Project!

Woohooo...so dates are semi-confirmed for Syida's wedding! Well they've set the month, but dates are still being tossed around,  but whatever it is, there will be a merisik and bertunang this year, and wedding next year...that means the wedding planning can officially start!

I am currently quite occupied with office work, starting at a new place, in a new area would require me to put in extra hours to solidify my presence and build trust with the boss...so, I am still in the phase of trying to prove my worthiness, and although my biggest critic is me, and I am constantly dissapointing myself, I will not let that get in the way of getting back into the bridezilla me! Though I don't think it has ever left me..:)

Syida is more focused on the designs of the dresses right now. But I think, we need to take one thing at a time, and focus on the merisik first, which I was told by the bride-to-be will be in March. So right now I have to come up with a design for Syida's merisik baju kurung...OMG, lagi mengada kan? Merisik pun nak kena ada design?

Anyway, Ibu is panicking looking for a place to have the reception. That would depend on whether they will have the large number of guests like mine or are they willing to cut down on the guest list - which I don't think will happen, so we will need to find a big hall again. Dewan Sri Endon where I had mine is in the list, there were no problems with them when I had mine there, and it's a really nice hall. But Syida wants to try and look at other options as well...so the parents need to decide on the size of the wedding ASAP so we can get the hall hunting started.

Right now, I think the color schemes has been agreed on and the themes semi-confirmed.  As far as vendors are concerned, from my wedding experience, I know now who to AVOID, and who to BOOK immediately. I have a few vendors in mind that I would love to take again. But, it will depend on Syida, although I have been given a "power of attorney" to make pretty much all the decisions...well actually in Syida's words - "You do everything, all I want are a few options and power to veto". So bossy right.

Anyway, i'm so E.X.C.I.T.E.D. Can you tell?

As Cher and Dee in Clueless (like one of the best movie ever) would say, "PROJECT!".

Toodle doo.

16.6.2011 - Malam Berinai

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.

The Last 4 Days

I know I said I'll write everyday for the last ten days of the countdown to the wedding, but the last 4 days before the date was REALLY hectic that I just could not find the time to rest, let alone write. I think the last 4 days were probably the MOST stressful part of the wedding planning....I know during the last couple of days, most brides-to-be would be pampering themselves and rest plenty, but NOT me, the control-freak-bridezilla. Yes, I am going to have to admit to that. This was how the last 4 days went down:

4 Days - Monday

I was still working. My wedding-leave unofficially starts Tuesday. Officially, it starts on Thursday. Why? Long story...And to think that I stuck here so long because it's easy to get long leave. The best timing. Anyway, yeah, so my wedding leave will not be that long. Anyway, my mind was already no longer in the office. But I managed to stay and finish a couple of work and left sharp at 5pm. Back home, I started preparing the set up for nikah pelamin with the help of Kak Huriah.

3 Days - Tuesday

Woke up really early. I think I started to wake up 6.30am since Monday. Automatically. I think it's the nerves. At about 10.30am, I picked up my MOH, adik and Jihan to Floristika to order flowers. Yes, my "international" guests have arrived! Nell arrived from Australia on Sunday and Jihan arrived from UK on Monday. Reached Floristika at about 11am. I went a little crazy with the flowers. I ordered mostly red flowers for the pelamin and the centrepieces. I also ordered pastel colored flowers for the room. The flowers will be picked up in 2 batches - Nell and Adik will pick up the chrysantemums, orchids, roses, hydrangeas on Wednesday and the rest will be picked up by Syida on Thursday. Reason; the carnations, lilies and eustomas (which I will be using for the room) will only arrive on Thursday. We needed to make the centrepieces by Wednesday because it will be too rushing if we only start on Thursday - and the flowers I bought (red chrysantemums, orchids) can last a few days before drying, so those will be picked up on Wednesday morning.

at Floristika

After flower shopping, we went to Empire Subang for a late lunch at La Bodega. Then we sent Jihan home. What else did I do on Tuesday....oh we went to Jakel in Shah Alam to get material for Kakmira and Lulu for Aliff's reception the week after, VERY last minute, yes. Nell also needed to get some satin material for her MOH dress for my reception on Saturday - the dress is already ready, she wanted to add a ribbon in the middle which her tailor asked her to get some extra material. Then we went to look for MOH's kaftan for the nikah and also a few large vases. We went to Alam Sentral in Shah Alam. There's this shop which sells almost everything. Got 2 tall vases for a bargain! Really cheap. We saw a few kaftans that were quite nice in one of the many boutiques, but Nell still wanted to try other places. So, we only ended up getting my vase.

I had 2 appointments that night; Que, my pelamin and hall decorator for the reception and XYZ, my bridal attires designer (will review on both in a seperate post). Que came to the house first. Met with my parents, who wanted to ask him about the whole concept and what he will be doing. He showed us the sketch, and overall the parents were happy. Bapak asked him to add some stuff for the main table. He was also giving me ideas on the home pelamin and also a very useful tip on blossoming carnations! Que's the best!!!! serious! Chatted for quite a bit. Asked him to stay until XYZ came so he can see the dresses, but XYZ was quite late so Que left before he arrived. Close to 11pm, XYZ came with only my nikah kurung, he said he'll bring the reception dress the next day. Saw the nikah kurung for the first time and got quite a shock...Let me leave it at that. He said he'll bring it again the next day. Ok...3 more days to the wedding. Panicking? A bit. Didn't sleep really well that night.

