Planning the Perfect Malaysian Wedding: Tips and Tricks for a Memorable Celebration
There are several key milestones in life. From graduating to getting your very own place, none can compare to the significance of your wedding day — the celebration of love between a bride and groom. Some say it’s the most important day of a person’s life, so you’ll definitely be searching high and low for gorgeous and one-of-a-kind wedding themes, wedding gift ideas, stationery, door gifts, and more. We know prepping for a wedding isn’t easy, what’s more, a Malaysian wedding where customs and culture are generally a big deal. Fret not, we’re here to break down some essential pointers and spark some lovely ideas, so you can make your own choice as you countdown the days to tie the knot. Think of it as a wedding gift — from us to you.
Register Your Marriage
While the wedding is a big affair, marriage is a life-long one, so registering it right is a must. In Malaysia, there are two options for Pre-wedding Preparation Marriage Application, depending on your faith. For Non-Muslims, registration is at the National Registration Department (NRD) or Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) Office. Whereas for Muslims, couples can head to the Pejabat Agama Islam. The respective office branch for application is based on the address stated in your MyKad (Malaysian) or the residential address in Malaysia (for a non-citizen). The complete requirements of Non-Muslim and Muslims couples are different, so make sure you have the necessary documents to avoid delays.
Fulfil Marriage Traditions & Religious Obligations
Once you and your future spouse have registered, it’s time to delve into the details of values, traditions, and religious obligations. Though not everyone is religious these days, most Malaysian weddings embody cultural elements depending on race and beliefs. Either way, we’re all Malaysians or Malaysians at heart, so you can bet there’s always something innately charming about the bride and groom at any ceremony.
Traditional Malay Muslim Wedding in Malaysia Checklist
- Merisik (visit and observe) where both families meet and get acquainted.
- Meminang (proposal) where the bride will have ample time to decide.
- Bertunang (engagement) where engagement rings are exchanged.
- Adat Berinai, Akad Nikah (Ijab & kabul/offer & acceptance) where the ceremony celebrates the handing over of the bride to the groom.
- Bersanding (enthronement) where the bride and groom are treated as royalty.
- Kenduri (wedding reception) where guests celebrate the newlyweds.
- Dulang hantaran (customary gift trays) and Duit hantaran (dowry)
- Rent or buy Baju Melayu for the groom and a Baju Kurung or Baju Kebaya for the bride.
Other pivotal elements include legitimising the relationship in the sight of God (Allah The Almighty) and the marriage contract signed by the husband and wife-to-be.
Traditional Indian Wedding in Malaysia Checklist
- Set a date and book the venue and marriage officiant, usually a priest
- Prepare wedding ceremony details which include the Pooja thali (prayer plate), flowers, rice, grains, and coconut.
- Hire a decorator and planner that are responsible for the Kolam (motif artistic designs made from coloured edible grains), statues, Mandap (altar), flowers (usually yellow and orange marigolds).
- Make reservations with the makeup and Mehndi artist (in charge of henna designs on the palms and arms of the couple)
- Rent or buy wedding attire and accessories.
Traditional Chinese Wedding in Malaysia Checklist
- The groom’s family to offer betrothal gifts to the bride’s family, typically comprising ‘gift money’, ‘Ka lui peng’ which translates to ‘marry daughter biscuits’, two pairs of Double Happiness candles (two dragons and two phoenixes), cakes, fruits, and other pastries.
- Select an auspicious date for their wedding, which has more to it than most — installing the bridal room, the hair dressing ritual, the picking up of the bride (door games), and the tea ceremony.
- Plan the door games, for instance, is when the groom and his entourage have to play quirky games set by the bridal party to ‘earn’ the right to meet his bride in the bridal room.
- Rent or buy Chinese garments during the day, and usually don Westernised wedding outfits in the evening at the wedding reception.
