Marryme 2009q3

Marry Me!

Your Trendy and Exciting Wedding Guide

VOLUME 1

Flavour of Autumn Match your wedding in Malaysia with

an enchanting autumnal setting

An emotional love story between a Malaysian and a German

Ditch smoking

before you get hitched

ISSN 1985 - 9988

Steve Yap: We have delicate egos and like to take care of our women

CONTENTS 12

90 Malaysia’S upcoming WEDDING eventS

14, 15 A beautiful Bridal Affair 16 No ordinary wedding fair

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18, 19 PlANNING AN AUTUMN THEMED WEDDING 20 will you go steady with me?

22, 23 once the date is set...

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GETTING your MAN INVOLVED

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HOW TO MAKE YOUR HUSBAND FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU again

34, 35 A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO YOUR WEDDING

36, 37 FLOWERS AND BRIDES 40, 41 A MAN IN LOVE – STEVEN YAP 46, 47 a sweet evening with CANDY THAM 52, 53 can children spoil your party?

54, 55 A Marriage OF TWO WORLDS

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60 ditch smoking before you get hitched 61

On the cutting edge with Dominique Chan

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Here comes the bride

80-82 Ditch smoking before you get hitched

86, 87

54, 55 86, 87 TOP 5 romantic getaways IN ASIA 88

Table for 1

94 BACHELOR NIGHT - HORRORS or harmless

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Management

EDITOR DIRECTOR

Margaret Lau

ART DIRECTOR

Evonne Wong

MEDIA DIRECTOR

Audreen Lim

SALES DIRECTOR

M.W. Yew

EDITOR

William Steilman

WRITER

Jeff Tung Jess M.Y. Ong

CONTRIBUTORS

Nily Glaser (www.a-weddingday.com) T.W. Winslow Gillian Reynolds Kristin Steinmetz Joan Williams

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Samuel Lim

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Y. J. Wong

PHOTOGRAPHER

Jacky Chan (www.jackimages.com)

PUBLISHER

White Clover Media Sdn Bhd

PRINTER

United Print Process Sdn. Bhd.

The opinions and views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily shared by the publisher.

Although every effort had been taken to ensure correctness and accuracy in the preparation of each issue of MARRY ME!, the publisher or editorial staff accept no responsibility for any effect arising from errors or omissions. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from WHITE CLOVER MEDIA SDN BHD. All rights reserved 2009. Manuscripts, photographs and artwork may be submitted for consideration but will only be returned if accompanied by sufficient postage for the purpose. No responsibility is accepted for any unsolicited materials.

Officiall Website : http://www.wedding.com.my Inquiry : http://marryme.wedding.com.my/inquiryphp Email : marry.me@wedding.com.my

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letter from the editor

Dear Readers,

For every woman, it is her dream to walk down the aisle on her wedding day, dressed in a beautiful flowing gown and looking radiant and happy. For every man, it is the sight of the love of his life, coming down that aisle and knowing that she would be declaring her sacred vows of eternal love with him. Marriage, no matter what the cynics may say, is still a holy union between two people, and it is a very special day to celebrate with relatives and friends.

We, at Marry Me! would be more than pleased to be able to play even a little part in the wedding, if we may. In our inaugural issue, we recommend some honeymoon destinations and also offer budget tips on planning for your big day. To help smokers live healthily and happily with their sweethearts, we have included some amazing steps to kick the terrible habit before the big day. As for those browsing around for upcoming wedding dresses designs, we’ve commissioned famed designer, Dominique Chan to create a spread of gorgeous gowns.

We do hope that you’ll enjoy reading this issue of Marry Me! and for those heading for nuptial happiness, congratulations and God bless on your blissful day!

Truly,

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Malaysia’s Upcoming Wedding Events Date

Event

Venue

City

03/07/2009 - 05/07/2009

MATTA Fair Penang 2009

P.I.S.A

Penang

09/07/2009 - 12/07/2009

Malaysia International Jewellery Fair 2009 (MIJF)

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

Kuala Lumpur

10/07/2009 - 12/07/2009

9th KL Wedding Expo 2009

Midvalley Megamall

Kuala Lumpur

10/07/2009 - 12/07/2009

MATTA Fair Negeri Sembilan 2009

Seremban Parade Shopping Centre

Seremban

17/07/2009 - 19/07/2009

Modern Home, Living and Property Fair 2009

Midvalley Megamall

Kuala Lumpur

31/07/2009 - 02/08/2009

HomeDec 2009 - Johor

Johor International Convention Centre, PERSADA

Johor Bahru

11/08/2009 - 14/08/2009

10th Food & Hotel Show 2009 Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

Kuala Lumpur

21/08/2009 - 23/08/2009

5th Parenthood Expo 2009

Midvalley Megamall

Kuala Lumpur

01/10/2009 - 04/10/2009

HomeDec 2009 - KL

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

Kuala Lumpur

08/10/2009 - 11/10/2009

15th Malaysia Jewellery Festival 2009

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

Kuala Lumpur

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(From left) Alvin Tay's Collection, Carven Ong’s Collection

A Beautiful Bridal Affair (From left) Amber Goh’s Collection, Dominique Chan's Collection

Over 100 top bridal brands from Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong were on show at the Malaysian Wedding Festival at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on March 20-22 More than a 1,000 couples thronged the vibrant and event-packed Malaysian Wedding Festival 2009.

