The Story of the Royal Wedding

Such a beautiful picture kan? This post comes a little bit too late and I know the Royal Wedding dah basi, but I still want to write about it, as a personal keepsake for me. I've actually started writing about this the day after the wedding, but had not gotten the chance to finish it.

So, here it is. 

It was 1.30pm on Friday, the 29th of April 2011. I was finishing the last contract I had scheduled to issue out that day. Packed up my things, and left the office. Rushed to SJMC to see the newborn. Then rushed home just in time to see the prelude to the fairytale that was about to take place.The countdown began. Many were speculating on the designer of the dress. It was 99% confirmed to be British designer, Sarah Burton due to the pictures that were taken of a woman resembling the designer covered in a big hooded jacket entering the hotel where the bride-to-be was getting prepared. They called her bigfoot because the jacket was huge and it had a fur hood.

  



Then they started showing the arrival of guests. You see famous faces now and then, I absolutely LOVED seeing the fashion and styles worn that day, so simple yet very elegant, well maybe minus the Royal Cousins who wore some odd looking...fascinators, they call them. And then bammm, the camera focused on David Beckham! Ya Allah handsomenya! I didn't even notice Victoria. Oooops.

Then, the camera showed the Groom and his bestman leaving Clarence House. I was screaming (in my head) entah kenapa, because they looked so cute kot, and ofcourse I think it was also due to the excitement that the wedding is about to start!

So, what I really want to talk about is....THE BRIDE and THE DRESS.

Sarah Burton's last touch-ups to make the dress camera-perfect

How beautiful did she looked? Her laced and satin ivory gown was just breathtaking. And just as she stepped out of the car, it was confirmed that the speculation of Sarah Burton as the designer was on the dot. The dress was perfection with lace detailings on top and at the trims of the dress. It was reminiscent of Princess Grace Kelly's wedding dress more than 50 years ago. Although, I was actually expecting to be wow-ed by a more modern-sleek design, nonetheless, Kate was a vision of a princess floating all the way to the altar. The dress was classic and timeless, just as Grace Kelly's dress and would live in eternity as one of the most celebrated dresses of all times. Loved her small bouquet of flowers. Understated, but yet elegant. Also loved the Maid of Honor's dress. It looked so soft and creamy.

The wedding procession was quite lenghty though, with prayers and the hymns...but I didn't move an inch from the TV...ahahaha. That was how dedicated I was, takut terlepas any special moments. Hahaha. So, after the ceremony, we saw William and his new princess left on the same royal carriage that transported Charles and Diana 30 years ago to Buckingham Palace after becoming man and wife.
The crowd waited outside the palace for the Newly-Weds appearance at the balcony. The joyous occassion was sealed with 2 kisses from the Bride and Groom. They then drove off to Clarence House in the royal aston martin-wedding car.


What the TV did not show was THIS BEAUTIFUL DRESS that the new princess wore at the wedding dinner hosted by the Father-in-Law. BEAUTIFUL! Kate looked yet again deliciously perfect in her second Sarah Burton white gown. Loved the be-jewelled cinched waist and the fur-like-shrug. This gown is more of a  modern take compared to the wedding gown. But, I guess the two dresses suited the respective occasions they were worn. And more importantly the Bride looked ever so gorgeous in both.

........ And they lived happily ever after.

Hahaha...watching the wedding and looking back at the photos, makes you think about Diana's wedding don't you? If she is still alive, she'll be 50 this year... Lets make some comparison, just for the fun of it:

The Engagement Announcement



The Post-Engagement Photo

Future princesses on the way to their respective churches. Diana was transported via a carriage, while Kate chose to arrive in car - the reason I heard was because she wanted to arrive low key, as a commoner that she was

Moments before they entered the church

The Bridesmaids

Stealing glances and short conversations at the altar



Leaving the church as man and wife. Kate opted for a more shorter train, convenient for the bridesmaid. Diana's bridesmaid was said to have had a "nigthmare" handling her loooong train.

On the way  to Buckingham Palace

Beautiful Brides

Arrival at Buckigham Palace

The Official Wedding Picture - both looked like Ken and Barbie, tho, William looked like a handsomer Ken.

First Appearance of the Newly-Weds at the Balcony

The First Kiss

Kate and William drove off in this Aston Martin after their balcony appearance - which Charles and Diana didn't, but this car was actually Charles' car, which was a birthday present from the Queen. Picture on the right is a picture of Charles and Diana in the same car. It was William's idea to drive his new bride as a married couple to his family home.

The Morning After. The Ladies in their Going-Away Dresses.

The Wedding Cake. Left is Diana's and Charles'. Right is William's and Kate's.

Quite a few similarities eh?

