FAQs

Question

Hey Jeff, can you tell us more about Natasha?

Answer

Natasha grabbed my attention from the start. Despite my every effort to take things slowly, I quickly fell in love with every atom of this woman. Natasha is incredible; she was always going to be. She is the daughter of Nadtha and Malawan Patamapongs. Everyone calls her Oong, which is a giant jug that people in Thai folk tales get into when hiding from ghosts. Strange? Yes. But it makes sense because her hugs are sunshine, and I feel safe when I am wrapped in her arms. When we first met, Oong told me she was a professional jazz singer, an executive at a tech company, and a doctoral student. I didn't understand how that fit in a 24-hour day, but she made it work. Now, I call her Dr. Oong, and though she's left her executive position, she's become the excellent boss of me. Still, Natasha’s music is her art and first love. I worried before that I didn't know anything about jazz, but she's taught me how to listen to and appreciate the music. I am captivated by her voice and presence every time I see her perform. She's performed for crowds of thousands, but I feel like she's singing only to me. I'm her biggest fan and her only แฟน (Thai-English pun!). Every day, I fall a little more in love with Natasha. She's surprising (she's a certified rescue diver and skilled wakeboarder) but also steady: always confident, happy, optimistic, and endlessly fun. She's full of life and joy. I wake up so I can see her smile every morning, and her laugh, one of the loudest and easiest you'll ever hear, has become my favorite sound. I cannot believe how lucky I am, that out of the 8 billion people on Earth, I found Natasha halfway around the world. When I was a child, my mother told me that the more toilets I cleaned, the more beautiful my wife would be. Ever since, I have scrubbed toilets until they shined. Turns out, Mom was right. I'm about to marry a woman who is every synonym of the word "beautiful", both inside and out. I'm so excited to spend the rest of my days with my Oong.

Question

So, Natasha... Who is Jeff?

Answer

Jeffrey of House Lyu. The Keeper of Budgets, Bearer of Under Armour, and Ambassador of Marriott. I've heard there are three attributes in a man a girl can look for in a partner: good looking, good person, and got his shit together. But you can only have two, never three. Jeff is proof that this theory is wrong. Jeff is a very sensible man. "Waste not," as he says, applies to everything in his life, from week-old leftovers to workout shirts that are falling apart. It never ceases to amaze me how an ex-BCG guy with a six-figure salary and four fancy degrees can be so frugal. But that is precisely why I want him to be my forever CFO. I feel safe with him. Jeff is a giant nerd. He spends at least an hour each day playing Wordle, various mind games, crosswords, learning Spanish, and now Thai. Jeff also has a special affinity for sleeping on the ground. That might be what makes him so down-to-earth. My favorite view is of him lying on the floor playing his mind games and passing out midway. Jeff is a very private person. For someone who claims to be a landscape photography "content creator," Jeff doesn't really know how to use Instagram. And while he's incredibly sweet, friendly, and funny, he is very introverted. I find that very cute and endearing. Many people wonder how this relationship works. Jeff is a big sports fan, while I still think the Warriors play baseball. Jeff loves EDM festivals, while I play jazz festivals for sober middle-aged audiences. But despite our surface-level differences, Jeff is everything I want in a partner. He has the biggest heart and loves the people in his life with all of it. Not a single day passes that I don't feel like the luckiest person in the world to be in his life. My "perfect" guy. Jeff has given so much to the people around him without expecting anything in return. Now it's his turn to receive unlimited, forever love and an uncomfortable amount of attention from me. I am so ready to annoy him for the rest of our lives!

Question

Do I need to RSVP to attend?

Answer

Yes, we need RSVPs! While Thai guests are accustomed to simply showing up, Jeff and I have decided to follow Western traditions to better manage our event headcount. First, you'll receive a "Save the Date" link. And when all details are ready on our end, we will send an RSVP link to your email, inviting you and your +1 to specific events. Your presence is very important to us, so please note the RSVP deadline on your invitation—and only respond "yes" if you plan to attend!

Question

Which events can I attend?

Answer

We've organized multiple events to break down our large guest list. For example, you may receive an invitation to the Dinner Reception but not the After Party (or vice versa). When you receive your invitation, you'll see which specific events you're invited to, along with their dates and times, on the RSVP page. This arrangement allows us to include as many guests as possible in Thailand, where we're expecting nearly 500 people.

