Vendor Perfomance Review (Part 3)

Hello everyone.

Wow. It’s been almost a year since my last post. Truly, I apologized because I hate writing lengthy post and the thought of writing reviews just dampened my mood. But a promise is a promise and no matter how long it takes, I will finish my reviews.

Again, I apologize that this took longer than expected but it is what it is. It’s finally here, that’s all I can say! Also, I’m not sure if there are people reading my posts but for the sake of memories let’s just get this over and done with.

We are down to 3 vendors for my wedding. Do read Part 1 and Part 2 before continuing to read this final review.

First up, I have my bridal bouquet from Fleurs by Spoleczny (FS). If you have yet to read my posts about my bridal bouquet dilemma, you can read here and here. I eventually went with FS and it was the greatest decision I made.

I did not liaise with FS directly as Nawwarah Bridal and FS did a collaboration/package for their brides. A few days after our final fitting and trial makeup, I messaged Tasha (lady boss and main make-up artist) and told her of my evening look inspiration and moodboard for the bridal bouquet. This was my exact words, “to have succulents and the leaves yang poking out gitu. No colour preferences. As long not too loud and overpowering the baju”.

As you can tell from my moodboard, I do love my succulents. Truthfully, I did not set any expectations as we all know that the lesser the expectations, the lesser the disappointments. But boy was I surprised at the final product of the bridal bouquet. It was just what I wanted – succulents with “leaves poking out” and not too loud.

It was more than what I wanted and envisioned. It was truly a beauty. The only thing I wished I had done was to save the succulents and put it in a pot of soil.

Conclusion: **** – and more. I was a happy bride.

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As you all know, Nawwarah Bridal(NB) was the chosen one. Alhamdullilah. It was a tough decision but I went with my gut feeling and decided to sign on with them in late November 2015 (back story here, here again and here too).

The last time I spoke about them was to get an update about the customized outfit (more on 82 days mark) And since then, we didn’t get any updates until our first selection on 17th February 2017. So this would be a review from the beginning to the wedding day itself.

We came with an open mind and I know that their collection grew from the time we visited them in their old office in 2015. I didn’t know if we could bring any friends or family members but I did inform them that my twin sister will be tagging along with her toddler. We spent about more than 2 hours selecting our solemnization and sanding outfits. Alhamdullilah, their collection really grew and as of January 2018, they have more beautiful creations and I would really like to don them except that sis your wedding is over. Jangan feeling-feeling.

Here are some of the shortlisted outfits that I like for solemnization.

For our solemnization, my husband had only 1 request: white. My parents had only 1 request: I need to be covered up aka berhijab.

So with those 2 requests in mind, it wasn’t really hard to pick the outfits as NB caters to ladies who are in hijab. When I picked my selections for all the outfits, I only had a few things in mind –

1. The outfits should not look similar. For example the colours should not be the same and the outfits should be in 2 piece and 1 piece (dress).
2. The outfits should represent me.
3. The outfits I chose should also fit well with my husband because both of us must look good on our wedding day.
4. Thesecond or sanding outfit has to be songket.
5. No blacks (husband was against the idea of black on happy occasions actually).

I really love the first outfit (first on the left) and it was actually the first one that I tried on. When I saw the outfit on NB’s instagram a month before the fitting, I immediately shorlisted it because it was so sweet and simple. It was definitely my first choice.

As for the sanding outfits, it took me quite a while to decide because there were not much songket outfits that I like. Nonetheless, I shortlisted a few.

I really loved the first pale greenoutfit and actually saw a bride who wore the outfit a few months back. It was so simple and sweet. However, I felt that the colour was too muted. As for the second turquoise outfit, it was from their old collection and was inspired by Scha & Awal’s wedding.

The third lime green outfit was beautiful but I wasn’t sure about the beadings and I thought it would be a bit too much. As for the fourth royal blue outfit, it was major love. The same bride who wore my chosen solemnization outfit also wore this! I was contemplating if I should wear this outfit because then my first and second outfit will be exactly like the previous bride who wore the same set. Nonetheless, these were the shorlisted outfits and I have not made up my mind since my husband hasn’t tried on his outfits yet.

My husband really liked the inspired Scha & Awal’s outfit. As for the fourth outfit that I liked, the groom’s outfit didn’t really match his tone and he looked a bit…dull. As for the third outfit that I wore, the groom’s outfit was a bit too simple (regular kurong outfit and only the songket part was songket).

