August 2016: A Gatsby-themed Afternoon Tea Bridal Shower and My Sister’s Wedding

August was an incredibly busy month. With the various themed parties I’ve been planning since April for everyone’s birthday and what not, it’s just been a hectic but incredibly fun 2016. I went about planning yet another thematic event for my sister’s bridal shower – I decided to host a Gatsby-themed afternoon tea shower for her.

I was initially going for that whole glitzy, glittery, gold and black ensemble complete with feathers etc. Then decided against it, since it is after all an afternoon tea. So I went ahead with a simple and elegant, flowery, completely British-style afternoon tea, that’s just like that seen when Gatsby himself has his afternoon tea parties.

That was one fun evening. I chased all the men out of the house so we could be free, uninhibited ladies, ever ready to succumb to our imagination and inner interests. We had lots of yummy food that I ordered from Delicious and Simply D and a lovely lychee pavlova from EatCakeToday. 

In the lead up to the event, I cracked my head trying to think of games everyone would be sporting enough to participate in and I think I got it right with my 2 games of dressing the bride in foam paper (thankfully Zach has plenty of these lying around, and it actually makes a gorgeous dress) and also Broken Telephone, though my version was more subdued with everyone writing a line in a story with reference to only the line that was written before theirs. I was so hoping for a hilarious result, but it actually turned out to be quite a decent story of a chocolate loving couple. Muahahaha.

Next was the wedding. I had initially planned to take 2 days off in the lead up to the wedding but alas, that was not meant to be, as on the very eve of the wedding, I had my company’s Board meeting to which I must be present to table my paper, hence, I only managed to get half day off. Had again ordered one of the hantaran cakes from my lovely staff which turned out to be so awesome and lovely! The whole evening thereafter was spent quite busily receiving our relatives from Singapore and we had a small and intimate family dinner and kenduri doa selamat that night followed by a short pep-talk on the wedding event agenda by Mum.

I was in a frenzied state in the morning getting Imran to wake up and dress up and of course he chose that very day to decide not to be particularly cooperative in dressing up in his baju melayu. LOL! Somehow, miraculously, I got it done and went to Mum and Dad’s to pick up Nanny and my Aunty’s Nanny to bring over to Tropicana Golf Club for the nikah event. The moments after were just a blur as I was so busy organizing everything against every detail and every angle. Luckily, Nanny took care of Imran whilst I was just running around everywhere dealing with everyone from photographers to the groom’s family. I barely had time to think, much less eat. Alhamdulilah the nikah event went flawlessly (well if I were to be really honest, there were a few funny flaws like my nervous dad nikah-ing anak-anakku rather than just anakku). Muahahaha….

After that, I had to coordinate the rehearsal and it was only after rehearsing 10 times especially with the flower kids that I got to go home! I wished I had time to rest and sleep, but there was of course Imran to reckon with and I needed to write my speech!!! LOL! Yes, I was incredibly organized hahaha…but can’t blame me coz I really had tons on my plate that week.

After all that, we went ahead to the wedding venue, again at Tropicana Golf Club. Alhamdulilah everything went smoothly. Dinner was good (except the nasi tambah was white and not the briyani rice and I don’t know why), speech went smoothly without any hitches and everything was just perfect. And I was exhausted and drained!! But happy that all is well….Alhamdulilah.

My speech text:

It feels like it was just yesterday when I stood here and delivered my own wedding speech. And here we are today, celebrating the second and last wedding in my family, 7 years later.

Assalamualaikum and good evening ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of my family, I would like to welcome you all today and thank you for gracing us with your presence on this very special day as we celebrate the marriage of my little sister, N & A. It is good to see so many friends and family here, some of whom have travelled many miles to be here today. For those of you who don’t know who I am, I am L, N’s one and only sibling.

I once read a quote that “a sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life” and that is what N has been to me. Growing up, people have always commented on how much N and I look alike. The assumption was that we must have also been alike. That, however is a far cry from reality. We are in many ways different, as different as night and day even, yet, in some small ways, we are alike. We are sisters after all and in truth, we only have each other as it has and will always be, just the two of us as siblings.

I was extremely lucky to have a sister growing up. Some people say that sisters always fight, and are overly competitive. Well, that did happen sometimes but for the most part, N and I always got along. What I remember is having a friend growing up. Someone who was always there to play with me and enjoy laughing fits with at the dinner table.

 Over the years, N has become someone that I could count on for just about anything. She is always there to celebrate the good times with me, but will also lend a shoulder to cry on when I encounter the bad. We share many secrets, N and I. That’s the definition of a true friend, and the fact that she is my sister means that no matter what she can’t get rid of me. Fortunately or unfortunately.

What I’ve always admired about N is that she is a woman who knows her own mind. She has always been more daring, more forward and more adventurous. My sister has never been afraid to be an individual, but today, she begins a new life as part of a “we”.

Today is, of course, a celebration, not just of the love that has united N and A in marriage, but also of the families that have created, moulded and influenced the lives of these two special people. My family and I would like to extend a very warm welcome to A’s family and I’m sure I speak for my whole family when I say how happy we are to formally welcome A into our family. Today, I am not losing my sister but gaining a brother.

Many have helped my family in preparing for today’s event, so to all who have helped, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Without your help and effort, this event would not have been possible. I’m also sure that I speak for my sister to especially thank my mother, who has tirelessly planned this event down to the very last detail and without whom such a fantastic event would not have been what it is.

It is customary on these occasions to offer the happy couple some worldly advice on marriage, and I’ll do my best as N begins her journey in the land of the married today. Insha-Allah, N and A’s marriage will emulate that of our parents who will be celebrating their 37^th wedding anniversary in about 2 weeks time. 

N & A, separately, you are two special, remarkable people, but together you are complete. As you sit side by side through this roller coaster of life, remember to scream from the peaks, hold hands through the dips, laugh through the loops and enjoy every twist and turn. The ride is much better when you share it together.

Happy marriages begin when we marry the one we love, and they blossom when we love the one we married. So, congratulations N & A! I wish you fun and excitement for today, hopes and dreams for tomorrow and love, happiness and may your marriage last far longer than forever till Jannah. Insha-Allah. Here’s to you both from this day forward.

Thank you.