Lighting up the fest with exciting fashion creations were top bridal gown designers Dominique Chan, Carven Ong, Alvin Tay and Amber Goh. Models delightfully surprised visitors by throwing flower balls at them during the launch of the romantic fair. The throwing of flower balls symbolised the delivery of best wishes to couples at the festival. Sixty prizes worth more than RM50,000 were given to couples in lucky draws. Among the prizes were branded mattresses, honeymoon holidays, hotel stay, jewellery, wine hampers, cosmetic products and dinner vouchers. Seminars entitled “The language of wedding flowers” and “Plan your dream wedding” were also held. Malaysian Wedding Festival 2009 was jointly organised by Fox Asia Exposition and Hong Kong-Asia Exhibition (Holdings).

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Alvin Tay’s Collection

Carven Ong’s Collection

Dominique Chan’s Collection

Amber Goh’s Collection

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No Ordinary Wedding Fair A four-day event in Muar, Johor, stretches the imagination when it comes to having a one-stop wedding centre

From choosing your wedding gown to air-conditioner for your nuptial room to toys for your baby. Such were the wide ranging choices available at a home and wedding fair held recently at the K-Mart in Muar. Organised by Rockson Entertainment, the fair catered to all couples in the various stages of marriage.

There was certainly plenty of food for thought as couples could choose from the wide array of wedding dinner options. Restaurant managers were at hand to brief visitors on dishes selection and entertainment for the dinner. Vanessy Bridal Gallery held a fashion show at the fair as models paraded the latest wedding gowns.

Makeup artists from Carl’s Beauty Academy were around to provide makeup, nail decoration and hair styling. For those who wished to complement their wedding with a nice home, there were services offering interior house design apart from creative indoor decoration.

Even babies could cry out for something to be added to their cradles. A booth filled with soft toys was set up at the fair. At another booth selling pianos, guitars, violins and drums, music teachers were playing famous tunes on musical instruments to attract children.

Jessica Liu, Singapore artiste

Travel agents held promotions for couples to visit popular local tourist spots while offering discounts, free meals and lucky draws. Well-known Singapore artiste Jessica Liu was among the entertainers who drew a huge crowd at the fair.

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Planning an Autumn Themed Wedding Autumn conjures up images of crisp weather and bright foliage.

What better time to tie the knot? We may not have four seasons in Malaysia, but we can always utilise the themes, like for example an outdoor autumn themed wedding.

By Jess M.Y. Ong

So how do you make the most of the perfect weather setting for your perfect day?

Here are some ideas especially for autumn weddings:

Fall Wedding Color Palette

When we think of fall, we think of harvest time and all the rich yellows, oranges, golds, copper, peach and browns. This is a great place to begin considerations for your wedding colour(s) scheme. Also think about the foliage as a source for colour(s) inspiration. Warm, rich colour(s) are inviting and appropriately represent the time of year, as does metallic and jewel tones.

Fall Wedding Flower Options

Popular fall flowers include roses, orchids, gardenias and dahlias. Consider using berries in rich shades to fill in your bouquet. In addition to flowers, you can carry the theme of Fall harvest into your wedding by using pumpkins, bails of hay, maple leaves and cornstalks as well.

Fall Wedding Decor

In keeping with the rich colours and harvest theme, consider using heavier fabrics like velvet for linens. Candles are perfect accents to autumn weddings as well; think along the lines of large hurricane lanterns as centerpieces wrapped in a base wreath of berries, foliage or miniature pumpkins. For stationery, metallic colours are a good choice for lettering.

Fall Wedding Fashion

Fall brides can truly have a wide array of choices for their gowns. They can still choose to go with a strapless or thin-strapped dress, or they can pick a sleeved gown. Fall grooms tend to gravitate to more formal tuxedos, but this is dependent upon the theme of your wedding. As far as the wedding party is concerned, a popular choice in fabric is velvet and a standout colour is brown. For added punch, a sash or ribbon can be tied around the waist in a complementing colour.

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How to Work the Ceremony: Step 1 Select a location that displays the beauty of autumn, such as local or national park, a late-blooming flower garden or other outdoor area.

Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5

Choose a colour palate of rich autumn colours, including tawny orange, sienna brown, copper, crimson red and forest green.

Select autumn flowers for the bride and bridesmaids bouquets. Autumn flowers suggested are as above mentioned.

Dress the bride and bridesmaids in fashionable wraps or shawls especially if you choose a late afternoon/early evening ceremony.

Arrive at the ceremony via a classic convertible car adorned with autumn flowers.

The Reception Step 1 Rent an indoor venue for an autumn wedding, or hold up tents at a field and guide your guests there.

Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7

Place bouquets of autumn flowers throughout your reception site. Add autumn coloured flowers, such as coral, white and yellow roses for more colour and texture.

Cover tables with autumn-coloured tablecloths. Layer several types of fabrics for a rich, abundant look.

Serve guests mulled wine and spiced apple cider during the cocktail hour together with autumn fruit with assorted cheeses.

Accompany the main dishes with classic sides, such as mashed potatoes and roasted root vegetables. Serve herb butter along with nutty wheat rolls to finish the main course.

Decorate the wedding cake with marzipan leaves and acorns or other autumn-themed items.

Send guests home with jars of homemade preserves and jellies decorated with personalised labels.

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Will You Go Steady With Me?

