Well, technically... Hahah... Because of what was written on the wedding invitation, I had a "spouse" for a day to one of the biggest weddings I had ever attended, last night. Big names and dignitaries poured in to Dewan Perdana Felda for the wedding of Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin's son, Zaidan Zainuddin. The latter whom I met over a year ago while producing Generasi Digital.

muteaudio & I I had specially bought myself a baju kebaya from Indonesia for the special occasion, but had a major frantic emergency when I accidentally ironed my top... the iron was too hot and it burned the cloth! >_< Yes, very clever I know! So I had to rush out to buy myself a new top which I am more happy with than the one I burned actually. I think this combo looks so much better. Albeit a bit more expensive. I'm so going to have to attend more weddings in this to make up for the money I spent! Har-har...

Well, imagine my butterflies over trying to look my best while being totally clueless over protocol at events like these. Doesn't help that my "spouse" didn't put on a batik shirt! =P This wasn't just your ordinary traditional Malay wedding. It was a wedding where the list of guest of honours were greeted in a five minute long salutation in each speech! It was the rare sight at a wedding where both the former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad AND present Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi are there to give the couple's the traditional merenjis blessing.

I was wondering if I were in Zaidan's shoes, how his big day in some ways felt overshadowed by these dignitaries' presence rather than the bride and groom being the highlight. But after watching the course of the evening, I think it must be a really rare occassion for any Malaysian. It wasn't like you were paying respects to them, it was actually the other way around. My 'spouse' and I was wondering what Pak Lah and Dr M must've been chatting over dinner though. What do you talk about when you're at a non-work related function?

What was really sweet was to see the more personal side of a father's speech to his own son and daughter-in-law. Though his speech was long and accompanied by a multimedia presentation and the ocassional poetry sung, I loved the words of wisdom conveyed at the end where he said (translated very loosely from BM)...

"If the foundation of your life is built on material things, you will be disappointed. But if the foundation of your life is built on confidence (and another word, I forgot), then you will find true happiness..."

with the bride & groom

Congratulations to Zaidan Zainuddin & Nurhasnadira Hashim! May you have a blessed married life filled with everlasting love.

More pictures at my flickr.