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.

Another Fruitful Bridezilla Weekend

Last Sunday met with Alin Anuar. She runs her business under the name of Asian Atelier, which also does custom made shoes, make up (by her sister), wedding planning and a fashion line. Her bridal wear and kebaya line is known as Cantik Skaly.

The entourage this time consist of me, Nell, Kakmira, Lulu Alani and the two guys; Adri - the brother-in-law (BIL) and Aliff - the groom-to-be (GTB). The appointment was at 2.30pm at Alin's studio apartment which was converted into an office/studio, at Damansara Perdana. The BIL and GTB didn't stay for the discussion, they went to have drinks at a nearby mamak. Good thing, cause I've decided that I don't want the GTB to see my bridal wear until the day itself. Nothing to do with the mat saleh "bad luck" belief. I just want it to be a surprise :)

I knew of Alin Anuar from a former bride and a close friend, Nabilla. Alin was her bridal wear designer for both her nikah and her reception dinner. She looked absolutely stunning in both. Her wedding was featured here. Nabilla described Alin as "cool", so I decided to check her out.

Alin is definitely cool. She's a petite lady but full of energy. I described to her what i envision my reception dress to be while she took notes. Once I was finish, she reiterated what I have said and added her own ideas and suggestions, some of which I agreed to. Alin, unlike the other designers which I have met (including my Cindy) did not sketch a picture of the dress for me. She was more of a visualiser and descriptive in what she saw the dress to be like.  No qualms about that, I got the picture. She also sometimes talk to herself about the things she intended to do. It was really cute. She is really cute.

So, she told me that the fabrics that she would be using would be incorporation of chiffon and tulle. She also suggested to add some lace at the bodice, which, although I have decided not to use lace, I thought I could agree with, since the way she described how she is going to use the lace is to create texture and the illusion of a figure in the dress and the amount of lace to be used would be minimal.





Then we discussed the budget. She said she can work with my budget but she'll have to discuss it with her team and get back to me the day after (which is today). I have received her quotation and it is slightly more than what I asked from her, but still within my budget.

All in all, I think Alin got the idea and I like her and can see myself working with her. And she shares my adoration of Queen Rania, Audrey Hepburn and Coco Chanel. Which is a plus plus in my book :).

The only thing is that the beadworks that she is offering within the price that she quoted is not as elaborate as I would want.

So, I'm still waiting for Syomir's quotation. I don't know whether I'll be meeting with other designers or not because I really don't have enough free time this month. Planned to meet Arma after meeting Alin, but he was busy with weddings and events. So, we went to see Duchess Place and Carcosa Seri Negara. Will blog about that later.

At Carcosa Seri Negara

*all pictures from Nell*

I need to confirm a designer by this month. So, there's some thinking to be done within the next week for this HUGE decision to be made. I hope I make the right choice.

Watch this space. xx

December is Wedding Dress Month

It has been a while since I wrote anything about my wedding progress in this virtual wedding diary of mine. November was a bit hectic of ... I don't know what. Probably I was just plain lazy.

Anyways, I have made some progress on the wedding planning! Yeay!

Yesterday (when I first wrote this it was "yesterday" - but now it has become 2 days ago), before Nabilla's Wedding Reception, I brought my troops to see 2 wedding designers; Syomir Izwa and Qudyn. They are top 2 in my list because I think their work is simple, yet never short of elegance and poise, modern but timeless, not too busy with so many materials and designs incorporated in one piece. And I have read and heard of good reviews of the both them with regards to quality and service/customer relations.

So, I asked my Wedding P.A aka Kakmira to set up appointments with both of them on Tuesday the 7th because it was a public holiday due to the Maal Hijrah celebration - BTW;

To all my muslim friends and readers, Selamat menyambut Awal Muharram!

In other words, Happy New Year!

Buka buku baru, tutup buku lama...Semoga selepas ni buku sebelah kanan lebih tebal dari sebelah kiri. Amin.

