2 Weekends to the Big Day

2 more weekends left before the Big Day. How do I feel? FREAKING NERVOUS. Not particularly on the part of being married and the marriage after (for now atleast) because I dont foresee a HUGE change, other than the fact that I will be living in 2 houses, one of which is the Parents-in-Law's house (which also gets me nervous at times). Me and Aliff will be staying at our parents' houses first until we get a place on our own. So, anyway, what gets me nervous is the ENDLESS things that still need to be done. This is when a Wedding Planner will come in handy. Oh Well.

Recap of last week:

1. Grooms Wear for Nikah & Bride's Reception- Aliff had picked up his baju melayu for the nikah and the suit for the reception dinner. Next: butang baju melayu for his nikah baju melayu.

2. Hantaran - I think me and Aliff have finished getting all the things to be placed on the hantaran dulang. Aliff got his shoes from Jakarta. We also got his ring, which needs to be refitted, scheduled to be ready sometime next week I think. We also got the tie and the shirt for the hantaran (which he will be wearing for the reception). Next: cufflinks and the perishables, like the sireh junjung, fruits, cake and chocolates.

3. Baju Pengantin for Groom's Reception -  We will be going traditional, adorning silverish creme songkets. The MIL got the songkets from Indonesia and we have sent them to a tailor in Subang. It is quite last minute, but they said they can do it within the time we wanted. Mine will be ready on the 11th of June and Aliff's probably the week after. The look we're going for:

Next: Getting accesories for the Bride's ensemble; the headpiece, the ankle bracelet, the three tier necklace etc. Since I'm wearing a baju kurung, don't know whether the belt is suitable or not. Either way, I'm so excited to be wearing all these traditional accessories! Bila lagi? :)

L: source  R: source
Because my attire would be a simple kurung, I think the left one might be a tad to simple, but the the one in right might be too overwhelming. The one in right is called the "Sanggul Lintang" - something I have just learned :)

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I think this piece might be what I'm looking for.



The three-tier-necklace which is called the "Dokoh"
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The ankle bracelet a.k.a gelang kaki

4. Bridal Shower! My lovely varsity friends threw me a beautiful tea-party-bridal-shower at the most perfect place; Carcosa Seri Negara, the place I've always dreamt of having my wedding...oh well, anyway, it was so much fun and beautiful. Unexpectedly cried while giving the coerced-bridal speech. Will talk about this in a seperate post :)

Ok, so what I am planning to do this week:

1. Managing the Guestlist. Everyday we will receive the RSVP cards in our mail (which is so exciting), and even more exciting when the boxes "hadir" is ticked. But, having people RSVP-ing as not attending is actually a slight relief because the number of cards issued out are more than the seats allocated, BUT even so, I get a tinge of sadness when I see the box "tidak dapat hadir" is ticked even if I dont even know the person (eg; friends of the parents). Hahaha. Anyway, will have to sort out the actual numbers and arrange seatings this weekend. Thank you to those who have RSVP-ed. Tho those yang belum RSVP, pleaseeee do so, it will be really helpful so we can know the actual numbers and not waste or worse, have short of seats. We've provided the stamps and the envelope, all you have to do is fill in your name, tick and post it ............