2 Days - Wednesday

Woke up early, and made last check on the guestlist and seating arrangements. Cleared the house a bit, to make room for the first batch of the flowers. By this time, the house was pretty cluttered with wedding stuff all over. At about 11am, Nell brought home the red flowers and I started getting to work. I did the flowers for the pelamin first. That took quite some time because I wanted to make a big ball of flowers.

a mix of chrysantemums, roses and one more flower the name of which I'm not quite sure :)

Then I started arranging two vases (the ones I bought at Alam Sentral) of pastel flowers  for where the bride (which is me!) would sit during the akad nikah. This lasted until the evening. I left some space for the hydrangeas, because it was still too early to put them in the vase...hydrangeas need a lot of water and dries easily, so it's better that the hydrangeas enjoyed their own water before they have to share from the oasis with the other flowers :) I think I put the hydrangeas in the vase on the morning of the wedding.

a mix of white chrysantemums, casablanca lilies, pink daisies, white and pink orchids, white roses, pink hydrangeas

There were no man in the house to do the heavy lifting, so we had to outsource. My mum called one of the grass cutter who usually cuts our grass at home and one of his friend to help move the furniture to make room for the akad nikah. They were so helpful! Tipped them for their help.

Didn't get to go with Nell to look for her kaftan because I needed to finish the flowers. She went with adik and mamaina, and she got one of the kaftans we saw the day before. I broke 2 vases, while doing the floral arrangements (darah manis kan?) and they bought me 2 vases from the shop that sold everything. Thank god they went there again...I got a scream of lecture from everyone to slow down and delegate to others...heheh...I'm so used to doing everything, and being a control freak, I wanted to do everything...but I realised I can't do that...so, asked Syida to bring reinforcements for that night.

XYZ came by at about 8pm (I think). He brought my reception dress only. Nikah kurung not yet ready. No problem with the fit for the dress, because we did the fitting about a week ago. Beading still not full-only half way. He said he will bring it again on Thursday night after my Berinai together with the nikah kurung. Breathe in  breathe out. Telan air liur. 1day left.

We continued with the floral arrangements for the centrepieces later that night. Some aunts and uncles dropped by to help out on things. Syida brought reinforcements in the form of her two bestfriends; Aishah and Wani. Very helpful girls! Thank u ladiessss :) It was the 6 fo us; me, Aishah, Wani, Syida, Nell and Adik. We managed to finish 16 vases of centrepieces that night!

 

red orchids, roses, chrysantemums and the other flower I dont know the name of



Fuhhhh. I was already aching...planned to go to a relaxing Spa on Thursday and do nothing the whole day  other than pampering myself... (emphasis on "planned" - read Thursday).

1 Day - Thursday

Wow, woke up and I remembered feeling in disbelief that that day was the last day of the countdown. Brushed my teeth while holding myself from vomiting. Tonight is the Malam Berinai. XYZ was supposed to come today with my bridal attires...that kept me really nervous. Distracted myself by cleaning the house and preparing for the second batch of the flowers to come. As I have written above, today I was supposed to be pampering myself with Spa, Mani Padi and the likes...but being the bridezilla that I was (yes, past tense...married now...boo) I wanted to stay home and finish up decorating and cleaning. In my mind, there's still tomorrow, the nikah will be at night, I'll still have time in the morning.

Chenta Weddings arrived to set up the tents and also the platform for the pelamin. Carpets arrived. Then Syida came home with the carnations, lilies, eustoma and more hydrangeas and also my hantaran cake! The cake was from Madaboutcake and it was pretty! That drew a smile on my face.

almost similar to the picture I gave them:

Started blossoming the carnations (thank god Que gave the tips, if not the carnations would be closed up) with the help of Syida, Aishah, Nell and was later joined by adik.

red carnations

Aliff dropped by for a while, hanged out quite a bit while we were cleaning up, sat at one corner and read his book...betul2 preparing for his part as "Raja Sehari" dia ni.

Started arranging flowers for the room. It was really pleasant because the colors of the flowers were so joyful and the smell of casablanca lilies were so soothing that it lifted my mood quite a bit. Kak Huriah started putting on the new curtains and bedsheet for my room. She is such a trooper and McGuyver!! Don't know how I would have managed without her.


a mix of white chrysantemums, white and pink eustomas, white, yellow and pink carnations, blue hydrangeas, casablanca lilies, white and pink orchids and a sprinkle of baby breaths



a mix of white chrysantemums, pink and yellow carnations and pink eustomas

After we were done with the flowers, we started laying down the carpets downstairs. Kakmira was the chief for this.

 

Then we did the final touch ups for the pelamin. It was close to 5pm.

Kak Huriah and Kak Su testing out the pelamin :)

We moved to the bride's room and started cleaning and decorating. Mamaina bought me cute white side lamps for my room :) She also helped tidy up the bed. Nell and Aishah helped assemble the wooden stools I bought from Ikea which Aliff and Kakmira failed and cursed. I bought the stools for people to sit while I was getting ready..because there's no where else to sit except for the bed...we can't have everyone sitting on the bed can we :)



 

By 6pm, the house was finally ready for the wedding :))))  By this time my baby brother arrived home from his matrics in Perak :)

I bathed and got ready for the Malam Berinai.Will write a seperate post on the Malam Berinai later.

After the guests left at about 11.30pm, XYZ came with the nikah kurung only...now it looks right, but it was tooooo tight I could not breathe. Just a disclaimer, I did not get fat, the measurement was wrong....... He said he'll loosen it and bring it back the next morning, the day of the nikah. My reception dress he'll bring after the nikah.

Talked on the phone with Aliff ... he tried to talk me into NOT panicking and freaking out about the dress. Put some sense into me to enjoy my most anticipated day.

Slept at about 2am, because of the anxiety. I slept thinking that the next day I will be a married woman. To the love of my life.

To be continued ....