Laras and Nasa's love story began when Nasa was asked by a mutual friend for help in rebranding her food business. Nasa asked to look at her business's Instagram first, where he discovered a photo of Laras and was immediately smitten by her. He then offered to help rebrand his friend's business for free, only if he could get introduced to Laras as an exchange. They finally met for the first time on a blind date, and have been creating many beautiful memories together ever since.
Laras currently runs her own textile pattern design business called Smitten by Pattern, where she sells fabric along with various products made from it. "I was trying to decide what kind of dress I wanted to wear. Then, Nasa suggested to wear a dress made from the Smitten by Pattern's fabric, and use it for the decoration as well," recalled Laras on how the idea popped up. She discussed it with her business partner plus best friend, Ella, and worked up the concept of a cheerful and vibrant wedding filled with various colorful shapes and patterns.
"We even thought of entering the wedding industry with our line of products, making my wedding the prototype for this new direction," confessed Laras. She took this opportunity to show off her business creations and, with the help from Shui Decor, made the stage decoration with Smitten by Pattern's fabric. The invitation for her wedding was also designed by Smitten by Pattern. "Our fabric was also used to create the souvenir and the bridesmaid dresses," said Laras.
For her wedding dress, Laras trusted Ella to take care of it entirely. When it was time for Laras to see what her best friend had made, she was amazed and couldn't stop smiling. "Ella's concept for my wedding dress is 'my happy charms,' so she made every little thing that makes me happy into a pattern. She wanted me to wear my happiness on my wedding day!" exclaimed Laras.
Another part of the wedding that is hard to miss was the photo booth area. Laras and her colleagues decided to use leftover fabric tied and hung up together to create a background. They went on a leftover fabric scavenger hunt to various local markets, such as Mayestik Market, to collect tons of cloth for the photobooth. The idea became a success, and even became a kids' corner during the wedding.
The couple wanted a simple, intimate wedding where their family and friends would feel like they're on holiday instead of a wedding. The Kartipah was chosen as a venue because it offered a beautiful wedding house and guest houses for everyone to stay in. The two didn't hire a wedding planner. Instead, they were helped by their family and friends to organize the preparation. Laras and Nasa felt less stressed because they trusted them.
"That day really exceeded my expectations," said Laras. She advised future brides to build communication and commitments with their partners first before starting the wedding planning process. She also urged that the main thing is not the wedding, but life after the wedding party. The key to a stress-free preparation is remembering that whatever happens on the D-day won't ruin your whole life!
