Smoothly progressing..

Hello dear readers,

Bare with my super duper long post.. update jua banar bah ahh on progress..

Time passes so quickly without even realizing we’re nearly on the middle of March! Less than 7 months! I’ve been busy helping out my best friend wedding preps so I set aside my preps. I’m pretty much confident now that I have few items out of the list leaving me some bits and pieces.

Venue: Alhamdulillah, I’ve made a deposit to block the date. The manager offered me a new set of pricing i.e. $3 extra for each person i.e. $3.00x 1000 = $3,000! Freaking $3,000 is a lot! But I had to query back since I made the booking last year. Initial plan was to pay the deposit early but the manager went off for a long break so it’s not my fault right? Anyway, VENUE IS CONFIRMED!

Wedding Dais: So far I only liked two vendors out of the five recommended ones. I went for a consult at the vendor sometime last year or sometime in January. Received the quotation too and reasonable since the caterer & venue covered $600 of the pelamin cost. I just have to add few hundreds to get the dream pelamin and few more hundreds for pelamin at home. I did go to other vendors but I don’t have that “click” relationship with them so I settled with this particular vendor. The other half pelamin is also under the same vendor for easy transaction and communication. I feel it’s more convenient that way. What I love about this vendor? This person is so good and friendly; they have nice fake flowers and original design. Gave me good discounts too and packages! Eheee =) WEDDING DAIS CONFIRMED!

Sanding & Berbedak Door gifts: Done and ready for collection. Contacted the vendors in Jakarta and everything is complete that includes the door gifts for the Majlis Malam Berbedak. Its confirm that I’ll be going to Jakarta in 2 weeks time to collect them and sort our the shipment from there. I contacted my friend to check and probably sort out the shipment soon but he told me not to worry since my wedding will be in October! Long time lagi~ hehe

Photographer: This is such a relief~ Paid my photographer full and noting left.  I just love staggering payment or do the month-to-month thing. Didn’t realize that you finished everything months before you’re wedding.

Videographer: Deposit half the amount leaving me to pay half upon completion of the video.

Make up Artist: Done too. Though I need to reconfirm with them just in case they lost the bookings and everything. Scares the hell out of me when I met one of the MUA at my friend wedding who will be doing my Nikah asking me “Eh adakan?” So yea, need to double triple confirm with all of them!

Majlis Muleh 3 Hari Attire: I received some recommendation by few friends that Aaliyah Asmara Boutique in KB makes the best Indonesia kebaya. So I went there, made an appointment to seek for consultation on the fully beaded lace I bought in Jakarta last December. Deborah; the manager emailed me recommend design sketches with quiet reasonable price too. Well I did some research beforehand contacting few Indonesian designers I know asking for a quote. But rethinking that I need to spend few hundreds to buy a ticket there to collect and the hassle to book hotel set a new budget for another Jakarta trip just balances out the cost making one in Aaliyah Asmara. Traveling to Kuala Belait isn’t as far compared to traveling to Jakarta; to go for frequent fittings will also be easier. I’m still thinking of making my solemnization attire at AA but I need to get the perfect fabric or lace in Jakarta soon!

Wedding Attire: Technically had the appointment end of January but we delayed it to maybe after the Jakarta trip. We decided on the colors already so no more color searching and arguing. Deal with this next month of sometime in June.

Invitation: I am yet to visit another company that I heard made cheap invitations but I have one flagged already since they gave me a very good package deal. Will deal with all this like 3-5 months before the wedding. Now is still early.

Tents: I haven’t follow up with this one and only company yet. They promised to visit my house last time but maybe she’s extremely busy and forgot all about it. Need to get the new pricing with them soon.

DIY Projects: Corsage? Not yet. Haven’t think about it. Guest book? Not yet. Bought the materials, paper but no initiative to start yet. My one and only flowergirl flower? Half way done and still hanging unfinished.  

The Hantaran: This is so exciting because we’re almost there! Alhamdulillah!

It is agreed that we’re going for the 15-15 dulang. I wish we could go 7-7 but that’s just impossible.

For him:

1.     Al-Quran, Tasbih & Sejadah: Checked!

2.     Workwear : Checked! Bought last year.

3.     Shoes & Sock : Check for shoes but not for socks.

4.     Watch: Fuhhh such a relief that we finally receive what we ordered! This is the most anticipating item we have been waiting for! Just received them last week!

