Adina and Fakhrul (Berpacar)

Photography by Hamdillah

3 months later

A final post...3 months later...the aftermath in a sense. It's taken us this long to settle down and reflect on everything.

The wedding day itself was a whirlwind. It was over before we knew it! I was up at the crack of dawn for hair and makeup before my beautiful bridesmaid and the flower girls arrived for their primping.

At the appointed hour we heard car horns blaring outside the house heralding the arrival of the groom and his boys. Thankfully we didn't have to go through the whole (literally) torturous process of making the boys prove themselves to gain entry to the house so the boys proceeded to breakfast before Bryan was sent upstairs to "coax" me down.

We gathered everyone round for some photos before the tea ceremony. The kids seemed to really enjoy smiling for the camera and are still asking when we're going to do it again.

The tea ceremony is basically the bride's family handing her to the groom and sending her off to her new life. After a quick and dirty tea ceremony the boys ran off to the church taking the ring bearer and flower girls with them. Most of the family left for church at this stage leaving the house strangely quiet for the first time that day. I followed suit with my bridesmaid and official driver for the day a bit later.

Arriving at church right on the dot of 10am we find stragglers dashing into the church after spotting our car. Shame on you being later than the Bride! My bridesmaid and I carefully negotiated our way across the red carpet laid down over the grass in our heels and dresses. On hindsight, trains may not have been the best idea for the both of us considering the terrain leading up to the church.

There was a little wait outside the hall before the bridal procession could proceed in as more seating had to be set up for the guests. The flower girls were having a field day with their little headpieces and baskets and flouncing around in what they call their princess dresses while the ring bearer was more interested in finding out how everything was attached to the ring cushion.

Walking down the aisle towards the altar I noticed how packed the church was and all I could see (hazily through the veil) was a sea of smiling faces. My brother deposited me at the altar with Bryan and the ceremony proceeded smoothly. We pledged to honour each other mind, body and soul, promised to be faithful for richer or poorer, exchanged rings, kissed and were united in holy matrimony. The moment they announce "the new Mr. & Mrs. BJK" all I could think about was lunch! I was absolutely starving!

During the recessional we were pelted with flower petals and by the time we got outside we were actually shielding ourselves from the onslaught as the friends got a little overzealous and were throwing those petals at high velocity! I was told the boys were aiming for my cleavage hmph! I managed to grab a handful that had actually collected in my cleavage and retaliate at one point. We then proceeded to take more photos with the guests before being allowed to leave the church.

Next stop was the groom's parents' home for lunch before launching into another round of serving tea in return for ang pows and bling after which it was back to our new marital home for a well deserved siesta.

Siesta time was interrupted by the alarm clock sounding to tell us it was time to rise and shine. It was time for my second hair and makeup session of the day to make me fabulous for the dinner.


Dinner passed in a flash and before we knew it it was the end of the night, the oldies were leaving and the party was starting.

All the months of planning, preparation and stress was over in the blink of an eye. Enjoy every moment because it all passes in a flash and you wake up the next morning married and hungover.


As a belated postscript to the wedding, Mr. & Mrs. BJK would like to thank the everyone who helped out:

Our parents, family and friends who all pitched in to help out.
The emcee's at the church ceremony and wedding dinner - Dex & Lady G.
My brother's - for walking me down the aisle and doing the reading during the ceremony.
Those who manned the reception tables and ushered guests at church and the dinner.
The cake wrapping team who so efficiently helped to package the cake for all 700 dinner guests in one evening.
The designers, tailors, beaders and seamstresses at Josche Nelan and Weng Foo Tailor for the wonderful job on the dresses and suits.
The handsome best man (below) who proved he was really the best man for the job and spent so many hours running around with Mr. BJK.

My beautiful bridesmaid (below) who did a fantastic job waking up on time and keeping my train out of the way while I was moving around throughout the day.

The wonderful Shadon and his assistant Adik (below) who made us all look fabulous the whole day.

Princess at Shabby Chic for helping at the 11th hour with our giant layout for the dinner venue.
Our handsome photographer who tirelessly ran around the whole day and kept telling us to smile, smile and smile some more.