2. Song List. So, I have been compiling the song list since 2 weeks ago, and this is one of the MOST fun thing to do. Listening to beautiful songs is just the best! My song list consist of classic-jazzy love songs from Eric Clapton to Tony Bennet to Frank Sinatra to P Ramlee. Classics are the best! I am also very fortunate to have my friend, Maria to sing me a few tunes. Her voice is to die for! First time I heard her sang was at a karaoke birthday party where she sang "Listen" by Beyonce. Ya Allah, sedapnyaaaaaaa. If the song wasn't such a sad song I would want her to sing it at my wedding. But I found the perfect song she can sing, "At Last", sang by Etta James and covered again by Beyonce. A compulsory song for my wedding! Maria will also be singing 2 more songs, yet to be finalised; either "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson, "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton, "The Way You Look Tonight" by Tony Bennet, "Aku Cinta Padamu" by Sheila Majid and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" by the Platters. And tentatively, Kakmira will be singing a duet with Adri "Sudah Kahwin Ke Belum" by Saloma and Ahmad Daud. They sang this once while were karaoke-ing one time and I was like, you two MUST sing this song at my wedding. The song's really cute! And a special peformance by a special someone (don't get too excited, its not an artist) but lets keep this a surprise :) All this are just plans, kita hanya merancang, so HOPEFULLY by next week we can finalise all the wedding singers :) Other than that, we are going to have a band play at my wedding. The band that was booked was Bapak's choice - it's his office's band, I've actually never seen them perform and I dont know what kind of songs they can play. But according to Ibu, they are quite good. Bapak has asked (and repeatedly reminded) me to send them the list of songs that I want them to play so they can rehearse. So that I MUST do this week, or I'm going to get an earful from Bapak.

3. Cake. Yummmmsssss. I will be ordering 2 cakes; one for the hantaran and one for the reception dinner. I've actually already have the designs, which needs finalising this week. Aishah recommended me Madaboutcake. I've actually known about them and had asked for a quotation once. Their price seem reasonable and their designs are quite impressive. Thought of meeting them this weekend, but Aishah will not be free, so maybe somewhere this week on a weekday kot?

4. Hantaran. Fuhhhhhh. this is a toughie. I already have the concept that I want, but I've realised that I might need more stuff than expected and the materials that I need is quite hard to find. I bought some things weeks ago, for the prototype, but when I went to get them last week, they're out of stock. It's always like that. When you don't need them, they'll be everywhere you turn, but when you need them, they're not there. Haih. So, I have planned to get all the materials weeks ago, but my weekends are always full with other events. So, I hope this weekend I will be able to settle the hantaran trays once and for all.

5. Home/Tent Deco. So, I'm also doing this myself. I've already gotten most of the decorative items. There are a few more left. I'm planning to get them this weekend too while I look for the hantaran stuff.

6. Flowers/Bouquet. Yes I LOVE flowers and i love shopping for them. I will  probably drop by Floristika to order the flowers and have them deliver to me one day before the wedding or I'll get someone to pick them up for me. I am planning to get red carnations and roses for the centrepieces and for the mini-pelamin. Some white chrysantemums, roses, orchids and hydrangeas for the sireh junjung. Some pastel colored flowers like eustoma, hydrangeas, carnations, sweet williams, and lavender for the bridal room. And ofcourse Casa Lilies for they bring the most beautiful ambience. I wonder if Floristika has peonies and gardenias. What else? My pelamin maker will be making my bridal bouquet for the reception. For the nikah, I'm not sure yet, whether to get him do it for me or do it myself. I'll probably have white orchids which is one of my favorite flowers, or a combination of pastel colored flowers to match my bridesmaids who will be wearing pastel pink, yellow and peach kaftans...come to think of it, a bouquet of yellow flowers may look really nice, no? hmmmm. Something I need to think about. Oh, I need to get flowers for the bridesmaids hand bouquet for the reception. I'll probably use lavenders cause they'll be wearing maroon/royal purple dresses. Wow, how much are these going to cost me? Yikes.

The things listed above (minus the guestlist part) are actually the best parts which I look forward to and enjoy in wedding planning.

To Do:

1. Bridal Wear - haish, tak settle-settle lagi. The most important part of the wedding. Hopefully, by this week I get to see it! Excited + Nervous + Anxious + Scared + Happy + Every other emotion you can think of.

2. Nikah Shoes - I'm looking for a white peep toe heels. Probably with white lace or flowers or ribbon ... something which is very .... bridal ....

have been looking high and low, but I've not found the perfect one yet. Or maybe should I get a hot pink heel?

Hmmm...