Looking at the calendar on my desk, I see that two days from now my wife, Diane, and I will celebrate our nineteenth anniversary. The date is circled and there are little red hearts filling the square. “T+D” in thick black letters and the number “19” is written over and over, outlining the date-square. Silly, I know. It’s like filling your notebook back in junior-high with the name of your girlfriend. I guess I just can’t help myself.

By T.W. Winslow

I should mention that this isn’t our wedding anniversary. It marks the date I asked Diane to “go steady” - a term, by the way, which didn’t exactly get the response I had hoped - not at first anyway. Back then, I wasn’t aware that I was so uncool and old fashioned that asking someone to “go steady,” was somehow funny. This was something which wasn’t lost on Diane, however, for when I finally mustered the courage to pose the question and nervously mumbled, “Will you go steady with me?,” she erupted with laughter. Not quite the reaction I was going for. Fortunately, after she sufficiently calmed herself (which took considerable time, I might add), she agreed.

When I think back to that night, in some ways it seems like forever, and in other ways, only yesterday. Some of the most wonderful and memorable times we’ve ever had together came in those four years prior to our getting married. We faced more challenges and obstacles in those few short years than in any other time in our relationship. Perhaps that’s why I’m so careful not to forget this anniversary, and why I decorate this date on my calendar each year like some lovesick schoolboy.

Maybe I’m just being silly, but I don’t care - that’s just me. Sometimes it’s the little things in life and love which hold the most significance and are remembered with particular fondness. So why not celebrate these as we do the more grand events of our lives? It’s amazing how focusing on the positive aspects of our lives - no matter how small, can make life just that much more special and worthwhile.

For me, remembering and celebrating our “going steady” anniversary serves as a reminder of where we came from, and what it took to get us to where we are now in our relationship and life together. Maybe it’s not as grand an occasion as our wedding day, for example, but in my book it’s just as important, and I’m determined to not let that special time be forgotten.

So I’ll keep decorating my calendar each year - drawing silly little hearts and writing “T+D.” In doing so, I’ll remember that awkward kid asking his best girl to “go steady,” and being thankful she said, “Yes.” And my wife and I will continue celebrating our “going steady” anniversary each year with the same love and excitement we felt that special night so long ago. I’m looking forward to it already. Perhaps being uncool and old fashioned isn’t so bad after all.

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Once the date is set...

Congratulations and best wishes on your upcoming wedding. You are probably busy with preparation for the most important day of your life. You want it to be a one-of-a-kind, memorable occasion for you and your guests. The following are suggested items you should have on your to-do list. You can also adjust and personalise it and add some touches of your own.

By Gillian Reynolds

“ Once you have set

www.jackimages.com

Engagement Send out engagement announcements.

Commemorate the occasion with engagement gifts to your sweetheart and maybe even with an engagement portrait.

Have you chosen your wedding rings? Do leave yourself plenty of time to choose the shop and rings. Where you purchase, may make a huge difference in price for the same ring.

Wedding Invitations Once you have set your wedding date, this is also the time to choose and order your invitations and enclosures, envelope seals, thank you notes, wedding stationery and postage. Before you choose your wedding stationery you must decide if yours will be a theme wedding. If so, order wedding stationery that will complement your theme.

You may choose to order • pre-printed invitations and wedding

stationery from one of the invitation publishers (very expensive).

• Order invitations to be printed by a local printer, (more reasonable).

• Print your own invitations with your home or office printer, (most economical).

• Check the post office for the love, wedding, flowers or other pretty stamps.

Don’t forget to make reservations for your rehearsal luncheons or dinners and the hotel accommodations for your out of town guests and for your wedding night.

The Added Touch Surprise your out of town guests with memorable welcome gifts at the hotel.

Attend to the attire and bridal accessories Make sure that the bride’s wedding gown and accessories, the groom’s attire and accessories and the attire and accessories for the mothers, fathers and wedding attendants are ordered and

your wedding date, this is also the time to choose and order your invitations and enclosures, envelope seals, thank you notes, wedding stationery and postage.”

will be ready on time. At this time you may decide if your gifts to your wedding attendants’ will include jewelry to match their wedding attire.

Attend to the ceremony needs Purchase your wedding accessories collection. There are many choices of coordinating wedding accessories collections, also called ensembles or sets. The choice is huge and varied

allowing you to select yours by theme, color, heritage etc... Some collections even offer personalised accessories to commemorate the day. The basic collection usually includes flutes, cake serving set, Guest book, pen and garter.

A more comprehensive collection will include a unity candle set and a bridal purse. Coordinating photo albums, cake tops and Unity Candle holders are usually sold separately. Whether you prefer to purchase online, in a brick and mortar store or have no preference, the Internet avails you of the largest resource of what is available, where, and price range.

Attend to the ceremony needs • Secure the marriage ceremony site, and officiant(s) and discuss your needs and theirs.

• Obtain your Marriage licence.

• Order the flowers (fresh, satin or silk) for the bride, the groom, the wedding party and the flower and ring children.

Having purchased your wedding stationery and bridal accessories, you need to assign your attendants, kids and adults, the task you expect each to fulfill as follows:

• Wedding programmes should be handed each guest upon arrival by a person you assign for the task.

www.jackimages.com

children place their wedding jewelry on the pillow too. Honour someone dear and special with being your rings bearer.

• Have you prepared to deliver special wedding vows to each other? Family vows? Vows to your children if you have any?

