dnofevery20th

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We are down to 20 days

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Bridal Fittings

It's down to the final 24 days and I can finally feel the wedding jitters! We have already went to 2 bridal fittings and the feeling was greatttt.


On the 1st fitting, we've already managed to finalise 2 outfits (solemnisation & reception). I fell in love with most if not all of Hambali's baju songket collection. They are so madly pretty that I picked both outfits to be kain songket. So clearly, I won't disclose the outfits we've chose until the actual day. I tried on at least 2 cake cutting dresses but in the end I didn't finalise that outfit yet cause I wasn't really feeling it for both dresses.


For the 2nd fitting, I tried another cake cutting dress. This time I like it but also I wasn't 100% feeling it yet. I love the flowy effect of this dress but I don't feel like there's any WOW factor on it ANDDD I had a hard time trying to walk on it. Maybe on our final fitting, I'll see again how it goes. I can say that Hambali has a lot of nice songket outfits, but I cannot say the same for his formal dresses though. They kind of fall flat for me. BUTTT I won't get discouraged just yet, let's hope I can find the perfect cake cutting dress for my wedding day.


The day after our 2nd fitting, we went to meet up with this chinese lady who makes suits for men. Since N's height was a problem, we couldn't find a suit that will fit him at the bridal. So Hambali sent us to this lady to get his suit customed. He chose 2 suits and managed to settle for the 1 we both liked. I cannot wait for the suit to be tailored to fit him nicely. When he tried it the other day the pants was too short and the coat was too big. LOL! But he will definitely look good in it on the actual day. He will need to go for another final fitting for his suit, atleast 1 week before the actual day.


Cannot wait to show off our outfits!


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Wedding Invitations

We are less than 2 months away from the big day and time is of the essence. I am currently rushing to settle our wedding invites and waiting for our wax seal to arrive. I’m so excited to give out the invitations. After months of planning, we can finally start to spread the word. 

I’ve planned to print out the labels just to reduce the hassle since I can print the transparent sticker at work. Perks of working in a design firm (heh). I want the invites to look pretty cause I spent so much effort into it, I don��t want the envelope to be a flop and just spoil the whole look. I’m OCD like that.

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T-50 days

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Decor Details

It was finally time for us to discuss details and layout plan for our wedding with our decor team. We met up with Abang Saiful and Kak Nyta from Anggun Decor yesterday. We talked about colour theme, layout and arrangements, as well as details and design for the whole setup. 

My intense research and pinterest-ing was crucial for this moment. I want to make sure they really can envision what I want without any miscommunications. I printed out images and also created moodboard so that I can get my message across and which they can make reference to. I think the whole meeting and discussion went pretty well. Atleast Ifi also managed to give his thoughts and choose the flowers. Who say I didn’t give him any choice huhhh?

The next time we’ll be meeting them is on the setup day itself, which will be one day before the wedding. I just hope everything goes smoothly cause I cannot bare to know if there’s any screw ups. Well, considering that we are spending a lot on the decor itself. I hope Anggun Decor can really deliver as to what I expect. Inshaallah.

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Sneak peek of our Prewedding Shoot

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Bridesmaid’s Box

My bridesmaids box was a simple acrylic box with 3 gifts inside. A Colourpop Rose Quartz Crystal Priming Spray, 7-pc Rose Gold Unicorn Brush Set and a Silver Minimal Knot Bracelet with a cute DIY note to go along with it. I DIY-ed the whole box using a cake acrylic box that I got at a neighbourhood baking shop. I added paper strips to create a rustic look and also potpourri that I got from Daiso just to add a touch of colour, flowery accent and some lavender scent to the whole box.

I just wanted to show some appreciation for the girls and to let them know that they mean a lot to me and for sharing this special day with me. After the whole bridesmaids outfit drama, I just want them to know that their effort is something even if it’s not what I expect.

So on a side note, we have FINALLY agreed on the outfits and they have already gotten their skirt. Currently waiting their tops to arrive from shipment.