Book Your Pre-Wedding Photoshoot
Now, here’s your chance to turn your looks of romance into reality. Book your outfits, hair and makeup team, and most important, your trusted wedding photographer. Be sure to go with people you and your partner feel comfortable with, so they can bring out the best in your photos. That said, whether it’s photographed outdoors or at a studio, go all out to get that money shot. After all, you’ll be keeping those photos for decades to come! Book your photographer as early as possible and show them pre-wedding shots that suit your taste so they get a better picture (literally) of what you’re looking for. You could even ask them for suggestions of venues to fit your theme. Some bridal houses include pre-wedding shots as part of the package deal, so you’ll save tons! Some other tips to ease the process with your photographer would be to ask the right questions, stuff like, do they have a contract, do they edit the photos, and what’s their standard delivery timeframe. It may seem like a simple process, but without proper planning, a seemingly fun photoshoot could result in a stressful situation with tensions rising — you don’t want that.
Book Your Wedding Venue
Go grand or go home. Well, that’s not always the case, but if you have the budget and have been longing for that dream wedding, by all means. Malaysian weddings are typically held at large halls, churches, temples, hotels, or event spaces these days, depending on what you and your partner are keen on. To date, hotels still remain the popular choice. Maybe it’s the grand look and feel or the capacity for accommodating a long guest list? Regardless, in Malaysia, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here are some top hotel choices: Le Meridien, JW Marriot, Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Grand Hyatt KL, Royale Chulan, and Hilton KL. If hotels don’t fit your fancy, there are event spaces like Brickhouse, The Grounds, Glasshouse KL, Boathouse, and more that serve as a blank canvas for you and your partner to showcase your creative flair for your wedding.
Shortlisting Your Wedding Vendors
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway — everyone wants a good deal. That’s why comparing quotes from multiple vendors is always a smart move. It’s one of those things you and your partner should decide together. “How do you feel about a live band?”, “Should we get a photo booth?”, “What kind of guest book would you like best?” should be questions that fuel your discussions. If you’d like to pay tribute to your roots at the wedding, come into agreement about how these cultural elements would be reflected and in what way. Perhaps for Muslim couples, a Kompang(traditional instrument) entrance or a lively Sangeet (musical night of traditional dance) at an Indian wedding or the Yum seng (wedding toast) at traditional Chinese weddings. Ultimately, you and your darling should be on the same page and be happy with the final decision.
Decorate Your Wedding Venue with Personalised Decor
Apart from aesthetics, the best weddings are the ones where the guests are kept busy — and we know just how to do that. From decorating your pelamin(ceremony centerpiece) to having personalised selfie frames and photo props, your guests get to join in the photography fun and you’ll be able to keep all these photo prints. At Photobook, we specialise in offering you the freedom to customise every little detail. You could create a monogram from both your names and turn it into stickers for the door gifts. You could also design your very own table placemats and with cute captions or menu cards in elegant cursive typefaces. The possibilities are endless. If you can imagine it, we can do it.
Choose Your Wedding Caterer
Another key part of the ceremony is, of course, the food. Remember, you’re deciding on a menu for a tonne of people, which means catering to various dietary requirements. All while maintaining a balance of affordability and taste. The dining part is different for Malay, Indian, and Chinese weddings. At Malay weddings, guests are usually free to help themselves to a buffet meal. The selection would include an assortment of appetisers, vegetables, rice dishes, and chicken or beef dishes — Acar Rampai (pickled veg/fruits), Nasi Minyak (scented rice), Daging Rendang Tok (lemongrass beef) and Ayam Masak Merah (Spicy Tomato Chicken Sambal) to name a few. For Indian weddings, the dining part begins with the serving of a pinch of salt to signify a healthy marriage. You can expect a banana leaf feast with flavourful curries and stews, ending with desserts Payasam (sweet pudding) or Laddu (traditional Indian dessert). And for Chinese weddings, it’s usually a sit-down dinner of 7-9 course meals. The appetisers would feature a platter of seafood dishes such as Tempura Prawn, Baby Octopus, and more, followed by a selection of soup, then several protein dishes, and topped with dessert such as red bean mochi or Chinese pancake.
