Now that we’ve completed the wedding checklist for Chinese weddings, it’s time to get started on Malay wedding checklist. Though compared to Chinese weddings, Malay weddings have less traditions and rituals that need to be completed before your wedding, there are still some important things that you need to complete before being able to tie the knot. So without further ado, here’s the ultimate Malay wedding checklist to help you make sure that everything is sorted.
After the proposal
After he has popped the question and you’ve said yes, it’s time to start planning! Here are some steps to help you get into the flow of wedding planning.
- Have a meeting with family to decide date of nikah, wedding and terms of wedding (dowry etc)
- Decide on budget
- Decide on theme of wedding
- Decide on wedding venue (do this asap to ensure you get your dream venue!)
- Sign up and attend your kursus kahwin
- Get tested for HIV
Once you’re done with the basics and have a brief outline on what to work towards, it’s time to start making things official.
- Fill up forms to apply for your marriage (both the bride and groom)
- Fill up the HIV test forms
- Fill up the single declaration form
- Find out what the minimum amount of ‘mas kahwin’ is required in your state
- Find and hire a Tok Kadi to officiate your wedding
Things you shouldn’t forget while planning your wedding
Now that all the paperwork is done and you’re on your way to being able to tie the knot, it’s time to double down on wedding planning. Here are some things that you shouldn’t miss out on throughout the wedding process.
- Your guestlist
- Decide on who is going to be a part of your bridal party and groomsmen
- Invitation cards
- Catering
- Doorgift and bunga telur
- Hire your Mak Andam
- Book your dream ‘pelamin’
- Choose your perfect baju nikah, and wedding dress (together with bridal shoes and other accessories)
- Your pre-wedding photoshoot
- Hiring a videographer or photographer for your wedding day
- Wedding bouquet and Flower decorations
- Come up with the perfect ‘hantaran’ for your significant other (do this early to ensure you get the perfect gifts!)
- Hire your musicians / ‘kompang’ for your marhaban ceremony
- Hire a wedding planner (If you’re looking for cheaper packages or less hassle)
- Henna or ‘inai’ for the night before your wedding (malam berinai)
- Plan your honeymoon
When you’ve managed to check off everything on this Malay wedding checklist, you’re ready for your special day! Do note that the Malay tradition is quite flexible so feel free to change or remove anything you deem unnecessary for your wedding day. After all, what matters is that you and your loved ones will soon be able to spend the rest of your lives together.