The Wedding Venues

This was the first thing that was finalised and booked. After the engagement, we started scouting around for the reception dinner venue. This time my parents decided to extend the guest list to about 700-800 compared to Kakmyra's 550 because they wanted to cover those that were left out during Kakmyra's.

The place that immediately came to mind was Dewan Perdana Felda because it can sit about 1000 people at a time.

The future in-laws was interested with Dewan Merak Keyangan at Jalan Semarak which is also under Felda which can sit about 450-500 people I think.

So, one Friday in October I think, during lunch hour, my fiance and his parents picked me up from my office for an appointment with Felda. *My office is just 5 minutes away*.

We sat down with one of the staffs and was told that for both halls (Perdana and Merak), the only available dates in June 2011 are either on weekdays or Sunday, and there's only few dates available for Sundays. Wow, cepatnya orang dah booking. It's 8 months before the date and dates are already limited. We thought we were early, although I have heard that these halls are hot cakes and people usually book 1 year in advance. I was not happy with Sunday......but I reserved a date for Dewan Perdana just in case. Aliff also reserved his date for Dewan Merak Kayangan. Aliff was OK with Sunday.

So, I started looking out for other venues. Places that came to mind/suggested:  Concorde Shah Alam, Tropicana Golf Club, Dewan SACC, Dewan MATRADE and Dewan Seri Endon.

Concorde Shah Alam had to be striked out because they can only sit a maximum of 600 people at one time. Dewan SACC and Dewan MATRADE was rejected by Bapak because ... can't exactly remember why.

So it was between Tropicana and Seri Endon.

Me and Ibu went to Tropicana to see the hall and the other accomodations that they provide. The hall can sit 700 people at one time.

 
The positive:

• The hall has just been refurbished
• Interior nice and elegant
• Tropicana Golf Club is in Damansara, so it is in the middle between KL and Subang.
• I've been to a wedding held here once and the food and the hospitality by the staff are nice
• Their package includes a basic pelamin, P.A system, microphones, rostrum, CD player, backdrop, 2 big screens in front and signage among others
• Price affordable

The negative:

• Only dates available for June 2011 are weekdays and Sundays. And there was only 1 Sunday left. Ya Allah...cepatnya semua orang book!
• The hall is rectangular shaped, meaning the pelamin will be situated at the end of the hall far far away from the people seated behind. To make sure these people are not left out with what is happening in front, they have, i think 3 built-in tvs at each side of the walls - one tv for RM200 (if I remember correctly). So 6 tvs = RM1200 extra.You can also add another 2 big screens at the back for RM300 per screen.
• They also charge an extra RM300 (i think) for the set up/wiring/mini stage for the band (if any).
• The VIP holding room is small
• The room for the pengantin is also small
• No room for family members - but they can use the Golf Club's changing room - which is used by club members.

We reserved the only Sunday available in June.

Then we went to Dewan Seri Endon in Putrajaya.

For Kakmyra's wedding, the parents initially wanted to do it here. But then they were introduced to Concorde Shah Alam, so they abandoned this hall. I've been to one wedding which was held at this hall and I remembered the hall being very elegant and nice, so I was OK with it being one of the options for my wedding. The hall can fit about 1000 people at a time.

The positive:

• The hall is huge and the interior is very elegant and nice
• The VIP holding room is 10x bigger than the one in Tropicana and the interior is very exquisite
• The Pengantin room is also very big and spacious with an attached bathroom. I like that it is situated one level above the hall and that we will be coming down the majestic-like stairs to make our way to the hall
• The have a service apartment right across the hall and one unit with three rooms (i think) is complimentary. So family members can hang out and get ready there
• We can choose to either go with their caterer or hire our own choice of caterer (hall rental will be different if we hire our own caterer). I think I 've heard good reviews of their caterer
• Their package includes 2 big screens, P.A system, microphones, rostrum, CD player among others
• They have ONE Saturday availabe in June 2011! 
• Price affordable

The Hallway

The VIP Holding Room

 

The Hall

Bilik Pengantin

The negative

• It is situated in Putrajaya - not a familiar route for most people
• The stage for the pelamin is freaking huuuggeeeee - so more $$ for pelamin (Most decorators would say this)
• Make Up charge usually adds another RM50-RM100 because of the location which is outside of KL and Klang Valley
• You have to add another RM1k for the red carpet and RM1k for the main table set up, in addition to hall rental and food
• They only provide the hall as it is with tables and chairs (with table cloth and chair cover) - no extras eg; arch, main table decorations

 

The 60 by 20 feet stage for the Pelamin

So, going through the pros and cons of both venues, we unanimously decided with Dewan Seri Endon, Puspanitapuri, Putrajaya. We then sealed our booking by paying the deposit in November 2010.