But, hopefully, history would not repeat itself. It was so tragic and sad for how his parents story turned out.

Some big shoes that Kate will need to fill...Diana was a people's princess. But it would be cruel to expect Kate to be exactly like Diana. Am sure she will handle being the future Queen gracefully. Let us all hope for the best.

And let us also pray that I would look as pretty and graceful as both brides on my day...so many things have happened, which I will write about later, that is making me freak out! The nerves are definitely settling in now.

3 more weeks baby!

Toodles.

Short Updates

It's been awhile since I wrote anything...it's not that  I don't have anything to write about, I have toooooo many to write about. Stress, Wedding Progress, Stress and Stress some more. I haven't even reviewed the Royal Wedding that I was so excited about! Haish. In all of, did I mention Stress?, yes Stress, there are also Happy Things that has happened. But, I still can't find the mood or the time yet to write. Maybe this weekend. Just to update:

Wedding Progress:

1. First Fitting for the Reception Dress done, need some alteration here and there. Next fitting this weekend.
2. Aliff got a couple of his Hantaran things in Jakarta. He'll be back this Friday! Not going back anytime in the near future...I hope.
3. Dulang Hantaran still in progress. I've made 4 prototypes, need a few other things to complete the look.
4. Catering for Nikah confirmed.
5. Song List have been compiled and first round shortlisting have been done. Final list of songs maybe this weekend. Compulsory songs to be serenaded during the dinner have been given to the Wedding Singer, my lovely Maria. Need to finalise the final song list for her as well.
6. Invitation Cards have arrived from Jakarta - getting it back to Malaysia was another drama. What's important is they are here and ready to be distributed. Some have already been distributed. Some still waiting for addresses. So to those that I have asked for addresses, please give me your addresses ok darlings? Need to finalise the guestlist and the RSVPs.
7. Bridesmaids materials for Nikah have been distributed. How I wish I can give everyone materials, do I still have time to buy the materials and pass it to them? Tailors ambik lagi tak so close to the date? Hmmm.
8. Apa Lagi? A lot, I'm sure. 2nd/3rd Payments, Confirmation/Reminder to Vendors, Decorations....oh yeah, buying a new bed for the room! This weekend lah kot. Yikes....

Other Updates:

1. Mother's Day Tea Party organised by Syida, co-organised by me and Han. Happy Mother's Day Ibu! (urggg this is so belated!) Will post pictures soon.
2. Hudra got married! Everything was beautiful. I was on duty as the MOH. So, not many pictures other than the pre-Nikah-getting ready pictures I snapped from my phone. Will get photos from others.
3. Baby ARR is 3 weeks old and doing great! His full name BTW is Ahmadi Raid Rizq (not sure if I got the right spelling). Quite a mouthful huh? He sleeps a lot and if he's awake he's at Kakmyra's boobies. He's still in the "boring-baby" phase. But I can not stop kissing him. LOVE the baby smell. Still not confident yet to carry him...maybe when he is bigger.
4. Shyra is pregnant with her second child!
5. Made a new nemesis in Level 1. Some people are born disrespectful idiots I guess. Bluerghhhh. Ruins my day everytime I think about it.

That's all for now.

Toodles.

a wonderful day

Yesterday I was experimenting with decorating the hantaran.

So, decided to go to Evergreen (a shop nearby my house which sells sewing stuff and the likes) to get some round polystrene and whatever else I can use. When I reached there, got frustrated because it was closed...it's public holiday kan yesterday.

There was a florist shop nearby, so I decided to just get some flowers, just for the fun of it. My room could use some flowers. I bought a dozen of white crysanthemums.

The reason why I am writing about this is because I absolutely loved what the florist told me.

This was our short conversation:

Me: Can I have a dozen of the white crysanthemums please.

Florist: (while arranging the flowers in a bouquet) Oh so beautiful, they look like snow.

Me: *smiles*

Florist: Put them in water once you get home. It's a hot day.

Me: Sure. (smiles and pays her)

Florist: (while handing the bouquet to me) They smell so good.

You're going to have such a wonderful day with them.

isn't that the sweetest!

I think it's the best thing that anyone could say.

Went home feeling all wonderful. Put the flowers in a bucket of water and started arranging them in the vases.

Anyways,

LAST WEEK'S ROUND UP:

28.4.2011 (Thursday) : BABY NEWS

I got myself a brand new nephew!!! Will update on that!

29.4.2011 (Friday) : ROYAL WEDDING 

 BEAUTIFUL WEDDING! Kate was soooooo beautiful and regal. She will make a lovely princess.

Will review on that soon.