5.     Grooming Kit: Checked for the perfumes, aftershaves but not the grooming kit yet.

6.     Towel & Toiletries: Checked! =) Good deals at Dubai.

7.     Wallet & Belt: NOT YET! =( Still thinking what to select.

8.     Stationary Set: Checked! =) Bought last year.

9.   Cara Melayu + Tenunan + Sinjang = NOT YET! Relax-relax dulu.

10Chocolates: NOT YET! Relax-relax dulu karang expired!

11Food: Obviously uh-uh!

For Me:

1.     Al-Quran: Not yet. Very picky I am.

2.     Sejadah: Checked!

3.     Telekong: Checked! Bought in Indonesia very cheap!

4.     Jongsarat: NOT YET =( Been planning to go arah kedai tenunan but haven’t had the time.

5.     Watch: Again the most anticipating item. CHECKED! Bought is last year knowing the price of the watch will increase yearly. I can’t wait to wear the precious!

6.     Toiletries & Towel: Checked!

7.     Perfume: Bought only one because it was on clearance Christmas sale in London. More to come..

8.     Make up: NOT YET. Torn between few brands. I might rethink on this. Probably few of the face products that I’m using and less make up.

9.     Shoe: Checked! This is the first thing that we bought for hantaran!

10. Handbag: NOT YET. Waiting for summer sale.

11. Kain: NOT YET. Waiting for new arrivals and new designs.

12. Tudong: NOT YET. Waiting for new arrivals.

Wedding Band: Grrr this will take ages! The other half doesn’t like wearing a ring. So to get the platinum would be such a waste. He recommends silver, I’m cool with that but I am yet to search for my wedding ring and definetly mine will not be silver *LOL* We set a budget but haven’t start searching. Still early don’t you think?

We’re almost there insyALLAH..

Take care all bride to be. =) 

This and That

I don't know how brides to be managed to plan everything in less than 6 months! I have to salute those brides that can pull of her own wedding preparations in such short time!

I can't believe that my wedding will be this year! I kept mentioning at vendors, tailors, videographer that my wedding will be next year not realizing i am already in the "next year" i.e 2011! Less than a year to go for preparations and the other half is also starting to get the preparation vibes.

Bride's to be.. whatever preparations that needs to be done.. the one most IMPORTANT thing i can't stress more is WEDDING DATES! because all the business deals is all about time! Alhamdulillah we decided on a date so bookings can be made pronto without any hiccups *i hope*

For my Make up Artist, Alhamdulillah i've sealed the deal with few MUA as recommended by friends and family members. For my Akad Nikah & Hantar Berian is already booked! Leaving me two minor events for Berbedak Siang and Muleh 3 Hari..

As for the search for videographer..  Thank you so much to Dinda. I've found the one i love and managed to contact the videographer, sealed the deal. Deposit will be done this sunday! I even recommend the videographer to my best friend and she even sealed the deal right away. Thank you again dinda.

Videographer in brunei is still limited so i rely on dinda side toggle to search for one =)

1. Adam Groves  <3
2. Masamichi Studio <3
3. Cinematicpro  
4. Songket Tiara
5. Snowberry Studio
6. Rajul Adli

As for my wedding attire, I've bought textiles from Indonesia and will drop by the wedding bridal boutique soon when the other half goes on leave. =) 

• Majlis Akad Nikah & Hantar Berian - Still pending probably in March Jakarta trip
• Majlis Berbedak Siang - DONE! need to get quotation and send to tailor
• Majlis Berbedak Malam - DONE! need to get quotation and send to tailor
• Malam Berpacar - DONE! need to get quotation and send to tailor
• Majlis Bersanding - NEED TO GO BRIDAL BOUTIQUE SOON! 
• Malam Ambil-Ambilan - Pending probably buy textiles in Jakarta Trip.
• Muleh 3 Hari - DONE! need to get quotation and send to tailor

As for my shoes that i'll be using on the events... ALL DONE! *lol* See, this is the FIRST thing that is completed! Shoes! Alahai just when i thought that i won't purchase any shoes... well i did... 4 pairs to be exact! i have a total of 7 new pairs of shoes waiting for the perfect time~ So no more shoe shopping or shoe testing or whatever goes along shoe fitting. I bet you ladies understand the love.. the feel when the shoe just fits perfectly and for not buying it? Is such a pity to see the shoe being display not having an owner yet.. hahaha 

As for my Doorgifts... gahhh too much to talk about.. might talk about this when march comes along.. so  many!!! 