We didn’t try our evening wear as it wasn’t ready and it would be ready by the final fitting date which was a week before the wedding (and yes, because of that we didn’t really do the pantang thing).

So we actually made a decision after a grueling 2.5hours….

The first outfit (solemnization) was a white outfit (with gold beadings) from an old collection (not pictured). The second outfit was the Scha & Awal’s inspired outfit. I really wasn’t confident in the second outfit because it was “darker” that what I wanted but we went with it anyway.

When I got home, I showed my mum and other sisters the chosen outfit. They actually had varied responses! But all of them agreed that the royal blue outfit that I liked, really looked dull on my husband. Then…my mum actually said the lime green dress looked good on me and I actually agreed. It was the only one that actually fits me right (the rest had to be altered to my size). Hmmm…

I think I spent 2 nights sleeping on this one before informing my husband that I wanted to change our second outfit to the lime green. My husband knew me since 2008 and he knew that I am indecisive and can change my mind so he wasn’t taken aback by my decision because he knew I wasn’t entirely happy leaving NB’s office the other day.

Thankfully, NB was okay with me changing my outfit since no other brides were wearing it on the same week or the week after. And best thing is, I’ll be the first bride wearing it!

Okay… This is taking more time than what I intended but bear with me as I wrap this section up in a jiffy!

Our final fitting and trial makeup was set on 15th March 2017 (really a week before the wedding). I was excited and nervous as this will be the first time we’ll be looking at the customzied outfits.

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When I first saw the outfits, I was a bit disappointed because this wasn’t what I envisioned. Furthermore, I wanted a more “pop” up lace and the colour was supposed to be champagne with rose gold embellishments.

But…what do I know about designing right? I guess I should have emphasized on the “pop” up lace. Nonetheless, I am super in love with the boatneck detailing. The fit wasn’t fit to my body as they need to cater to future brides also. Hence, they had to alter A LOT of things – length of the dress, length of the sleeve, the waist and body, pit to pit and the underarm. Otherwise, I guess the dress was okay. Wasn’t what I envisioned but it was a free customization so I cannot make such a big hoo-ha out of it right? As for my husband’s suit, it was shorter than the given measurements and it wasn’t the white that he wanted. Unlike me, he senang redha.

Anyhoo, after the final fitting, it was my trial makeup (insert shameless picture after trial makeup).

The only thing that I requested was to make my nose smaller because sis has a button nose. Other than that, I left the magic to her hands. I think trial makeup is important because sometimes, your face can be sensitive to a lot of things. For example, I didn’t know wearing non-liquid products can cake my face (sis not into beauty related stuff at this point). When Tasha was applying a concealer, she noticed that immediately my eyebags became more define and it was caking up. She also tried different foundations on my skin to see which colour/product best suited for my skin. As a bride, you want to look great on your wedding day and you want to put your 100% trust to your MUA. I’m glad this trial happened, else…I’ll be so cakey on the pelamin. This trial makeup was also a part of the package and I did not have to pay extra.

Alright moving on to the wedding day itself. I woke up 1.5hrs earlier to prep my face (skincare routine included icing my face). Unfortunately, Tasha was late. She was supposed to reach at 7.30am but she had to settle her son and only reached at 8.15am. I actually had to be on the pelamin by 9.30am but alhamdullilah, Tasha managed to do her magic and I was out by 9.45am. The entire time, Tasha and my bridesmaids did not leave my side (only when they had to eat). She also mentioned that she did not have to powder my face a lot as my face is not oily (really thankful for my morning skincare prep and the week before). Her vibe was calm and collected and it was really nice talking to her and getting my face dolled up by her because her presence is just so calming.

As you can see (pictures in thumbnails for easier viewing), I was actually very radiant. I loved how I looked and was amazed that I really do not need a lot of touch ups. The one thing that I would like to assure future NB’s brides or brides still looking for bridal vendors, NB will make you still look you. What I mean is that there are some bridals out there who totally transform their brides and some looks don’t look good on them because they have a “template” makeup look. But then again, who am I? I am not a MUA and I don’t have the skills but this is my opinion. And what I’ve seen from past brides after me who took NB, they still looked themselves but even better. That’s what I love about NB – they make you look and feel good, they enhance your features and some people may think the makeup is simple but sometimes simple is the way to go, really.

