Selamat Pengantin Baru, Vee!

To my dearest Nur Aliah Lee @ Vee,

Congratulations!!!

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Puteri Azalea Engagement + Wedding

Nona, November 29th 2009, featured the wedding of Puteri Azalea, daughter of Tan Sri Dato' Seri Diraja Ramli. I was honored to dress her up on her big day. 

Watch TV3 catch-up TV to see this extravagant wedding. 

Here are some screen shots from Nona :

Puteri Azalea during the engagement ceremony

and here she is during the reception

Congratulations to the both of you!

 

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Nasi Lemak Kopi O

Catch me in TV9 morning show - Nasi Lemak Kopi O where i will be talking about wedding Do's and Dont's

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TV9 - Nasi Lemak Kopi O

Catch me at TV9 tomorrow morning, October 4th, in the Nasi Lemak Kopi O show. See my interview with the host regarding Wedding Do's & Don'ts. The show starts at 8AM.

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Umie Aida

Umie Aida talks to Utusan Mingguan about her up-coming engagement. Looking simply demure in my bridal wear, she is truly an amazing actor.

To Umie Aida, congratulations! 

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Malay Wedding pt 1

Maya Karin in my Couture wedding dress on her Italian Wedding

Being fashion designers in Malaysia, we are expected to do a whole lot more than just designing wedding dresses. Sometimes, we have to run the whole wedding ceremony. So, it's a norm to see fashion designers running a wedding event here in KL or anywhere else in Malaysia.

I, myself have been doing countless weddings, mostly Malays although i did design a few wedding  dresses for my Indian and Chinese clientele.

What i love about Malay weddings is the whole preparations for the big day - the wedding altar (pelamin), the offerings (hantaran), the dining decor and of course the wedding dresses. I always try my best to give  the couple their dream wedding event that fits their budget. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event! And what matters most is my clients are happy with the services i offered them. 

Here are some photos taken during the numerous weddings i have done:

Nabila Huda on her big day

My very good friends - Izrin (INNAI) & Marcus on their wedding day

Remember, although the wedding event is only a one-off event, the whole wedding preparations, the laughter, the joy and the family gathering is what makes it more special. So, cherish every moment!

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9 wedding Do's & Don'ts

Most of us have some strong negative feelings about "do's and don'ts" just like we dislike other people telling what we must and must not do. but sometimes knowing where the pitfalls are ahead of time keeps us from falling into a hole we can't get out of. And sometimes knowing what others did that did or did not work for their wedding helps us make our wedding even more special. As an officiant some of my recommendations are:

WEDDING DO's

1. Do make your wedding a joint venture between bride and groom. Some grooms just want to know what to wear and where and when to show up. Some brides want to call all the shots and make all the decisions. Make your decisions together - you will be doing this for the rest of your lives and this is a good place to start.

2. Do get everything that can get done in advance done as far in advance as you can. You don't want to discover the day before your wedding that you have forgotten to get your marriage license or that your dress isn't ready.

3. Do let your ceremony reflect who you are as individuals and who you are as a couple. This can be done with the music, readings, vows and other personal stories and selections you make.

4. Do take into consideration "family tensions" or "sore spots" when you plan your seating. If parents have divorced and remarried and have tension in each other's presence, be sensitive about how they are seated at both the ceremony and the reception or dinner. This will prevent unnecessary stress and perhaps tears.

5. Do delegate, delegate, delegate. Let other's help so when the week of the wedding arrives you have time to enjoy your guests and not arrive at your own wedding too tired to enjoy it.

WEDDING DON'Ts

1. Don't think you have to spend more money on a wedding than it would cost you for a college education or a new house. Some of the most beautiful and meaningful ceremonies are in someone's back yard. It isn't about how much money you spend but about the love between you. Think about how you can avoid going into your marriage on the edge of bankruptcy.

2. Don't be shy about speaking up for yourselves. This is your wedding. Just because Aunt somebody-or-other had her bridesmaids in dresses that looked like those in My Big Fat Greek Wedding doesn't mean you have to do the same. Or because Uncle I-think-I-can-sing-but-can't wants to sing doesn't mean you have to let him. Tell them how much you love them and thank each of them for their wonderful offer with a gentle statement that you've already chosen the dresses and planned the music (or whatever).

3. Don't Procrastinate. If you want a disaster the day before and the day of the wedding, just put things off. The more organized you are and the better you have delegated those "last minute" things, the more you will be able to participate in and enjoy wedding day.