3. Flow of Event - to appoint a floor manager for both events.

4. Pre Wedding Photoshoot and Videoshoot - these are the two things I did not plan to do, cause I dont really like to do the props-acting stuff ...but I guess I am doing it...hahaha...because;

- the photoshoot was actually Aliff's uncle's request...he takes pictures as a hobby and he wanted to take our pre-wedding photos. His idea is just to take casual pictures of the both of us, in casual wear, he specifically said jeans and white shirts, no make up, no props whatsoever. I'm ok with that...as long as we dont have to do awkward poses...ahaha Uncle Osman is cool, so I'm sure it will be lovely and not cheesy.

- the videoshoot, is actually MY idea...ahahahha...I fell in love with Nicole Kidman's Omega advertisement, and thought of doing something similar...ahahhahahahhahahah...not sure if it will materialise though...will be meeting the videographer on the 5th of June to discuss the theme and idea of the shoot. Hopefully it will turn out well.

Both will be done on the last weekend before the wedding because of Aliff's "busy" schedule.

5. MOH and Bridesmaid kaftan - For the Nikah, family members will be wearing pastel pink/blue/purple while my Bridesmaids will be wearing pastel peach/pink/yellow kaftans.

color palette for the family

color palette for the Bridesmaids

My MOH has not gotten her kaftan for the nikah yet, as she will only be arriving in Malaysia from Australia on the 12th of June. So I'm thinking to go look for it with her. I also  need to get a yellow kaftan for one of my bridesmaid (Jihan!) who will be arriving in Malaysia on the 13th of June from the UK.

6. Spa, Mani-Padi and Brazilian - I have not gotten the chance to find time to go to a really relaxing spa! A MUST DO before the wedding. Will probably go with my MOH/Bridesmaids/Sisters the weekend before the wedding! Because I will be doing quite a bit of decorating/flower arranging for the wedding, I'll go for the mani padi the day before the wedding. Brazilian.....hmmmmmmm? Never done it before. Planned to do it once before the wedding so I'll know what to expect when I actually do it for the wedding...tapi....hmmmmm....see how...ahahahha...

7. Malam Berinai - Ooooohhhhh I need to get a white kaftan for the berinai! Shoots. Probably too late to get materials and send it for tailoring...which means I need to get a ready made...


something like this will be nice
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 8. Inai - speaking of berinai, I also need to find someone to do the inai and henna. But I'm actually thinking of NOT doing the inai and henna at all, for the nikah and reception, but I'll do it for Aliff's reception...If I wont be wearing inai, than what is the Malam Berinai for? Hahahha...just for fun, get all the ladies to come the night before and have a small gathering, last touch ups, take pictures....hmmm....this needs to be revisited.

What else? Mesti banyak lagi ni...tak teringat je lagi....See why I'm nervous? Every morning for the past week, after I wake up while brushing my teeth I feel like throwing up. Boleh tak?

So many things to do this weekend. I hope time is on my side.

Toodles.

Marriage Approval and Hantarans

Just came back from Advisory Conference in Kuantan last Saturday. Was there from the 14th-16th (Thursday - Saturday).

Remember this post about Aliff going to Jakarta? Well, while I was in Kuantan, received a text from Aliff saying that his boss had asked him to go to Jakarta for one month and he'll be leaving next Saturday the 23rd. What? So close to the wedding already?? His boss has the BEST timing!!!!!! He'll have to be there for a month, but he'll be back in Malaysia once a fortnight. Which is only once lah cause he'll only be there for a month kan. 1 month ONLY ok Mr A. After the wedding please don't take my husband away! *chehhh 'husband'* :)))

Tried to sneak away on Friday the 15th so I don't waste my Saturday on travelling back from Kuantan, but did not succeed. Haih. So, Saturday morning, around 11am, I shoot back home and arrived at about 2pm to continue with the wedding preparations.

With Aliff leaving for Jakarta so soon, we had to speed up with some of the preparations that required Aliff's involvement. So, this is last week's round up:

1. GROOM's FITTING

Once I reached home, called Aliff to pick me up to go to his fitting at Baron's Gentlemen. Fitting was for his Nikah Baju Melayu and Reception Suit. Fitting went well. Aliff was satisfied. The baju melayu was ready, the suit will be ready sometime next week. But since Aliff won't be here, we'll probably pick them up when he comes back.