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Cake Mayhem

We are less than 3 months away from the big day and the anxiety is closing in. It seems like I’ve been doing a lot of the preparations on my own, but also because I feel like I didn’t ask for help from anyone. It seems like I got everything under control but the truth is, I’m panicking. Also, I’m a control freak and I feel like if I’m not the one making the decisions than, it’s probably not good enough for me.

So for today’s topic, let’s talk about CAKES!

My favourite topic out of all my wedding stuff cause I LOVE CAKES!

I have decided that my budget is going to be around $200 for a 2-tier cake with fresh flowers and so far I have asked 2 other vendors and their prices are pretty out of my budget. These vendors are Estee and Ola Lola.

Estee has super gorgeous cakes but seriously, her prices is way wayyy above my budget. Ola Lola still is within my range but it will definitely burst a bit if I want fresh flowers. However, it’s still workable.

I am also currently asking Farah Affandi who did my engagement cake last year and have yet to get a quote from her.

I will continue to enquire other vendors in the meantime and hopefully, I can decide on one vendor soon. I need my cake to look pretty just sitting there next to my pelamin (LOL).

Below is the type of cake design I am looking at. A watercolour design cake that is mostly white, light pink and gold flakes (basically drawing inspiration from my wedding card). For the flavour, I think definitely something chocolatey. Thinking about it is already making my mouth watery *drools*.

I’m hoping that someone will be able to do one that is not only pretty and taste good but also at an affordable price range too. Will update about my cake situation soon!

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Wedding Stationeries: Checked

As you can already read from the title, my invitations arrived earlier this week. It was a very short wait surprisingly considering that I received it on a Saturday (?) Very efficient Pos Laju *thumbs up*

Everything looks just the way I want it with exception to the PVC bunting and directional signage. As both of it is printed on PVC, it came out darker than the rest of the stationeries, despite using the exact same artwork. I should have known better, OMGGG. Now the gold on the signage and bunting looks more like dirty ochre than it is gold. Even though I had the same concerns before printing but OH WELLSSSS.. as long as the card looks perfect.

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Moodboard 1 // Rose gold

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T-121 Days

Our to-do list is getting shorter but there's still plenty to get done.

So based on my mental note, here is a list of our to-do's:

Sep 2017

Send design for sticker and paperbag for berkat

Send design to Aa and refine photo strip for Photobooth

Deposit for Henna with Zubha Henna

Concept/theme for wedding design

Oct 2017

Go for ROMM interview

Book bridal car decor & cake

Book hand bouquet

Hunt for bridal heels

Draft out itinerary

Go through wedding playlist

Nov 2017

Photoshoot

Meet up with decor vendor for site recce, discuss theme & details

Pay Decor balance

Meet up with caterers to finalise menu & details

Pay Catering balance

Bridal outfit selection/ fitting

Prepare guest list

Finalise outfit colours for family members

Purchase bridal heels

Dec 2017

Finalise wedding playlist

Finalise itinerary

Send out invitations

Purchase hantaran items (Christmas sale)

Buy items for Bunga Manggar

Buy items for Photobooth

Buy items for DIY hantaran trays + money box

DIY hantaran trays

DIY money box

Jan 2017

Final fitting

Email out/ pass itinerary to vendors (decor, catering, photo, video, kompang, dj)

Meet up with photo + video vendor for final briefing

Meet up with Bridesmaids and Groomsmen for final briefing

Arrival of wedding favours, pay balance + delivery fee

Prepare money in envelopes

Collect bridal bouquet

Call tok kadi for reminder

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Card Crisis

Remember how I already had all my ideas and concept planned out for my wedding card/ stationeries in my previous post? Well.. I can safely say I threw all that out the window.

When I did my first draft design using this image as reference, I was so in love with it. But I knew deep down, there’s something amiss. There’s that little voice in my head telling me “Hey, it’s not good enough”. For sure I wasn’t confident enough to send out that design for print yet. So I waited for a good 3 weeks before going back to dealing with the card, only to realise how much I hate how my card looks.