4. Don't have unrealistic expectations about having everything perfect. Beautiful? Yes. Perfect is harder. Remember that this is a joyful celebration of love rather than an exercise in perfection. Most of us are not "practically perfect in every way" like Mary Poppins and we make mistakes. The mistake is generally the thing that gives you the fondest memories. I officiated a near perfect wedding and I was aware that everything had gone right. At about that point, a bridesmaid fainted. She was quickly back on her feet and the ceremony proceeded, again, perfectly. There was no way this could be anticipated and prevented. They will talk about it with fond memories for years to come.

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Wedding Hairstyles

Getting married isn't easy... surely every brides want to look their best on their wedding day... or what they always call it - A Perfect Wedding.




Unless you're a muslim and you wear a "tudung" or a scarve on your big day, hairstyle is an essence for that perfect look on that big day day.





Here are some of the gorgeous hairstyles for your wedding ...



1. Vintage wave


A chin length bob, sassy bangs and an art deco hair clip put a modern spin on vintage style.

2. Absolute Glam

Here's a vintage Hollywood hairstyle that's absolutely glam. Paired with a dramatic gown, peep toe pumps and sparkling jewelry and you're ready for a red carpet kind of day.

3. Retro bride

Inspired by a 1960's beehive, it is just super chic, modern look.

4. Sultry style

Gathered at the nape of the neck and finished with luscious curls, who knew a pony tail could be so sexy?

5. Modern twist

Instead of fighting against your naturally curly or wavy hair, this style works with it. The result is a modern updo with texture and depth.

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How To Choose Your Wedding Shoes

3 Main Bridal Shoes Criteria

The hardest thing about choosing your shoe is sorting through all of the different options that are out there. I figured out, that the easiest way to narrow down your choices was to determine 3 things: 1) Heel height, 2) Color, 3) Style. After you pick these 3 things, your choice will be simple. I’ve created an easy way for you to narrow down your selections. The only thing you have to do is figure out your criteria. High heel or low heel? White? Silver? Or maybe turquoise? Read on for the best tips on how to narrow down your choices.

1. Low Heel Bridal Shoes or Platform Shoes

2. Color of your Wedding Shoes

3. Style of your Wedding Shoes

1. Low Heel Bridal Shoes or Platform Shoes

Some brides choose a high heel bridal shoe while others will choose flat bridal shoes. So, how do you choose the right heel height for your bridal shoes? This is almost the easiest thing to figure out, but it depends on lots of things. Don’t forget, your wedding dress will be fitted to accommodate the height of your heel, so decide early and stick to it. After you've asked for a certain length, there is no way to change this. Therefore, think about this question early on and choose the heel height that works for you. Here are the most important things to take into consideration when trying to choose the height of your bridal shoe:

I) Your height, the groom’s height: How tall are you and how tall is your groom? Are you more petite and want to stand taller on the big day? Is your groom a bit shorter and do you prefer to stand shorter than him? How do you want to even it out?

Stand next to your groom and figure out how the two of you want to appear on your day. Then, choose the height that you prefer when standing next to him.

II) Comfort: Figure out how comfortable you are in high heels. You want to look confident walking down that aisle and that means stable wedding shoes when you’re walking. If you’re not used to a high stiletto, but still want a higher heel, consider platform heels that will give you more cushion and balance.

III) Dress length: Don’t forget, the heel height of your shoe will determine the length of the dress. If you bought an empire waist dress with a longer train, or a Princess ball gown that hits the floor, think about buying a higher heel for a more dramatic impact in your dress. Try on your dress with different heel heights and see what looks best.

Measuring heel height: Shoe manufacturers may tend

to measure heel heights a little differently. Be sure to check the shoe description pages for more details of how each manufacturer measures their shoe. Don’t worry if you are a little off though! In general, a 1 centimeter difference will only be noticed by yourself.

2. Color of your Wedding Shoes

Choosing a color is so fun, but so hard at the same time. There are many options and you almost can’t go wrong with whatever color you choose for your wedding shoe. Here is some guidance:

I) Match your dress: Choose a shoe that matches your dress. If you do this, you cannot go wrong. Most places will list what colors the shoes come in like ivory or diamond white (which are similar). Plus, your dress and shoes will look great together since it will look like one whole outfit! The only thing to remember is that the shade of white or ivory you select needs to be similar or darker than the dress. If it is brighter, the shoe will stand out too much against your dress.

II) Compliment: The other way to go is to choose a complimentary color. Slightly darker or lighter shades of white, ivory or other neutral colors will compliment the dress well. For example, if your gown is ivory, consider an antique or champagne bridal shoes. If your gown is just shy of white, look for diamond white wedding shoes. Complimenting your dress will allow you to enhance your look without making it look like one color from head to foot.

