh Samui will astound you with its options which offer something for everyone and all tastes.”
Ban Suriya
If it’s the absolute beachfront you’re looking for, Lipa Noi on the island’s scenic west or sunset coast should be high on your list.
Ban Suriya is a stunning 6-bedroom villa for up to 15 guests, set around a huge central deck, with two swimming pools and manicured lawns which stretch to the palm-fringed, white sandy beach. This fabulous villa with its cool white décor and brilliant splashes of colour is understandably popular for Koh Samui weddings – about twenty are celebrated here every year – as couples tie the knot against the breathtaking backdrop of the sea and Five Islands, surrounded by family and friends. Ban Suriya can host parties of up to 120 people seated for a wedding breakfast on the beachfront lawn. And whether it’s a daytime ceremony or late afternoon as the sun sets in spectacular fashion, this is a truly sublime setting for this special moment.
Ban Suriya
Inasia Beach Villa
Also located on the beach at Lipa Noi and well suited to larger Koh Samui weddings, Inasia Beach Villa features two luxury villas which share the same beautiful beachfront estate with a combined 8 rooms to accommodate up to 16 guests. The Inasia Beach Villa is tailor-made for private events and weddings with its spacious open-plan design and tropical gardens. A beachfront infinity pool, adjoining sala and bar, overlook manicured lawns which slope gently down to the beach. Here wedding planners create glamorous wedding ceremonies and breakfasts set amid the tall coconut palms overlooking the Five Islands group and shimmering blue sea—a truly idyllic setting for couples to celebrate one life’s special moments.
Inasia Beach Villa
Element of 8
Further south, on the unspoiled southwest tip of the island, the magnificent villa Element of 8 at Cape Laem Sor Estate offers another outstanding location for dream Koh Samui weddings. This secluded hillside retreat boasts breathtaking views of the island’s southern reefs and lush green islands just offshore. Designed in a striking contemporary style with unusual rattan furniture and a colour palette of driftwood grey and white, Element of 8 has 6 comfortable and stylish bedrooms for up to 12 guests. A living pavilion with a wide verandah, adjoining lawn and swimming pool with Balinese-style sala and a hotel standard kitchen for gourmet catering make this a superb location for a wedding overlooking this magnificent vista. At sunset, the view will stop you in your tracks as the sky turns into a blaze of red and gold.
Element of 8
Suralai
On a neighbouring hillside, Suralai with 6 ensuite bedrooms is of a similar design with a 16-metre-long living and dining salon with a wraparound covered terrace and a 25-metre infinity edge pool with terrace and lawn. Here wedding and events designers can set a stage above the pool for a fairytale wedding ceremony as guests are seated on the adjoining lawn or above on the terrace. Top-notch florists, lighting and pyrotechnic teams, bands, musicians and even the island’s gorgeous ladyboys all work together to create a wedding that your guests will talk about until the end of time. The upper terrace is ideal for the wedding breakfast, seated at one sensationally long table or separate round tables, leaving ample space for your guests to dance the night away.
Suralai
Villa Riva
Further to the west along Koh Samui’s scenic north coast in the up-and-coming Bang Por district renowned for its stunning views of Koh Phangan and the famous Ang Thong National Marine Park, is Villa Riva set on an imposing cliffside with multiple pavilions, a clubhouse and 7 enormous bedrooms that sleep 14 adults and two children. With pitched, Thai-style roofs and a dreamy infinity pool, the villa is straight out of the pages of an architectural magazine. Floating gazebos, breezy al fresco dining make this a glamorous spot for fabulous weddings, celebrations and corporate events. The villa features a specially designed covered platform with a marriage gazebo and a dedicated food service area, a bar and a DJ podium.
Villa Riva
Villa Solana
Ascend to unparalleled luxury at this seven-bedroom wedding haven perched above Samui’s mesmerising north-east coast. With an open-plan design seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces, the villa boasts a dazzling infinity pool and a clifftop sitting area with a circular sunken sala, offering a dreamy backdrop for vows. The master suite on the top floor and four sea-view bedrooms provide elegant retreats. Taupe and grey accents adorn stylish bedrooms with opulent bathrooms. Fully staffed, including a Villa Manager and optional chef, the villa ensures a stress-free stay. Entertain in a private cinema, wood-panelled games room, or on the wraparound wooden deck overlooking the azure sea. Villa Solana isn’t just a villa; it’s an enchanting canvas for crafting unforgettable wedding moments.
Villa Solana
Wherever you decide to hold your wedding, you can be sure that the warm hospitality and exceptional creativity of the Thai people will make it something extraordinary. Floral decorations in Thailand take on an entirely new meaning, and with such a bounty of beautiful flora and fauna to work with, you can be assured your wedding ceremony and dinner will be something out of this world.
And then of course, there is the cuisine. World-renowned for its delicious variety of exotic and spicy dishes, you can delight your guests with the best of Thai cuisine as well as Western and Asian specialities.
Let Koh Samui and Thailand put on a wedding that you won’t forget, and which will create everlasting memories for your family and friends.
