Namd and Nigel’s story feels as natural as the landscapes they both love. Namd, originally from Thailand, grew up in a northern town surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and temples, shaping her deep connection to nature, while Nigel, Singaporean, shares that same adventurous spirit. Their story began in Singapore, where Nigel first spotted her at the gym and, after a few weeks of what he calls “perfectly timed workouts,” they finally met outside one evening and instantly clicked. “The conversation was easy, fun, endless,” Namd shares. What started as a simple meeting quickly turned into something more, with their first official date at Gardens by the Bay in 2019 marking the beginning of a relationship that has felt effortless ever since.
Location: Chiang Rai, Thailand
Style: Intimate, Elevated, Soulful
Time of planning: Almost 2 years
Number of guests: 99
Setting: Mountain resort
Season: Winter
Together, they’ve hiked the Himalayas for 12 days in sub-zero temperatures with just one backpack, explored islands, and chased mountains and oceans across the world. In 2023, Nigel proposed among the waterfalls of Grindelwald, Switzerland, with Namd’s entire family there, making the moment even more meaningful. “We both believe luxury lives in untouched nature, not in fancy hotels,” they share, a philosophy that shaped their wedding completely.
Set over three days at a secluded mountain resort in Northern Thailand, the celebration invited guests to stay in bamboo cottages, wake to sunrise over the peaks, and gather on a mountaintop with 360-degree views. There were no distractions, no pretense, just nature, love, and the people who mattered most, all beautifully captured by Tobi Films, who created a vibrant, cinematic film of their story.
Morning: Chinese & Thai Ceremony
The day began with an intimate Thai-style moment shared with Namd’s parents, a traditional blessing where they paid respect and thanked them for raising her, while also receiving their blessing for Nigel to marry her. This was followed by a Chinese tea ceremony with Nigel’s family, held in the living room of their suite, bringing both cultures together in a meaningful and personal way.
For the morning ceremony, Namd wore a bespoke Thai wedding gown with traditional jewelry, including her diamond engagement ring custom-made by Nigel with a Singapore-based jeweler, as well as a family emerald ring passed down through generations.
The main Thai ceremony took place in the resort’s open sala, surrounded by wildflower gardens and a koi pond. Led by their best friends, the moment felt both personal and relaxed, with monks chanting blessings that brought a sense of calm. This was followed by the water blessing, where guests poured water over their hands and shared well-wishes. “It was hilarious,” Namd shares, as heartfelt words mixed with playful, cheeky comments, making the sacred ritual feel both meaningful and completely true to them.
Bride's Fashion
For the evening ceremony, Namd changed into a Vivienne Westwood gown, a piece she instantly connected with. “The moment I tried it on, I just knew,” she shares. She wore it with 3-carat diamond studs from Celi Jewelry and her bespoke wedding band, keeping her makeup natural and her hair in a high bun. “I wanted to look like myself, just the most glowing version,” she says.
Groom's Fashion
For the morning ceremonies, Nigel wore a light beige bespoke suit, perfectly tailored with clean lines that felt refined and appropriate for both the Chinese and Thai traditions.
For the evening, he changed into a black bespoke tux, paired with custom shoes and his wedding ring from their Singapore jeweler. The shift felt sharper and more formal, yet still personal.
Ceremony
The setting spoke for itself, intentional but never overdone, a quiet “less is more” approach that let the landscape lead. Their western ceremony took place on an elevated field at the top of a mountain, just outside the resort, where panoramic views of Chiang Rai stretched endlessly, even revealing the distant peaks of Laos. It was completely open, still, and almost surreal at sunset. Guests arrived just before golden hour, welcomed with fresh coconuts as they wandered, took photos, and enjoyed the view. For nearly 40 minutes, the energy built naturally, unhurried and full of excitement.
At 5pm, everyone took their seats as a live band began playing Canon in D. “I was so nervous getting ready,” Namd shares, “but the moment I stepped out and saw everyone, it just disappeared.” Walking down the aisle, she kept her eyes on Nigel the entire time, watching him smile, visibly emotional, framed by mountains glowing in the evening light.
Their best friend, Beau, officiated, bringing a tone that felt both deeply personal and lighthearted. When it came to the vows, Nigel surprised everyone. “He doesn’t usually express his feelings like that,” she says, “so hearing him open up in front of everyone was beautiful, and honestly a little funny in the best way.” Laughter and tears filled the space, something even captured by Tobi Films, while around them, their closest friends stood crying. “But in that moment,” Namd reflects, “I was just happy, fully present, taking it all in.”
And the backdrop kept evolving in real time. The sky shifted from bright blue to warm gold, then into soft pinks and deep purples, with the mountains changing color along with it. It felt like nature was quietly setting the tone for the entire moment. When they finally kissed and made it official, the stillness broke instantly, guests cheering, crying, and celebrating all at once.
