Tips Kahwin Sabahan - What should I prepare for my big day?

Salam everyone,

Something to share to you guys, about things yang perlu prepare for your big day especially for Sabahan bride-to-be. I highlighted the 5 must-to-do things for your wedding.

1. Date
The very first thing you must do is set a date! Both sides should discuss the date for nikah and persandingan day including the time. Sometimes people will set dates during school holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, or even on your special dates (birthday dates, anniversary dates, etc..).

2. Theme and dress colour
Second, themes! What theme you dreamed of for your big day? Vintage theme? Garden theme? Theres a lot of theme out there, perhaps you can google it based on your favourite colours. The very best thing to do is decide what colour suits you the best (baju pengantin colour). Because you will want to look be-a-u-ti-ful and handsome on your wedding day. Choose the best, that does not make you look dull or pale. Then, choose your theme based on your dress colour.

3. Place
So after setting  the date and theme, choose a place for your nikah and persandingan. Normally for nikah in Sabah, you can do it at your house (just get canopies and catering), Masjid Negeri Sabah, Masjid Bandaraya, Masjid daerah and maybe hotels. Make sure you know how many people would attend the nikah (so there will be enough food and space).

As for tempat persandingan, normally in Kota Kinabalu you can do at Tabung Haji, Wisma Wanita, SESB, Dewan Masyarakat, Wisma Pertanian, Dewan MAKSAK, Dewan Saadah, hotels, or even at your house. Decide on a place based on the numbers of your invitation. It will be a cost-saver to have a joint wedding compared to a seperate weddings.

As soon as you know your date, book your preferred place a.s.a.p! Pengantin-to-be now are likely to book  10 months - 1 year ahead of their wedding date. Believe me.. I know.

4. Pelamin
Choose your pelamin vendor based on your budget. Some vendors would offer packages that include baju pengantin sepasang, pelamin, accessories, walkway, makeup, and inai. Some vendors can tailor based on your needs and budget. Be open to discuss about your budget. There are vendors that you can find in KK Plaza, Star City, Sinsuran (BTC), Alamesra, Putatan, Warisan Square, Inanam, 88 Marketplace (Kepayan Highway), and Wawasan Plaza.

5. Photographer and Videographer
If you are planning to book both, book early! Book photographers and videographer based on your budget too. Look out for their promotion!

Here in Sabah, thereare a lot of photographers::::Louis Pang Studio, Jofanna Bridal, All About Love, Celestine Photography, Studio Pesona, Ever Best Photo, Arvish Studio, Shots by Ashley, and a lot more that you can get!

Some photo studio would offer a videography service, but some does not. So, maybe you can get videographers such as::  Bryan Kouju Studio, D Capture, Dee Bee Studio and a lot more.


To simplify the list, here's the list that goes from before the wedding, nikah, and sanding.

Before majlis:
1. Baju berinai
2. Hiasan rumah
3. Inai tangan
4. Cincin
5. Pre Wedding photos
6. Save the date (if perlu)
7. Kursus kahwin
8. HIV (and its better to do a Thalasemia test too)
9. Kad Kahwin (based on theme)

Akad Nikah:
1. Place
2. Catering
3. Pelamin (or mini pelamin) + bantal nikah
4. Baju nikah
5. Hantaran
6. Jurunikah
7. Door gift (not necessary la..)
8. Photographer and videographer
9. Make up

Sanding::
1. Place
2. Pelamin
3. Catering
5. PA System
6. LCD + Projector (if there are videos or photos to show)
7. MC
8. Penari
9. Wedding cake
10. Signboard to the place
11. Doorgift (Guest, VIP, Merenjis with thank you tags)
12. Guestbook
13. Baju Sanding
14. Baju Pengapit
15. Penyambut tetamu
16. Song list
17. Bunting @ Banner
18. Photographer and videographer
19. Kompang
20. Make up

This is only a list that Im doing for my very own wedding. Hope it would help for your wedding planning. It would be better to plan along with your fiance and parents. Stay stress-free guys :)