5 Things I’m Glad I Did for My Wedding

Hey everyone!

I’m Adlil, an engineer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I got married in September 2024, and like every couple, we wanted our wedding to be smooth, meaningful, and memorable. I know not everything here might apply to everyone, but I hope sharing my experience can help future brides and grooms plan their big day wisely!

For context—in Malaysia, we typically have two wedding ceremonies:

Akad Nikah – The religious marriage ceremony (similar to vows/signing the marriage contract).

Bersanding – The wedding reception where the bride and groom sit on a decorated stage like royalty, receiving guests and celebrating.

Some couples have these on different days, but we combined both on the same day at the same venue. Best decision ever!

1. One Venue for Akad Nikah & Wedding Reception

This was the smartest decision we made. In Malaysia, if you don’t do your akad nikah at a mosque, you’ll need an imam from a nearby area to officiate the ceremony. Luckily, we found one available at our reception hall, so everything was done in one place.

Why was this important?

My wife’s wedding dress was delicate, and her makeup had to stay flawless! Imagine getting married in one location, then rushing across town in the heat for the reception—a nightmare!

After saying “I do” (or in my case, just one solid "Aum!" 😆), we could immediately change into our reception attire and start the celebration without stressing about traffic or delays.

If you have the option to do both at the same venue, do it! It saves time, energy, and unnecessary hassle.

2. Grooms Need Makeup Too!

At first, I was like, "Makeup? Nah, that’s for brides!" But our wedding planner convinced me, and I’m so glad I listened. I was worried I’d look too feminine, but nope! It just made my skin look fresh, non-greasy, and photogenic.

So, to all future brides—make sure your groom wears a bit of makeup. A simple touch-up makes a huge difference, especially under bright lights and cameras. Trust me, he’ll thank you when he sees the wedding photos!

3. Have Friends on Standby During Prep

We are forever grateful for our friends who helped us behind the scenes. Why? Because family members are usually too busy entertaining guests!

My groomsmen helped tighten my sampin (traditional wedding sash), which was a struggle since I’m not exactly small. 😂

My wife’s bridesmaids helped with her veil, dress, and accessories because our stylist had her hands full.

Moral of the story: Even if you don’t have a full bridal team, at least have a few trusted friends to assist you before the ceremony. You’ll need them!

4. Invest in Quality Shoes & Heels

If you’re thinking, "I’ll just get cheap shoes since it’s only for one day," please reconsider. My wife and I splurged a little on good-quality shoes because:

I can still wear mine to work.

My wife can reuse hers for formal events or photoshoots.

Most importantly, comfort matters!

Think about it: You’ll be standing for at least 5 hours, posing for photos, walking around, and greeting guests. Imagine doing that in painful shoes. My wife had heavy heels and a long gown, plus her veil was pinned tightly to her hair—one more discomfort and she might have lost it! 😆

We spent around RM100-RM300 ($20-$60) per pair—not crazy expensive, but way better than RM5-RM20 ($1-$5) throwaway shoes.

5. Wedding Goodies That Guests Actually Appreciate

Choosing wedding favors (goodies for guests) was a challenge. We wanted something affordable yet meaningful. In the end, we bought them from a budget-friendly store (costing us around RM1000+ or $200+ total).

And guess what? Our guests loved them. Some even asked where we got them so they could use the idea for their own weddings!

I see wedding favors as a gesture of appreciation. Guests took time to celebrate with you, some traveled long distances—a small token of thanks goes a long way.

I get that some people think, "Why should I spend extra? They came for free!" But imagine having an intimate wedding with just 20 guests, and none of them show up.

That’s why it’s important to appreciate those who come!

There’s so much more I want to share, but let’s save that for another time! Hope this helps any soon-to-be-married couples out there. Wishing you a smooth and beautiful wedding!

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