One day in December 2010, (refer this post) after meeting with one of the many designers for my reception dress, we made visits to 2 more venues, just for fun; Duchess Place and Carcosa Seri Negara.

Duchess Place

Remember this post and this post?

Well, I got to know about this place from an ex-bride's blog. She had her wedding there and the pictures looked really nice.  So, just to feed my curiosity, I called up one of the owners and said I would like to come by to see the place. He said I could come at around 5pm because they are setting up and getting ready for a wedding reception so i can actually see the set up for a wedding dinner.

My observations:

• It is an old mansion which they converted into a small hall. They installed a large marquee, which is the main dining hall at the side
• The location is not so accomodating to guests because it is right smack in the middle of the busy Jalan Ampang. And people might miss the place as the house is not visible as you pass Jalan Ampang, you have to enter through this huge white gate which is in between bangunan PERKESO and some building under construction. And the parking space provided is limited. Was told that guests can park across the street and that there will be RELA officers which will transport them to the place.
• It can fit about 450 people inside the marquee.
• You can discuss with the team your theme, and they will transform the marquee. As can be seen from the pictures above, it can be transformed to an informal colorful and fun hall or into a formal and elegant set up
• PRICE - average, but I think a bit pricey as it is about the same as the big halls in KL. But was told by the staff that price would vary depending on the specification of your event taking into consideration the menu, deco and etc
• I think it is a nice place to have your wedding if you plan for an intimate, more smaller weddings

As mentioned in the previous blog, Bapak doesn't like this place. I'll quote again what he said: "Lebih baik pasang marquee dekat rumah". Macamlah rumah kita tu besar sangat nak pasang marque kan Bapak oiii. Anyway, as I said, this place is suitable for low key-intimate weddings. Not quite suitable for the size of my guestlist and from Bapak's guestlist, my wedding reception will be somewhat formal.

Next, I insisted to go see Carcosa Seri Negara, as we would pass by it on the way home. Anyone who knows me will know that Carcosa Seri Negara has been my DREAM VENUE since forever.

The place is very sophisticated with elegant interiors and soothing ambience. It can only fit about 120 people, so having my reception dinner here is out of the question (they have a bigger hall which can fit about 400 people which is under construction and will only be opened in late 2011 or 2012). But I was thinking to have my nikah here. The price is ofcourse pricey, but if you consider the small number of people they can only accomodate, it's actually not that bad. You don't have to spend on the canopy, catering, decorations and etc that you have to spend for for having it at home. And minus the hassle and cleaning up, it's actually a perfect place for a solemnization. I did the math and it won't cost a significant difference as having the solemnization at home. But, haih, Bapak doesn't like the idea. He insists on having the nikah at home or at a mosque.

Soooooo frustrated. But I really love the place...so did Aliff. So, maybe for our 10th anniversary? Hopefully this place will still be here in 10 years time.

Suddenly in January, Bapak was interested with MATRADE.

*I told you i have a father-of-the-bride-zilla kan??*

Ya Allah orang tua ni. He tried to persuade me to change venues, despite knowing that the deposit paid to Dewan Seri Endon will be burned. Well actually "persuade" is not the right word...Bapak? Persuade? more like COMMAND.

Anyway, Bapak then stopped talking about "his" venue...

So, yeah, reception dinner venue is confirmed to be at Dewan Seri Endon. Went to see the hall again with Ibu and Kakmyra yesterday to finalise the menu and other arrangements. Food tasting will be in May, about 1 month before the wedding.

Nikah will be at home sweet home.

NEXT:  MUST FINALISE this month - Pelamin for Reception Dinner, Canopy and Catering for the Nikah at home.

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

Nabilla and Hanafi Tied the Knot

CONGRATULATIONS NABILLA AND HANAFI!!

Nabilla and Hanafi have been together for 8 years and this year they finally tied the knot.