As for my Wedding Invitation... I'm still searching for a place in Brunei that offers considerable price. Yes you can call me Karit i.e Stingy. But I'm not spending more than B$1.00 for my wedding invites. I just feel it's such a waste to spend more than that when you know once your event is done, it will be thrown away to trash. Might as well use that money for something else worthy. Initial plan was to make the invitation in Jakarta. I even had the one that i love brought back with me BUT with the hassle of emailing, money transfers, the cost of ticket and all sorts. It sort of balances out don't you think so? Then had thought of making them in Malaysia but again, the excess baggage! 

Eh macam macam lagi kan d buat ani eh.. kepisan! 

Take care lovelies! <3

Wedding Invitations

I’m so excited despite December is still far away just because… I with my parents, my maid of honor and bridesmaid bought confirm tickets to Jakarta already! We are really making it happening! Bridesmaid fiancé probably will be joining too just to get those extra kilos for baggage excess but he’ll redeem his tickets through the points he obtained. My brother did mention about claiming my miles I got from the return UK trip and two years ago miles and merging miles from my aunties who’s not using her card at all however, I’m too lazy to do the paperwork’s and sending those papers to the RBA office.


So this post I will be highlighting on the INVITATION CARDS.

Photo Courtesy of Vinas Invitation

Some recommend me to make invitation at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia just because if there are any hiccups on the printing, going to Kuala Lumpur is much nearer and cheaper compared to going to Indonesia. Most of my friends did their invitation at Kuala Lumpur and various vendors. I will make another post on this on the list of vendors available in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Indonesia of that I know and found out.

First up, when I and the other half goggled on wedding invitations maker in Indonesia, Vinas Invitation  came up and it was love at first sight. They are based on Surabaya, Indonesia and I tell you, they give very prompt and professional reply when I ask on the quotation. You know how hard it gets when you need to tell your needs and how your invitation would look like and all.


So, I only asked how much for the picture above cost. They told me that everything depends on the material paper design i.e. hard cover of soft cover. So I assume soft cover would be much cheaper. I don’t see a point on spending much on invitation cards because it’ll be dispose eventually by the guest, correct? I’ve set myself a budget of not more than BND1000 for invitation, I’m wondering if BND$600 is sufficient enough to produce a well informed invitation card with elegance touch of white, white and more white! I’m mad over white color hence; I want everything to be white too! Years ago, my brother had his invitation done only BND$0.50 each! Very simple but I love it just because it’s white and have small heart shapes. Noting grand but I feel its good enough right?


Anyhow, this invitation card on the picture can be design to suite your theme and they may need to know if you’re looking for elegant, classic and many more themes. For 600 pieces, the price for each card will cost IDR150, 000 (≈ BND2.50). A bit pricy right? But I think you can negotiate to change the type of paper, few alteration to suite your estimated budget. So to place your order you just send your wordings on MS word and a sample will be given for free! Any correction will be altered and a final proof will be submitted to you for final checking. Everything can be done in 40days! Just pay for shipping cost just after you make the down payment. They accept payment from paypal and western union! How convenient is that? Vina’s invitation is professional and I guess have worked with Bruneians too because she knows the selok belok very well.

I received few suggestions making a recycle on the invitation, i.e. being more creative such as:

♥  Scroll Invitation

Photo Courtesy of Wedding-Calligraphy

Beautiful right? Maid of honor suggested, one side of the scroll will be the details of the wedding i.e. date, time, venue, bride’s & groom name, parents name and family names and the itinerary. The other side of the scroll could be some abstract drawings, poems or ayat-ayat or dua (Not advisable because you will be inviting non-muslims). I like the idea of it but not sure how much will it cost.


♥  Fan Invitation

Photo Courtesy of Invitationsbydawn

Photo Courtesy of Hotref

This type of invitation has been practiced a lot nowadays in Brunei. I’ve seen few people who use those paper fans as an invitation card. It’s very creative however, what I’ve came to realized is that the text tend to be much more smaller and elderly people really have a hard time reading whilst tilting their heads side to side.