Initially it was just going to be me, Nell, Kakmira and Aliff. But, Aliff ofcourse had to go in to office, public holiday or not. I asked Syida and Ibu to tag along. Ibu told Mama-ina (Nell's mum and my aunt who is my mum's sister and BFF), and she wanted to follow. So did Adik (Nell's sister). Kakmira decided to bring precious Lulu Alani. So it was 8 of us, 2 cars. Big troop I brought. Haha.

Part of the Bridezilla Troop.
L-R: Nell a.k.a Kakak, Lulu Alani, Syida
(picture courtesy of Kakmira)

Me and my troop started with Syomir Izwa. His shop is in Solaris Dutamas, Mont Kiara. The appointment was at 12. We reached there just in time, probably a few minutes past 12 because we got a lil lost finding his shop. It was a really nice shop, very exclusive and drama :) Loved the white dress on the mannequin situated at the end of the display room.

Ms. Lulu checking out the shop
(picture courtesy of Syida)

It started off with everyone pee-ing. Haha. seriously. Semua tak tahan nak kencing. Ahah. Then we started discussing on my reception dress. I described to him what I had in mind and showed him clippings from magazines of some designs that I had brought. Then he started sketching. He sketched 2 designs. Everyone liked the first one. Then we discussed materials. As I have said in this entry, I was thinking of incorporating chiffon and tulle and satin as lining. I've decided I don't want lace, since the nikah baju kurung will have lace. Syomir agreed and said; "lace is overused. yang datang wedding pun pakai lace." Hahaha. I also told him that I would like the dress to be encrusted with beadings for the bling effect. What I learned from my meeting with Syomir is that he is in love with chiffon! Haha. I am too. But I think him more than me. Hahah. He's not into tulle sangat. He even wants to use chiffon for the veil. All in all I think we are in the same page. He's really nice and friendly. I like him. He told me he would get back to me with the quotation. I have a feeling it's going to blow my budget because of the bead works.

*praying hard it would be right within, if not on the dot, of my budget*

L-R: Me, Mama-Ina, Syomir
(picture courtesy of Nell)

(picture courtesy of Syida)

(picture courtesy of Syida)

We spent about an hour with Syomir. Ibu and Mama-ina loved his ready-to-wear designs and shoes and clutches so they spent some time trying on his shoes and querying him on his work. We finished around 1.30-ish. Kakmira scheduled our appointment with Qudyn at 3pm. Qudyn is at Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, which is about 20 minutes from Mont Kiara (info based on google-map). So we had about one hour to spare. We went to Solaris for lunch. Aliff met us there before he went to work. His office is just nearby, at Jalan Semantan, Damansara Heights. We ate at Meatworks. One of the best beef ribs I've had so far. It has been a while since I ate at Tony Romas, which is famous for its beef ribs, so I'm not able to compare between the two.

We ran a little late, because of our darling Lulu Alani. She was sleepy by lunch time so she was a bit grumpy and took time eating her food, which she tossed here and there.

Lulu Alani still clean - before she started her tantrum
(picture courtesy of Mama Nell)

To make her eat and behave, Kakmira promised her ice-cream. So, after lunch we had to stop by Baskin Robbins. I told Kakmira to call Qudyn to change the appointment to 3.30pm.

It was my first time (at least that I remember) to Bandar Tun Razak, and Cheras is definitely not a familiar territory. I googled-map the way, and we didn't get lost ... until we reached Bandar Tun Razak. Haha. We had Qudyn's address but we were not sure how to get there. Google was right, it was about 20 minutes from Mont Kiara to Bandar Tun Razak, but we forgot to include the lead time for getting lost. I called Qudyn for directions and finally reached his place at 4pm. Shishkebab, 1 hour late. Sorry Qudyn!

Qudyn, true to what I have read, is really nice (eventho we were late). He runs his business from his home which he converted to something like a studio. Same as at Syomir's, everyone took turns to pee. Haha. A family of small bladders. So, we discussed the designs, the concept and the materials for the reception dress. Qudyn, suggested to incorporate tulle, which bodes well with my innitial idea. He also said he'll use tulle for the veil. He asked me my budget and gave me a quotation then and there, which is exactly the amount of the budget. Nice. I told him I'll get back to him to confirm. We left at about 5pm, just in time to reach home and get ready for Nabilla's Wedding Reception.

