The day Before Akad Nikah

it has been a longggggggg week with work stress and of course, the wedding stress. I have had to rush home during lunch hour to let the photographer look at the lighting of the house and attempt to enter office quietly (failing i did), get emergency-organza [getting no discount from peeps at nagoya. seriously, better bargain, can be found in nilai, which is of couse like an hour's drive], looking for masking tape that actually had staying power and of course, trying to figure out montage whatever.

im just happy its over lusa!

Atuk and Opah came last night from Ipoh, together with ayahcik, family and ayah cho. Makteh from my mother's side came too..bringing durian! guess who had the most? 3 months pregnant bestie. who turns out is enjoying food, lots of it, during the first term of her pregnancy and believe me, she so tak makan when was single!


anyways, eman is trying very hard to suggest love songs to play. thanks. he's into music and all, so he nicely downloaded some music tracks fer me. ajid and kaklong were trying to walk down the aisle, looking more like zombie-striken brides...thanks but no thanks jida! haiya...that too needs practising! adding more chores to my never ending lists of to-do's!

so today i need to do my henna. farrah suggested mydin coz there's a lady that actually comes to the house. im gonna check it out later. My boss did give me half day today. I should have fought for my rights to a whole day off. Should have but never did.

okay friends...Wish Ed all the luck and hopefully Akad Nikah tomorrow will go smoothly!!! =)

Soothing Sunday

One week left!

With a really superb surprise from the girls, I am all freshened up and geared.

I really love spending time with the girls!!! Thank you to Ms. Mardhy (Planner extradionaire) (She gets a Ms. coz she's bossy...and Mummy-To-Be) and adik-adik and Auntie, Kak Nor, Sazu, Ajid, Nogha, Zay and Ema for making my day!! It has been a stressful week (work and wedding related) and Im just glad I spent today pampered and beautified! hahaha...AND EAT! I love the food too!

You know, and its probably at times like these that remind you of those who matter to you and appreciate their efforts and the extra mile they make. I thank God for I am truly blessed with friends like these. You guys rock!

So, I hope to see you guys at the reception yah...sharp okay! Dah banyak kali ulang ni. I sound like a broken record.

XOX, ilya, recalling apek selling pirated dvd.

Check Your Diary for me Please

you just cant win with mothers. This is the case today, yesterday, the day before or the past one year. Okay, let me re-phrase this. maybe the whole of my adult life.

She seems to think the people I am inviting to the wedding will not show up. [Reason: Because Young People dont RSVP and even if they do, they dont tell you that they're cancelling]

Okay. I wish I can say otherwise, but I HAVE seen partially filled weddings (its just too evil to say 'empty') and of course, after organizing several dinners and reunions, have become all too familiar with the 'I'm sick, cant make it', 'I've got some relative I need to visit' and of course, 'Im so sorry, my boss asked me to stay back today'.

So, I cant really blame my mom for being overly-concerned over the fact that I want my close friends to be there, cause acknowledging the fact that the wedding is on a Friday (working day), I foresee a few absentees. Scares the shit out of me. Wont my friends be by my side??!!!!! Yikes!

Hmmm.

Right now, im going to just shut down. and hope, hope, hope that those who have said Ok will show up. And I cry at the pelamin because Im happy and NOT because there's no one there. [haha, looky me. Planning to cry already....ahahaha]

Sayang, I love you coz you let me invite friends to your side too. If we have extra money, we do our own party after the wedding okay!!

Jay the Baker

i have been eating non-stop lately. I believe due to stress and because lately I dont observe the three-meals a day routine. I often forget to eat because we'll be out shopping.

The other day, I found a great cake-maker, Jay the Baker, who came by recommendation. Apparently her work is exclusive and only by appointment. So, there was this hush-hushness about the whole thing.

So, by the time my appointment actually took place, she showed me one of her cakes and I fell in love with it. It has the softest texture and the it actually melted in my mouth. Needless to say, I am now recommending her to others who are looking for someone who will bake you a cake that doesnt taste like other people's cakes (you know, seen that, ate that feeling). Give it a go. You wont be disappointed.

Jay the Baker can be contacted at 012-3836 6891 (10.00 a.m to 5p.m on weekdays and weekends)

To Lee Yee with Love

I have been a bit off lately as there was a bit of huha over errors in the invites, huha over the favours and yes, my flower girls have grown [they are at that age when growth is super-fast] and they want new dresses! Im also juggling flowers and decoration at home. I think i need a break!

well, thank God there is Lee Yee. Today's post is dedicated to Lee Yee coz she's been sooooooo kinddd and soo supportive!

Lee Yee and I believe that we were fated to meet because our paths had crossed so many times without us realising it ! I knew her as the 'Politician', during orientation but we never hit it off. A few months later, on our call day, we ended up helping each other with our bibs! We never knew each others names.