Groom's Fitting = CHECKED.

2. JAIS PROCEDURES

I had planned for Aliff to get his validation from the PPN (Penolong Pendaftar Nikah) of his qariah mosque on Thursday night and then to go to JAIS Friday morning to get the marriage approval. For the qadi, we both wanted this particular ustaz, Ustaz Khairul Jahrin because he was one of the speakers during the kursus kahwin that we attended and he was really funny and nice. So Aliff called him up to book him as our qadi. Coincidentally, he was the PPN for the both of us (we both are under the same qariah mosque - Masjid SS15, because our addresses are so near to each other). So Aliff met with him on Thursday night. Initially I wanted to do mine together with Aliff, but I had to attend Advisory's Conference, so we decided that Aliff did his first. Ustaz Khairul told Aliff that Aliff didnt have to go to JAIS because he works there and he'll do the approval for Aliff. And he said I could bring my wali and witnesses to see him when I come back and he'll also do the approval for me. YEAY. Tak payah cuti to go to JAIS. So, on Saturday night, me, my wali (Bapak), my witnesses (Papa Chen and Adri) and my future husband went to see the Ustaz at Masjid SS15. We filled in the forms and signed where necessary and the rest the Ustaz will do for us.Thank my lucky stars! All that is left is for us to just pick up from him the Surat Kebenaran Berkahwin. Aliff will do that.

Jais Procedures = CHECKED. 

3. HANTARANS

On Sunday me and Aliff went to look for our hantaran stuff. The two important and main components of the hantaran was the rings and the watches. Aliff have always wanted a watch. He has this fascination with watches that is waaaayyy beyond my pay check - names like Longines, Breitling, Jaeger- LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, IWC, Patek Philippe (names I've grown accustomed with since I met Aliff) eeeksss. *telan air liur* ... For me, I guess the usual hantaran item for ladies are handbags and shoes. But I decided for Aliff to get me a watch instead - reason: I don't own a really nice watch and watches are very sentimental and timeless, something that you will always keep and treasure especially the really expensive ones lah kan. Ahaha. So, hantarans, being the Groom's gifts to the Bride, I think a watch is definitely a winner. Unless Aliff can also, in addition to the watch, get me a chanel classic flap bag and a salvatore ferragamo vara leather pumps. Ahahha. Takpelah, tak nak ketuk dia sangat. Kesian dia. Maybe anniversary gifts, Aliff?

Anyway, those are the 2 items that will drill a huge hole in our pockets, so we decided to get them first. We went to BSC at Bangsar.

Watches
Went to this watch chop called Hing's Watch. As i have said earlier, Aliff has a high taste for watches. *Pejam Mata* Itu pun what I got for him was not his first choice. Sabar ok sayang, when I leave this place and make more I'll get you your Breitling or Audemars Piguet or IWC *chehhhh confident jeee boleh ke?* Ahahah. Me, I didn't have a specific preference for watches. Aliff insisted that we should get watches from watch makers and not designer brands. So, I decided to get my watch from the same brand as his. Unless he wants to get me an Omega or Cartier lah kan. Ahaha. So, we got his and hers watches :))))) *matching gitu*.

Rings
We have been surveying for rings ever since we got engaged. I've always wanted a solitaire diamond on a diamond ecrusted band.  The size of the diamond is not so much an issue (ofcourse the bigger the ice the better ;p), but I've always loved a princess cut diamond.