• Double check to be sure that the ceremony site’s flowers will be placed in much earlier before the ceremony begins.

Do not forget to prepare a speech to honour your new husband / wife.

• Make absolutely certain that each person in your wedding party knows, and is willing and able to fulfil the task assigned them.

After the Reception Needs

Transportation

• Lingerie, cologne, additional personal honeymoon preferences

You’ll need to secure the following early enough so as not to have to worry on your wedding day:

Arrange for transportation to the wedding ceremony, from the ceremony to the reception and for after the reception.

• Hotel reservations

Attend to the reception needs

• Lots of enthusiasm

• Guest sign-in book and pen should be placed in a prominent place and have a special person you appointed direct your guests to sign your book upon arrival at your wedding site.

Most of your preparations are associated with the reception. To have the wedding reception of your dreams, you’ll need to engage various wedding vendors, professionals and service providers.

• Flower girl basket should contain either small flowers or rose petals.

Have your flower girl spread petals for the bride to walk on when coming down the aisle.

You need to secure the reception site, caterers, wedding cake, florists, decorators, musicians, photographers, and videographers. If you have friends and family members who can fulfill any of these tasks, you may wish to ask them first.

• Ring Bearer Pillow is a cushion for the wedding ring to rest on during the ceremony only to be placed on the bride and groom’s fingers at the appropriate moment. If you have

them just before the wedding. Choose memento gifts for the bridal party.

Jewelry and personalised gifts become treasured keepsakes. Prepare your favours and assign someone to place the place cards, favours and centerpieces on the tables prior to the reception. Think about how to add your personal touches.

• Honeymoon package I hope that this information will assist you and make your planning easier. Don’t get panicky. Enjoy the preparation for your wedding. And keep mementos. When you have treasured keepsakes, you will look back to this day and you will smile and enjoy the memories.

Have a one-of-a-kind wedding day to remember and a happy and rewarding life together.

Unless you use fresh flowers, order or create your centerpiece for the reception way ahead so you’ll not worry about

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For Eternity

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The ring is of course a circle and this was the symbol of eternity for the Egyptians as well as many other ancient cultures. It had no beginning and no end, like time. It returned to itself, like life; and the shape was worshipped in the form of the Sun and the Moon. The hole in the centre of the ring is not just space either; it is important in its own right as the symbol of the gateway, or door; leading to things and events both known and unknown.

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It is not difficult therefore, to see how the ring and the gift of a ring began to be associated with love, in the hope that this most worthy of emotions could take on the characteristics of the circle and capture eternity.

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The Love Diamond

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Soo Kee Jewellery

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Amoris

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“ The ring is of course a circle and

this was the symbol of eternity for the Egyptians as well as many other ancient cultures” 06

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This unique, exquisite and carefully handcrafted masterpiece is created to its perfection by marrying unique whiskies, handpicked from different parts of Scotland.

The BLUE LABEL™ embodies the world of luxury and high quality spirits enjoyed by the most discerning people that love the finest things in the world.

With its elegant style and precious rarity, JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™’s honours you with the encounter and enlightenment of a blissful celebration.

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Getting your man involved

It takes a village to raise a child, but sometimes you only have your partner to lean on. So, try to get him to participate as much as possible.

By Kristin Steinmetz

I knew a couple in college, who took the idea of mutuality in a relationship very seriously.

Every morning, when the woman popped her birth control pill, the man coloured in the circle on the cardboard insert so they could both feel involved. Apart from this conscientious couple, however, it’s a fact of life that women usually take responsibility for birth control. Unless a man uses a condom, gets a vasectomy, withdraws, or creates token gestures like my college friend above, it’s generally the woman who swallows the pill, gets fitted for the diaphragm, or visits her gynecologist for an IUD. . . and deals with any physical and emotional side effects that may result.

The beauty of Natural Family Planning as a method of birth control (and pregnancy achievement) is that it holds great potential for involving men in the process. Both partners must interpret charts, communicate about fertile/infertile times, abstain (or use a barrier method) at times, and make decisions together. This constant communication and awareness of fertility cycles can increase intimacy and strengthen the relationship.

Even Natural Family Planning can become a lopsided endeavor, however, if the woman takes her temperature, keeps the charts, interprets her cycles, and makes the decisions, while the man is reduced to simply asking, “Is it safe now?” If you would like to get your man involved in the process beyond asking the “Is it safe now. . .?” question, here are some ideas.

Invite your partner to participate in the charting. I’ve heard stories of husbands popping the thermometer in their wives’ mouths, taking it out at the beep, and reading off the temperature.

I’ve also heard of men who keep the chart, filling out the information each morning down to the grittiest detail of cervical fluid and breast tenderness. I know one couple who, when trying to conceive a child, had the husband check the wife’s cervical position around the time of ovulation so they could best time intercourse. Surely this kind of male involvement brings new meaning to the idea of physical intimacy in a relationship!

Help your partner grow to understand your fertility cycles and charts. It took me some time and some research to understand my cycles. How much longer it must take a man to understand these cycles when he has no first hand experience of them. Natural Family Planning is a learning process for both members of the partnership. Go over your charts together. Explain the significance of changes in basal body temperature, cervical fluid, and cervical position.

Let him in on some of the strange particulars of your cycle. Try to get your husband to be as involved before and after the birth of your child. Not only will his involvement be a support crutch for you, he will also bond with the baby.

