The night before the wedding day, my family held a small Malam Berinai. I'm not quite well-versed with the tradition, and I can speak for my mum, she is as clueless as well...I think I am more aware of adat compared to her..ahahah...Anyway, so, we don't actually know what goes on on a Malam Berinai, other than the Bride-To-Be wearing some traditional outfit and sitting on the pelamin...I think some people say it is actually to familiarise the Bride-To-Be with what is going to happen on the wedding day...And for some families, the Bride-To-Be will be changing into a few different outfits...Entahlah...For Kakmira's Malam Berinai, she changed into 2 outfits; a Javanese ensemble and an Arabic ensemble. She sat on the pelamin and the elderly will merenjis. That's all. I went to one of my bestie's Berinai, Shyra, where she changed into 4 outfits and just posed on the pelamin for pictures. I've also went to my neighbor's Malam Berinai, albeit, it was the Groom's side, where the Groom-to-be wore a traditional baju melayu, sat on the pelamin and family members will stain his palm with inai.
So, how is it going to be for my Malam Berinai?
I didn't actually put so much thought into it...I just wanted to have a small gathering with close families and friends the night before "The" day...
I didn't want to change into different outfits, cause it's going to take time and I want to spend time with the guests. Because the theme of the decorations for the nikah was moroccan, I decided to wear a kaftan, while I asked the guests (men and ladies) to wear the jubah. I have been looking for the right kaftan for quite sometime, I think 2-3 months earlier. I had in mind a white kaftan with some heavy beadings. But the ones I found are either too expensive or not having enough moroccan vibe to it. At one point I thought of tailor-making it, but time catched up too fast and it was already quite late.
5 days before the Malam Berinai, me and Ibu went to Subang Parade to look for some wedding stuff and dropped by this shop called the Maisoinnette. It is located below Uncle Lim's. Have been there a few times and they have a selection of beautiful kaftans, but quite pricey. This shop carries a few brands/boutiques, and one of them is Faiz. If you live in Subang, you will know this boutique because come Raya, their baju kurung will sell like hot cakes. Anyway, while I was combing through the kaftans, I saw a Faiz kaftan - creme colored kaftan with heavy beading at the neck. What I like about this kaftan was the beading was colorful - very moroccan-ish. BUT, the it was toooo big. Alamak. The sales lady then told me they can alter it. YEAY! Then I brought in my mum to bargain the price. My mum is somewhat a regular customer and knows the sales lady, so she sold the kaftan at a small discount and free alteration! It will be ready 2 days before the Malam Berinai. This is what the kaftan looks like:
On Thursday evening, after we were done with cleaning and preparing the house for the wedding, I bathed and prepared myself for the Malam Berinai. I decided not to have any drawings on my palms, because the reception is somewhat modern-ish. But I did the henna drawings for Aliff's side which was more traditional. So, anyway, I bought the tube-innai and Kakmira put it on my finger nails at around 7pm.
Then me and Syida went to Cut N Blow, a saloon near our house to do our hair...they were already closing, but we managed to persuade them to blow dry our hair, since it was my wedding and all...we're quite close to them :)
Came back and Kakmira put on the contact lenses for me...yes, I don't know how to put them on myself...hahah...and it always stresses Kakmira out, because it will take atleast 15 minutes to put them on because I have very sensitive-protective-blinking-eyes ;) Then she started to do my make up...Half way through, my UIA besties arrived...Kakmira saw Atun's make up which was very pretty and asked her to do my make up instead...hahaha..so, Atun jadi bidan terjun and did my make up...and she made me looked pretty! Cheh..serious...loved her make up.
Then I changed into my kaftan. Seeing how pretty Atun made me look, Kakmira and Syida asked Atun to do their make up as well...hahah sian Atun.
Then I went down to meet the rest of the guests and eat. I poured out my wedding stories to the girls while we eat...haih...tak baik kan "these people" buat pengantin stressss...but I didnt want to ruin my night, so I said, whatever happens, I just have to live with it kan? I asked them to pray that "it" will turn out alright, and you know what, both of "it" turned out better than expected! So, to you girls who did pray for me, thanxxx a million!
Anyway, after we ate, I was asked to seat at the pelamin for the "Berinai". The elderly-family members merenjis and stained some innai on my palm. Then my uncle called out my friends to do the same. After the "Berinai" we took pictures and my aunts helped put in the kurma and chocolates into the boxes for the doorgifts for the nikah.
Kakmira had to miss the Berinai (and the Nikah the next night) because baby Ahmadi had the fever.......the best timing kan? Dugaan nak kahwin....but, Ahmedi is now ok. Kakmira came back after the guests left and we took some pictures.
So, that was my Malam Berinai...it was just a simple one, with close family and friends, the way I like it. My last night as a single woman...EXCITED + NERVOUS + HAPPY BEYOND WORDS.
NEXT: THE DAY I BECAME A WIFE - THE NIKAH
Toodles.
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