Book Your Bridal Makeup & Wedding Dress Fitting
The two of you deserve to look your absolute best on your big day. We’re talking about the bridal gown, the tux, bridesmaids dresses, and more. And while it’s one thing to be dressed in a stunning outfit, it’s another to have your face and features glowing, so having a makeup artist (MUA) on standby would be a good idea. Just in case you shed a tear or two. When picking out the perfect wedding outfit, consider colours and how they might look under the respective lighting, whether indoors or outdoors. And when it comes to the perfect fit, getting the gown and suit a size up or two could be a safe bet. Why? Because most wedding outfits are rented or bought ahead of time to avoid any unwanted mishaps. Plus, while in anticipation of wedded bliss, not everyone will be on their strictest diet… just saying.
Book Your Wedding Photographer & Videographer
Now, it’s understood that every second of such a momentous day should be captured and cherished. So, finding a wedding photographer and wedding videographer that you and your sweetie are comfortable with is a must. Apart from reading reviews and getting recommendations from friends, it’s probably a good idea to set up an appointment to meet these visual storytellers and get a feel of how they work, what their terms are, what they would require from your end. Here’s a pro tip — because it’s uncommon for businesses to upsell certain additional services, knowing what you want would be essential to saving some extra moolah. When you’re crystal clear on what style you want, you can cut through the noise and turn down any unwanted add-ons. It’s all about playing it smart.
Send Out Your Wedding Invitation
It’s probably sinking in right now, isn’t it? There probably isn’t a more official way of saying “Hey, I’m getting married!” more than a wedding invite. These days, the once traditional wedding invitation has been given a facelift in so many ways — e-invites, scannable barcode invites, video invites, so on. While technology has elevated wedding invitations in some ways, there’s still nothing like receiving a physical one that comes from a heart of sincerity and love for tradition, it is a Malaysian wedding after all. That doesn’t mean you can’t get creative and make it a one-of-a-kind beauty. How about Save The Date Magnets? We guarantee that’s an invite your guests would wanna keep. If you’re a bit of a purist, and cards are still your preferred option, check out our Save The Date Cards and Invitation Cards which are all 100% customisable, how fun! That being said, ever had “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail”? Sending your invitations early is key to booking the availability of your guests. Depending on what month your wedding falls on, giving your guests ample time to plan and make time for your big day is a thoughtful gesture and would be greatly appreciated (even if they don’t say it out loud).
Choose The Perfect Wedding Favours & Thank You/Door Gifts
The perfect way to seal a gorgeous wedding would be with unforgettable wedding favours and door gifts. This isn’t something most couples put too much focus on, but we feel you should. Wedding favours show your guests how appreciative you are for their presence, time, and support. So, it’s not something you and your partner should take lightly. Instead of chocolates or sweets, how about something more cultural like bunga telur (decorated hard boiled egg) or memorable like a personalised Thank You Card, Thank You Insta Print, Thank You Magnet? They’re an adorable gesture that will remind guests of the joyous occasion every time they look at it. They can put it on the fridge or add it to a board for decoration, how cool is that? Or, how about the ultimate series of wedding favours? A Lil Photobook or MyMagazine? Physical books that showcase your love story through photos, almost like a gallery in the palm of their hands! We know that’ll get people talking. But if you’re thinking of something more functional for your guests, try our personalised Shot Glasses or Thank You Bookmark for a touch of added flair. You can include your names or your favourite phrase or even a symbol of your love. We guarantee it’ll take the award for Most Unique Wedding Favour ever!
So, with that, you’re all set to begin prepping for your special day. Make your wedding spectacular with Photobook, we’ll make every detail just the way you like it, so you can focus on soaking in the love from your big day.