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“ Both partners must

interpret charts, communicate about fertile/infertile times, abstain (or use a barrier method) at times, and make decisions together.”

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“ When I first realised

How To

Make Your Husband FALL in L ve With You Again

Single women tend to think that married women have it all. We’re the ones who are lucky enough to have a husband and a stable life. The only problem with that is that relationships change over time and if you are like me, you may even reach a point where you question whether your husband is still “in love” with you. It’s stressful and frustrating being in a marriage and feeling as though your husband has lost his passion for you.

By Gillian Reynolds

When I first realised this was happening in my marriage, I tried everything I could think of to renew his feelings for me. I tried to lose weight, I cooked the dinners he liked, and I even planned weekend getaways for just the two of us, without the kids. He’d thank me for the effort, but the dynamic of the relationship wasn’t changing at all.

It reached a point where I began to fear that he was going to ask me for a divorce.

My married friends all had their own words of wisdom to offer to me to get my husband to fall back in love. I quickly felt that taking advice from women who didn’t seem all that happily married wasn’t something I needed to be doing.

I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought sooner if I wanted to get my husband to fall in love with me again - to treat me the way he did when we first met and married - I had to regain access to his heart and make myself irresistible to him again.

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I wanted my marriage to thrive and be fulfilling for both me and my husband again.

I knew that he wasn’t happy and I also knew that he wasn’t doing anything to remedy the situation.

If you love your husband and you want to make him fall in love with you again - you need to start understanding how to appeal to his personal desires, wishes, fears and passions. Once you are able to fully understand this, you’ll have him falling all over you again.

My husband and I are now happier than ever - he tells me over and over again everyday how much he loves me and more importantly he shows it.

this was happening in my marriage, I tried everything I could think of to renew his feelings for me.”

“ Weddings, of course, are intimate and personal affairs.”

www.jackimages.com

From Seating to Scheduling:

A Step-by-Step Guide

To Your Wedding If you’re planning a wedding, you already know that the beauty is in the details. It’s not uncommon for there to be a deluge of requests for information regarding the chronology of steps for both the wedding ceremony and reception. I hope that the following steps will be of help when it comes to the finer points of scheduling your wedding.

By Nily Glaser

Before we start, it is important that you note that these tips are general in nature.

Weddings, of course, are intimate and personal affairs, the actual procedure may vary according to the preference and taste of yourself and your officiant as you incorporate your religion, heritage, customs and traditions.

I have included steps for incorporating children in re-marriages and blending families.

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Ceremony Steps The ushers seat guests as they arrive for the ceremony.

The family is seated in the following order: • Groom’s grandparents, • Bride’s grandparents, • Groom’s parents • Bride’s mother

The mother of the bride is seated last, unless she accompanies her daughter to the altar. While the seating takes place, the musicians and/or band will play background music.

At the scheduled start time, unless the officiant, the groom, and the best man are in the processional, they take their places at the altar (or ceremony place).

There are a few options for the order of procession.

The most traditional order of the processional sees the ushers and bridesmaids enter pairs, followed by the maid of honour, ring bearer, and flower girl. The bride enters last, escorted by her father, or by both parents, which is a tradition in Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures, in Malaysia.

In remarriages, family vows are not only appropriate but recommended. The vows for blending family are vows from parents to children.

Another quite traditional option sees the officiant enter first, followed by the groom and the best man who will take their assigned places. Usually, the best man will face the groom and the assembled guests. The groomsmen follow and take their assigned places.

Bride, groom and children hug and kiss.

Next, the musicians start to play the processional music.

• • • •

In the bridal procession, the outside bridesmaid enters first, followed by the others. They are followed by the maid of honour. The bridesmaids will stand in their assigned places, each directly across from a groomsman. The ring bearer is next followed by the flower girl.

Both mothers light the tapers for the unity candle ceremony that will follow the bride and groom’s kiss. This may be followed by the placement of red wine, white wine and an empty decanter on the pulpit.

After everyone is in place, the candles are lit and the red wine, white wine and empty decanter are placed on the pulpit, the music will change to the Wedding March or another piece of music chosen by and significant to the bride and groom, and the bride enters with her escort(s).

In remarriages, each child is given a piece of jewelry and is pronounced to be the member of a new family.

Toasts should begin at the end of the meal.

The first toast is the best man’s toast to the bride.

In re-marriages, the bride and groom introduce their children before the first toast.

This is followed by other toasts.

The officiant then introduces the bride and groom as husband, wife and children as a new family.

Exit procession:

In Western cultures, the garter and bouquet tosses occur just before the couple is ready to leave for the honeymoon.

Bride and groom Flower girl Ring bearer The bridesmaids and groomsmen in pairs Bride’s parents Groom’s parents Bride’s grandparents Groom’s grandparents

In Chinese cultures, the bride and groom will make their rounds to cheers with their guests.

Photographs are taken while guests head to the reception.

After the honeymoon, do not forget to write thank-you notes to everyone that made your special day a reality. I hope that this helps you with planning your wedding and making it an occasion to remember!

• • • •

Reception Steps

The guests send the couple off for their honeymoon with a shower of rice, rose petals, or bubbles, balloons, and occasionally the release of butterflies or doves.

The reception starts with a receiving line that includes the bride and groom, parents and attendants.