III) Check in daylight: To get the perfect color, compare the color and your dress swatch in natural daylight. This will show you exactly how the 2 colors will compliment each other.

IV) Sparkle: If you want your shoes to sparkle a little, choose gold wedding shoes, or silver bridal shoes or even a copper color. The only thing to make sure of is what colors are on your dress. If you have silver crystals, make sure you don’t choose gold bridal shoes, and vice versa. If your dress is all white, choose any color you want! Finally, take advantage of choosing a metallic color and choose one that you can wear later to go out in.

V) White wedding shoes or Ivory wedding shoes: At the end of the day, if you don't want a specific color, you really can't go wrong with white or ivory wedding shoes. Depending on the color of the dress, a white or ivory shoe will match it perfectly. The only thing to be aware of is that white comes in many different shades, as does ivory. If you want to match that shoe with your dress, make sure you bring a color swatch in while shopping.

VI) Be demure, but distinct: If you want your shoes to be different, but still stand out a little, consider champagne or taupe. This will accent your dress and be slightly different, but still match well with a romantic white or ivory dress. Another option is to go with ice blue, pale pink, or another pastel shade. These will compliment, but won’t stand out too much. There are less options in these colors, but I’ve tried to find you the best ones out there.

VII)Be Different, be bright, stand out: Choosing a completely different color – red, turquoise, pink, purple – could turn out terrific! If you have a bow on your dress that is a different color, think about buying matching shoes. Or, if you just want something different, consider an entirely new color. I’ve seen plenty of brides in their favorite color shoes whether it’s green, red, blue, or something else! I’ve also seen plenty of brides wearing shoes that match one of their wedding colors or the bridesmaids gowns. This really makes your look stand out from others, but can also really compliment the wedding you’ve planned.

3) Style of your Wedding Shoes

Wedding shoes come in so many different styles that it is hard to suggest one perfect style for everyone. It really depends on what you prefer and your own criteria. Start off by looking through your own shoe closet to get a sense of your own preferences. What do you tend to buy and more importantly, what do you tend to wear? What is most flattering to your feet and what will flatter your dress the best? Here are the most important things to take into consideration when trying to choose the style of your bridal shoe:

I) Open or closed toe? Do you want to show your toes or do you want a more conservative look that hides your feet a bit more? Closed toe shoes help to give you a more formal look. If you’re thinking about buying one, go up half a size and insert a gel insole for more comfort. Open toe shoes tend to be more comfortable since they allow your toes to breathe. Also, they don't scrunch your toes like closed toe shoes. Just remember, if you are going to buy open toe shoes, make sure you schedule a pedicure the week of your wedding. You would hate to have toes that are stuck out but unmanicured. Plus, why not go for a little pampering the week of your wedding?

II) Low bridal shoes? Are you a taller bride or a bride that wants more comfortable bridal shoes? If so, go with low wedding shoes. Shoes that have a kitten heel or a mule or slide are usually lower. They are also very flattering with your dress. Finally, they can be easily swapped with a pair of flip flops since you will find a lot of flatter flip flops.

III) Straps or not? Do you want strappy sandals, slingbacks, etc. or do you want something more like a pump or Mary Jane?

If strappy – what type of strap? Strappy shoes can be very flattering, especially if you have wider feet. They tend to give more room to move and they will usually stretch a little more after you wear them awhile. One very elegant and distinct strappy sandal is the t-strap. Also, consider ankle straps so your shoes won't fall off throughout the night. Although ankle straps may give your leg the illusion of being shorter, they can also look very flattering if they fit right.

If you want heels, do you want

I. A platform to give you more height, but also to provide

more relief for your feet. Since a platform is

raised in the front as well as the back, your

feet won’t hurt as much since there is more

support. So, you can get a 4 inch heel with 3

inches of discomfort instead of 4. You'd be

surprised at the difference in comfort that an

inch makes. However, be aware that a platform can look a bit trendier and less conservative. Nevertheless, if you look hard enough, there are some really fabulous platform shoes out there that will be perfect for your wedding.

II. Or a kitten heel like one on a mule or slide? I mentioned this above, but these tend to be slightly lower heels and can look very fun and dressy. They are also really easy to put on since you just slide your feet right on.

III. Or just a plain heel? This is the most traditional and classic heel and is definitely flattering on the foot. Higher heels tend to make the legs look longer. Just make sure you can manage those heels, especially during the first dance.

