Like most high school sweethearts' stories, Aya and Ando's journey began as best friends and ended at the altar. Up to their wedding day, the pair has spent ten years together and the proposal was unexpected for the bride. She recalled the special moment as something tacky, yet it turned out to be very memorable. "Ando put the ring on my dessert! But the sweetest thing was when I found out he made my dad teared up while asking for my parents' permission. My dad never cries, so it was a truly highlight for me," said the bride.
Their ceremonial procession was infused with Javanese rituals to honor the bride's family heritage. After discussing with her mother, Aya decided to not wear white attires despite it being the traditional bridal color. Instead, she opted for a nude-colored kebaya and so did Ando in his beskap. After a sacred akad, the pair also ensured to carry on with the other rituals, such as adol dawet where her parents got to sell sweet desserts, balangan gantal that signifies their devotion as a married couple and kacar-kucur where the pair sprinkle coins, beans, and nuts to symbolize the groom's responsibility to provide basic needs for the family.
Soon as the sun set, it's time for the pair's wedding reception where they highlighted their Betawi roots by wearing traditional attires and accessories. A saxophone player performed God Only Knows by Beach Boys as the newlyweds entered the reception area. Adding the fun to their intimate affair was her uncle who entertained the entire guest through the night as the wedding DJ.
If there was anything else to share about their wedding, Aya couldn't help but reminisce the tight timeline of her wedding planning. With mere three months of preparation, it's amazing how this couple managed to successfully plan everything. "We've kept our wedding simple since the beginning, believing that what we have next is more important than the wedding," said Aya. She was also thankful to have visited a marriage counselor during their wedding planning. It was an early wedding present that her aunt gave them. "In spite of being together for ten years, it was surprising that there was so many things we still have to learn about our relationship. I'd advise all couples to seek marriage counseling, especially those who are about to get married soon," she enclosed.
Let's take another look on their wedding pictures by Kimi and Smith Pictures and add your favorite details to the inspiration board right away!