At the same time, it is appropriate for waiters to circulate with drinks and hors d’oeuvres while the receiving line is in progress.

Background music is played.

The officiant announces the purpose of the gathering, welcomes the guests and introduces the bride and groom.

In a religious Malay wedding, the officiant leads with a brief opening prayer.Special readings, songs or music follow, along with the officiant’s message.

Next comes the vows from both the bride and groom.

The bride and groom can open the dancing either before or after food is served.

If you are planning a dinner and dancing reception, the bride and groom’s first dance occurs after dinner followed by the bride dancing with her father and the groom with his mother after which other guests are allowed out on the floor.

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Flowers and Brides

By Jess M.Y. Ong

Men often wonder what the fascination with flowers is during weddings. Why do the blooms have to be a certain colou r? Why must there be a singular type of flowers for the reception and another for the ceremony? Why not chrysanthemums for a Chinese wedding? Well, we are here to settle the score once and for all.

Brides started carrying flowers centuries ago. The ancient Greeks are credited with the first recorded use of wedding flowers. The bride’s bouquet originally was made of herbs, especially lavender or sage, because the scent was thought to ward off evil spirits.

In Medieval times, a knight usually wore a Lady’s colours to declare his love for her; many flowers have been used in different countries to symbolize various meanings.

In Victorian England, flowers in bridal bouquets were chosen with reference to the Victorian language of flowers. Another common English tradition was for a flower girl to precede the bride on the pathway to the church, scattering flower blossoms; this was said to bless the bride with a lifetime of happiness and flowers.

Today, flowers are a very important part of the ceremony and the reception. They are used to decorate the cake and buffet tables, the entrance way, aisles, and pews.

Ivy can be wound around railings, potted plants can be placed in front of windows and hanging plants can decorate the entrance ways. For an Autumn theme, you can try incorporating holly and other woody seasonal flowers and plants.

The most important flower arrangement in a wedding is the bride’s bouquet. The bouquet should be in proportion to the bride’s statue. If the bride is petite, the bouquet should be on the smaller size.

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There are many different variations of bouquets to choose from and the bride should choose one that is most suited to her taste and the formality of the wedding. The rest of the wedding attendants also need flowers. The mothers of the bride and groom should be given corsages to match their dresses. All the bridesmaids should receive small bouquets. Sometimes the Maid of Honor has a slightly different bouquet to make her stand out from the other bridesmaids. Give the florist a sample of the bridesmaids’ dresses so they can coordinate the colors with the flowers.

The flower girl should get a small bouquet of flowers and/or a basket of flowers or petals to distribute down the aisle. Very often the flower girl (and maybe the bride and bridesmaids) has flowers in her hair. All bouquets should be wired and wrapped to avoid leaks. The groom, his ushers, best man, and fathers of the bride and groom are given boutonnieres, which usually consist of a carnation or a rose.

The most important flower arrangement in a wedding is the bride’s bouquet.

The bouquet should be in proportion to the bride’s stature.

For those who may not know what does flowers mean and symbolizes, here’s a guided list for you:

Baby’s Breath

Meaning : Innocence Best For : Filler in bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres Scent : None

Calla Lily

Meaning : Magnificent beauty Best For : Bouquets and arrangements Scent : Lightly fragrant

Carnation

Meaning : Pink represents boldness, red symbolizes love, and white indicates talent.

Best For : Bouquets, boutonnieres, and arrangements Scent : Very light fragrance or none at all, depending on variety

Chrysanthemum

Meaning : Wealth, abundance, truth but considered bad luck for a Chinese wedding Best For : Bouquets and arrangements Scent : None

Freesia

Meaning : Innocence Best For : Bouquets Scent : Very fragrant

Gardenia

Meaning : Purity, joy Best For : Bouquets and boutonnieres Scent : Very fragrant

Lily

Orchid

Meaning : Love, beauty Best For : Bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres Scent : Varies

Rose

Meaning : Love, joy, beauty Best For : Bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, and arrangements Scent : Lightly fragrant to very fragrant, depending on variety

Tulip

Meaning : Love, passion Best For : Arrangements and bouquets Scent : None

Meaning : Majesty, truth, honor Best For : Bouquets and arrangements Scent : Fragrant

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A Man

In LOVE

The closest thing to a celebrity model, Steve Yap is also an actor and owner of two CD shops in the Klang Valley. A relatively late-bloomer, he started modelling in his mid-20s, making his name when he emerged first runner-up in the Mr Hong Kong/ATV Finals in 1999.

Today, Steve is happily married to a wonderful woman and is content to spend his time with his beloved and family. He shares his thoughts with Marry Me! in an Q&A. Q: Tell us a little about your occupation and career.

A: Currently, I’m a full-time actor and do a bit of my own business.

Q: Are you single or married?

A: I am married to my beautiful wife and am very much in love with her.

Q: Do you think that your job as being in the public eye affects your relationship with your wife?

A: It doesn’t affect me personally but it does affect my wife, since she plays a major role in my life. Thank goodness I have a very understanding and loving wife.

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“ We have delicate egos and like

to take care of our women and loved ones instead”

Q: How would you describe your ideal woman?

A: She must be intelligent and independent. I would dare say a strong woman as well but she must also be wise enough to know when is the right time and place to display her strengths as you know how men are like. We have delicate egos and like to take care of our woman and loved ones instead.

Q: Do you believe in love at first sight? If you don’t, then do explain your definition of love.

