Wedding Day

A wedding is a ceremony that celebrates the beginning of a marriage or civil union. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. In some countries, cultures and religions, the actual act of marriage begins during the wedding ceremony. In others, the legal act of marriage occurs at the time of signing a marriage license or other legal document, and the wedding is then an opportunity to perform a traditional ceremony and celebrate with friends and family. A woman being married is called a bride, a man called a bridegroom, and after the ceremony they become a wife or a husband, respectively.

Malay Wedding

Malay Wedding begins with the akad nikah ceremony. The groom signs the marriage contract and provide the bride with a mas kahwin. The formal contract of marriage or also commonly known as the marriage solemnization or wedding vows.

The ceremony of Berinai involves the staining of the couple’s hands with henna. Lesser or greater berinai ceremonies are held three times as follows:
a. Berinai Curi takes place three nights before the actual wedding ceremony (akad nikah) with the participation of close relatives and friends only.
b. Berinai Kecil. Takes place two nights before the wedding ceremony with the participation of family members, neighbours and close friends.

c. Berinai Besar is usually held after the completion of the religious ceremony (Akad Nikah).

The Kenduri is the wedding feast which follows the Bersanding Ceremony. Decorations are put outside the house and guest gather and have lunch and socialising. The kompang is arguably the most popular Malay traditional instrument, for it is widely used for all sorts of social occasions, for example wedding ceremonies.