My personal net-Guru and cheerleader who helped out with the AV at the dinner without whom the guests would not have been entertained by photos from our pre-wedding shoot.And last but not least, to everyone who joined us on our special day and made it all the more festive.

Azfa Malam Berbedak - PhotobyRed

Salam Aidil Fitri

To all our Muslim visitors, we wish you
a happy & blessed Aidil Firtri.

Congrats B.A.T.A

It was such a joyous occasion. I'm not gonna say much, I'm sure the bride will post an entry in here as soon as she comes back from her honeymoon in Hawaii! For pictures, you can go here or keep watching this space of the official wedding photographer for the events.

Counting the days

Less than a week left. A few final observations.

1. If it isn't done by now then it won't be done at all. Time to take a leap of faith and let the chips fall where they may.
2. There will always be people who try and take over. Tell them on no unconditional terms to back off.
   
3. It's your wedding so make sure you get what you want. Be sure about what you want and communicate that vision to your dressmaker, makeup artist, photographer, florist and all else involved. There's nothing worse than an indecisive bride.
   
4. Make sure your guests actually get their invitations. You'd be surprised how many people don't receive their invitation because the middleman forgets or just doesn't bother.
   
5. We made the mistake of asking people to RSVP their regrets only. I now know that this was too trusting. I just assumed people have manners. After being forced to call several guests to confirm their attendance because of inconsistent RSVP's, we found that most people who couldn't attend hadn't bothered to let us know thinking we'd find out on the night. How rude!
   
6. Wedding dinners aren't cheap affairs. It is crucial to get the headcount as close to exact as possible when confirming numbers with the venue. Empty tables are a waste of money and space. Most venues here allow you to use up some of the empty tables subsequent to your event but there is a limit on the number you can actually use later.
7. For the brides, make sure you have a pair of backup shoes in case the pair you break a heel. Also, make sure you love your dress and are totally comfortable with your photographer and makeup artist. It all boils down to trust.

As we get closer to the day, I can't count the number of times I've been asked if I'm nervous or anxious. The answer is no. I'm just looking forward to getting it all over and done with so life can go back to normal albeit as Mr. and Mrs.

The countdown begins

This time next week I'll be pledging forever, through the good and the bad, for richer or poorer.

Time to make final mental adjustments to thinking as a unit instead of an individual. Time to get used to the fact that what's mine is his and what's his is mine - does this mean he has the right to wear my shoes as well!?!? Time to adjust to living with someone, getting up close and personal and in each other's space all the time. After a lifetime of doing what I want when I want this will be a change.

One week left and everything seems settled, although there are still boxes and boxes of my stuff in the house. That will just have to wait until after the wedding and honeymoon. Not enough hours in the day to get things done as it is, let alone time to sit down and sort through the junk I dumped into those boxes.

Time is short. Too many things to do. Looks like I'll subsist on a steady stream of caffeine for the next week until this is all over.

Time for many changes but isn't that what life is all about?

Looking to the future

Things seem to be moving along albeit a little more slowly than I'd like but still they're moving.

The church started announcing our banns of marriage last weekend. To my knowledge, the Catholic church simply posts your intention to marry on their notice board but our Anglican church takes a more public approach. They will announce them in the Sunday service for the 3 consecutive weeks immediately preceding your wedding date and you're asked to stand up and identify yourself to the congregation. Now this is all and well if there are several couples intending to tie the knot but when you're the only one, it can get rather disconcerting to have all eyes on you.

The banns essentially give anyone the right to object to the marriage or bring to the attention of the church any reason why these 2 individuals should not be married. I'd like to think that we don't have any skeletons in our closets that are serious enough to prevent the union but one never knows.... It does however leave the couple open to attack by malicious individuals wanting to disrupt the marriage for whatever reason doesn't it?? Anyway, next week I think I should take full advantage of the public nature of the announcement; dress to the nines and do the Miss Universe wave :)

Moving from "ME" to "WE" is a rather daunting thought and requires some minor adjustments (on my part anyway). I'm so used to being my own person and doing as I like but the mind is slowly adjusting. I have faith that I will remember that I have an other half when the time comes.

