I was in KL two days ago to attend a Malay girlfriend’s wedding. It was really a last minute decision to attend her wedding because apparently, a few of my ex-coursemates suggested a mini reunion. See..? We suggested to have a mini reunion on one of our girlfriends’ wedding - we are a considerate bunch of friends, no? Hhahahah *slaps forehead*
One funny thing about Malay weddings, or so I found out, is that guests can come, help themselves with the food, and then leave the premise even before the bride and groom arrived. I mean, I thought we were all there to see the new husband-and-wife, to congratulate them, to bless them, to say hello to them?!
Anyway, the new couple arrived at the hall, walked in ala-Chinese on red carpet, with four flower girls dropping flower petals along the way. Then they were seated on the stage and their respective relatives went up and gave them their blessings. Imagine all these taking place on the stage, and their guests happily gobbling munching away in the hall, oblivious to what was happening, which was, to me, a very important ceremony.
After the blessing ceremony, the new couple were ushered down the stage to feast for lunch but I bet none of them enjoyed their lunch with soo many unidentified photographers shooting them. But at least in the next picture, our friend, Fiza (finally) acknowledged J’s presence and flashed him a smile! 
Those of us who were present at Fiza’s wedding took a group photo with her (though we’d like to spend more time together) and her husband before we left.
Frankly, this was one of the grandest Malay wedding I’ve ever attended. We didn’t have to eat standing because there weren’t enough chairs, we didn’t have humongous fans blowing into our faces and ruining our hair, we didn’t have to sit under the canopy in the hot sun. But then again, these are what make traditional Malay weddings “Malaysian”, no?
More photos in my Flickr account (opens in a new window).
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Hey, I just clicked in from the PPP forum, the photos of the wedding are so beautiful and colorful! Everyone’s smiling! (and now clicking to the turtle conservation category because I lovvvve turtles!)
pelf: It’s a traditional Malay wedding, done in a somewhat modern way (read: more lavish). And I figured you like turtles too because of your nickname, and I visited your blog too, yesterday
hi there… fellow PPP postie here. The wedding pics are awesome. Love to see more of those.
pelf: Thanks for the kind words
Is that you in the middle of the bride and groom (in the last pic)?
pelf: Yes, that’s me in the middle
this is Malaysia and I never been invited to a wedding like this. These people must be well off
everything looks so grand and costly
pelf: Yea, I think the groom comes from a well-to-do family. And if I’m not mistaken, he works in the palace..
i’ve never had the opportunity to attend a malay wedding..
pelf: We used to attend Mum’s Malay friends’ wedding when we were small. So that explains the “stereotype” that still lingers on my mind
Me too… Never attended a Malay wedding though many of my high schools friends who are Malay got engaged or married these few years but I’m not invited
Coz we lost contact *LOL*
pelf: Ouh, I never had MANY Malay classmates so the ones we have, we tend to keep in touch regularly