Kakmira's friend, Dila who has a shop at BSC (Poya), who is also a bride-to-be this year,  had recommended Fa'iq Jewel, a jewellery shop near her shop. So we went there, sat for about a couple of hours, got a tutorial on diamond quality (cut, color, clarity, carat etc) and finally decided on THE ring. We decided on a solitaire ring - triple excellent round brilliant cut, colorless, with slight inclusion on a simple four claw band - Aliff preferred a bigger size for the diamond, so, to keep within his budget I had to let go of the diamonds encrusted band. I was ok with it because I will be wearing the wedding ring with my engagement ring which is already a diamond encrusted band. Maybe for our first year anniversary, we can change the band? :)))) And the jeweller there told me that round brilliant is the best cut for a diamond...takpe lah, I'm not so fussy on the ring sangat...don't know why...I didn't have a bridezilla moment that day. Ahahaha. Anyway, the band had to be refitted because I have really small fingers (i'm a size 8). It will be ready this week.  We decided to get Aliff's ring next Saturday before he leaves. Aliff is not so keen on wearing any jewellery, so he insisted that I don't spend so much on his ring, but to allocate more for his shoes (which is also one of Aliff's fetish).

So, Bride's Ring, His & Hers Watches = CHECKED.

***********

oh yeah, tengah happy-happy on Sunday

after getting the ring and watch and all,

on the way home we met with a traumatic incident.

put simply, we encountered a person who i pray that none of us will ever meet or become.

someone i will remember and truly curse forever.

i do not pray that you crash your car and die painfully and horrificly,

although that is what i want, but because i have my religion and faith,

i pray that Allah will do justice for me and aliff and every other person

who has had the most terrible luck of meeting you.

i pity your family and friends to have someone like you in their life.

i pity the woman who has been destined to be your companion.

i pity the children that you are going to have and

the generation that will forever be tainted by your existence.

 i pray that these people be given the strength and patience by having you in their lives.

 ******************

Groom's Attire

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So last-last Saturday I finally managed to get Aliff's time to settle his baju melayu for the nikah and his suit for the bride's reception dinner.

We went to this shop called Baron Gentlemen which is run by ex-Sparkmanshop suitmakers. Aliff knew one of them, who had made him a pair of pants and shirt once and Aliff was comfortable with his workmanship. The plan (Aliff's plan) was to go there first and then to another tailor at The Curve where Aliff had also made pants and shirts with and maybe a couple of other places to survey the price and such for his suit.

We arrived at Baron Gentlemen, which is situated at Klang, at about 1.00pm. First Aliff settled his baju melayu. The material for the baju melayu is white linen, which i bought for him as one of the engagement hantaran.

He had already decided to make his baju melayu there. They took his measurements and basically that's it lah because, well, unlike the baju kurung, baju melayu is pretty standard. The only designs out there is I guess whether you want a cekak musang or the johor collar. So, we went with the 5 buttonned - cekak musang.

Then they started talking about the suit. I've followed Aliff to men's tailors a couple of times and it takes about 2 hours for him to finalise everything, from the fabric, to the cut, to the collar, to the sleeve and what nots. Aliff is VERY particular, and men's tailoring is not actually my area of interest so I was prepared to be bored. I guess this is what he feels when he (very rarely) accompany me to Cindy. So, while the men talked, I snapped a few pictures.

There were a few times when Aliff looked at me and asked my opinion. Aww so sweet. I don't really care actually, as long as he looks like the McDreamy poster they had on their wall :) -

Aliff ended up making his suit with them as well, cause he liked them and well he just did not want to survey anymore. We were there for almost 2 hours.

So, YEAY! Our wedding attires for my side has been settled. Next are just fittings.  Tak sabarnyaaaa!

Aliff decided to wear a black thin tie with his suit. I was watching the Oscars the other day and saw Robert  Downey Jr. donning a white tie with his suit, looked so handsome...

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hmmm...emailed the picture to Aliff...I think he still wants to go with the black tie. Oh well.

On the subject, I must say that this year's Oscars Red Carpet saw so many BEAUTIFUL dresses! And my eyes popped out when I saw a sneak peak of what I have been envisioning my reception dress to be - Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier at the Oscars...except that mine would be in ivory and a slightly longer train -

                                        

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HOPEFULLY it turns out just as beautiful.

So now we have to concentrate on the wedding attires for the groom's reception, which is under his mom's purview... it'll be malay traditional, using songket as the main fabric. I think she said she's sending it to a tailor in Jakarta. Will have to update on that.

Toodles.