Azfa Malam Berbedak - PhotobyRed

Memoirs OF A Bride (Part 3) - Berbedak

After a month of living with my husband, today I'm alone when woken up (yet again) by my mum at 9am. This time she reminds me that my grand aunts are coming to lulut me. Its back to having functions after such a long break. I've had not only a preview, but I experienced married life for a month. It took a lot of getting used to, its not as easy as it seems but its well worth it. I get out of bed, changed into 'whats necessary' and they did the works. Had the lulut, a shower and then the tangas. Used my 'white outfit' and walked around the house finding stuff to do till lunch. I had a house call manicure and pedicure after lunch but after, I got restless.

Putting on the tanduk and the thing for the back of the head.

Stand hired from citra idaman (kiulap), bohemia crystal bowls personal collection of my grandmum.

I went down to see everyone busy. The grannies were mixing paint into the bedak to give it colours, caterers fixing tables and everyone was running around. Then I saw the box of door gifts and no one stuck on my thank you cards on it. I started carrying the boxes, unpacking it and sticking the cards on. At first it was just me and my Mamit. Then my grand aunt came and told me to not do work coz then I'll look tired at night. I argued out that if I don't help, the job wont be done and continued doing my work. More people came and I was told off again so I gave in and 'stormed' into my room.

Bersikut in the bilik gata with my two grand mum waiting on the bed.

My grand aunts who gavev me my tenunan for my baju berbedak (L-R Nini Usu, Nini Eying, Nini Acai). Nini Acai designed the pattern. Kain Kapit was given as hantaran from Nasir.

Moore came to do my hair at 6pm, 5mins after Bu Amas came for make up. Make up was done first and then the head gear. First the tanduk thing, then the thing for the back of the head, then the naga, then the sisir, then the white kertas flowers then the bunga goyang then the white real flowers. As bad as everyone makes it sound, it wasn't all that painful. Having pins stuck into your hair didn't give me excruciating pain. I guess it really matters that u had the 'experts' to do it. It wasn't that heavy either. I mean, it was heavy but it was bearable.

Enzo Angiolini shoes lent by Busera.

Me

8:30pm and I'm still not dressed! I started getting worried. Finally they finished with my head, had make up touch ups and then I got dressed (the quickest part)! Now I was ready to make my appearance. They made me sit to put on my tutup kepala coz if I was standing no one could reach the top of my head and got escorted by my two Bu Irings down to the pelamin. Then it started, first my grand dad, then Daddy, then Bapa then the uncles and some VIP Pehins… I knew I was stiff. I sat straight and tried to feel for the back of my chair but I kept leaning back and it felt like it was so far away.

Finally I felt it and I was able to rest my back. Phew! I had a slight running nose and I was sniffing away on the pelamin. I tried to signal to my sister that I wanted tissue but they didn't get it and my aunts told me to keep my mouth closed. They pointed at their eye and shook their head. So I looked down at a point on the carpet. At the corner of my eye I could see my aunt fall! It was so hard to control myself into bursting into laughter! After some time, the pengangun told me to not look down and look up at the people who were going to bedak me. So I looked up but the men were moving and my eyes automatically followed them so I decided to stick to a 'point' and I picked the mens studs. It was so difficult to stop my eyes from wandering with moving objects! After the men were done, the women started. At some time I felt my back started to ache. There were just so many women!!!

Door gifts. biscuits from Bakerlyn cake shop (Kiulap).

Berbedak gift for the women (comes in 5 colours) shipped from China (organised by my cousin). Personalised ribbons from UK (fourseasonsvillage.co.uk). Flower accessories from Jakarta (Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua).

Finally it ends, and I'm escorted up, found my friends and took pictures. My friends were telling me how I looked nervous at the start coz my eyes were wandering around. Now I know what my family meant about not having 'mata liar'. I'm glad I found a way to control it!