A: I don’t believe in love at first sight. Maybe lust, just joking. The only true love I believe in is when sexual relations are not involved but the bond between two people is shared on a much deeper and bigger level. For example, an old married couple who has endured years together and still hold hands when they’re out. To me, that’s real, true love.

Q: If money was no option, how would your dream wedding be?

A: I would love to get married in the mountains of the Himalayas. Have to ask my wife first though if she wants to hold our second wedding.

Q: What was the most romantic thing a girl has ever done for you? And you’ve done for a girl?

A: I wrote her a romantic love poem. As for the most romantic thing a girl’s ever done for me, I’m still waiting! (I hope my wife reads this) Q: You played a bisexual in Sam and Jet. What is your opinion on same-sex marriage?

A: As long as two individuals truly love each other, I don’t see anything wrong with it.

Q: What are the top 3 most important values your partner should have?

A: She must be independent, understanding of my needs, my career and I’ll do the same for her and of course, she has to love and respect herself.

Q: When was the last time someone told you she loved you?

A: Recently.

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Miss Tourism 2008, Candy Tham shares her dreams and aspirations with Marry Me! The appointment was set on an unfortunate, rainy Sunday evening and I couldn’t be more upset, as I was worried about traffic jams, delays or worse, cancellation.

According to data on the Internet about Candy, she’s pleasant and pretty. When she showed up, she was indeed, and shy as well. She ordered a cup of cappuccino and looked up at me with her big brown eyes and signalling that she’s ready for the Q&A.

A Sweet Evening with Candy Tham Q: Let’s get straight to the juicy stuff.

What is your ideal man like?

A: (giggles nervously and pauses to think) I think chemistry is most important – I have to feel comfortable around him.

With that said, I also admire ambitious men who have aims and goals in life.

I want someone whom I can trust to take care of me. He has to be bold, brazen and kind. Oh, I also prefer him to be taller than me! (Cindy’s 5’8)

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Q: Would you mind sharing your first love experience with us?

A: I was very young when I met him back in TAR College and he was my classmate. He’s just a regular guy and we used to hang out with the same clique. I have to admit that because I was inexperienced with the opposite sex at that time, I did choose to date him because he was cute. I’ve learned to look deeper than just physical attributes now.

Q: W hat would you not tolerate in a relationship?

A: ( looking thoughtful) Definitely, infidelity. I cannot accept someone I love cheating on me. Bad manners and disrespectfulness, especially to my family or myself are grounds for breaking up as well. I am very close to my family.

Q: H ow is your family like and would you like a big family?

A: I have two siblings and we’re tight as thieves. For myself, I would prefer to have maybe two or three children, not too many as I’m afraid I can’t handle.

Q: What are your views on living together before marriage?

A: Cohabiting is acceptable, if it’s not against your religion or your parents’ wishes. Personally, I feel that if the relationship has reached the engaged stages, you should live together to discover more about each other’s habits and lifestyle. Divorce happens these days because of incompatibility and irreconcilable differences so we really should spend more time getting to know ourselves and the person we’re planning to marry and not just the idea of marriage.

Q: What should your man do to sweep you off your feet?

A: He can impress me by the way he treats his family and mine. If a man makes the effort to be generous and has filial piety, you can tell that he will do the same for my family too.

Basically, family comes first.

Q: Would you uproot and relocate for the person you love?

A: I’m a romantic at heart so yes, I would move to other countries to be close to my love. Even if we’re not married yet and just on a long-term relationship, I would still do the same for him.

Q: I f money were no option, how would you describe your dream wedding?

A: W ow! If I can do anything, I would capture the romantic moment of our marriage in Japan! I think the landscape of Japan is beautiful and serene and to have the wedding photographs be taken there would be perfect. I do want to be married on a cruise ship, by the poolside. All my guests have to wear white while I’ll be in a soft, sweet pink gown and the decorations should be themed lavender purple and white. But, I’m not too concerned about the reception as I am of life after the ceremony. If I had a choice between a lavish wedding or a beautiful home, I would rather choose the latter.

Q: W hat is more important, to love or to be loved?

A: A s a typical girly kind of girl, I would choose to be loved. I like the security of being taken care of and protected.

Q: W hen was the last time someone told you “I love you”?

A: ( smiles and looks downwards) Today.

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de Casamia Bridal Gallery Sdn. Bhd.

(646774-W)

No.8, Jalan SS2/75, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Tel: 03-7877 8871 Fax: 03-7877 1871 Website: www.de-casamia.com Email: info@de-casamia.com

de Casamia Bridal Gallery Sdn. Bhd.

(646774-W)

No.8, Jalan SS2/75, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Tel: 03-7877 8871 Fax: 03-7877 1871 Website: www.de-casamia.com Email: info@de-casamia.com

Can children spoil your party?

Kids attending a wedding can create havoc. Here are some ways to handle the situation

www.jackimages.com

By Jess M.Y. Ong

Children are indeed a blessing and to have them around during a marriage is definitely symbolic of fertility and abundance. But that does not mean they are good for weddings! When all the arrangements have been sorted out: location, flowers, cars, honeymoon booked and wedding guests are all accounted for, do not forget that one crucial element that could shape the outcome of your dream wedding – children!

