Chinese pair, Malay wedding

JOHOR BARU: The bride and groom walked into the reception hall looking resplendent in traditional songket accompanied by kompang players.

Businessman Datuk Tan Lek Khang, 37, and his bride Datin Tan Nie Nie, 35, wowed families and friends who were charmed by their wedding with a difference.

“We decided to hold a Malay-style reception as we have many non-Chinese friends and we want to include them in our special day,” said Lek Khang.

He said he had been exposed to Malay and Indian cultures since his childhood days in Kota Tinggi.

He said they registered their marriage earlier and the bersanding ceremony was one of their two wedding receptions.

The second one – a Chinese style ceremony – is set for Oct 20.

For their bersanding ceremony on Saturday night, Lek Khang said: “I consulted some of my friends so we could get the adat (customs) right for our big day.”

He said both sides of their families welcomed the idea when he first brought it up.

He added that he enjoyed learning new things, such as the significance of makan beradab during which the newly-weds and their parents sit on a special table for their meal.

Nie Nie, who owns a florist shop, said she did not feel awkward walking down the aisle wearing a songket baju kurung complete with tudung and veil.

“We usually attend our friends’ weddings, so I am familiar with traditional Malay wedding ceremonies.

“It was definitely a new experience to be the one sitting on the pelamin (wedding dais),” she said, adding that she enjoyed the tepung tawar ceremony during which loved ones gave the couple their blessings. Loh Wai See, one of Nie Nie’s relatives, said she purchased a new pair of baju kurung especially for the wedding.

“When the couple informed us that they were holding a Malay-style wedding reception, the whole family was excited as it was quite rare for Chinese couples to do so.

“We decided to come in traditional Malay attire to suit the occasion.

“We bought baju Melayu and baju kurung for my two young grandchildren as well; this is also a good opportunity to teach them about Malaysia’s multi-racial society and open their eyes to the importance of respecting the customs of others,” said the 65-year-old retiree.