One thing I am grateful for is that we've both lived and done everything so we won't be left wondering "what did I miss??" a few years on. Get it all out of your system and sow those wild oats before you settle down I say. No regrets later. We all come to a time in our lives where we think that it's time to bite the bullet and commit. Some arrive sooner rather than later but most of us do arrive eventually.

So it's 3 weeks to THE day. In 23 days I'll be married erk! Who would have guessed...

Bridezilla!

Bridezilla is a generic term used to describe a difficult, unpleasant, perfectionist bride who leaves aggravated family, friends and bridal vendors in her wake. A bridezilla is obsessed with her wedding as her perfect day and will disregard the feelings of the family, bridesmaids and even her groom in her quest for the perfect wedding.

Bridezilla.com's Definition: Exceptionally attractive, confident women who know what they want and can't be bothered to sugar coat because they are obviously on 100 calorie- a- day microbiotic diets and can't even sneak a pack of Splenda if their life depends on it. Bridezillas are both blessed and cursed with a higher vision of perfection than most mediocre, David's Bridal wearing, Gerber daisy carrying mortals and have no choice but to impart this vision exactly to the masses. It is this motive that drives them to demand nothing less than excellence from their staff-err, wedding party.

Ok so maybe I'm not that extreme. Like i said before, I'm not one of those girls who grew up dreaming of and planning her perfect wedding but that's not to say I don't know what I want. I do, in fact, I have very definite ideas of what I want and even more definite ideas of what I don't want. Examples: I know I don't want frou frou on my dress. I know I don't want anything typically girly (I have allergies to pink frills). Most importantly I know I don't want a giant bridal party - after all the bride (and groom of course :p) are the center of attention so why distract from that by surrounding yourself with a giant bridal party especially when you're my height.

Other half has said that he's seen flashes of bridezilla emerging in the past few weeks. I beg to differ. I do, however, understand why some women go to such lengths to make sure that things are just so. You only have one chance to get it right (unless you're Elizabeth Taylor). Your wedding should reflect who you are. It's always nice to inject a bit of the couple's personality into the event as a whole.

Whatever it is, I believe it's important to ensure that we're not bullied into anything. It's our day and noone else's. After consulting both parental units, our program for the day includes morning tea ceremony at mine, church, light luncheon reception, afternoon tea ceremony at his, dinner reception. It looks to be a long trying day. I pray I don't get grumpy for lack of rest as I tend to do. This is where my darling bridesmaid comes in - to keep me in good spirits and ensure a free flow of stimulants throughout the day. I have every confidence that she'll bridesmaid me through the day with flying colors.

The mish mash of Chinese tradition and church ceremony got me wondering if there is such a thing as a traditional Chinese wedding? More and more couples are having church weddings meaning that the Chinese traditions of the bride pick-up, tea ceremonies and any other denominational customs need to be melded with the church ceremony.

To my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) Chinese tradition demands that the groom arrives at the bride's house with a group of brothers to be put through the test (by the bride and her sisters) and jump through hurdles (sometimes literally!) before being allowed the honour of collecting his bride - to the victor belongs the spoils so to speak. After proving his worthiness, there will be a tea ceremony where the couple serves tea to the bride's immediate family. The significance of the tea ceremony is the bride's family accepting the groom and gives her over to his care while also acting as a send off for the couple. After this the couple proceeds to the groom's home where there will be another tea ceremony signifying the groom's family's acceptance and welcome of the bride into their family. After all is said and done, wedding receptions will be held to introduce the newlyweds to the extended family and friends.

In this day and age the legal requirement of solemnization whether in church or before the Registrar of Marriages is an additional layer. The church wedding is usually held after the bride's family sends her off with her new husband and the groom's family receives the couple at their home thereafter. Attendance at the Registrar of Marriages (for those not solemnized in church) is usually done prior to the tea ceremonies and reception.

I seem to have wondered off topic. Forgive the wandering mind of a bride-to-be.

