PETALING JAYA: In a heartfelt gesture of appreciation, a Chinese couple celebrated their wedding with a Malay concept, honouring the rich cultural heritage of their Malay colleagues.
The wedding of Jie Lin and De Yang – as the newlyweds wished to be known – took place on Feb 18 in Bandar Muadzam Shah, Pahang, and it has since captured hearts across the country.
Jie Lin said the inspiration for incorporating Malay customs into their nuptials came from De Yang’s family business, which employs a significant number of Malay staff.
“These colleagues have shared not just professional milestones with us but also their rich cultural heritage.
“After thoughtful consideration, we felt that hosting a Malay-style wedding would be a wonderful way to celebrate alongside them and their families, who have played an essential role in our journey,” she told The Star in an interview.
Jie Lin, who is having three wedding receptions to honour different cultural traditions, expressed her excitement about adopting Malay elements for the second ceremony.
“I’ve always admired the elegant silhouette of the kebaya and wearing it with traditional accessories made the experience even more special,” she added.
The couple, both 26, incorporated traditional Malay customs like “menepung tawar” and “merenjis”, which Jie Lin said resonated with their Chinese roots while offering a unique perspective on blessing ceremonies.
“It’s beautiful how this tradition, like the Chinese tea ceremony, is a heartfelt way to receive blessings from elders,” she said.
Family and friends were supportive of their decision with Jie Lin saying that it was her father-in-law and grandfather-in-law who initially suggested incorporating Malay traditions.
“The rest of the family was equally excited, especially because it gave everyone the opportunity to dress up in beautiful baju Melayu and baju kebaya or kurung.
“They were also thrilled about tasting a variety of Malay food and experiencing Malay culture firsthand, which made the celebration vibrant and memorable,” she added.
Recently, a video of the couple’s wedding went viral on TikTok with users praising their decision to celebrate the country’s diverse cultures.
Jie Lin said she never expected that her reception would receive such attention from the public.
“I only found out when I saw my wedding planner’s WhatsApp story,” she said, adding that she was touched by the thousands of strangers who sent positive messages.
“Some even took the time to write long, thoughtful messages just for us.”
Jie Lin emphasised her belief in understanding and respecting different cultures.
“Growing up in a multicultural community, I’ve always believed in understanding and respecting different cultures.
“I love my cheongsam but I don’t see any issue with wearing a kebaya or saree either.
“I see myself as a Malaysian before anything else. This is the country I grew up in and this is home,” she added.
The couple’s wedding planner Hanizan Bakar, 44, said there would be a rising trend of multicultural celebrations.
“Almost half of our clients are non-Malays including Orang Asli.
“Most of them are already familiar with different cultures. I think they are all comfortable with each other.”