Conclusion: **** – despite what happened during the fittings, I was a happy bride and if you are a happy bride, it will show it on the day of the wedding (and pictures). I did not regret taking NB and I would like to assure future brides and grooms that NB is a bridal that you can 100% trust that you’ll have a good time.

With that, I hope you enjoyed the 3 part series. I know I’m not done yet but this post is taking too long so unfortunately, I will do another post to round up the reviews.

Till the next one!

Kepak bing bing

When the GTB and I decided to get married, we were dead sure to make it as simple as possible (solemnization and the Mosque followed by a small reception). When the plan failed even for a ROMM reception, we had to rethink about our budget – this does not come with kompang.

The idea for a 15-30 minutes of kompang entertainment doesn’t justify the amount we have to fork out (same goes to applying henna). Moreover, as Malays, we have adat and the adat during the wedding procession is to hadang (more money to give to the ‘gatekeepers’). The GTB and I came to our consensus not to have kompang which then won’t have hadang on my side.

Late last year, the GTB’s mother lamented that if he (the GTB) comes to fetch me w/o the kompang entourage, the GTB will look lonely. Granted, it won’t be a ‘Malay Wedding’ if we omit the kompang but we are just trying to save money as much as we can! On my end, my parents were okay with it if the GTB’s parents were okay. But dah kena sound macam gitu and since the GTB’s mother decided to sponsor then might as well kan?

Both the GTB and I are from a dikir background (TP and NP respectively), and it goes without saying that I would want the kompang entourage to be from the same background.

Panjy is under MYY2U Entertainment (check them out here). I have seen and heard them first hand during many of my friends’ wedding and they were so amazing. I even recorded their Hasbi Rabbi on my iphone! When we were ‘told’ that we had to have a kompang entourage, of course it has to be Panjy. No one else but Panjy. Being the potential Bridezilla that I am, I actually enquired in January last year (as I have mutual friends in Panjy) about their rates. It was about $700+ for one way 😦

But since I was dead set to have Panjy for our wedding, I kept reminding the GTB to enquire and place a deposit with them soon. He finally enquired in late February (4 months later). Of course…………………………they were booked on that day! I was furious okay! More like disappointed rather than angry. But it dawned on me that it is not my rezeki and perhaps, there’s a better one out there?

Hais.

Moving on, I did a quick enquire with Makyong Kedek.

They are available on my date but it comes with a hefty price tag – $800 (one way with no dikir performance). *GULPS*

I have never heard of Akrab Kompang until I began researching and reading BTBs blogs. Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think they are from any dikir groups. Anyhow, they are a funky entourage and I love their getup! Unfortunately, they are already booked on my wedding date. The person that I was talking to was so nice to recommend me a few kompang groups (and one being Panjy).

Then there’s Syabab which I’ve never heard of until I began my wedding planning journey. Similar to Akrab (no dikir background), they have a very dorky getup (songkok, white short-sleeved shirt and suspenders)! I watched them on youtube and I have a feeling that this is the style that the GTB approves (and I was right)! Syabab is available on our wedding date and quoted us $750+ for one way.

Apart from all these above, we also enquired –

Andika Prak Bing Bing is from a dikir background but unfortunately, they are booked on my wedding date.

Kompang Al-Falah might be from a madrasah (didn’t research on them but managed to watch their videos on youtube). They are available on our wedding date and quoted us $600+ for one way.

 

Similar to Al-Falah, Ar-Rufaqaa’ may be from madrasah. They are also available on our date and quoted us $550+ for one way.

So what does that leave us with since Panjy was not available –

1. Makyong Kedek (MYK)
2. Syabab
3. Al-Falah
4. Ar-Rufaqaa’

Our initial budget was $600 for kompang services but since we’re in 2016, such kompang rates are non-existent (sure some kompang services do have standard rates such as Kompang Hut but we thought that since we are forking out the money, might as well get the one we wanted). Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances the GTB and I are forking out the money for kompang services instead of the GTB’s mum. Oh wells…

That being said… I was torn between Syabab and Al-Falah.

Syabab – for their getup and according to the GTB, the ‘dubstep’ sound once in a while. I listened to their youtube videos and I can’t seem to track the ‘dubstep’ sound!

Al-Falah – for their melodious voices and the way they sing the Hasbi Rabbi.

So who did we pick in the end?

It has to be Syabab since the GTB really likes them.

Tak dapat Panjy takpelah…Syabab it is 🙂