Ekin & Adrin - Bersanding & Doa Kesyukuran

Original gallery here.
Photos by Eyan

Ekin & Adrin - Akad Nikah

Our heartiest congratulations to the lovely couple.
Original gallery here.
Photos by Eyan

Memoirs of a Bride (Part 6) - Doa Selamat

The husband drifts off to sleep as I walk around packing and unpacking for the doa selamat at night. Time flew quickly and the next thing I know I'm running around and late (again)! We arrive at Polo Club at 6:30 and I get made up straight away. I finish getting ready and tiptoe to the balcony to check out the guests. Zakiyah caught me and made shoo-ing gestures so I go in and wait for my husband to 'pick' me up.

Doa Selamat dinner. An appreciation for the family who really helped out a lot. A big family is an advantage (more helping hands). Without my family helping, we'd be overwhelmed!

We go down together (me nearly tripping at the stairs) and we enter the hall holding hands. My outfit doesn't give me much stepping space so I'm forced to walk with tiny steps. I call out to my husband quite often requesting for him to slow down. We reach the table and pause. Do we go right or left? Oh what the heck! We walk to the right and around the table to our seat. A thank you speech was given by I think Pg Bahrum (my uncle) and he continued with a doa selamat and the food was served.

Caught in the act of checking out my guests!

The fish was good- some sort of steamed fish. Erwan played a video clip from the whole wedding with a Krisdayanti song in the background (which my family totally wiped out after a min). Oh well... Then I saw guests leaving. But am I not supposed to be out there saying my thank you's and goodbye's? I signal to Babu and she's in a daze when she lets me go out. We call mummy and daddy too so we all go out. But people are still eating. Uh-oh! I was early! My bad! Bapa marah's a bit and says its like us telling people to leave.

Lace material bought by Babu in Dubai, made at Lord'ess (Jakarta). Veil bought from Safrina. Tiara and Jewellery lent by Busera's mum.

But no one is leaving anyways. We wait till people are ready to leave and they come and say goodbyes. A few guests took pictures while we were still in line and finally it was done. More pictures were taken with guests that lounged around the hall. My feet were aching from those killer stilettos! Finally we head back home at 11:30pm knackered and straight away hit the sacks. It's been a long and exhausting day.

At the table. Checking out the video.

Our entertainment was strictly no music due to some religious members of my family. My grand dad wanted guling tangan though so we had that only.

Leaving the hall at the wrong time! Whoops!

With the maids. Material for uniform bought at YMRM and made at Idot's tailor.

An advice to future brides, a lot of time preparation time required! I had 2 months to prepare for nikah, 3 months for the other functions calling it a bit rushed is an understatement. Though, it's ok that my wedding wasn't perfect and missed a few touches here and there. It's our journey in marriage that will count. What is the memory of one day to compare to a memory of a lifetime?

Ordered from Singapore via Mangkuk Emas Trading (Batu Bersurat – same row as Red Canopy Café), Flower bought in Jakarta (Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua), Ribbon bought from UK (www.fourseasonsvillage.co.uk)

A few of the many gifts from guests and I would like to take this opportunity to tell everyone it was wonderful of you to share our wedding day with us. Thank you for your good thoughts, your generous gift and for being there. It means the world to us that you care.

Jewellery from my in-laws for the 'menyarungkan'. Not something that we're accustomed to, (not part of our adat) so that was something new.

Next destination, honeymoon? My husband cant get leave due to his involvement with preparations for the Royal birthday. We had a two night stay at Empire sponsored by my Bungsu and the real honeymoon sponsored by my Bapa planned to be in August. Where to? My husband wants a cruise, I want somewhere cold. How about an Alaskan Cruise? I'd like to go to Europe though...

Us.

Unedited entry by the bride herself, Muizzah.
Photography by eyan.

And that is the finale for this series of the wonderfully detailed account of the wedding events that Muizzah has kindly shared with us. Thank you so much for your contribution Muizzah, I'm sure the visitors have been enjoying your memoir and hopefully it will help those who are planning their wedding sometime soon too. We here at Brunei Weddings wish you a happy marriage and a lifetime of happiness - Bulimic.

Wedding Wish List

Chinese weddings usually call for the gifting of gold jewelery by family and little red packets of joy by friends and wedding guests. However, in recent years, I find that couples tying the knot have sought assistance of their close friends to defray the cost of setting up home.