Question

Will I receive an official paper invitation in the mail?

Answer

We've decided to go 100% paperless, and your RSVP link is the official and only invitation! I know this might be an unfamiliar process for our Thai guests, so if you run into any issues, please get in touch with me (Natasha!) via LINE/FB Messenger anytime!

Question

How can we gift you?

Answer

To keep things simple, we'd prefer to avoid cash and envelopes at the venue. If you'd like to gift us, please consider making a direct bank deposit (Thai guests) or using Venmo/Zelle/PayPal (International guests). The details are on the Registry page. For our Thai guests using direct bank deposit, we'd love to be able to identify you to thank you properly— please remember to share your transfer slip via DM, or email us at iseeoonglyu@gmail.com

Question

Is there a color theme for the vow ceremony & reception?

Answer

For the dress code and color theme, we request minimal luxe and soft pastel cocktail attire in these colors: Mist / Quartz / Rose Ash / Sage / Moss / Cinnamon (Zola doesn't allow image attachment! ugh!). The vow ceremony will take place in the garden by the Chao Phraya River, and the dinner reception will be held in the indoor hall. Although it's winter in Bangkok, the weather will still be quite warm, so please dress beautifully but comfortably. We will update this page with an image of the color palette soon, so please check back later!

Question

Is there a theme for the After Party?

Answer

Yes! We want our after-party vibe to be completely different from our reception, so we've decided on an '80s pool party theme! We're throwing our after-party at a rooftop bar with a pool on top of a hotel. We'll even serve cocktails in the pool! The gym on site will be converted into a changing room, and a couple of shower stalls will be available, along with a few hotel rooms. Friends will be playing music and DJ-ing! Come dressed in your best '80s attire and get ready to dance, drink, and dip!

Question

Are kids welcome?

Answer

Children are welcome at the Dinner Reception but we request them to not be present at the Vow Ceremony. We will have a small play area on the second floor with an on-site sitter to accommodate our overseas guests traveling with their families and children. However, because space is limited, if you are local, please consider leaving your little ones at home and coming for a little getaway with us!

Question

Will there be transportation provided between events?

Answer

While we won't provide transportation between events, the venue is centrally located in Bangkok and easily accessible by Grab or taxi. For international guests, we recommend downloading Grab—Thailand's main rideshare app—to make getting around hassle-free!

Question

How do I get around in Bangkok?

Answer

🚖 Grab (rideshare app): This is the easiest way to get around if you don’t speak Thai. Download the Grab app—you can use it to book cars, bikes, or order food! 🚝 BTS Skytrain & MRT Subway: These are Bangkok’s clean, modern train systems—great for avoiding traffic. They cover major areas like Sukhumvit, Silom, and Chatuchak. 🛵  Motorbikes: Thai people call them “Win” bikes. They are perfect for short trips (within alleys or “Sois”) or beating traffic. Spot them by looking for drivers with orange vests. They typically wait at designated stands near BTS/MRT stations, street corners, or at the entrances of Sois (side streets). Just approach a driver, state your destination, and agree on a fare before hopping on (or take GrabBike!) 🛺 Tuk Tuks: Can be fun, but only best for short rides and sightseeing in the old town. Avoid taking them in CBD as you’ll get stuck in traffic anyway. Tuk tuks don’t have meters, so you must negotiate the price before hopping in. 🚗 Metered-Taxis: Available everywhere, but they can be unreliable, especially for tourists. If you decide to take one, always insist on using the meter to avoid getting ripped off (or just take Grab!)

Question

Do I need a visa to enter Thailand?

Answer

Most nationalities (including the U.S., Canada, EU, and Taiwan) can enter visa-free for up to 30 days. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. Check with your country’s embassy to confirm!

Question

What's the weather like in December?

Answer

December is one of the best months to visit Bangkok—sunny, dry, and not too hot (around 26–30°C / 79–86°F). It's our "cool season," so pack light, breathable clothes. But don't be fooled by the word "winter"—most people still describe Bangkok as hot all year round!

Question

Can I drink tap water in Bangkok?

Answer

We don’t recommend it! Please stick to bottled or filtered water. There is a 7-11 literally every 100 meters!