Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Focus: Asia Printers Sdn Bhd

Asia Printers Sdn Bhd


As much as we are living in the era of modern technology, invitations sent through emails and text messaging as well as verbal invitations through the telephone, does not at all do the trick for inviting your guests to your wedding. Even when you personally call up your friends to invite them to your wedding, they will always reply, "Mana Jemputan?", loosely translated "Where's my invitation card?". I wouldn't blame them, I often do the same.

By having the invitation card in our possession in black and white, it helps us, the guests, in many ways. For instance, the date of the wedding, it may easily slip our minds and by having the invitation card lying around, its simply easy to pick it up and check the date. The same goes for the location. Many people I know have very bad sense of direction and the map that often accompanies the invitation card does really help.

Map at the back of invitation cards


It is here when one familiarizes oneself with printing companies. For a country with only four districts and a small population, we actually have quite a few printing companies, an estimation of about 20. This number does not include those unlisted small printing companies that actually specialize in just wedding invitations. As for myself, I prefer to choose one printing company that specializes in all sorts of printing so it would be hassle free for me.

Asia Printers Sdn Bhd is one of the prominent printing companies in Brunei established in 1972 and has been operating for more than thirty years. You could call it, one of the pioneers of printing companies that were first set up in Brunei. This printing company is solely owned by a local businesswoman, Dayang Hajah Ummi Kalthum Abdullah and has been involved in this company since it first opened.

Besides Wedding Invitations, Asia Printers also prints customized paper bags for weddings as well as Wedding Guestbooks. This customized wedding guestbook is one of a kind and is a keep sake for those who would like to cherish memories and greetings given to them by their guests. For pricing on this, one would have to contact the printing company personally for a quotation as the price varies with the number of pages one requests. Below are some samples of wedding invitations Asia Printers have done for clients as well as paper bags.

Invitation card

Invitation Card

Pages of the GuestBook

Paper Bag


For contact details, please go to the directory page.

Will be posting up a list of other printing companies soon.


Monday, July 23, 2007

Feature: The Wedding List

Planning a wedding is not at all an easy task unless you have your own Wedding Planner. I was lucky enough to have 5 talented sister in laws who did most of my planning for my wedding and left me to sort out my Hantaran Gifts, my Make-up Artist, Photographer and Videographer only. They were in charge of setting up and preparing for our Bersanding Ceremony, our Berbedak Ceremony, Our Wedding Attire and everything else. Your budget is the first most important thing before planning any wedding. You must ask yourself, How lavish do I want this wedding? and How much money do I have saved up? and the best question of them all, Will mummy & Daddy pay for it?

Of course, the Groom-to-be has to be well-prepared too as he has to think about the pre-wedding ceremonies, such as the Berisik-risik (Introduction) and the Majlis Bertunang (Engagement). Before these two functions, the Groom-to-be has to take note of a couple tasks that has to be done. The Bride-to-be also has to take note on a few things to ensure that her future husbands family feel welcomed when they come to visit. I will list them out to make it easier for you to follow.

BERISIK -RISIK CEREMONY

For the Groom

Purchasing of a ring
Cincin Pembuka Mulut often is just a simple gold ring. Many have opted for white gold solitaire rings but personally I would suggest a plain yellow gold band. This, in the future can be passed on to your children and would not be outdated.

Money
Usually beside the ring is often a frame with a hundred dollar note inside. The value you would to put in this frame is absolutely up to the Groom.

For the Bride

Catering for guests
Often the number of guests you will receive from the Groom's side can vary from 30 to 60 people. Try and get an estimate from your future beloved how many people will be attending and do not forget to estimate how many family members are on your side.

Tents
There are some catering companies that rent out the tents along with the food, such as Andaman Restaurant and Khaz Corner restaurant. It would be much cheaper and a time-saver to find catering companies that do.

MAJLIS BERTUNANG

For the Groom

Purchasing of the Engagement Ring
A tip for the future grooms: More and more young ladies out there opt for that beautiful white gold solitaire diamond ring, the western traditional engagement ring. The bigger the diamond the better. But, I could be wrong, maybe your loved one is into yellow gold, maybe platinum so please do check what kind of ring would be best for her. One that you know she will use.

Money
As in the Berisik-risik ceremony, money also comes with this engagement ring. An amount ranging from BND$100 to BND$ 300.

