Of extravagant celebrations

I have learnt something new. Something i never appreciated much before.

I've learn to appreciate the Malay culture. Well, not all, maybe...but i like the fact that we acknowledge the importance of the art of conversation. Or how we should respect the elders through our manners and behaviours...how the Keronchong music makes one's heart dance with joy.

Anyway...

This weekend had an Engagement ceremony and a Wedding kenduri for me to attend to (of two different couples).

Both were pretty extravagant.

The Engagement ceremony had seen probably about 500 people...can you imagine what the wedding's guest list is gonna be like? Madness.

But my faveourite part of the ceremony was the exchanging of words between both the groom-to-be's entourage and the bride-to-be's. They discussed of possible dates for the wedding, Dowry charges, expectations...and yes, they were supposed to exhange Pantuns.

I was rather amused, the fact that even in an urban setting, we still practise the formalities of the olden style of marriage proposal...but with a twsit.

"Scratch the Pantuns...screw the bahasa bunga bunga, we speak in english, can ah?"
Okay, so that wasn't what they said...but it was implied? :)

At the end of the day, we'll still get the two Lovebirds engaged, right?

Another couple had their wedding kenduri today...And the Pengantins actually arrived at the reception hall in something totally unexpected. So unexpected, i thought i was watching MTV's "Sweet Sixteen".

Not Hummer... Not a fairytale-like coach with a dozen white horses...No Unicorns.

They arrived in a Helicopter. A small Helicopter, but... yeah. A Helicopter!

My god...the next couple to be married must feel the pressure to top that stunt.