On my first day of work, I met Lee Yee, & she was also starting at the same firm! So from there on, there was no stopping us! We were then lunch mates, shopping mates, after-6 mates, boss-bashing mates! Lee Yee would often come to my room seeing me crying (stress*stress*stress) and I would go to Lee Yee's room to eat, eat, eat. Hahaha.

So its unsurprising that for this wedding, Lee Yee has been an angel! She has accompanied me to a zillion places [from the dodgiest not to mention creepiest to the ultra luxe..hahaha] AND has not made a single complaint about spending the whole weekend with me! (I've checked with her manymany times, you know, just in case!)

and when the cards were ready, she was ever ready to help me collect it. She even wanted to do the ribbons at the side, but we kinda asked the card-makers to do it-lah. Penatlah kalau nak buat everything right?

At the same time, Lee Yee has offered her ideas and comments without fail. If its not pretty, she'll tell me. If its pretty but not beautiful, she'll also tell me. If its ugly, she'll make a face!

& the good thing about Lee Yee is that she's imaginative. She can think out of the box and she's up for the challenge. After all, she is helping me plan a Malay wedding! [Her knowledge of it was zilch!but now, she knows all the best spots in town to get things! ]

And she's equally as KAKI JALAN as I am! We can do miles together! (Actually we can do several shopping malls in a day. But u gotta be disciplined!)

and you know what, she drove all the way from KL to help me find materials for the girls. Who would do that?!

Well, I just thought I'd pen this down, coz I want her to know that I really appreciate her time and patience and all the effort she has put in. i'm glad there's someone that can keep me sane at times like this!

Love yah Lee Yee! Thank you very much!

Photographers!

I have been 'window shopping' for photographers the past two weeks and I have seen so many quotations, dozens of sample photos, shook hands, sat down and chat with total strangers and of course, read a few contracts more often denying the bride of her right to her pictures should she not want it to be on the photographer's website!

I also now have one red eye due to the strain from being in front of the computer too long!! There's just so many websites!

At the end of the day, all every bride wants from her photos is to look GREAT [which of course means, look better than every day office or any dinner she has been to] and yes, that her wedding pictures depict a nolstalgic feeling that lasts for ages. I love my mother's wedding pictures because she was all so beautiful and every time she showed it to us, she would get that "La La La" feeling. She would always remind us of how it was 'back then'. "Those days (1980 to be exact), we did everything on our own. No wedding planners, no nothing," she narrates. Her own wedding was done at my grandma's house in Kuala Pilah and she told me that my dad actually wrapped all his hantarans to her and only unwrapped it upon arrival. "Sebab, back then (again), the Bukit Putus road leading to Kuala Pilah was so bengkang-bengkok and Ayah, Opah and Atok datang all the way from Perak tau!"

Just glad that Ed is only coming from Seremban which is a mere 45 mins away and there's no Bukit Putus anywhere near!

So, back to my Photographer Story.

I noted that each photographer had their own style, be it in the way they service you or respond to your needs. Some are flexible and are willing to accomodate your needs, while some were reluctant to accept ideas. Photographer beware: BRIDES TO BE are almost always demanding.

Some are sloooowwwwwwwwww at replying email! As much as photographers need US to confirm dates with them, it is equally as taxing to us when photographer don't respond to questions posed, directly and choose to dilly dally. Photographer beware: There is a reason why BRIDES email you. They want quick, fast hard facts. If you want the job, YOU should call her back to get her to warm up. Some gave me quick and detailed responses. It made things easier for me!

I do admit that the fact that some photographers charge for their extra hour turned me off. How am I going to feel happy on my wedding day when I know that my photographer is keeping tabs on the hours?! Now I know why people dread going to lawyers! Haha. And the weird thing is, the senior photographers were the ones who did not charge per hour (mind you, their works are not out-dated) and they all spoke about being a photographer first, business people second. Hmmmmmmmmm.

Some packages were great and the whole custom album concept is cool. At least I know I'll have a box!!

For all my visits to the photographers, I made routine calls to Ed to make sure he is in the know. I also dragged Norwen, just in case the photographers attempted to scam me. Overall, I have made my choice.

I wonder who?

Introduction

As the first of November draws closer, there is an tingling feeling of excitement. Finally, the wedding is ALMOST here. Thinking back, 2007 is definitely the fastest year ever [With so much happening in between]. It is definitely hard to fathom that by early next month, both Ed and I will be wed!!

So, to keep family and friends in the know, voila! A wedding blog just to share the highs and lows of preparing for the wedding! Mind you, there are three events:-

a) the Solemnisation (Akad Nikah);
b) the Bride's Reception; and of course, last but not least
c) the Groom's Reception.

So, there's so much to prepare! Hopefully not too much drama for the next one month, cause I'm not sure if I can take it! Hahaha.. Both of us would like to dedicate the blog to both our parents & external family, siblings, Sazu, Mardhy & Baber, Lee Yee, Ema, Al & Faizul and of course all others who have given their advice and words of wisdom cause without you guys, we would probably be lost!

Okay, enjoy the blog!

Hugs & Kisses: Ilya & Ed