Exactly ten days before Mimi’s grand reception, we found ourselves at Saloma, a beautiful restaurant that was to become the stage for one of the most unforgettable nights. It was Labor Day, and it was the beginning of an adventure. I brought my little Iryss along, and watching her run around joyfully, playing with Mimi’s cousins’ daughters, made the whole experience even more special. At that moment, I realized this was not just any wedding; it was a massive event, one filled with VVIPs and countless guests, and I was about to be in the thick of it all as the Liaison Officer/Usherer.
In the days leading up to the reception, my role quickly grew. I was entrusted with managing the guest list, rearranging it, and adapting it with every last-minute change. Imagine handling hundreds of names, tables shifting, guests confirming or cancelling at the eleventh hour. I was lucky to have Kak Shasha leading the whole operation because frankly, I didn’t even know who half of the guests were. Without her guidance, I would have been lost.
The reception day itself came swiftly, less than 24 hours after the nikah ceremony. As soon as I could, my eyes were glued to my laptop, combing through the guest list again. I was making sure there were no duplicates, every name was accounted for, and each guest was placed in the correct section, because Saloma is not just any venue. It’s a large restaurant that shuts down for private events, and on this night, it was divided into several sections: one for VVIPs, another for close family, then family in general, and finally for friends.
With over 500 guests attending, organizing this felt like orchestrating a small army. We needed the guest list at our fingertips, and the “Ctrl+F” trick on the PDF list came in handy, but even then, the challenges were endless. Some names were still duplicated, some guests were uncertain about their attendance, and others changed their number of attendees last minute. That day, I learned so much about event management, but what I didn’t expect was to learn about managing a crowd that size.
When I got married myself, the situation was completely different. The pandemic meant only a handful of people were allowed, and as the bride, I had others taking care of all the logistics. But that night, on 11 May 2025, I was part of the frontline team. Alongside the girls, I was ushering guests, handing out door gifts, greeting friends, and managing the flow of people. One of my key responsibilities was to make sure 30 to 50 guests, already seated comfortably inside, would leave their seats at the right time to witness the magical arrival of Mimi and Jijui. It was not an easy task honestly, but a rewarding one because the venue had two beautifully set dais.
One, outside, with the iconic KLCC skyline as a backdrop, was nothing short of magical; the other, inside the hall, was intimate and elegant. Guests were moved between these spaces throughout the night.
The VVIP guests were fascinating, people with many interesting stories and personalities. It was a chance for me to appreciate human nature on a deeper level. I saw warmth, pride, humility, and excitement all mingled in one space. That night also had its share of challenges. It rained, yes, the dreaded rain! The outdoor ceremony had to be delayed, as the plan was for everyone to experience the magical outdoor dais and a special dance performance. We had live telecasts so the outdoor guests could watch the indoor event and vice versa. Unfortunately, due to the rain, some of the screens weren’t set up properly.
When Dato’ Kathy and Ramli Sarip took the stage, only the guests inside could enjoy their performance, while those outside missed out. But hey, these things happen, and they didn’t take away the magic.
The theme was a beautiful blend of Italian elegance and Moroccan flair. Mimi chose to wear a stunning Moroccan dress in baby blue, and it suited her perfectly. We even had an Italian cake ceremony, which was as elegant. The dress code called for us all to dress fabulously, and I swear, it felt like we were 17 again, a nostalgic throwback to Majlis Selingkar Kasih at Dewan Sri Endon, Putrajaya, an event many SSPians will fondly remember. I decided to wear a light purple abaya to match with Iryss, though in the end, I left Iryss at home to focus on my responsibilities, a wise decision since it gave me some precious solo time too.
The food was plentiful and delicious; a wide variety of stalls offering so many choices that I wished I could eat more. Sadly, as the crowd thinned out towards the end, most stalls started to close, and I missed out on some treats. But overall, the atmosphere was lively, joyful, and full of laughter. We all had fun; it was a night that made us feel young again, full of energy and hope. Everything was well-orchestrated, and the love and happiness in the air were undeniable.
Mimi, Jijui, honestly, being part of your big day was something really special for me. I hope the night was everything you imagined and more. You two deserve all the happiness in the world. May your marriage be filled with so much love, laughter, and those little everyday moments that make life so beautiful.
I wish you both endless patience and kindness towards each other, and that you always find comfort and strength in one another, no matter what life throws your way. Keep growing together, not just as husband and wife, but as best friends who lift each other up.
Thank you for letting me be a small part of this amazing journey. From the bottom of my heart, I hope your love keeps getting stronger, your days full of joy, and your home filled with peace and happiness.
Here’s to Mimi and Jijui, may your story be one for the ages, and your hearts forever connected.
