Typically, only family and close friends of the bride and groom attend the actual wedding ceremony which is held in the morning. Other guests come for the reception and can come and go as they please anytime in the 4-6 hours time span. (For a full overview of a traditional Malaysian wedding, read my "Saying 'I DO' Malay Style" post - http://leslieinmalaysia.blogspot.com/2013/09/saying-i-do-malay-style.html.)
I attended the first three Malay weddings with my student, Liza, and her family. I had spent the previous afternoon helping her family at their restaurant. Since we were all going to the same weddings they next day, they invited me to join them.
The first wedding was for the older brother of two students at my school. Located in the next village, it was new territory for me. There were several tents set up in the road with tables and chairs for the guests. Buffet style food was available and immediately upon arriving, we were asked to eat and enjoy.
Liza and me at the first wedding
The couch where the bride and groom will sit to receive blessings from family and friends.
Unfortunately for us, it was very crowded when we arrived so there was nowhere to sit. We paid our respects to the families and took our leave. All the same, it was a beautiful function.
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The second wedding was back in Labis. It was for the older brother of another student, one of Liza's friends and a student I have gotten to know quite well. This time, we stayed until the bride and groom arrived, and enjoyed a delicious lunch.
With some of my students. The groom's sister is second from the right.
The arrival of the bride and groom. This part of the ceremony is called "Bersanding." The couple is accompanied by their families and a group of young men playing traditional drums.
As this wedding was held in a hall rather than at the house, the newly-wed couple sat on the stage. Liza and I joined them for a photo!
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On to the third wedding in a nearby town. This wedding was for the daughter of Liza's father's friend. I was invited to join Liza's family at this wedding even though I did not know the couple. Already full from lunch at the second wedding, we only ate dessert here. We greeted the couple and the families and departed within 30 minutes.
Liza's sister and her friend enjoying their desserts.
The lunch arrangement with the bridal party seated in the front.
The happy couple with their families.
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Returning to Labis, I had a few hours to relax and complete some work before going to my mentor's house to prepare for the fourth and final wedding of the day. This was an Indian wedding and I was going to wear a sari!
Saris are quite difficult to arrange, so Thilaga, my mentor and friend, helped me. A few days earlier, I went to a student's house to be fitted for the sari blouse. Finding an orange one that fit, I chose a matching orange and maroon colored sari.
Here we are putting on the final accessories.
Ready to go to the wedding!
There are many small ceremonies that take place at Indian weddings. Here, the groom is receiving his toe ring. The toe rings have the same purpose as wedding rings, they show that the person is married.
Here is the hall in which the wedding took place.
Another view of the hall
The bride arrives in her second wedding sari.
Me with two of my students.
With students and family
With the beautiful, happy couple
Wow!! Just enjoyed your blog and these weddings ideas too. Had attended a friend’s wedding at event space San Francisco. It was very awesome. Everything was done according to their tradition. Really had a great time there.
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