1.5.2011 (Sunday) : HUDRA's BRIDAL SHOWER

Beautiful Tea Party, hosted by her bestie and her twin. Will write on her wedding, which is just 2 weeks away!

WEDDING PROGRESS:

There are still so much to do and finalise. Will update on that later.

The 2nd Most Anticipated Wedding of The Year

It's TODAY!

Its the 2nd most anticipated wedding of the year, for me atleast, because MY wedding would be my MOST anticipated wedding of the year lah kan...

The countdown starts at 1pm for some channels...what I know is  NTV 7 and TLC will start at 3pm. The live wedding coverage will start at 5pm.

official royal wedding program photo

Can't wait to see a "Wonderful For You" moment.

Wonderful For You

As I have wrote here, I am super-excited for the Royal Wedding of William and Kate this Friday. Frustratingly, Friday is not a pulic holiday in Malaysia...The live footage starts at 1pm I think, but I am sure there will be repeats...thinking of sneaking home early on Friday to catch the 5pm repeat of the wedding on TLC (channel 707 on Astro).

To feed the wedding frenzy especially for people like me, most tv channels have arranged programs on the lives of the royal family, particularly of Diana and William all week long.

I was soooo happy that last Monday, TLC aired the

Wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

It was so beautiful. Such a fairytale.

I even held my breath to see her step out of the carriage to show her dress to the world for the first time (eventhough everyone of us at present know how it looked like - I just got caught in the moment hahaha)

One part of the wedding that really touched me was when Diana stood next to Charles,

Charles looked at her and whispered;

"You look wonderful"

Diana replied:

"Wonderful for you"

Ohhhhh...so touching!

30 years ago, no one would have guessed the marriage would culminate to a bitter divorce and the oh-so-innocent doll faced Lady Diana's life would end so tragically.

Such a sad story.

Lets pray that William and Kate will have their happily ever after ending.

I'm already holding my breath to see Kate in her wedding dress!

Yours truly,

Wedding Fan.

Dulang Hantaran

Just a short post to document on my Hantaran Dulangs in this virtual wedding journal of mine.

For my wedding, I've always had this vision of a crystal/glass concept for my dulang.

Is there such dulang-s? Obviously it's not the traditional kind of dulang...so where do I get a crystal/glass dulang?

A cake tray!

Deleted 'crystal' because...kau gila? The cheapest that I found is about RM200 per dulang.

And I feel that spending too much for the dulang-s is a bit unnecessary, especially if you are on a budget.

So, I started my quest to find a glass cake tray or anything that looks like a dulang for my hantarans.

I found a glass cake tray at Parkson, Subang Parade one day while I was looking for a wedding gift for a friend, but the price is not quite within the amount budgeted for.  I found one in a wedding boutique when I was accompanying the then bride-to-be Mazuin in search of her bridal attires/pelamin, but was told that they were only displays and that I can find them at SSF. Went to the SSF in Puchong, but didn't find them. I thought that I could find them at Nilai 3, while I was looking for my Bunga Telur casings, but did not found any there either.

So, after searching high and low, last weekend I showed the one I found in Parkson to Ibu and she convinced me to just get them. Sebab dah penat and malas, I bought 9 glass cake trays from Parkson. There were only 4 in stock that Sunday, so I got the 4 first and they'll order another 5 for me to pick up on Monday. So, yesterday, after work, me and Ibu went to pick up the remaining 5.

Membazir tak? Hmmm...it can be used again for Syida or Han or any other relatives...even if it is not used for hantarans, it can still be used as its original function as kitchen wear.

So I think it is a good buy (menyedapkan hati).

So, DULANG HANTARAN = CHECKED.

Now to get the rest of the hantarans and the decorative items.

FYI, I'm DIY-ing my own hantaran. I know Kakmira had asked me to let go certain stuff because I am the Bride, so I may not be able to do everything on my own, but I like doing it. PLUS, I can have the hantaran that I want without being charged a bomb.  I know if I get some one to do it with the theme that I have in mind, it will cost more because they'll charge me not only for the props but also for their services. Which is fair, because you are paying for the convenience.

BUT, I have learned that the wedding industry is crazy and over priced! 

Anyway, it's just going to be simple, so, as long as there's proper planning and timing, I am hoping that it's a wise decision.

I'm already excited to start with decorating the trays :)

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.

 ******************

The Bunga Telur

So, OK. This was supposed to be one of the items that I would get from Jakarta. BUT, I guess our supir that day didn't exactly bring us to the right place, so we didn't get them at Jakarta. I think that was one of (or the only) upset of the Jakarta-Bandung Trip.

