Here’s What I Wish I Knew Before My Wedding!

Salam & hi everyone! I’m Adlil, an engineer based in KL, and I just got married in September 2024. Today, I want to share some real talk with all the soon-to-be brides and grooms—so you don’t have the same regrets I did!

In Malaysia, weddings usually have two main ceremonies: 💍 Akad Nikah – The solemnization, where we officially say "I do" (or in our case, "Aku terima nikahnya...") and become husband and wife. 🎉 Bersanding – The grand wedding reception, where the newlyweds sit on a beautifully decorated stage (pelamin) and celebrate with family & friends.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, so here’s what I wish I had done differently:

1. Hiring a Videographer – "Why Didn’t I?"

I only hired a photographer, thinking that would be enough. And don’t get me wrong—the photos were amazing! But now, looking back, I wish I had a videographer to capture those priceless moments:

✨ The nerves before walking in. ✨ The big smiles as guests cheered. ✨ The cake-cutting, the handshakes, the laughter.

Those little details? They’re irreplaceable.

Luckily, I had my cousin record some clips on my phone, so I’m now getting a video editor to piece them together. But if I could go back, I’d definitely invest in a videographer.

💰 How much does it cost? In Malaysia, wedding videography ranges from RM500 to RM3000 ($100 - $600), depending on the package. If you're on a tight budget, maybe ask a friend with good filming skills. But trust me, having even a simple wedding video is worth it.

2. Choosing the Right Photographer – "Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder"

The photographer I hired was top-notch—but his specialty was model-style photography.

So while my wedding photos looked like a magazine cover (which was cool), they were mostly posed shots of me and my wife. What I really wanted? Candid moments. The kind of photos where you see:

📸 My mom’s teary-eyed smile. 📸 My dad proudly shaking hands with guests. 📸 My best friend laughing over some inside joke.

Lesson learned? Check the photographer’s portfolio properly! If you love a raw, emotional, documentary-style look, make sure their past work reflects that. Otherwise, your definition of "beautiful" photos might be different from theirs.

💰 Cost: My wedding photographer was RM2000 ($400).

3. Wedding Outfits – "When Will I Ever Wear a White Baju Melayu Again?"

I made a smart decision (yay me!) by renting my wedding attire for the bersanding ceremony. But for my akad nikah, I bought a full white Baju Melayu (traditional Malay wedding outfit for grooms).

Now, let’s be real: For brides, buying a white wedding dress makes sense because you can repurpose it for future events. But for grooms? A white Baju Melayu… when will I ever wear that again? 🤣

💰 Cost: RMXXX (I lost track, but it wasn’t cheap!)

So here’s my advice: If you're a groom, think twice before splurging on an akad nikah outfit. If you don’t see yourself wearing it again, maybe just rent it or go for something more reusable.

Would You Like More Wedding Tips?

That’s all for now! But if you want me to share more, let me know while everything is still fresh in my head! Haha.

💡 One last tip for wedding planners: Back when I was planning my wedding, finding the right wedding planner was a nightmare because I didn’t know where to look. Google didn’t help much either.

So if you’re a wedding planner, PLEASE have a proper website. Make it easy for future brides and grooms to find you!

✨ In fact, I’ve created a website template specifically for wedding planners. If you’re interested, DM me!

Your Once-in-a-Lifetime Love Story

Step into your happily ever after with a wedding that’s luxurious, breathtaking, and filled with magic.