If you haven’t read about the Solemnization you can read it here: Part 1 & Part 2

The wedding reception was held a day after the nikah. It was a Saturday, so I woke up late and it felt so good catching up with sleep because I barely slept the week before the wedding.

Getting ready this time was so much calmer compared to the previous night. Less anxiety and less nervous because I was already married. As I was about to get dressed, I realized that my outfit wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Apparently the photographers took my dress away for the longest time and there I was in the room, waiting, thinking the worst: ‘bride with no dress, now that’s a story’. Fortunately the planner called the photographers and they came back with it on time – Fiuh!

Putting the outfit together felt like assembling jigsaw puzzles again. I felt confident and beautiful because I was surrounded by people that I love most. My best friends and cousins were in the room, my parents were around, my sister started cracking jokes and my grandma kept babbling on which jewelry should she give me to wear.

My makeup artist Fauzi (FauziNYC) was one of the most chilled out guys I have ever met, so sweet and talented. Najeeb (Kuntum by Najeeb), the designer for our outfits came by and helped us dress up.  I had a hijab stylist to help me wear the scarf. Having Didi (Didiyanaehsan) around was so important because my confidence level of putting on the hijab is zero. I would have looked like I was going to the night market if I had to wear it on my own. Didi also helped my cousin and my mom wear their hijab too and they looked amazing. My grandma finally decided on which jewellery I should wear.  I started to tear up as she wore them for me I felt so grateful that I still had my Umi around to help me get ready. People started to leave the room as the event was about to start. Najeeb, Fauzi and Didi stayed with us until the very end. They were absolute perfectionists and I was so glad that I had them for my wedding. Highly recommend them for any future events.

As Joe and I made our way down to the lobby, the Ghazal musicians stopped playing their instruments to make way for the kompang players. Dad insisted on having live kompang music for our entrance because he said it will sound nicer and boy was he right. My heart started pounding when the  players started beating the kompang. It was surreal. Then, I started having thoughts in my head

‘What if I fall,

what if I dropped my bouquet,

what if my veil gets stuck,

what if I pass out?

why is the corset so tight?

can people see my double chin??!!’  

AHHH STOP THINKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE THAT JUST WALK

We walked into the hall but it was so sloooooooooow. I’ve never walk that slow in my life. The stage seemed so far away but I just told myself to smile and enjoy the moment. The flower girls accidentally turned left instead of turning right, thank God Farah pulled the girls towards the correct direction. There was also a bit of drama when we got on  stage. Our groomsmen and maid of honour didn’t have the chance to rehearse with us before the wedding, so there were little mishaps here and there. My husband accidentally sat on the pillow that was meant to be on his lap, I had to remove the pillow myself before I sat down and my cousin forgot to pass the bunga telur (gifts) to my in laws as they came up to give their blessing. I swear, at this point of time I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

After my parents and in laws gave their blessings on stage, we made our way down and made a short pit stop to hug and kiss my Wan (my dad’s mom). She was so surprised and happy that we approached her. Hugging my Wan was one of my favorite moments of the wedding.

When we got to the high table, Joe said that his Tengkolok (traditional Malay head wear) was too tight and he started feeling sick. It didn’t seem too serious at first but the migraine got worse so we asked for painkillers. While we ate, our childhood montage was presented to the audience. My friend Allieff help put our montage together and it was perfect that he was the one that made it because Allieff witnessed mine and Joe’s courtship ever since the beginning. Next was our solemnization video. None of us saw the video until that moment. The video was amazing and it captured every important and sweet moments from the day before.

The most anticipated moment for me during the reception was my dad’s and sister’s speech. I couldn’t imagine anyone else speaking besides them. My dad thanked the guests for coming and his speech was so on point, so charming, hilarious and sweet, just like the man himself. He spoke to Joe during the speech, reminding him to take care of his daughter and how happy he was welcoming a son into his family. What my dad said at the end of his speech is something that I will never forget. Dad said:

‘I know you think you couldn’t possibly love each other more than you do today, but many years from now you’ll look back and think of today as the day you loved each other the least.” 

I was bawling my eyes out at this point. Snot and everything. Very elegant I assure you. Then it was time for my sister’s speech.

Cis, cried even more. It was so damn perfect.

Our close friends and families waited for us in the hall while we said goodbye to our guests. I felt so bad because they waited for so long, but many of them used this time to catch up with each other. That’s the beauty of weddings I suppose – reuniting with old companions, partners in crime that you grew up and shared many bittersweet memories with.

Soon enough, the night ended. Just like that. It was finally over. I realised that this was our send off, just me and Joe, starting our life together. I looked at him feeling very relieved that this was the man that I choose to be happy with. Planning the wedding taught me a lot of things, but the biggest lesson was gratitude. Everything that happened  was because of my parent’s blessing and love. My aunts, uncles and cousins were constantly around to help us with everything. My friends – oh my friends! They couldn’t have been more perfect throughout the entire thing. May Allah SWT bless them always and strengthen our friendship for as long as we live.

I’m ending this post with my sister’s speech. To those who came that night, the ones that travelled near and far, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.

And Kat, thank you for not swearing. Love you.

Assalamualaikum and good evening ladies and gentlemen, family and friends.
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Kat and I’m the beautiful bride’s favourite only sister.

Kak Yana has been my partner in life since day 1. My very first best friend.
Being each other’s only sibling, you would think that that wasn’t really by choice.
That we were stuck with only each other, so it would be impossible and boring if we didn’t get along.But, after a certain age, when your parents can’t make you sleep in the same room anymore or force you to stop fighting, it does become a choice. And I’m proud to say that we’ve just been really lucky, because we’re still best friends today.

Since we’re as close as we are, and she knows that I have no problem telling her that I don’t agree with her, I could see how nervous she was a year ago to introduce me to Joe.
I think she thought that I was difficult to please, but really I was just doing my job.
Making sure that the person she ends up with is genuine and good and deserves her.

Soon enough, I started to notice a change.
Kak Yana was happier than I’d ever seen her with Joe by her side.
He made her more patient, more adventurous, more compassionate.
But most importantly in my opinion he made her more at peace with herself.
And I felt this even from 6000 miles away. She was glowing.

When she told me that they were getting engaged, and I was the first person she told, I was at peace.

Kak Yana has been my partner in life.
All I want is for her to be with someone who loves as hard as she does and takes care of her the way she takes care of everyone else.
And I’m grateful to God every day that she found that in Joe.

Kak, now that you have a new partner in life, 
I want you to know that you are the best sister anyone could ask for and a truly remarkable friend.
I don’t doubt for even a second that you’re going to be an incredible wife.

And Joe, I’ve actually always wanted a brother.
I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives loving her together.
Thank you