Sala Ayutthaya

Sala Ayutthaya sits on the riverbank in Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand, whose ancient temples are UNESCO listed. It is a boutique hotel of 27 rooms, from Superior and Deluxe River View rooms to a One Bedroom Pool Suite and a Two Bedroom Duplex River View Suite.

The point of a wedding here is the setting. Instead of a big resort, you get a small, design-minded hotel in a historic city, where the whole place can be taken over by your guests and dedicated staff look after only you. Days around the wedding are made for slow trips to the temples, river views from the terrace rooms and long lunches by the water.

Couples can marry in Thai or Western style, using the riverside and rooftop spaces. The hotel's wedding brochure lists a Thai water pouring ceremony with garlands for the couple, a monk ceremony with seating for nine monks and a food offering, and a Christian ceremony with flowers for the aisle.

A full buyout covers the riverside restaurant, the rooftop lounge and the art gallery, and morning ceremonies need a buyout of all 27 rooms. The brochure lists an after party running from ten at night until one in the morning, which tells you a late finish is possible. The hotel works with 10 to 60 guests. Ask whether a legal ceremony can be arranged.

With 27 rooms, Sala Ayutthaya suits a small wedding, and a full buyout lets your guests have the hotel to themselves. Group room blocks are available, and for a bigger guest list ask the team about other places to stay nearby.

The Eatery and Bar serves Thai and international food beside the river, good for a long welcome lunch. The Rooftop Lounge and Bar does coffee, tea and desserts by day and turns to sunset cocktails in the evening, with views over the water. The art gallery adds a quieter space for drinks or a speech. Ask the team about transfers and journey times from Bangkok, as these are not published.