So, now I have 2 amazing designers. Different approaches but good reviews each of them. At the moment I'm not sure with whom I am inclined towards. They both have their pros and cons. Both really nice. I'll wait for Syomir's quote because that will ultimately decide my decision. I am also thinking of meeting Emma, Arma and Alin Anuar, just to make sure I am making the right choice, economical wise. I know right, five different options just for a dress? Ahah I know some people who would just go to one and confirm. Haha. I am meticulous that way. It's tiring, but I realllly have to make sure I stick to the budget, which is already bloated. I think I need some trimmings here and there. My new year's resolution is:

Not to get tooo carried away spending for the wedding.
(big fonts as a reminder to myself...I tend to stray away from this from time to time)

We'll see whether I'll have time to go the remaining 3. This month's weekend is all full (which reminds me I've to call for the kursus kahwin) and I HAVE to decide on the designer by this month. Both Syomir and Qudyn told me they atleast need 3 months to make the date. The faster the better, so my dress won't be lined up in a long que of other brides-to-be and there'll be enough time for fittings and alterations.

If you realise, I'm only concentrating on my reception dress for now. This is because I think I'll invest more on the reception dress because my vision for it is quite elaborate and would require special hands and touch. I already have the lace for the nikah ensemble, so I'll start sending the materials once I've confirmed the budget for the reception dress. 

Will write again on this :) Toodles.

A Simple White Gown

So, last weekend was a long weekend due to the Deepavali celebrations.

Kakmira called me over on Friday to join her lunch date with Along Fara and Dindin. So, while Kakmira and Bibik prepared lunch in the kitchen (ouhhh sedap sangat - Ketam Masak Lemak, Ayam Goreng Bibik Style, Sambal Terung ... yummmsssssss), I went through the wedding magazines that I managed to grab when Kakmira picked me up and also my yellow-wedding-box (it's a box where I keep pictures that I've cut out from magazines about to be threwn out and samples of cards I bought at Memory Lane among others - it's a collection of ideas for my wedding) to start designing and sketching my wedding attires.

(I suck at sketching, so the sketch of my wedding dresses was not as pretty as what I have imagined in my head, oh well).

Finally deciding on the design was very tough, as I have mentioned in my previous entry ( Timeless ), I have done my research since forever. The picture of the wedding dress in my mind has evolved over 20 years of dreaming and 3 years of google-ing every design out there. So, yeah, my mind is filled with jumbled-up designs and inspirations. As much as I admire the women I have wrote about in that entry, and although their styles do inspire me in one way or another, I want my wedding attires to be me.

So, this is what I have so far. It's not much, but atleast its progress and I kind of know the direction I am heading to now.

Without giving too much away, 

 for the nikah,

I'm going to go with the malay-traditional baju kurung, with a touch of modern design. It's going to be soft-white-chiffon, with lace trims around the neckline and bust area, probably some on the shoulder, the wrist and edges of the dress. It would also be embelished with white pearls and probably some swarovski diamonds, just so that there'll be some glitz. I'm imagining it to be flowy, and not too skin-tight. And I'll have a full laced-long veil, something like Jackie Kennedy's and Princess Zara's veil. I'm not having too much problem envisioning the nikah outfit.

for the reception dinner,

I'm imagining a long ivory dress with a long train.  

I'm going with a one piece long dress, because Aliff's side would be traditional.

The dress would be semi - conservative. But not too conservative as I'm envisioning a portrait neckline - something like Jackie-O/Princess Mary. Innitially, I wanted a high-neck collar, like Princess Letizia, but then I feel that it will look too formal for my taste.

 

It's going to be with sleeve, but I'm, still contemplating on the length.

I would also want to incorporate a couple of different materials such as light tulle, fine satin, and soft chiffon.

I'm still unsure whether there'll be any element of lace since the nikah outfit will already have that.

Because the reception will be at night, in a big hall, I'm going to need some glitz effect. Im thinking that I would want some crystals and beads encrusted at the bust area and some sparkles on the bodice and along the trims of the dress to add some bling-bling. Like the styles of Sheila Majid and Noryn Aziz, but not as extravagant lah. Some Hollywood examples -

Overall, the dress will be sheath - slim silhouette with some flowy effect - but not overly kembang  fairytale princess-ball gown like. When I was small I wanted Cinderella's ball gown. It was and still very beautiful, but probably not the way I am going for my wedding :)So I'll have to be careful and make sure that the tulle material will not get out of hand. But the sparkle effect is what I'm going for.