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Raja Shahirah

7th March 2009, Raja Shahirah Aishah Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah weds Syarul Reza Abd. Aziz in a traditional Malay wedding concept at Aryani Resort, Terengganu.

This wedding dress is by Syaiful Baharim demi-couture

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Nabila in Syaiful's wedding dress

Nabila Huda & Zaidy Zailani weds on 2nd December 2008 wearing all white dress by Syaiful Baharim

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In Trend, October Wedding issue

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Maya's wedding

Thanks Kid Chan for this stunning picture...

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Maya's Green Wedding by Syaiful Baharim

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Maya ties the knot

Maya is a Timeless beauty says Syaiful Baharim...

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Maya

Syaiful Baharim penuhi impian Maya Karin di hari bahagia

UNTUK majlis akad nikah, Maya akan memakai gaun labuh dengan rekaan moden, berserta kain layah. Menggunakan kain taffeta warna gading. Mementingkan ciri kesopanan, bahagian bawahnya sedikit kembang, bagi mewujudkan ciri tak lapuk dek zaman.

BAGI acara sivil pula, Maya akan mengenakan jaket moden putih berserta skirt rona serupa yang menutup lutut. Kedua-duanya diperbuat daripada kain Dutchess Satin. Rekaannya dikatakan ala gaya Carrie Bradshaw, watak popular daripada siri Sex and the City.

MAJLIS resepsi pula bakal menyaksikan Maya memperagakan gaun moden putih gading diperbuat daripada kain satin. Ia direka bagi membolehkan pelakon itu bergerak bebas pada majlis berkenaan. Kesemua gaun Maya menggunakan fabrik diimport.

INFO
SYAIFUL dan Maya saling mengenali dan bekerjasama sejak tahun 2002 ketika artis itu mula hendak mencipta nama dalam dunia hiburan tempatan.
PEREKA ini sering kali menggayakan Maya dengan rekaannya termasuk ketika artis jelita itu menghadiri majlis anugerah.
MAYA juga artis pertama yang mengenakan rekaan Syaiful apabila pereka itu memiliki butik sendiri di Sri Hartamas. Maya ialah bidadari Syaiful bagi koleksi ciptaannya sebelum ini.
CIPTAAN Syaiful dikatakan menepati cita rasa Maya, menyebabkan kedua-duanya kekal bekerjasama sehingga sekarang.
ANTARA artis lain yang turut mengenakan rekaan Syaiful ialah Dayang Nurfaizah, Fazura, Wardina, Dynas, Julia Ziegler dan ramai lagi.

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Gaun Kahwin Maya Ilham Sex And The City!

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 JULAI 2008: Tiga gaun cantik yang bakal diperagakan Maya Karin Roelcke pada hari bahagianya di Bellagio, Itali bermula 9 Ogos nanti, kini sudah hampir siap.
Pereka fesyennya, Syaiful Baharim yang ditemui portal murai.com.my berkata, beliau bertanggungjawab mencipta dan merealisasikan 3 busana istimewa buat pelakon jelita itu bagi melengkapkan hari pernikahannya.

Tiga persalinan itu ialah untuk majlis perkahwinan secara sivil pada 9 Ogos, diikuti upacara akad nikah dan majlis resepsi (14 Ogos) yang akan disaksikan lebih kurang 70 tetamu dari kedua-dua pihak.

Kata Syaiful, ketiga-tiga busana indah itu mempunyai profil dan personaliti tersendiri. Bagaimanapun ia masih menerapkan elemen kesederhanaan tetapi vogue sebagaimana yang diingini Maya sendiri.

Antara yang menarik perhatian ialah rekaan baju untuk majlis perkahwinan secara sivil yang berinspirasikan filem dan drama bersiri sensasi Sex and The City. Rekaan yang hadir bersama skirt dan blazer itu, memilih rona putih dengan penggunaan fabrik dutchess satin selain diperindahkan lagi dengan perincian pleat.

"Untuk persalinan ini, Maya sendiri yang mahukan ianya mempunyai pesona sebagaimana Carrie Bradshaw dalam Sex and The City yang tampak moden tetapi masih mengekalkan kesopanan," kata Syaiful yang ditemui di butiknya di Plaza Damas, Sri Hartamas, semalam.
Maya dan bakal suaminya, Steven David Shorthose, 38, atau nama Islamnya, Mohd Ali Abdullah akan diisatukan pada 9 Ogos ini di Bellagio. Antara selebriti yang bakal hadir ke majlis berkenaan ialah Shuhaimi Baba, Kavita Sidhu dan Yasmin Yusoff dan Jeslina Hashim yang bertindak sebagai pengapit pengantin.Katanya lagi, untuk upacara akad nikah, dia akan menghadiahkan Maya dengan ilham gaun pengantin yang lebih anggun dan moden dengan aplikasi fabrik lace serta sifon dari rona ivory.