Before the Big Day, us girls organised a Hens Party for the then Bride-to-Be at PNB Darby Park, Jalan Ampang. The theme was Little Black Dress. It started with the cake, then the early dinner, followed by games and then the mandatory gossipping. Innitially we planned to go out and party it up, but we were too tired (OMG tuanya we've become!), so we changed to our pyjamas and had a x-rated pyjamas heart-to-heart session by the balcony until about 3am :) The next morning Farina woke us up for breakfast and after we checked out, we went to have a light lunch at TGI Friday's at Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P.Ramlee, off Jalan Sultan Ismail. It was a fun fun fun Bridal Weekend!

The layered oreo fench crepe cake sponsored by Hudra. Looks may be deceiving Haha because it's soooo delicious. Hudra asked us whether we wanted a novelty cake which looks really pretty but with thick fondant, or an ugly looking cake but feels good in the mouth and tummy. Picture-friendly or Tummy-friendly? All voted tummy!

The dinner spread by everyone. Seafood Aglio Olio from Nell. Roasted Chicken from Farina.  Mash potatoes and Potato Salad from Me. Blueberry and Cheese tart from Hanna. Strawbery pudding, muffin, choki-choki and jar of sweets from Shikin.

L-R: Hudra, Shikin, Me, Hanna and Keysha, Farina

Arrival of Guest-of-Honor

Bride-To-Be

B.R.I.D.E bingo by Shikin. the Bride won.

Bridal Charade by Nell (Sangat Susah OK!).
L: Nabilla doing the "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". Ahah. Someone guessed it right.

The Kissing Game by Me and Nell. Blinfold and Kiss :*

L: Hudra dizzy after the twirling by Shikin.
R: Farina checking out her "score"

*Click* *Click*

R: Hudra showing Nabilla her emcee script

Lunch the next day





**Pictures by Nell. Editing by Me :)

On the 4th of December 2010, Nabilla officially became Mrs. Hanafi. The nikah was attended by close family and friends. It was a lovely solemnization and the house was beautifully decorated by Karyan Events with the pelamin and the stairs filled with pastel colors of my favorite flower, hydrangeas. The Bride's room was beautifully scented by the au naturale scent of tiger lilies and bunga rampai. The Bride wore a stunning modern white lace kurung accentuated by beads of pearls and a white veil with lace trims by Alin Anuar. The Bride had her hair pinned to the side with little pieces of hydrangeas in between and a crystal headpiece from Evita Peroni. There were white tents with colorful lanterns and white chairs also by Karyan Events. Guests enjoyed the food by JM Bariani. The ceremony was blessed by a short rain, hujan rahmat.

It was a beautiful day.

Getting ready

Last minute Bridesmaids :)

The sangat Beautiful Bride

Loving the headpiece and the pearl beads

The highschool sweethearts

To be wed. Loving the Pelamin

Pretty pastels hydrangeas

R: A Perak tradition - the father of the bride exchanging the songkok with the tanjak. A new tradition that I learned :)

Me and Nabilla

**Pictures by Nell. Editing by Me :)

On the 7th of December 2010, Awal Muharram 1432 Hijrah, was the Reception Dinner hosted by the Bride's Family. It was at, Ciao Ristorante, a little italian restaurant situated at Jalan Kampung Pandan, off Jalan Tun Razak, KL. The guests were greeted by drinks inside the restaurant and mingled about and later ushered to their seats outside under white tents filled with fairy lights. The Bride and Groom made their first entrance as man and wife at about 8.30pm and proceeded to the pelamin for the merenjis. The Bride was elegant in a  coral dress with white lace and tulle, again by Alin Anuar. The Groom was handsome in a grey suit. The guests then enjoyed a scrumptious spread of itallian dishes for dinner. The reception was relaxed and informal with minimal protocols and warm hospitality.

Hudra was excellent and non-chalant as the emcee of the night.

The father of the bride gave a short and sweet speech welcoming Hanafi into the family.

The cousins of the Bride serenaded the guests with their oh-so-beautiful voices.

The night ended with the guests posing for the cameras with the newly weds.

A beautiful way to start a new year.

Beautiful Couple

.one for the album.

**Pictures by Farina and Shikin. Editing by Me :)

All in all, it was one of the most minimalistic but at the same time beautiful and exquisite wedding that I've ever been to. Congratulations again to the beautiful couple.

The wedding might have ended, but your life is only just beginning. 

Love you two to bits! xx