The comment by David on my last post inspired me to upload our Wish List. I'm calling it a wish list as opposed to a gift list simply because it's not a common practice here in Brunei. Wedding invitations will be sent out next week and guests who are wondering about gifts are most welcome to peruse the list. My fantasy wish list can be found here for those who are feeling exceptionally generous :p If nothing on the list appeals, I'm collecting Supa Save stamps so I can get the full Breville collection on offer.

I notice that our very own Inner Space offers a Gift Registry service which I have yet to avail myself of. I wish that most of the major department stores would catch on. It is a rather exhausting to trawl through these stores meticulously documenting brand, description, pricing and product codes to enable generous well-wishers to identify the product with accuracy.

Some may say that telling people exactly what to buy for you does away with the element of surprise. I say surprise is underrated especially when faced with 10 different toasters gifted by 10 different people. As a wedding guest, I've always appreciated it if the wedding couple indicate to us exactly what they need (or don't need) so I can gift them with something that will be appreciated and most importantly, used!

I recall a friend sometime ago telling me that one of the wedding guests had decided to help her decorate her home by buying them a sculpture...now we all know that art is subjective - I may not like what you like - the scuplture now sits in the happy couple's storeroom gathering dust and housing spiderwebs. It is a shame because the sculpture was obviously expensive and the gifter obviously spent a lot of time and effort selecting it.

I may come across as presumptuous and a bit of a b*tch r bridezilla but I believe in being practical. It's always best to give (and receive) something that will actually be used. Moral of the story is...in the absence of a wish or gift list, little red packets are always welcome.

Next post...the appearance of Bridezilla!

Walking down that aisle

The million dollar question: Who will walk me down that aisle to give me away? My beloved daddy has long since passed so that puts the kibosh on the traditional daddy daughter walk. I found this helpful article on eHow which has given me a few ideas. I wonder how everyone will take to me walking down the aisle solo? Not being regarded as a chattel to be traded. No connotations of ownership and being given away. Instead, you can read it as saying, I am my own person and do this of my own volition and free will.

There's 2 months to go to the Big Day. Things seem to be settling in nicely although no less stressfully. It's true when they say getting hitched is one of the more stressful situations in life. So many things to do, so little time! Thankfully, the mothers have taken things into their own hands so all we have to worry about are clothing ourselves, our guest lists and invitations....oh! and of course the hen and stag nights.

Marriage preparation classes have started and we seem to have stumbled onto the difference between the Anglican and Catholic churches - the Anglicans teach the bride and groom about sex, its phases and *ahem* resolution while the Catholics emphasize procreation and how to tell when you're at your most fertile. At our first session last week, the importance and sanctity of the institution of marriage was impressed upon us. They also taught us that the bible says that the bride and groom must leave their parents to start their own lives together - if that's not an endorsement of moving out I don't know what is! Tonight we will learn about "Communication"... I think I may need to get myself a bible. Anyone know where I can download a free copy?

There's been lots of talk about the order of Chinese weddings, in particular, about the games the groom and his brothers have to play when they come to pick up the bride. The bride and her sisters will put the boys through a set of tests to make the groom prove himself. Traditionally in Old China, it would be a way for the bride to test the groom's dedication and (fool)hardyness as they will most likely not Mr & Mrs Chia's was the last one I went to. All in all its a fun but exhausting exercise. I am thankful that my mother has declared "Us Hainanese don't do that sort of thing!" That means a little bit more sleep in the morning. After all who in their right mid would want to turn up at their own wedding with dark circles under their eyes!

I was chatting to a friend earlier today when it hit me just how much my life has changed in the past few years. My whole world view has shifted from one party after another to let's take care of me. I now believe that if you take care of yourself, the rest will come. My immediate concern used to focus on finding the next happening occasion, now it's turned to more domestic matters. Setting up house and home. I'm even getting the urge to go all Martha Stewart and start baking! God help us all!

The house has been secured and minor patching up is underway. I never knew just how much fun furniture shopping can be! A whole new world of retail opportunities has opened. To avoid totally breaking the bank we're taking the tried and tested approach of a wedding registry. Close friends who want to contribute something more personal than an ang pow have the option of helping us furnish our home. Of course one must take great care not to go overboard - it is not polite to ask your friends to buy you a complete B & O home entertainment centre! Not unless your friends include the likes of the Hilton sisters who might oblige without batting an eyelid.

