Life in Malaysia: Bersanding

Bersanding is the Malay term for when the bride and groom sit next to each other on a beautifully decorated dais on their wedding day. If you recall my previous entries on Aunty Anoy and Cekmi's weddings (you can search my archive, OK?), you could see the photographs of them bersanding with their respective spouses.

Aunty Anoy and her groom "bersanding".

Cekmi and his bride "bersanding".

Do you get the concept? Remember, bersanding means bride and groom sitting next to each other on the dais. Now, what do we call this act by father and son? Is this bersanding too?

Angelina's note: Boys, you two will sleep anywhere. purrr....meow!

Dress & Dais

Bride & Groom resplendent in pink....I love those pleats at the skirt, lace material for dress. The Groom also wears "samping" - gold thread woven mini sarong - wrapped around waist and accessorised.

Bride and Groom are also called Raja Sehari (King & Queen for a day), thus the dais becomes sort of a throne for them.

Bride & Groom with flower girls, friends and relatives.

Here Comes the Bride!

Kate Middleton is not the only new blushing bride in the world. (stop it, Angelina! move on!)
OK OK....it was a pleasant surprise when we received Aunty Anoi's wedding invitation a few weeks ago. Aunty Anoi came to visit us in Sydney back in March 2009. Since Mama and Dad's initial travel plan for the weekend had been postponed, we went to the wedding instead. It's not that far from home, in a suburb called Puchong, and thankfully we didn't get lost thanks to my darling iPad. I'm dedicating this song to you, Aunty Anoi.

The blushing bride....may you live happily ever after, Aunty Anoi!

A sumptuous buffet lunch spread for the guests.

Mother of the bride (far right) and all her sisters.

The high table being prepared for the bride and groom, and their entourage.

Aunty NH demonstrating where the bride and groom will pose before they enter the house.

I just love this specially prepared dais for the bride and groom to sit while family and friends bless them with scented water. The two bunches of flowers on either side are what are called "bunga telur", where boiled eggs are glued onto a specially made flower stalks. Eggs symbolise fertility in a Malay wedding custom. Those who bless the couple will each get a stalk.

Aunty NH demonstrating how brides should sit on the dais...as demure as possible....no rowdy feline behaviour.

More food pix....this makes me salivate now - Malay wedding food is so rich.

Aunty NH and her children. I think they're the flower girls for the day.

Another tradition - henna on the hands to signify that someone's just got married. I can't imagine doing that to my paws.

Angelina's Note: I'm getting ideas for my wedding day.....eat your heart out, William.... purrr....meow!