Laos is a fascinating land of unique tradition and culture, and getting married in a traditional Lao wedding will always be a memorable event.

http://www.laogirls.com/how-long-should-i-date-a-lao-girl-before-marriage.html



Beerlao anyone?
http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride890.jpg




Please make sure the money is exact mam.
http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride891.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride892.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride893.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride894.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride895.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride896.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride897.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride898.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride899.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride900.jpg

All these pictures were taken during the day. Does the event end once night comes? I would think dancing would continue way into the next morning.

Lao weddings can be held during the daytime or night time. Families will have a plan in place regarding when to start proceedings, and when to call it a day.

A daytime wedding can continue into the evening if you like, but the longer the event goes, the more it will cost you, because guests will need things to eat and drink.

in usa particularly minnesota theres a law that bans hmongs from accepting dowry for their daughters no greater than 5,000 usa dollars. how much for a laos wife in laos, hey i'm looking to save lol

That's alot of money, a Lao wife in Laos is cheaper than that.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 31^st Jul, 2010 at 6:50am:

That's alot of money, a Lao wife in Laos is cheaper than that.

How much would you demand?
I'm asking as a friend of course.
IF you don't mind :)

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 31^st Jul, 2010 at 6:50am:

That's alot of money, a Lao wife in Laos is cheaper than that.

Please, I wish you would rephrase that a bit. It should have read, "Typically the sin sod (or dowry) which an Lao family expects for the marriage of their daughter, in Laos, would be slightly less than that."

That makes it sound like a Lao woman from Laos is worthless. I know that isn't what you meant, Admin, but others may construe that as to be your meaning.

Yes, sorry, I wrote that a while ago. Probably busy at the time and I kept it short.

As for how much I would demand, that's not for me to decide but my parents obviously.

Thank you.

I trust your parents have good judgement were son-in-laws would be concerned.

By the way, nice pics.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 20^th Mar, 2011 at 5:35am:

Yes, sorry, I wrote that a while ago. Probably busy at the time and I kept it short. As for how much I would demand, that's not for me to decide but my parents obviously.

So, it seems the bride & groom have no inpact in terms of the 'kaa-dong'.
Is all this negotiated beind-the-scenes by the respective parents?
Does the bride even know beforehand how much she is 'worth'?

All this is very intriguing. I would like to know more ;)

Well, the bride and groom will have some say, but parents are involved in the negotiation process too.

Discussing dowry issues now is pointless, because it depends "who" the guy is.

If I married a local guy who only earns $100 a month, then the dowry will be small or even nothing. If Tiger Woods wants to marry me, then my parents will be asking for millions of dollars from him.

Hi guys,

Now this thread definitely has something to do with me too hehe  ;D
Im going to Laos soon either April or May to meet up with my girlfriend and her parents to talk about the dowry.

OMG! how do I negotiate? I can probably bring 2,000 USD for the dowry and the small home wedding, which I hope is enough for me to buy the traditional wedding costumes. -_-

Most peasants and middle class people in Laos won't object to $2,000 USD for the dowry.

You can rent wedding costumes, if you don't want to buy them.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 20^th Mar, 2011 at 11:32am:

Most peasants and middle class people in Laos won't object to $2,000 USD for the dowry. You can rent wedding costumes, if you don't want to buy them.

I meant 2,000 USD is inclusive of the dowry regardless of how much and also to pay for everything that is necessary for the wedding.

Is that enough? or too little?

I would consider buying if it is within budget otherwise I will rent them.
Do you have any idea how much it cost for both groom and bride? I saw from internet that the bride's costum cost at least 100 USD.

Any amount for a wedding in Laos can be enough, if you make it enough.

Yes, $100 - $150 US sounds about right for a bride's costume.  

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 20^th Mar, 2011 at 11:32am:

Most peasants and middle class people in Laos won't object to $2,000 USD for the dowry. You can rent wedding costumes, if you don't want to buy them.

Do we really have class systems in Laos?
If so, can you give us a rundown of how one is 'classed'?
This is getting VERY interesting now. ;)

There is no real set of rules. How you class someone may be different to how others will class someone. People are usually judged by their income, intelligence level or asset value.

How does betrothal work in Laos?
How do parents go about in regards to getting 'scouting reports' about prospective spouses for their children?
I have a feeling that if someone is betrothed, then they are at least familiar with their future Husband/wife. I just can't see parents approaching a stranger and popping the question. Maybe I'm wrong and times have changed.
What do you think 'nang'?

Are you talking about an engagement?

To be PRECISE I mean: ARRANGED MARRIAGE/engagement.
Please elaborate. ;)

Well, parents may know people (friends, work colleagues) who have children that are still single.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 21^st Mar, 2011 at 5:44am:

Well, parents may know people (friends, work colleagues) who have children that are still single.

so the 'spouses' have no say in the matter?

Your last response didn't really explain much, 'nang'.

There's nothing to explain much.

Each family have different circumstances.

I have another hunch concerning you dear FRIEND: I get a STRONG feeling that you are indeed banking on a betrothal yourself.

Maybe I shouldn't have said that. But you already know me 'nang', I just can't stop myself from saying whatever is circulating in that head of mine.

I hope he's a good guy. I really do! ;)

You can think that way.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 20^th Mar, 2011 at 5:41pm:

Any amount for a wedding in Laos can be enough, if you make it enough. Yes, $100 - $150 US sounds about right for a bride's costume.

I get it then. Do you know whether it is about the same price for groom's costume?

Yes, a suit and wedding costume for the groom is about the same price.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 21^st Mar, 2011 at 7:34am:

You can think that way.

Am I right or what?

No.

So why did it take you so long to seperate fact from fiction then? I was actually starting to think that my educated guesses towards my new best friend were indeed bang-on. To have my confidence shattered like that is unpleasant to say the least. 8-)