I knew I had to go back to the drawing board and brainstorm other ideas for my card. That’s when I got inspired to design my card loosely based on the design that my N’s friend did for our photo strips for the photobooth.

This was the first draft that he sent to us and I’m sold! Currently I’m in love with gold and I have plans of using gold as an accent colour for the wedding. I want to change certain things to the photo strips too. I need him to change the font to my new design and the orange swirls to a light pastel-ly dusty pink. Yeah, you guessed it. That’s the colour palette for my wedding stationeries!

I have also finally recontacted the printer vendor from Shah Alam, Selangor to confirm with her our order and finally asking for final quotation. We will deposit the amount tmr and send her the design as soon as I test print for colour proofing tmr as well. I am so excited and truly happy with how it turned out this time. I finally got the wedding feel from it compared to the previous design. Even N was happy about it!

Here’s a sneak peek of our card,

Of course, I won’t give away too much or else there won’t be any element of surprise anymore. I showed to all my bridesmaids the previous design but not this. I guess I want to keep it to myself till I get the hard copy.

If you guys were wondering which vendor I got to print my wedding stationeries, it is this Instagram shop called Nigina Art selling wedding stationeries based in Shah Alam, Selangor. I have been one of their following when I stumbled upon their Instagram while researching on other wedding stuffs. I like their style of design and already have thoughts of engaging them right from the start. Initially I didn’t want to design myself and just get a ready design from their vast collection. But after hearing how my bestfriend struggled with her Jb vendor about her wedding card, I was set on doing on my own since I am capable to do so.

I contacted Mastura from Nigina Art and we replied through and fro a few times since May. Can you imagine it’s been 4 months since then and I finally am ready to send my design for print. I was that kanchiong! So inshaallah, everything will run smoothly and our delivery will reach us safely.

Updated: 18 Sep 2017

After going for a test print for all my wedding stationeries, i was so disappointed that my gold effect on the name did not pull through nicely against my background. I had to make some changes to the colour of the name. So I decided to adjust the the background design instead of enhancing on the colour of the name. I really want some gold foiling effect somewhere on all the stationeries. So I added the gold foil effect on the background instead and kept the name plain black-grey to ensure visibility from far (after all, our names on the stationery are the star of the show). However, there’s not enough time for me to go for another round of test print. I feel like I just have to go with my gut…. Let’s hope for the best.

I’m dying to share the design here, but I have to wait till it’s officially printed out. So excited!!!

Updated: 20 Sep 2017

My invitation card drama has all been settled (all praises to the Almighty). So dramatic… I know! I’m hoping to get the card by second week of October. Then both sides can start preparing our guest list.

Inshaallah, everything will be smooth sailing.

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1-Year

Yesterday (20/8/2017) marks our 1 year Engagement and we’re literally counting down the days to the big day. Exactly 152 days left and all our preparations are going smoothly and as planned. Alhamdullilah

Upcoming items on our list is the ROMM registration in 3 days’ time. We have finally shortlisted which Tok Kadi we want for our solemnization. We have also fixed our nikah timing to be 11am. So whichever Tok Kadi is available, we will just grab that. As I’m going to do the registration on my own since N will be away for work, I’m quite nervous for what to expect.

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Invitations Moodboard

This is how i wish for our wedding invitations to look like. A postcard size invitation with no folding/ flap, a little gold foil detailing, san serif modern font but calligraphy font for our names, white base & some foliage for graphics.

As I am a graphic designer by career, it's only right that I design my own invitation. I know I will be very critical towards anyone I engage to design the invitation for me (eg; print & design vendor).

So, I was hunting for printers from across the border to do the printing for me at a reasonable price. I found an IG store from Shah Alam that sells ready designed invitations and other stationeries. I fell in love with their style of design and was ready to hit them up. I'm so glad that they can do just the print for me with the my own design. They really have a good package and they can even get the printer to do gold foiling for my invitation at a good price. I will definitely select their package because it's so reasonable and cheap.