♥  DVD Cover Invitation

Photo Courtesy of EternityDVD

Okay, no longer practiced here. Or shall i say Sooo last year.. hehe I guess this was years ago when DVD-case box invitation was famous but I don’t see any purpose unless you include a mixed CD inside it of compilation songs. Again, will your taste of music suites the guest invited?


♥ Calendar Invitation

Photo Courtesy of Sugarplumpaperie

Photo Courtesy of Momental Design

I LOVE THIS! And it’s practical~ everyone needs a calendar right? However, this is only practical for those whose wedding end of December in a transition of New Year or early January weddings! They are lot varieties of calendar type to choose from but it’s simple! The first two page will be the all the wedding details! Personally, if I were to have this as my wedding invites I like the calendar to be loosely and packed in a transparent CD case. You know that kind of CD case calendar! Would be lovely right? And if you’re creative and have the time, DIY is possible too! You could put in quotes, abstract pictures, and many more to make it more beautiful!

 

♥ Mug Invitation

Photo Courtesy of Beaucoup

The picture above is a personalized beer mug, but some sort of this tall glass mug or those ceramic mugs. I don’t have to elaborate more on this because I think you get the idea already. I guess there’s always a phase or years ago in the family that you or any family members have a picture in a mug or when your visit to Thailand that took your photo with a baby tiger and get it print on the mug because I did. *blush*

♥ Ceramic Plate Invitation

Photo Courtesy of Cassandramdesigns

I’ve only seen once in my lifetime that people use ceramic plate as an invitation because they exclude giving door gifts. The invitation is the door gifts. This will cost more than estimated because it’s personalized, same goes to the mug too.

 

Any more suggestions readers? Most welcome.

You’re Répondez s'il vous plaît

Photo Courtesy of Van-G

I was discussing with my parents about wedding venues and my dad insisted to have a wedding in a hotel. Yes, the past few months I’ve been contacting hotels banquet manager on the maximum capacity they can occupy, food & beverages prices and the packages included. So far I fell in love with only ONE out of the number of hotels however, it can only occupy up to 900people only. I will be having an appointment again this Friday morning with the banquet manager in one of the hotels that can fit more than 1000 people. This process takes a longer time because I need to widen my options and calculate the budget simultaneously thinking if it’s worth to pay thousands for a banquet.

By Friday, I might and maybe settle for a venue. I just need to visit this one hotel and get a peek on it and discuss. If the deal is good then I might just take it and tutup mata. Personally, small number of guest say around 500 people or 600 people is rather enough but my parents insisted me to search for a hall that can occupy 1000 people! I’ve made my guest list and sums up to 250 people that includes +1. So if I were to select the 900 maximum capacity hotels; that give my parents 325guest to invite with their +1.

Something interesting to know about most people who attend the wedding is usually a +2 instead of a +1 or even a +3. That leads to no seats available for the other guest to be seated and enjoy the wedding. It’s risky and tricky too, some say from the number of invitation you sent out subtract 20% and that will be your real guest. Say 500 invitation sent out only 400 will attend with +1 and you have like an extra of 200 seats available. However, if you were to make your wedding in a hotel that offers BND$25/head or above will certainly be wastage to pay extra empty tables don’t you think? That is what I’m afraid of!

So I merely suggested my parents to have a R.S.V.P. Confirm guest will be allocated to their seat husband and wife. Mixed seating. Due to circumstances that the guest is invited with their family then they will have to reply text or call to tell the number of family members they will be bringing even if that guest decides to bring the maid, still included in the guest list. Well no matter what, all the invitations will be provided with a RSVP card or maybe just text or call to confirm their attendance. No wastage in invitation cards and also you know how many guest will be coming to witness your wedding reception. Say if a guest is not able to come to the wedding, and you forgot to invite someone, they could replace that empty seats. You also can confirm to the hotel how many guest will be coming and not paying extras too.

