SUNGAI PETANI: It was a Raya to remember for office mates Nurul Syahirah Khalid and Mohd Amin Zafry Alias.
They got married on Monday, which was the third day of Hari Raya, in the presence of 1,000 guests who came despite the scorching heat.
“Although the temperature reached about 35°C, I’m grateful that our wedding went smoothly and was a lively affair,” said Nurul Syahirah, 27.
The wedding hall, of course, was air-conditioned so everyone was comfortable.
But the couple admitted to perspiring a bit, not because of the heat but due to their nervousness about their big day.
Nurul Syahirah, who works as a graphic designer in Kepala Batas, said the decision to hold their wedding during the festive season was made after discussions between both families shortly after their engagement in June last year.
She said the timing was deemed practical, as some family members from both sides are based in Johor and Kuala Lumpur and often face difficulty securing leave, making the Hari Raya homecoming an ideal opportunity to gather.
“In a way, Raya brought everyone home and it brought us together too. So we thought, why not make it even more special?” she said when met at the ceremony.
Her husband Mohd Amin Zafry Alias, 30, a digital marketing officer, said he got to know his wife in 2024.
“The happiest part for me was seeing both families come together, you realise it’s bigger than just the two of us.
“Preparations were made more than a year in advance, including booking the hall. However, we may opt for a studio photoshoot instead of an outdoor session due to the intense heat.”
Kedah is gripped in a heatwave currently.
Parts of the state recorded temperatures between 37°C and 40°C for three consecutive days.
Nurul Syahirah’s elder sister, Noor Hayati Khalid, 43, said their family was initially worried about securing a hall and getting catering services over the festive season.
“But thanks to our family’s efforts, especially from our mother, everything went smoothly.”
She said the event didn’t feel like just a wedding.
“It still felt like a big family reunion during Raya.”
