Haute Tradition . Haute Chic

appy Friday everyone! If you’ve just joined us, pull out a chair, make yourself a cup of brewing hot latte and be inspired by these ah-may-zing weddings as we countdown an A to Z brimful of wedding fabulosity.

Some people are gorgeously good-looking and this couple is one of those people. With impeccable taste and style, their wedding was a marvelous mix of gold, silver, black and red. By embracing tradition with a chic twist, it’s the kind of design risqué that can either go very wrong or oh-so-fabulous. And this wedding is just that. Fabulous. With both of them residing in Paris, they enlisted The Peak Xperience to help them with the wedding planning and Saiful Nang of Candid Syndrome as the official wedding photographer.

The wedding ambience had a real air of faded elegance. They combined the delicate ornates of Malay decoratives but in a typical French manner, that is,  sophistication that looked refined and not over-the-top. They draw their inspiration from the Kings’s chambers at the castles at Loire Valley and the patterns of Songket fabrics (hand-woven brocaded fabrics which were once reserved only for the Sultanate). The first part of the reception was kept traditional with a bersanding ceremony (enthronement), complete with prayers,  Gamelan music and Silat performance. Both Alia and Jean looked ravishingly regal in a custom-designed Kebaya and Baju Melayu by couturier Jovian Mandagie. For the wedding favours, they gave gold and silver French dragées in a sleek gold tembaga from Terengganu.

The second part of the dinner was chic and modern. Alia was gleaming in tearful joy as she walked down the aisle to meet her young brother-in-law, who took her hands and later on handed Alia over to her father for the father-daughter dance. Right after the dance, Alia’s dad then handed her over to Jean and they took their first waltz as husband and wife.

Alia: The most memorable moments for us would be the first traditional entrance, where we had the children dancers walk in first, followed by the wedding entourage, then us. We enjoyed every minute of it! Jean was really excited to have a ‘keris’ (a traditional Javanese dagger). The other memorable moment was when I walked down the isle in my Vera gown, accompanied by my brother-in-law. It was emotional and romantic at the same time, as I see my husband waiting for me on the dance floor. My father’s and father-in-law’s speeches were very touching, and also the surprise song by Khadijah Ibrahim. I actually sang with her and I never thought I would have to do that! I loved the part when we were on the pelamin, and when my sister Amy and Jean’s sister Marie sang “Formidable” for us. I’m not too sure about Jean, but I loved mingling with the guests, those who have seen me growing up… from a baby to a married woman, most of them my parents’ friends. To see all our families and friends from all over the world together under the same roof was also very joyful. Sharing my traditions with my family-in-law, the delicious Malay fusion 5-course meal by Le Meridien, cutting our beautiful wedding cake, the toast by my best friend Tania and sister Aina, were all amazing!!!

During our speech to thank the guests, I also talked about my grandfather who passed away the year before. I have cried enough times while practicing and writing out the speech, so I was ok during the moment. Regardless, it was a very moving and emotional moment, since I didn’t have the time to say goodbye to him during his last days. Like a child, I admitted to everyone that I spoke to him every night before I went to sleep to remind him to look down during the wedding.  He was a special person in my life, and will remain so forever.

We learnt how vital a wedding planner was for the whole planning process! Even if we were based in KL, we would’ve still hired a wedding planner, as this person is super important to ensure not just the details during wedding planning, but also the smoothness of the wedding itself.

I forgot to mention my hair and makeup artist – Khir Khalid. I told him to make me look more like a model and not a bride. And so that’s what I got! The makeup was natural, beautiful, and very haute couture. I provided some pictures for him but it wasn’t necessary. I call him The Magician. My look for the kebaya was very natural, with slight smoky eyes and nude lips. I had my hair pouffed up into a traditional twist, and ornated with a traditional gold ‘cucuk sanggul’. For the dress, my eyes were dramatised by making it smokier, and my hair let down, a little messy, with a white feather and crystal hair pin. I felt like the most beautiful girl in the world!

It was THE Dream Wedding that I’ve had since I was 12! Jean, who left the main decisions on me, also thought of the wedding as a great success.

Wedding Location: Malaysia
Size of Function: 250 guests

Wedding Reception: Le Meridien Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Wedding Planner: Natasha Khoo, The Peak Xperience
Wedding Photographer: Saiful Nang & Fuad Topa, Candid Syndrome
Wedding Videographer:Kid A Productions
Florist:The Poetry of Flowers
Wedding Cake:TrulyScrumptious!
Wedding Shoes:Givenchy
Cultural Attire:Jovian Mandagie
Wedding Gown:Vera Wang
Groom’s Attire:Dolce & Gabbana
Wedding Emcee: Henry Golding
Wedding Hair & Makeup:Khir Khalid