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Wedding Prep Guide
Plan your day with intention.
From the first merisik to the morning of your akad nikah — everything Malaysian couples need to prepare for, mapped to your countdown.
Best time to order your wedding website: 6 Months Out
Once your venue and date are confirmed, this is the sweet spot to pick a theme and set up your Pelamiin website — early enough to share the link with your kad kahwin and let guests start RSVPing. See the full checklist →
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The Checklist
Everything, by stage.
- Set your overall budget and agree who's contributing — the groom's side, the bride's side, or shared.
- Hold your merisik (marriage proposal) and bertunang (engagement) ceremony following your family's adat.
- Discuss and agree on the hantaran (dowry gifts) and dulang (gift tray) count from both sides.
- Pick your wedding date and a back-up date — check for tarikh baik with family and avoid school holidays or monsoon season.
- Draft an early guest headcount (groom's family, bride's family, colleagues, friends).
- Shortlist 2-3 venues (dewan komuniti, hotel, resort) and request quotes.
- Open a dedicated wedding savings account.
- Confirm and book your venue with a deposit.
- Book your photographer and videographer — check both traditional and candid-style portfolios.
- Book your caterer and confirm a menu tasting date; make sure the menu is halal-certified.
- Choose your theme and set up your Pelamiin wedding website — the best time to order so you can share it with your early invitations.
- Book your kadi (solemnisation officiant) and make sure the akad nikah date doesn't clash with your persandingan (reception) date.
- Book your pelamin (dais), bunga telur, and bridal stage decor if using an outside vendor.
- Plan a small bertunang or berinai (henna night) gathering if you haven't already.
- Finalise your guest list and collect addresses/phone numbers for invitations.
- Share your wedding website link so guests can RSVP directly.
- Set an RSVP deadline — aim for 3-4 weeks before the big day.
- Arrange seating categories (groom's family, bride's family, colleagues, friends) and a seating plan.
- Order printed kad kahwin or finalise your digital invite, including a QR code to your website.
- Order doorgifts and bunga telur / return hantaran for guests.
- Plan your berinai (henna night) — book the inai party and refreshments.
- Final fitting for the bride's and groom's attire (baju sanding, akad nikah, and reception outfits if different).
- Confirm your makeup artist (MUA) booking and do a trial makeup run.
- Order or collect your wedding rings and engagement ring if not done already.
- Confirm the song for walking to the pelamin and the emcee/majlis playlist.
- Buy or rent attire for your pengapit (entourage), family, and VIPs.
- Prepare your final hantaran items and arrange the dulang.
- Register your marriage at JPN (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara) for civil marriages, or complete akad nikah documentation at JAIS/your state religious office for Muslim couples.
- Prepare IC copies, marriage course certificates, and supporting documents for solemnisation.
- Confirm the final headcount with your caterer.
- Pack an emergency kit (safety pins, tissues, stain remover).
- Brief your emcee and pengapit on the run of show.
- Confirm the pelamin setup, bridal room, and prayer space arrangements for guests.
- Assign someone to hold the rings, money envelopes, and gifts.
- Confirm vendor arrival times with your day-of coordinator.
- Keep a printed schedule for the emcee and family.
- Hand your photographer a family photo list.
- Take a breath — everything else has already been planned. Selamat Pengantin Baru!