= The Weekend That Changed My Life =
I’m baaaaackkkkk!!!
Wow, it’s been err, about 3 months since i last wrote, methinks! To those who were waiting ever so patiently for news, thank you for waiting, and sorry for the delay. So much has happened since my last entry (duh!) so hold on to your mouses and brace yourself for a wordfest!!!
For those who are still clueless, here’s a shocker: I’m MARRIED! It’s been 84 days since i was last a Miss… I’m now.. Mrs Nurhanani. Even after 84 days, its still kinda surreal to me…
To those who weren’t there for my wedding, whether you didn’t get an invitation (i tried my level best to invite as many friends as i could) or didn’t show up for some reason or other, you really did miss quite a party. The Nikah was held after Zuhur on 2nd December 2006, in Masjid Putra Kelana Jaya, the one next to the Kelana Jaya lakes. Everything went relatively well, despite the sound system that gave out echoes instead of proper audio quality. Alhamdulillah, my hubby managed to make me his in 1 lafaz that was SO eloquent, i nearly missed it! Right after we exchanged rings, and my hubby kissed me on the forehead for almost 2 minutes for the benefit of the professional (and amateur hehe) photographers, we were rushed over to Kelana Seafood right across the street for Majlis Berinai Besar.
Most of the guests were already in the hall, enjoying the elaborate high tea served while waiting for me n hubby to change into our Arabic wedding attire. It is customary in my family to have at least one session of arabic dress for each wedding. And so, in the spirit of "Arabian Sunset", almost all the guests were garbed in glittery jubahs, some complete with the appropriate headdresses. Meanwhile, my hubby and I were rushed to change our clothes, had our make up touched up, have our fancy headdresses firmly fastened… all within 15 minutes! I honestly believe that was the fastest transformation I have ever experienced..
We entered the hall led by my 10 yr old niece who belly danced her way up to the pelamin steps to the exotic sounds of arabic music. I was pleased as peaches to see the surprise and admiration cross the guests’ faces as our entourage walked down the red carpet. The majlis merenjis went on for quite a long time, coz we wanted this event to be as informal as possible. Alot of the guests, some of them my dear friends and cousins lined up patiently with my aunts and uncles to give us their blessings.
As soon as the merenjis session ended (and the incessant rumble of my tummy reached a fever pitch), we were ushered to the VIP table to have a ‘bite to eat’. I say that becoz not long after, the arabic music was turned on again and my aunts, uncles and cousins started dancing to the music. And of course, it took them only about 5 minutes before they pulled ME and my hubby to dance with them. Arrghhhhh… it was SO embarrassing!!! I haven’t a clue how to dance, so i got an impromptu lesson from my cousin. My hubby, on the other hand, was a complete natural! After all, he did look like an arabian oil tycoon.. hehehe ;P All in all, everybody had a blast…
The next morning, we packed our stuff and literally hauled them all to Holiday Villa Subang for the night’s official reception ceremony. The rehearsal that morning took almost 4 hours to finish, and by the time I managed to choke down a burger & coke lunch, the mak andam was already there. Tired as I was, I didn’t complain coz I just couldn’t wait to put on my gorgeous wedding dress! It had long bell sleeves and a fabulous train. Putting it on, I really felt like a princess…
While waiting for the VVIP to arrive, we were placed in the bridal holding room. The aunts and uncles popped in to make sure everything was ok, and soon after, my cute ‘ickle cousins who were the flower girls and boys of the night came and hung out with us… The bloomin’ VVIP really did take their own sweet time to arrive coz it was a good half hour before we were called in.. L
As we walked hand in hand into the hall, led by the lilting violin music played by my violinist cousin and the adorable flower kids, I took in the breathtaking ballroom view. It was brimming with gorgeously dressed guests, some of them whom I’ve not seen in AGES, greet us with warm smiles and friendly waves of hello. On the pelamin, after the formalities of adat for the VVIPs, the ceremony commenced beautifully. It was not until I got to sit down at the main table did I see my friends, some came from as far as Sabah, enjoying their food.
Next came the multimedia presentation my photographer compiled for me. I was disappointed to find that it was a tad too short and incomplete, as I gave a whole lot more stuff to put into this particular presentation. However, I got the reaction I wanted from the audience when they saw some of the photos we put up (me in an itsy bitsy red bikini & me mom’s foot in a cast), so it wasn’t TOO bad. Soon after, it was cake-cutting time, and all too soon, it was time to say goodbye. Standing at the doorway, I finally get to see my old, OLD skoolfrens and colleagues, neighbours and even an old favourite teacher of ours. Despite the fact that my feet were killing me, I dare say that this was the best part of the night!
As the night wore on, the guests have left, my feet grew numb, and my eyelids drooped heavily, we decided to call it a night. Walking slowly to our bridal suite (complete with a lovely petal bath waiting for us hehe), I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. My wedding was a success! Now that it was over, I could finally take a much needed breather and prepare myself for my hubby’s reception ceremony the very next week. But for that night… all I needed to know was utter and complete bliss…
Well, that was a rather brief run-thru of my wedding, all for the benefit of frens who couldn’t be there on my big day. I sincerely hope that you enjoyed reading it as much as my friends who did make it had that night. I know I enjoyed telling you about it. But then again, I’ve always been keyboard-happy… hehe. Till next entry then, ciao peeps!