Cocktail Hour
For cocktail hour, the energy stayed relaxed and social with an open bar flowing all night. Their signature drinks kept things simple, a Gin & Tonic for him and a Margarita for her. Guests were treated to a selection of royal Northern Thai finger foods, including ช่อม่วง, delicate purple flower-shaped dumplings, ถุงทองน้ำจิ้มบ๊วย, golden crisp parcels served with plum sauce, and แตงโมปลาแห้ง, watermelon topped with dried fish, unexpected but unforgettable. It became one of those moments where guests kept going back for more, discovering flavors they had never tried before and talking about them long after.
One of the most memorable moments came during cocktail hour, when guests were invited to find their escort cards by locating their own Krathong (กระทง) and floating it in a lotus pond while making a wish. Traditionally made from banana leaves, these were reimagined using coconut shells, each glowing softly with candlelight as they drifted across the water. It was a nod to the Thai Loy Krathong tradition, made even more special by a handcrafted wooden dock built by the resort team. With ducks paddling through and guests fully embracing the moment, the atmosphere felt joyful, a little chaotic, and completely unforgettable.
Planning & Reception Details
The vision was clear from the start: raw nature, elevated. After nearly two years of searching, finding Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort in Chiang Rai felt instant and certain. The entire aesthetic was built around the landscape, natural materials, earth tones, and organic textures that didn’t compete with the surroundings but worked with them. The palette stayed grounded in whites, ivories, granite greens, silvers, and subtle metallic tones, with fresh hints of spring green. Linens, natural fabrics, and wood details carried the look throughout, while florals sourced locally from Chiang Rai were chosen to reflect what grows naturally in the region.
Once the venue was secured, they worked closely with their planner The Wedding Bliss Thailand to bring everything together, balancing traditional Chinese and Thai morning ceremonies with a completely different evening experience. With the resort set high in the mountains, nearly everything had to be brought in, from tables and décor traveling across Thailand to a full festival-grade sound and lighting system. Catering came from Chiang Mai, florals from local Chiang Rai vendors, and even a bamboo dock was handcrafted on-site for the traditional Loy Krathong ceremony during cocktail hour. Complex to execute, but entirely worth it, the entire experience was designed to immerse guests in Northern Thai culture, from the setting to the cuisine.
Reception
Dinner brought a different kind of energy. Eight guests gave speeches, each balancing humor and emotion to keep everyone on edge. “It was emotional whiplash,” Namd shares, as laughter quickly turned into tears and back again.
But the most powerful moment came as a surprise, when her mother took the stage to sing Fly Me to the Moon, accompanied by the live band. “I completely lost it,” she says. “I’m not usually emotional, but that night, I was.” Looking around and seeing so many guests in tears, it became one of those moments that stayed with them long after, something both she and Nigel later called a highlight of the entire wedding.
The After-Party
Inspired by Wonderfruit Festival, the after-party became a full expression of their love for music and shared experiences. “We’re both obsessed with techno and house,” they share, and it showed from the start. A bonfire was lit at the center of the space, quickly becoming essential as the temperature dropped, while a full festival-grade sound and lighting system transformed the space into an immersive, electric experience. Their close friends, Alex and Milon, took over as DJs, delivering a set that kept the energy high all night. “They later said it was the best gig they’ve ever played,” Namd recalls, “because everyone was so into it.”
The atmosphere felt layered and alive, with marshmallow grilling by the fire, late-night Thai snacks like moo ping, seafood porridge, and roti circulating, and a striking lighting installation that turned a central tree into a sculptural central point. Guests moved between dancing, gathering around the fire, and simply taking in the moment under a clear, star-filled sky. At one point, a few friends even pulled the couple aside to stargaze in a quiet corner.
One of the most memorable moments came as a surprise. Namd danced to I Say a Little Prayer for You for Nigel, with a personal twist with her own voice playing. “Not everyone realized at first, but Nigel did immediately,” she says. Watching him laugh while trying to take it all in became a moment in itself, as friends cheered and joined in. By then, the structure of the day had completely dissolved. It no longer felt like a wedding, just a night where everything aligned.
Advice from the couple:
• Do what feels like YOU. We didn’t follow anyone’s template or try to fit into what weddings “should” look like.
• Guestlist: Only invite people you genuinely want to spend a weekend with. We kept it intimate, and it made all the difference.
• Stay present and skip the content creation grind: We didn’t stage moments or stop to pose constantly, and instead focused on being in the moment. Our teams were incredible, so we trusted them to capture everything while we just lived it. This gave us SO much more time to actually spend with our guests.
• Choose a team that vibes with you and truly understands your vision. When your team gets you, the whole day flows.
• Let your bride lead the planning. She knows best. 😉