Anyway, last Saturday (when I started writing this it was last Saturday, now it's two weeks ago? I think), I managed to get Ibu and Bapak's time to go and find them. Getting their time during weekends are quite hard because of the endless wedding invitations they have. And, as I have said, countlessly, I have a F.O.B-zilla. He veto-s everything, including the Bunga Telur. And we hardly agree on the same Bunga Telur.

The week before we went to SSF Puchong, PKNS Shah Alam, Alam Central Shah Alam and SACC Shah Alam. Couldn't agree on a Bunga Telur. Well, there was this one shop at PKNS, where he kind of agreed with one of my choice, but I was not so sure myself so we KIV-ed that one. We decided to go to Nilai 3 as choices are a lot more there.

We left home at about 10am and reached there by 11am. It was still quite empty, not so many people so that is a relief. BUT what a HOT day!! Parked the car and went in one of the biggest shop there. Nothing that caught our eyes. Walked around and went in a few other shops nearby...there were a couple that were nice, but too expensive (RM10 and above). Kalau ikut hati memang lah nak yang cantik and yang besar yang RM15 punya tu...my dad almost succumbed but Bunga Telur is not one of the items that I feel I or my parents should invest a lot on for the wedding. Biasa-biasa je pun ok.And we have to cut on the Bunga Telur because I'm spending a HUGE amount on my reception pelamin already, something which I also feel is not something that I should spend so much on, tapi susah lah, pelamin sangat mahal!! Will blog about that later.

Back to Bunga Telur. So, after going to a few shops and not finding what me and the FOB-zilla can agree on, (if I like something, he doesn't like it. if he likes something, I dont like it...it went on like that for the first hour we were there), we decided to move on to the shops further down. Unlike the first time I went there, which was for my engagement, Bapak drove all around going from one shop to another, by car. The first time, me and my sisters parked at one spot and only walked around that one street. Anyway, we got to one shop and FINALLY AGREED on one! YEAY!!

Because some of the ones on display had some defects, we decided to check EACH and EVERY SINGLE ONE. All 800 of them. The shop assistants brought boxes of the Bunga Telur casing, we set up camp on the floor and opened each box and inspected each Bunga Telur. Wahhhh...this is us exercising caveat emptor!

 *I blur-ed out the pictures of the Bunga Telur - kena lah surprise sikit :)*

So, after 1 hour I think, they packed all the ones that we did not reject and put them in the car. My parents want the doorgifts to be the Telur itself, so someone will be put in charge to prepare the eggs to be placed in the Bunga Telur casings. I'll also get some net material to wrap the eggs. 

So Bunga Telur, CHECKED! Big relief! 

Wedding Progress - 2 Months to The Date

Woohooooo....

2 MONTHS?

I don't have a lot of time to talk about each one, maybe this weekend, if I can find the time.

But as a summary of my progress, I have FINALLY booked and finalised

the Videographer, the Pelamin and Hall Decorator and the Canopy for Nikah.

and ,after numerous emailing back and forth, I have also finalised the Invitation Card  for printing.

It will be ready by the end of this month.

eeeeeeeekkkkss excited + risau. HOPEFULLY, no spelling mistakes and the design turns out alright.

Fitting for my Bridal Wears has been postponed, AGAIN. Haih. It's this Friday night. HOPEFULLY no more postponements. Excited + RISAU jugak for that. PRAYING HARD it'll turn out as I have been imagining it.

Fitting for Groom Wears were also postponed a few times, but that is because of Aliff, the tailors were ready for him, but Mr.Busy Bee was busy this last couple of weeks. Maybe we'll do it this weekend?

Last week was definitely a STRESSFULL week. 

I tend to feel really stressed-out when it's almost that time of the month. I blame it on the PMS. So, I was very sensitive and easily broke down.

Anyway, after such a bad week, I have settled the final BIG things for the wedding.

This week I'm trying to be as POSITIVE as I can and regain all my wedding energy and excitement back.

Update on Wedding Diet: OMG. Susahnyaaaa nak kurangkan makan di kala stressssss. And I realised that, the same as when I was dieting for the engagement, the closer the date, the harder it is to restrain myself from eating like a cow. BUT, on the upside, I've actually received quite a number of comments telling me I've looked slimmer...I must be doing something right then? or is it the stress? Entahlahh...But I'm planning to go vegetarian in May....possible? We'll see.

NEXT:

Pengesahan and Kebenaran Berkahwin from JAIS, Catering for Nikah, Doorgifts for Reception Dinner, Bunga Pahar, Hantaran, Distribution of Bridesmaids Materials, Entertainment for both events, GUESTLIST!!

All these are actually on-going, hopefully it will all be settled by this month.

All my DIY projects are also on-going. 

MAY is reserved for everything last minute.

.... and JUNE is reserved for self-pampering and getting married.

HUGE SMILES :)