For the Bride

Catering for Guests
As done during the Berisik-risik ceremony, find out the estimate of the guests from the Groom's entourage and do not forget to include an estimation of your family members.

Tents
Can be rented along with the catering at various catering companies in order to save time and money.

Attire
Most engagement ceremonies nowadays have adopted the Malaysian tradition of 'Menyarungi Cincin'. If your future in-laws opt for this certain ritual, you may have to make sure that you look your best.

Photographer
One does not often get engaged more than once, therefore this ceremony is somewhat a once in a lifetime ceremony and so it would be absolutely great if you had someone to capture those precious moments of your engagement day. If you are not able to hire a professional photographer, make sure you find a relative with a relatively good camera and who enjoys taking photos to handle this task for you.


Upon completion of the two pre-wedding ceremonies, a bride and groom can then sit down and discuss how many ceremonies will they celebrate to mark their love for each other. Nowadays, certain ceremonies are done quietly with just family members of the household, such as the berbedak mandi and malam berpacar. Yet the major ceremonies that are often celebrated are the Nikah ceremony, Berbedak ceremony and the Bersanding ceremony. Here is the wedding list that could help you start off your wedding planning.

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PREPARATION LIST FOR
MAJLIS HANTAR BERIAN , NIKAH , MALAM BERBEDAK AND BERSANDING


For the Groom

Upon Confirmation of Dates
! Get application form from the Ministry of Religious Affairs
! Dates of Marriage Course classes should be given
! Signature of the Ketua Kampong will be required
Gifts for Hantaran
! How many trays are intended
! Purchasing of wedding Ring
! Purchasing of the gifts for your loved one
! Decoration of gifts

Catering
! How many invited guests expected for each function
! Rental of Tents for three functions
! Choose Menu accordingly (lunch / hi-tea / dinner)
! Find out payment of catering per head
! Set aside budget for catering
Attire
! Choose colour theme of three functions
! Decide on whether you would like to use traditional Songket or Satin for Nikah ceremony
! Attire to be made or rented
! Purchasing of new Shoes & socks
! Traditional Attire to be rented
Photographer
! Choose a photographer you feel comfortable with
! Have a look at his portfolio
! Check if he is free for your dates of ceremonies
! Discuss the payment fees
! Deposit
Videographer
! Choose a videographer you feel comfortable with
! Have a look at the coverage of weddings he has done
! Check if he is free to cover your ceremonies
! Discuss the payment
Invitation Cards
! Choose a theme colour for your invitation card
! Type out 'Wakil Yang Berharap' list
! Draft the Nikah/Berbedak/Bersanding invitations for the Printing company

Souveniers
! Budget per souvenier
! Survey more than 2 shops for gifts
! Estimate number of guests for each function
! For customized paper bags, check with your local printing company for prices
Penganun
! Ask your parents or relatives who would be best
! Set aside budget for sedekah
Pelamin for Majlis Malam Berbedak
! Set aside a budget for rental of pelamin
! Survey Bridal Boutiques for different designs
! Discuss with the pelamin designer and mention the colour theme of your Berbedak outfit
! Get measurements of the space where you intend to put the pelamin (height & width)
For the Malam Berbedak

! Inquire at your local mosque for "Dzikir" people
! Set aside sedekah for Dzikir people
! Bunga Telur for guests


For the Bride

Gifts for Balas Hantaran
! Find out how many trays are intended
! Purchasing of wedding Ring for Groom? Engraved?
! Purchasing of the gifts for your loved one
! Decoration of gifts

Catering
! How many invited guests expected for each function
! Rental of Tents for three functions
! Choose Menu accordingly (lunch / hi-tea / dinner)
! Find out payment of catering per head
! Set aside budget for catering

Attire (including Jewellery and Shoes)
! Decide on the design of your Nikah, Berbedak and Bersanding outfits.
! Attire to be made or rented
! Purchasing of new Shoes each to match the outfits
! Rental of traditional wedding attire for berbedak ceremony
! Rental, purchasing or borrowing of Jewellery
Make-up Artist & Hair stylist
! Find a make-up artist you feel comforatble with
! Decide on whether you would like your hair to be done or will be wearing tudong
! Get a quotation of prices of their services