Memoirs of a Bride (Part 5) - Bersanding

I'm so sleepy! I groggily wake up at 8.30am and get into the shower to wash off all the hair spray Moore used on me the night before. Nini Tahir is expected to come to the house to mandikan me at 9am. Moore is already here to fix my flower girls' hair but the flower girls haven't turned up. I'm all set and waiting in the shower. Nini Tahir comes and pours his COLD 'quraan water' on me and goes. Nini pengangun continues with the rest, I have another session of bertangas then I go to my room and get ready.

Guling tangan, entertainment for the morning. They were hip too! I was tapping my feet on the pelamin!My pelamin. A family belonging bought by my grandmum. First used by my mum on her wedding 26 years ago. Fixed by the carpenter from Citra Idaman (Kiulap). Curtains and wallpaper from Haska. Golden pillars lent by Aunty Hjh Noraini. Real flowers on stands from Willyn florist (Kiulap). Jawi centrepiece (reads Allah selamatkan pengantin baru) drawn by my grand dads worker in Pusat Sejarah

Moore finishes with the girls and blow dries my hair as Bu Amas comes. I have the makanan suap-suap (nasi kuning, the boiled egg with the shell coloured red, and some other dishes which apparently were served just because it was tradition) then I scuttle off to have my make up and hair done. It was nearly 11 and I'm later than planned. The kids are all restless (and hungry) so they watch Cinderella 3 and have my junk snacks.

Flower girls. Tiara's and earrings from Singapore. Lace used on gowns from Royal Fabrics (Singapore), glitter chiffon for skirts from 1 ^st Metro. Dresses made at Nie Boutique (Kiulap). Flowers by Willyn florist (Kiulap)My veil lent by my KK cousin (Ka Zura). Tenunan Brunei sponsored by Babu, made from ZA handicraft (Tungku). My outfit made at Luire by Raden Sirait ( Jakarta). Tiara and Jewellery lent by Busera's mum. My hand bouquet from Willyn florist (Kiulap)

Just after noon I'm let off to change, run back up and Moore puts on my tiara, finishes off with my hair and puts on my veil. Bu Amas does final touches on my make up. I persistently complain that my tiara isn't levelled so Moore keeps sticking on pins into my hair. Zalina a.k.a. ZZ, my beautiful maid of honour (qualified veil carrier) appears at 12:30 apologizing repeatedly for being late and starts practicing carrying my veil despite my still sitting down being made up. Ainul, Sera, Sab and Bibi puts on my shoes for me and I'm done! Picture time!

Z practicing holding the veil

Jimmy Choo's lent by Busera

Prince Charming has arrived

Bapa comes up asking if my husband has left (in which I don't know) and he goes ballistic on me saying that the 'mens side' was expected to leave home at 1pm. But its 1.20pm, so I call my husband and he tells me he just got in the car. Oh no! I still continue having pictures with my friends before my two Bu Irings appear to bring me down. My 6 flower girls shuffle in line. I turn to make sure Z is doing ok with the veil and I walk.

When the lights went off! With Princess Nasibah My cousins (mum's side)

As we reach the ground floor, I see tons of mobile phones in the air. I flash smiles to as many as I can before I go in the pelamin room. My aunt stands in front of me (to cover me from the crowd) as I sit and give instructions for Z on how to fix my veil. They're done, they leave and I look up. So many people! So many cameras! So much fun! I'm relaxed, no jitters nor nerves. I look all around the room at everyone I could see. Then I see my aunts! More reminders of my wandering eyes. I give a guilty smile as I look straight to the wall and wait for the arrival of my 'prince'.

Muneerah catching my bouquet!

Ordered from Singapore via Mangkuk Emas Trading (Batu Bersurat – same row as Red Canopy Café), Flower bought in Jakarta (Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua), Ribbon bought from UK (www.fourseasonsvillage.co.uk)

Chatter of him arriving gets into the pelamin room. Soon after, he enters looking very angry and serious. I smile thinking to myself of how 'controlled' he's trying to be. He rests his hand on my forehead (for the menapak), he sits and the salawat is read. Princess Nasibah comes out and sits then babu comes up to us to tell me to salam her. Babu invites Princess to take a picture and she walks towards the pelamin. Just as she stands next to me, the lights go off! Despite that, the photographers are still taking pictures. I worry on how long we'd be electric-less but not long after, the lights go back on and a choir of "naaaahhhh" starts.

