FAQs

The easiest way to get around Koh Samui is by Grab or taxi.

Grab works in a similar way to Uber. You’ll need to download the app, create an account, and then you can use it to book rides around the island or order food. The app allows you to attach a credit card for payment, or you can choose to pay in cash on arrival.

Taxis are also widely available on Koh Samui, with taxi ranks at the piers and in the main shopping and restaurant areas. Public taxis do have meters, although you’ll usually need to ask the driver to turn it on. Private taxis tend to have set rates for certain areas or distances, but you can always negotiate the price with the driver before getting in.

Many drivers will also offer you their card, which can be a great option for arranging transport during your stay. You can usually call or message them on WhatsApp for pre-arranged rides or on-the-fly pick-ups.

Thailand has reasonably cheap and reliable mobile data coverage, and getting connected is usually pretty easy.

If your phone supports eSIMs, options like Airalo, Holafly or Saily are a simple way to set yourself up before you arrive, so you can land with data already working.

If you’d prefer a physical SIM card, AIS and TrueMove are two of the main local providers. You can usually pick up a tourist SIM at Samui Airport, in major shopping areas or at 7-Eleven.

Either way, we’d definitely recommend getting yourself connected early — mostly so you can use Grab, Google Maps and WhatsApp immediately.

ATMs and exchange booths are easy to find on Koh Samui — at the airport, along beach roads, in shopping areas, and at most 7-Elevens.

That said, Thai ATMs usually charge around 220 THB per withdrawal, which can add up quickly if you’re taking out small amounts each time. We recommend withdrawing a larger chunk of cash at the start of your trip and keeping it safely tucked away in your room safe.

Credit cards are pretty widely accepted on Koh Samui these days, but they will often come with a surcharge of around 3–4%.

If you’re coming over to Koh Tao after the wedding, please keep in mind that the island still runs mostly on cash. Aside from larger resorts and some dive schools, you’ll need to be prepared to pay in cash for most things.

And if you end up with Thai baht left over at the end of your trip, we’ll happily do a conversion for you.

On Koh Samui, most bars and restaurants will automatically add a 10% service charge and 7% government tax on top of the menu price.

Tipping on top of this isn’t mandatory, but it’s always appreciated. Around 10%, or simply rounding up the bill, is common for great service.

On Koh Tao, things are still in the coconut ages. Because most businesses only accept cash, the price you see on the menu is usually the price you pay — no service charge or tax added on top.

That said, tipping truly goes a long way on Koh Tao. Many hospitality staff rely on tips, as the average service wage is very low, so even a small tip can make a big difference.

Tap water in Thailand is not safe to drink, so please stick to bottled or filtered drinking water.

Guests staying at Villa Kalyana will have drinking water included. To combat the heat, humidity and any particularly enthusiastic celebrating, it’s also a good idea to grab some rehydration drinks or electrolyte sachets. You’ll find them at most 7-Elevens.

Some inland or garden areas can have mosquitoes, especially around sunset.

Repellent is easy to find at 7-Eleven or local pharmacies, so it’s worth keeping some handy — particularly if you’re someone mosquitoes find delicious.

A not-so-glamorous but important note: Koh Tao plumbing is also from the coconut ages, and you’ll find bins in all bathroom stalls.

Please use them and do not flush toilet paper, wipes or sanitary items — unless you’re prepared to personally handle the fallout.

Yes, there is plenty of free parking available at the venue.

When you arrive, please follow the signs for easy access.

No. Our venue is only a short walk — and, importantly, a very manageable stumble home — next door to Villa Kalyana.

If you’re staying offsite, we recommend arranging your transport in advance so you’re not trying to figure it out at the end of the night.

You can do this by booking a ride ahead of time through the Grab app, arranging a taxi through your hotel concierge, or booking directly with a taxi driver. We’ll also share some local taxi contacts closer to the time.

Our dress code is resort formal / barefoot tropical chic.

Do we know exactly what that means? Not really. Did we make it up? Absolutely.

Think elegant and formal-ish, but still comfortable, tropical and relaxed enough for a beachside celebration. Floaty dresses, linen suits, colourful shirts, sandals, wedges or bare feet are all very welcome. The whole day will be outdoors by the beach, with the ceremony on the lawn followed by cocktails, dinner and dancing under the stars, so comfort is key — but we’d still love everyone to feel dressed up and fabulous.

And please don’t be colour shy. We’re getting married in Thailand, after all.

We love your little ones, but we’re asking for the ceremony to be a child-free moment so everyone can be fully present with us.

Children are very welcome to join for the reception afterwards, and childcare options will also be available for families who would prefer a kid-free evening.

Yes. If you’re travelling with children and would like to arrange childcare during your stay, this can be coordinated through our wedding planner.

Once we have a better idea of how many children may need care, along with their ages, our planner will help coordinate the right local nanny support.

As a guide, local nannies usually work in pairs, with a minimum booking of 4 hours. The current rate is approximately 800 THB per hour.

Yes. The wedding day will be outdoors, right by the beach. The ceremony will be on the lawn, followed by cocktails, dinner, speeches and dancing under the stars.

But don’t worry — there is a wet weather contingency in place if we need it. Here’s hoping we don’t, because we’ve very much ordered sunshine.

We kindly ask that you refrain from taking photos during the ceremony so everyone can be fully present with us in the moment.

After the ceremony, feel free to snap away and capture all the fun. Cute candids, dance floor chaos and cocktail-hour glamour are all very welcome.

You’re absolutely welcome to make your own arrangements and stay elsewhere if that works better for you.

That said, we have already booked out and paid for the whole villa for everyone’s convenience, and we’re really hoping you’ll choose to stay with us. More than anything, we’d love to share the full wedding getaway experience with you — not just the wedding day itself.

If your travel dates or room requirements don’t quite match our set accommodation package, please chat to us before booking elsewhere. We may be able to make something work, and we’d love the chance to explore that with you first.

Our wedding planner has pulled together a great list of recommendations for things to see, do, eat and explore on Koh Samui — some we’ve tried, and some we’re very keen to try ourselves.

If you’re arriving early or staying on after the wedding, this is a great place to start for a little Samui inspiration:

The day after the wedding, we’ll be having a relaxed recovery lunch so we can keep the celebrations going in a slightly slower, sunnier, post-dance-floor kind of way.

For anyone keen to extend the adventure, we’ll also be heading over to Koh Tao for optional “kick ons” after Samui. You can find more details on the Koh Tao page.

Before you arrive in Thailand, the best way to reach us is by email — oliandniksayido@gmail.com

If you have any questions about travel, accommodation, kids, outfits, logistics, emotional support for packing… send them our way. We’re very much here for it.

Once you arrive in Thailand, WhatsApp will be the easiest way to stay in touch.

Closer to the date, we’ll create a WhatsApp group chat so we can share any important reminders, updates or on-the-fly changes with everyone easily — because nothing says destination wedding quite like a group chat with mild chaos and excellent emojis.

On the wedding day itself, please contact literally anyone but us. Haha. We’ll share our bridal party’s contact details closer to the time so you know who to message for any last-minute questions.