 

Ok, some of the dresses above might be quite extravagant for me, but somewhere along those lines lah. 



The tailor.

That's another problem. I am very particular and head strong. That's why I have stuck so long with Cindy, my tailor of almost 20 years. She listens and layan all my ... kerenah you can call it. Ahaha. She'll try to think, crack her head and sew a particular design that I want. For the wedding, although I love Cindy, I'm going to go with a designer-tailor. Preferably someone young, cause their approach is more current. I know some well-known designers have a head of their own and usually dictates how the dress would look like. I  need someone who can work with my visions and enlighten me with my details. I'm no designer, I can't even sew, so I'll need their professional consult, but I want someone who can suggest their ideas without imposing them.

I have a few names; Syomir Izwa, Syahrir Nurdin, Syaiful Baharim, Rizman Ruzaini to name a few.  I know that most of them do celebrities, but I am hoping that their price will be within my budget. Aiyayai. I hate the budget. Such a party pooper. Tapi, I have to be realistic lah kan.

I think Nabila's is also quite good, I saw a glimpse of her wedding attires and they look sooo pretty, especially the nikah outfit. I love that one. Something like what I'm imagining for mine. Her wedding's this December, and I'm probably meeting her this week, so we'll see the final product and her testimony.

And according to Kakmira, her friend, Diyana's designer-tailor is also nice and affordable. The name is Emma. I went to Diyana's wedding and her baju pengantin was really lovely and I was told Emma made the bridesmaids dresses as well and they were also very pretty.

That said, I'm quite inclined towards this one person who, from his porfolio goes well with my idea for the dresses, but I'm still keeping my options open. I'll have to start scheduling for appointments. Arghhh..can I just call on Cinderella's fairy god-mother to wave her wand and transform the materials into a beautiful gown? umm...make that 2 or 3 beautiful gowns lah. :)

Although this entry might or could build up the anticipation of a lavish big gown, (I hope it doesn't), but if it does, then I'm not putting my words right ... I just want a simple white gown. :)

I am giving myself until the end of this month, to finally choose a designer and put together the pieces of ideas and inspirations to create the vision of the dream wedding dress. Sempat ke nak meet this deadline, with the contracts and opinions piling on my rack, table and chairs in the office! Ahhh.. Lambat sangat tak 5/6 months before the wedding? Ok kot?

Lets pray that the designer I finally choose will not be fully booked for a June wedding

... and hopefully my vision will translate in real life.  

*Crossing my fingers*

The Engagement - 31.7.2010

Since the Merisik was on Aliff's birthday, we thought we could have the Engagement on my birthday. But 1st August was on a Sunday, so we decided to have it on Saturday, 31st July, the day before.

As I have rambled on for 3 entries on the preparations, I guess pictures would suffice to describe the day I officially and traditionally became Aliff's fiance :) (Bertunang cara Mat Salleh; 23.7.2010 - refer the entry on "The Proposal" ahahha. Nak jugak tu.)

Date: 31.7.2010 (Saturday)

Time: 4.30pm

Venue: My home in lovely Subang Jaya

Canopy: Gurmit (recomended by the neighbor)

Catering: Manisa Catering

Menu: Laksa Johor, Roti Jala, Pulut Kuning and Rendang, traditional kuihs and Teh Tarik

Make Up: Faizah 

Hair: Cut and Blow

Tailoring: Cindy
Photography: Blindgraphique

Theme: Brown and Blue

Guests: About 150 of closest family and friends

The Morning of


Atuk, Lulu, Goofy and Kakmira and Bibik at the back



Nenek, Kakmira, Lulu and Goofy



Tok Ba, Lulu and Goofy

The Getting Ready

The Sarung Cincin and Suap Gula

The Guests and The Feast

 attendance via Skype :)

The Picture Taking

To Be Continued ... June 2011 :)