Us.

More pictures were taken. Then we're told to go out to the door and wave to people outside. As I look out I think "sunshine!" I don't know why it felt so relieving to see the sun. I must've been cooped in the house for such a long time (since berbedak) for me to appreciate seeing outdoors. Shuffle left, shuffle right, look straight and go in. The crowd starts to thin but we're still taking pictures till around 4pm.

Unedited entry by the bride herself, Muizzah.
Photography by eyan.

Memoirs of a Bride (Part 4) - Berpacar

No one woke me up today so I end up waking up at 11am. Such a great rest! I wait for my maids to send my white outfit to my room while surfing the net and my cousin Illah yells at me telling me to have a shower and I quote "you're lucky you don't have a pengangun, or else you'd be mandi at 8". The family was over last night to berjaga-jaga and only went home at 1:30am (thus my reason for waking up late).

My shoes, an old pair of Vincci's I found lying around

I don't do much today, just waiting for the evening to come. As usual, Moore and Bu Amas arrive to do hair and make up around 6. It's a smaller function today, only close relatives are invited. I'm getting used to all this being made up and 'presenting' myself to a crowd and I feel more relaxed as I'm get ready. I'm nearly done when I change into my outfit. Moore finishes off with my hair as I pick out a kain kapit and shoes. I'm ready and all excited to go down. Its Bungsu's turn to bring me down this time.

Look up, look straight :)

On my way down I still hear the usual don't show 'teeth smile' and I think to myself what is the big deal, its only close family anyways. I'm still talking and laughing on my way down (making the elders more riuh) and just before I go in the pelamin room I flash a big teeth smile to my aunt and go in with a more serious face.

Nana and Azrieff. My guests coming all the way from Malaysia

Today I'm just uncontrollable. My eyes are all over the place, my smile is super wide, I am myself! Everyone takes turn to put on the pacar on my palms (just like during berbedak). Its all over my palm! I think to myself that after they're done its not gone be neat! It was over really quick. I went up to my bilik gata to have the pacar properly put on my hands and feet (doing it traditional style). There was a short debate whether I changed into my white outfit or if I just used what I had on. Babu said I had to look 'nice' so that ended the debate and I used my berpacar outfit.

Bibi, Sera, Ainul and Sab being silly. These girls came to all my functions without fail. Thank you!

First my right hand was done. I told Nini Pengangun to not make it too long on my fingers and not to have the circle too big on the palm. She's very flexible so that was nice. My bottom started aching. It didn't help that I was sitting on wood (gata bed had no mattress). I became restless to somehow ease the pain. Finally I was left to wait (alone). People came in and out of the room talking about what was 'happening' downstairs. Apparently my cousin 'opened' a casino! I really wanted to come down as it was getting boring in the room. I think if anyone wants to berpacar, do it where the crowd is so you wont be lonely! Just after midnight I was allowed to remove my pacar. I went down to see what was left of my guests but there was none. Tomorrow is my bersanding and I should be having my beauty nap. I put on my eye mask and head off to sleep. I'm excited!

As comfortable as it gets!

Jewellery lent from Busera's mum, bunga goyang lent from my grand mum, pink lace material of my outfit bought by my mum in Dubai (sewn at tailor- Mrs Kong), make up done by my aunt Bu Amas, hair done by Moore (Evina salon)

Unedited entry by the bride herself, Muizzah.
Photography by eyan.

Zarra and Salsabeelaa - Nikah

Congratulations to Zarra PHD and Aiman Salsabeelaa on their engagement and Nikah this afternoon. Here are some photos from today's function.

Mr and Mrs...

Gifts for Zarra and ring for her

Groom getting ready for the nikah

Zarra waiting patiently for the big moment.. becoming.. someone's Mrs..

Getting blessings from her hubby

Wishing Zarra and Salsabeela.. the best for their new life and happiness forever...