"Apa yang paling penting ialah penampilan Maya hari itu nanti akan tampak timeless dan anggun. Sementara untuk gaun pengantin pada majlis persandingan di Lake Como nanti, saya memilih warna off white dari fabrik creep satin. Rekaannya juga moden, hadir dengan train panjang," ujarnya.

Jelas Syaiful, sebagai pereka fesyen, sudah semestinya dia akan memberikan yang terbaik untuk hari bahagia pelakon Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam itu, apatah lagi hubungannya dengan Maya boleh dikatakan akrab.Bukan setakat 3 persalinan mempelai, Syaiful turut bertanggungjawab menyiapkan pakaian pengapit yang akan mengiringi Maya dan bakal suaminya itu.

"Sebenarnya apabila Maya memberi tahu saya bahawa dia akan berkahwin, saya terkejut. Lebih terkejut apabila dia memilih saya untuk mencipta baju perkahwinannya. Kami sama-sama berbincang dan mencari rekaan yang sesuai dengan kehendak Maya," katanya.

murai.com.my

Teks & Foto oleh Haswari Ali

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Izrin & Marcus

Izrin & Marcus wedding reception at Le Meridien, Kuala Lumpur. The fab gown is by Syaiful Baharim demi-couture of course...

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Mariana & Anwar

Wedding reception in Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur. Dress by Syaiful Baharim demi-couture

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Maya says I DO..

BUKANLAH sesuatu yang mengejutkan apabila pelakon jelita Maya Karin mengumumkan mengenai tarikh perkahwinannya dengan jejaka Inggeris, Steven David Shorthose atau nama Islamnya, Muhamad Ali dalam satu sidang akhbar Jumaat lalu.

Maya sudah berkias dengan pihak media bahawa dia sudah pun mempunyai seseorang dalam hidupnya.

Bagaimanapun, tanggapan awam masih mahu mempercayai bahawa cinta Maya adalah seorang VIP. Namun dengan pengumuman itu - ya Maya akan melangsungkan perkahwinannya pada 14 Ogos di sebuah taman lokasi percutian terkemuka, Ballegio, Itali - bagaikan melenyapkan spekulasi dan gosip cinta sensasi itu.

Bagaimanapun Maya sendiri tidak melihat pengumumannya berhubung tarikh pernikahan bersama Muhammad Ali sebagai berita yang dengan sendiri akan melenyapkan segala cerita liar mengaitkannya dengan VIP tadi. Baginya, dia tidak menghiraukan khabar angin terbabit kerana ia sememangnya tidak berasas.

"Sama ada saya mengumumkannya sekarang atau lama dulu, semua itu tidak bermakna kerana mereka yang ingin mempercayai cerita bukan-bukan, akan tetap mempercayainya," katanya pada sidang akhbar yang berlangsung dalam suasana penuh ceria.

Sementara itu, ketika bercerita mengenai majlis perkahwinannya, Maya mengaku dia lebih gembira sekiranya ia diadakan dalam keadaan sederhana saja.

"Paling penting, semua orang berasa seronok dan saya dapat meraikannya bersama keluarga, rakan dan tetamu lain dengan seadanya," kata Maya sambil memberitahu, betapa dia berasa rimas untuk memikirkan majlis besar-besaran.

Lagipun, kata Maya, perkahwinan ialah perkara yang bersifat peribadi dan amat istimewa. Justeru, dia akan mengadakan majlis keraian pernikahannya mengikut keselesaan diri sendiri.
Majlis resepsi di ibu kota nanti juga tidak akan menyaksikan pelakon itu menerima atau membalas sebarang dulang hantaran. Jelas Maya, bukan saja dia dan Muhammad Ali mahukan majlis yang ringkas, malah jejaka itu juga berseorangan di Kuala Lumpur. Lalu tidak masuk akal untuk menyusahkannya menyediakan segala kelengkapan termasuk hantaran.
"Begitu juga ketika di Itali, kami hanya akan melangsungkan acara akad nikah dan menyerahkan mas kahwin saja," kata Maya yang akan mengenakan rekaan Syaiful Baharim pada majlis di Ballegio, manakala acara keraian di Kuala Lumpur pula akan menyaksikannya mengenakan rekaan Radzuan Radziwill.

Nurulhisham Abdul Latiff

E-media news, July 7th 2008

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