Based on my timeline, I need to start designing the invitation prolly by mid Aug as we are targeting to get them printed by Sep. We want to ensure a lot of buffer time before the actual day just to make sure everything goes smoothly. 

Inshaallah

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With This Ring, I Promise You

I am happy to share that we have collected our wedding bands from Love & Co! We both love our rings so much! My ring is perfect just the way I like it. Not too flashy but not too subtle. Just the right amount of PAZAZZZ. It complements my engagement ring very well and N’s ring as well.

It may seemed odd to get our wedding bands so early in, but we just thought that it would be best to get it out of the way as soon as we can. Even though it seemed like we have our priorities all jumbled up, rest assured everything is well thought out. We just have to make sure we keep to our timeline and schedule!

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Event Venue

The opening date for our venue booking is drawing near and I.AM.SO.NERVOUS!

As mentioned before, we have decided to go with CC as our choice of venue due to space constraints and the unsuitability of the void decks at both our places. I think it'll be more comfortable for out guests and for the parents too. Even though the cost is xxx times higher, I know it'll be worth our money. I do hope with a better venue, our decor will look much prettier (but also we have to fork out more).

The scary part about booking the venue is that I have to go to the CC alone as N's not going to be around due to work (!!!) I'm quietly panicking inside because I'm afraid that someone else is going to be as 'kanchiong' as me. After reading some BTB's blogs, I finally reaffirmed myself that I too, have to overnight to ensure the security of my spot for our wedding day.

That being said, I need to mentally prepare myself and make a "survival pack" so that I can last through the night. HAHA.

Inshaallah, everything will be on our side. Amin

Updated: 25 Sep 2017

So the whole venue booking fiasco ended. Alhamdullilah our decor vendor actually helped us a lot with regards to the venue. As they have connections with the in-charge of the CC, the CC actually blocked off our wedding date during the venue booking opening. I actually kind of panicked when I saw that our date is not available. Only cause they did not inform me about the whole thing. So after making some calls, Kak Nyta from Anggun Decor confirmed with the incharge that I don't have to come down and stay overnight to the booking on 1 July 2017.

A month later, I met up with the incharge and filled in the form and after much delay, finally paid our deposit. So thank godddd, everything is finally confirm. So much anxiety just for booking a CC.

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Say ‘Yes’ to the Bridal

Choosing the right bridal is very important to us (besides decor). Choosing the right bridal can save you years of embarrassment from looking at your own wedding photos. Especially the makeup.

Why we chose Hambali TWR?

Hambali TWR wasn't our first choice as we were set on engaging Pretty Dia. We already made our deposit and went to meet up with them (Pretty Dia) when they suddenly informed us that they had mixed up my date with another bride, as we wanted to engage the same MUA. As they (Pretty Dia) are new to this industry, I didnt want to take the risk and instead engaged Hambali TWR. Thank god, they had an open house right before our trip to Bali. As we wanted to make all the bookings before our holiday so that we can have a peace of mind overseas.

By booking on the day of the open house we were entitled to $300 off from the total package. I felt like we were fated to engage them cause everything seems to be falling into place right away.

The moment I reached their warehouse, I knew I wanted to engage them right away:

Hambali (the owner) welcomed us with so much warmth and while he was explaining to us the package, brought us around to show his vast collection of bridal outfits, he never once hard sell his service. It's something I really appreciate as clearly everyone needs to think through what they are paying for.

His collection is MASSIVEEEE! He has so many outfits from nikah to sanding (especially his famous sanggul lintang) to cake cutting dresses. What more, he recently came out with a new collection with some famous designer from MY. (clearly, I have no idea who).

His package is reasonable and it's complete with 1 hand bouquet for 3 pairs of outfits!

His office is at Woodlands, where I live. So it'll be super convenient for our future fittings.

They will deliver and collect the outfits themselves. Another plus for us!

As mentioned, we get $300 discount if we book during the open house itself.

I am super happy about our choice and could not wait to work with them on our first fitting! As of now, we have to start brainstorming the colour theme for both our family's side.