Berbedak gift for the men from Mangkuk Emas trading (Batu Bersurat- same row as Red Canopy Cafe). Personalised ribbons from UK (fourseasonsvillage.co.uk ). Flower accessories from Jakarta (Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua).

Next I had to change into my 'lulut outfit' for my mandi bedak. After that, I got in my white clothes (nicer one this time), had my accessories put on and did the sikut thing at my bilik gata. It was quite difficult coz I kept stepping on my pengangun's skirt. I did small 'japanese' steps coz I cldnt hve normal steps. Had 3 'rounds' and then stopped and bagi salam to my grand mums that were sitting on the bed. Finally I'm done for the day and its nearly midnight. Everyone bids their goodbye's but I'm stuck yet again taking off my accessories, removing make up and everything else. It was tiring yet so much fun. I cant wait for my next function on Saturday.

A text from my husband.

The accessories are all personally owned by the grannies. My grand mum lent a few and so did my grand aunties. My family back in Kg Ayer days were goldsmiths which is why its in the family to own bits and pieces of these things. My butterfly pin is owned by my grand mother. Her mum gave it to her as her wedding present when she got married 60+ years ago.

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

Adri & Syahidah

This is way back in May 2006. It was a lovely occassion, so thats why I thought I'd share it with all. The pics from the slide below is taken by me using my Nokia N80.

• Nikah dress designed by the bride herself. The material was a gift from her dad & mom. It was sewn and created by Fatimah Mohsin (Singapore).

• Make-up, hair also by Fatimah Mohsin (FM).

• Dulang hantaran from the bride to groom is again by FM.

• Cake by Fleur De Lyss and also designed by FM.

• Flower girls dress designed and made by Adri's cousin, Dk Ernie.

• Wedding reception & catering: Jerudong Polo Club.

• Photgrapher: Kid Chan (pics below).

Btw, the couple recently had a a cute baby girl, aint she adorable?

Liza & Aboy

edly amran seth & lizayati damit

march 2007

What happens when a PR events officer decides to marry? She doesn't hire a planner. She plans everything herself. The sweet little details of the wedding really showed Brunei PR tactics at its best!

Liza and Aboy tied the knot on Friday 9 March at her home on Jalan Muara. Their nikah ceremony saw an interesting crowd - a bus full of more than thirty KL-ians bringin hantaran gifts which were brought in beautiful red leather boxes which had convenient handles for the carriers. Talk about chic.

Liza's hantarans were no less than beautiful. One from Liza is definitely noteworthy - the reknowned kek lapis- layered cake baked by her mother is cuisine worth boasting about!

...reception...

It was only befitting to hold the reception at the Multi-Purpose Hall, International Convention Centre as two families from different lands celebrated their marriage infront of 1200 guests. Guests included several VVIPs, a fifty-strong entourage from Kuala Lumpur and of course, bloggers.

The couple looked lovely together in a lovely soft green jong sarat set from Mutiara Ayu Boutique, a popular choice for today's weddings. The colour gave a natural and light effect rather than the usual character of heavy and stiff jong sarat bajus which most couples dread.

A traditional malay dance performance from Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports entertained guests while they feasted on dishes prepared by Nurwanita Enterprise. The fish fillets were especially delicious! Shots to slobber on can be found on Yeeman's Foodie Tales.

X-Romantic Factor of the Night was the Suap-Suapan Session where the couple fed each other with wedding food to a favourite song of the couple's (especially Aboy's) which was 'Gemilang' by Sheila Majid.

Lens, lens everywhere! Who wouldn't want to take photos of this glamorous affair?! Wedding shutterbug pro David Cheok was seen hard at work and we surely cannot wait to see the official shots! Also noticed paparazzi Rano & photoblogger Eyan doing what they do best too.

Another interesting detail - the pretty notecards which Liza herself designed. Many were seen writing congratulatory messages and inspirational words for the lovebirds.

Sweet, simple yet detailed, Liza and Aboy's wedding will be remembered for ages. This one surely made Brunei proud.

Words by Mel. Photos by Lisa & Mel.