My parents replied? “kadang-kadang orang ani menyaya bah.. durang bagitau tah 2 orang sekali datang nya seraban” and my dad just nodded with agreeing what my mom told. I once attended my relative wedding in Malaysia and they have this R.S.V.P thing and she told me that it’s just great plan. We were seated accordingly with family members and not with strangers and I find it very pleasing. Anyhow, They didn’t object nor agree with my suggestion but, I just hope I can make that plan work! And hope that as we step in a modern era, people perspective will change towards attendance of wedding invites and be more professional by... replying to R.S.V.P... *amin*


By the way,

SELAMAT MENYAMBUT BULAN RAMADHAN to all Muslim’s around the world. Di dalam bulan yang penuh mulia ini. Semoga puasa kita mendapat keberkatNYA.

Fasting starts tomorrow!

Wedding Bloggers & Bridesmaid.

I can’t emphasize enough that wedding bloggers especially from Malaysia is very informative when it comes to their preparation. Each and every blogger has its own unique way in approaching their wedding day preparations. Some came up with deliriously beautiful ideas on wedding management. It’s so lucky that in Malaysia there are varieties of hall to be used for their wedding day and almost all the halls is all beautiful as it is. I even told my mother that I love my wedding to be in Malaysia, preparation makes it easier, consider a bit cheaper too compared to Brunei. It would be easier for my Malaysian relatives around Miri, Kuching and Bintulu but tough for my Bruneian relatives and friends.


Anyhow, I can’t THANK YOU enough for the heads up and inspiration on the bloggers wedding preparations. Especially on the tips on their Jakarta trip! At least I get a rough estimate how much money I will be spending there and what to seek for too. You see, I’m trying to plan my wedding without menyusahkan banyak my friends or relatives because they have a life, commitments and family to take care of. Since I’m the only girl between my siblings, preparations are a bit tough for me. InsyALLAH I hope I can manage my own wedding and be my own wedding planner. I have my bestfriend helping me out but she’s only available on weekends because she’s working in Seria.

Speaking of which, BRIDESMAID!

I’ve never come across Bruneian weddings having bridesmaid. There maybe few weddings that has bridesmaid but not the wedding that I’ve attended. Most of the weddings that I know only has flower girls which when one of them is very playful, everyone jumps in being playful and out of sync! Most well; all Malaysian weddings has bridesmaid! And I sort of like the idea of it too… first, if I have my girlfriends they could help in the seating arrangement... I.e. they can easily guide my other friends/ work colleagues to a certain area.

One thing about Brunei wedding even in hotels have this ladies on one side and men on the other and no mixed seating’s unless the bride request for only her friends to have mixed seating’s. This separate seating is still practice up till now and this makes the guest list even more because of the ladies. I’m not blaming but its fact. You go to a wedding with your husband/boyfriend/fiancé then when it comes to seating you get separated. The guys? Don’t worry because they can make friends easily and don’t care much but for us the ladies, we don’t want to be left alone, SO; we tag along our friend/children/sister to accompany us which makes the guest list +1! I did consult my parents that if would be nice to have mixed seating’s but due circumstances of M.I.B (Melayu Islam Beraja) my dad didn’t quiet agree on mixed seating’s because he’s afraid people might talk about it after the wedding. *rolls eyes* But still! I’m trying my best to convince for a mixed seating’s if my wedding to be held in some hotel or hall.

Back to bridesmaid! They could help me with preparations too especially me being the only girl in my siblings. I see a lot more benefits too which I am not sure what! What are the tasks of a Bridesmaid in a Malay Wedding? Its blur and I haven’t had the exact idea on it. However, how do I choose my bridesmaid? I know I have one maid of honor which is my best friend of more than 10 years! Bridesmaid… what is the maximum number? 8 is a crowd don’t you think?

On the bridesmaid attire, I have exactly what colors, design in mind! Shopping in Jakarta for bridesmaid attire would be one task! Need to get the right colors to match with their skin.

I’m sooooo excited just writing about bridesmaid till I’m lost in words! Till next time. I think I need to put in some pictures to make it move lively! Haha

The 6th Consumer Fair is happening NOW till the 1st of August 2010, held at the Bridex Hall at Jerudong. I heard that the ticket to London only cost BND$777! Dirt cheap I tell you! *sigh* I haven’t got the chance to go there and I heard the crowd.. ramai berabis! Since I’m not good in big crowds, I get nervous breakdown so I’m not going there. =( BUT, I have a Miri weekend getaway today!

Have a lovely weekend ladies!