Today's couple first met during dinner at a mutual friend's house. "Our first date was far from successful, and it wasn't until two years later that I agreed to go out with him again!" said Hana. This time, things went well and long story short, Usman surprised Hana with a simple yet romantic wedding proposal one day. "He proposed to me at home with a ring hidden among flowers," she recalled.
Hana and Usman wanted to have an outdoor celebration close to nature. "Our 'green' wedding theme encompassed not only the color but also nature, greenery, and our environment. We even played Zainal Abidin's song 'Hijau' to fit the theme," said Hana. Soon after, they found the perfect venue that also reflected their Malaysian heritage. "The 3 Cheringin Resort is nestled in the tropical hills of Janda Baik and has a traditional Malay house within its grounds," she explained.
Their two-day wedding was held over the weekend—consisting of the nikah or ceremony, dinner reception, and bersanding, a Malay tradition of announcing the marriage to a large crowd. "Since we had three events, I needed three dresses! Each of them had to be simple and light to suit the outdoor setting," said Hana. She chose two ethereal dresses by Habsah Abang Saufi and one by Mellinda Looi for the solemnization, bersanding, and reception respectively. Meanwhile, Usman incorporated his Sri Lankan roots by wearing a sherwani instead of a Malaysian groom's outfit during the traditional reception.
This lovely pair's tribute to their family and cultural heritage did not end there. Hantaran or gifts were exchanged between the bride and groom before the wedding ceremony. The last reception was also livened up with traditional Sarawakian gendang performers, as Hana's mother is from Sarawak. Another moment that Hana cherished was wearing her late grandmother's jewelry set. "It had been distributed to all her daughters, including my mother, and each piece was brought from as far as Brunei and Sarawak especially for my big day!" reminisced Hana.
Reflecting on her wedding day and preparation, Hana shared a few valuable tips for future brides. "Stay true to yourself while planning the wedding. Decide on what's important and don't get too hung up on the rest," she advised, "On the day itself, just be present! Things will go by in a blink of an eye, so remember to stop and take it all in with your partner."