Penganun
! Ask your parents or relatives who would be best
! Set aside budget for sedekah
Photographer
! Choose a photographer you feel comfortable with
! Have a look at his portfolio
! Check if he is free for your dates of ceremonies
! Discuss the payment fees
! Deposit
Videographer
! Choose a videographer you feel comfortable with
! Have a look at the coverage of weddings he has done
! Check if he is free to cover your ceremonies
! Discuss the payment

Bedroom Renovation/Decoration
! Decide on whether you will be renovating or just decorating
! Set aside a budget
! If painting or renovating, make sure its not done too close to the wedding day
! Survey Linen for Bedding to purchase OR rent from Bridal boutiques
Invitation Cards
! Choose a theme colour for your invitation card
! Type out 'Wakil Yang Berharap' list
! Draft the Nikah/Berbedak/Bersanding invitations for the Printing company

Souveniers
! Budget per souvenier
! Survey more than 2 shops for gifts
! Estimate number of guests for each function
! For customized paper bags, check with your local printing company for prices
Pelamin
! Set aside a budget for rental of pelamins
! Decide on whether you want just one pelamin or different ones for each ceremony
! Survey Bridal Boutiques for different designs
! Discuss with the pelamin designer and mention the colour theme of your outfits
! Get measurements of the space where you intend to put the pelamin (height & width)
For the Nikah Day
! Rental of the Four Dians(Big candles) and Kasur Namat (cushion) at Bridal Boutiques
! Microphone & Sound system (optional)
! Confirm attendance of your Wali & Witnesses
For the Malam Berbedak
! Inquire at your local mosque for "Dzikir" people
! Set aside sedekah for Dzikir people
! Bunga Telur for guests

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I do hope this list could be of help for those of you who are planning your wedding. Bear in mind this is not proper list. They are plenty more tasks to be done but this list might just help you kick start your planning. Although I am not an official wedding planner, I do enjoy giving ideas and suggestions, so if you would like a few pointers feel free to email me at akadnikaheditor@hotmail.com.

FOR A PROPER WEDDING LIST, PLEASE EMAIL ME. DIFFICULTY WITH POSTING IT HERE.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Focus: The Modern Videographer

Usually before the big day arrives, all preparation is nearly done. The smarter brides book their photographer in advance but often searching for a videographer slips their mind. Ten years ago, the videographing of a wedding was often done by a relative who had a remotely good camcorder yet nowadays, with modern technology and the various ways of enhancing a video of a wedding to make it more interesting to view should be left in the hands of a professional, a professional videographer that goes by the name Irwan Hj Lois.

This thirty-five year old part time videographer was introduced to me by a mutual friend we both have and he became our official videographer for our wedding. Since then I have witnessed numerous weddings he has done and I will definitely recommend him over and over again to cover your wedding. Some of his work include coverage on the wedding of His Majesty's niece, Pangiran Anak Huda and Pengiran Haji Suhaimi, The grand daughter of Brunei's prominent businessman Pehin Dato Hapidz, Dayang Rashidah and Awang Aziz Dato Wahab, a dear friend of mine, Mohd Nasir & Dayang Muizzah and he is currently covering the wedding of another dear friend, Hajah Lina & Rizal.

Irwan and his beloved wife, Dayang Euis Mustika Sari, set up their own company, Eiwan Digital and Multimedia Services which was established in 1998 and will be celebrating its tenth year anniversary of operating next year. Erwan Lois covers a number of various events besides weddings, such as single events like birthdays, social gatherings and engagements. He also does corporate events like Annual Dinners. One of Erwan's clients commented, "We were very lucky to have him cover the visit of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to our company recently on short notice. Our Manager was very satisfied with his talented technique of editing and using music in the background of the video."

Erwan and his family


This local Brunei Videographer, although having a Diploma in Automative Engineering, his gift and talent of Video editing will surely take him a long way in the multimedia industry. Erwan offers three different methods in his video editing, the Creative Video method of production, Journalistic Artistic method of Production and the MTV approach of video production. The price for his rendered services range from BND$300 for single, one-time events to BND$3000 for coverage of the numerous ceremonies of one wedding.

Upon receiving the copy of my wedding video, I was absolutely delighted to see the talent of this modern videographer who was able to capture those precious moments on DVD and enhanced with sentimental music in the background. To put the cherry on top of it all, he gave us two copies for back-up. So, for those brides-to-be out there who often think videos of your wedding is not a necessity, think twice then contact Erwan for a consultation and take a look at his talented work.