In some cultures, Asian in particular, it is considered extremely rude to not invite

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children if you have included the entire family. However, in this modern age, some parents don’t feel like socialising at a wedding with their babies crying on the shoulder or toddlers running amok.

Let’s face it. To children, weddings can be absolutely boring! They have to dress up in nice, uncomfortable clothes and be placed on unfamiliar grounds. Further more wedding dinners go on till late and they’re usually tired before the first dish has been served, unless they meet other children and then high spirits can take over. As we’ve all witnessed it at some

point of our lives, children function like a pack of wolves – safety in numbers.

Despite all the reams of advice produced annually about wedding arrangements, you’ll find little or nothing about how to deal with kids. Some wedding ceremonies do cite that they would prefer no children to be around. Christine Lee said, “My wedding was a small affair of 50 adults and I certainly wanted peace and quiet.”

“ In some cultures, Asian in particular, it is considered extremely rude to not invite children if you have included the entire family”

“Before we were married”, she explained, “Tom and I went to a wedding where the top table was completely demolished, cake and all, by children careering around and pulling at the tablecloth. I decided then and there that there would be no children at our wedding.”

Of course, you may have to step on a few toes if you impose a ban on kids.

* Sit near the back so that you can leave with a minimum of fuss.

I know of one case where a ‘no children’ rule caused bad feelings. However, the bride found that only one couple were offended by her ‘no children’ rule.

* Take small, quiet toys or books into the church for a child to play with.

Joan Lee was also upset by the antics of children at a wedding she attended recently.

The strange thing was that the couple in question had two children who were particularly troublesome. They objected in no uncertain terms to the ‘no kids’ rule – and didn’t attend. However, the general feeling was that the wedding went off better without them!

“Even during the speeches, they ran up and down the hall around the tables, squealing and shrieking. Occasionally a guest – not a parent – tried to stop them.

They thought that was part of the game – and got worse. None of their parents made a move to stop them. Nobody could hear a word.”

“The trouble is,” she goes on, “you cannot guarantee parents will be responsible and keep control of their children.”

Certainly, inviting children can cause problems. After all, a church service is not exactly designed as children’s entertainment (even some adults find it sleep inducing).

The events of the day hardly fit in with their routine (the very opposite of conditions at home); their demands for attention are ignored because people are too busy with the arrangements – or meeting people they haven’t seen in years.

You must remember that this is your day.

True friends will go along with whatever you choose to make the day a happy one.

They will be more understanding, however, if you ring up to explain your decision, rather than merely adding a bold statement to the invitation.

As a parent at a wedding, the responsibility has to be on you to make sure that your child’s behaviour does not cause worry and distress to anyone at the wedding.

* Little packets of raisins can be eaten without making a mess and will fill another 10 minutes. * Find out where the toilet is before the service starts. * If your child is a fussy eater, then take along a sandwich for him to have at the reception. * Find a quiet spot so that he can have his usual afternoon nap. * You can’t expect young children to sit and listen to speeches so take turns to go walkabout. * Don’t stay longer than necessary if your child becomes tired and restless. * Even better, if you have a nanny or a maid, take her along with you so she can keep your child preoccupied and under a watchful eye.

So, here are some guidelines, which might be useful to keep in mind: * Decide beforehand, who will be the one to take a fretful son or daughter out of the church.

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A Marriage of Two Worlds Jo Lene is a pleasant, Malaysian girl who has studied in America and returned to Malaysia to work for a few years before finding her home in Auckland, New Zealand. Andreas is a German lad who travelled the world and decided to make Auckland, his grounds.

This is the story of their love.

Q: Tell us a little bit about how you both met?

A: We were both staying in a flat with four others. I moved into a flat in Auckland a few months after arriving to be closer to the city, and that’s where we met.

Incidentally, our rooms were right next to each other, so you could say we’ve been living together since the first day we met.

Q: How was the proposal?

A: The proposal was bittersweet. I proposed to Andreas on the day he was to go in for a major surgery for cancer.

I wrote my feelings out in a letter, told him how much he meant to me and how I wanted to live the rest of my life with him no matter what happened in the future. I wanted him to have something to hold on to, to know that my love for him would not change no matter how the surgery went, and I asked him to marry me. I gave him the letter before

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I left the hospital that night, so he had something to read when I was gone. He called me up not ten minutes later, when I was on the way home, and said ‘Yes!’ We were both laughing and crying at the same time. The next time we saw each other, was two days later, after he’d finally woken up from the surgery.

Q: Where was the wedding held and how was it like?

A: The wedding was held on Waiheke Island, about forty minutes away from Auckland city. We chose Waiheke because we both fell in love with a little venue there, called The Estate, when we visited the island after he had recovered from his surgery. We decided to have a Kiwi-themed wedding. Because he’s German, and I’m Malaysian, but Auckland is where we met and where we’ve made our home, we decided to give our guests (who were mainly family from overseas) a little Kiwi flavour by

having olive green, sage and ivory as our theme colours, serving lamb and fish for our mains, choosing a local wine from the island itself, and beer from New Zealand. We had the ceremony and reception in the same place, where we also stayed for the weekend, which made it into a wonderful weekend celebration. The next morning after the wedding, we all met up again at the venue for a lovely barbeque breakfast, with a view of Auckland city in the distant. It was one of the most beautiful, memorable events of our lives.

Q: Who made the major decisions on the wedding celebrations?

A: I did most of the research but we made all the decisions together. We met with the caterers, talked to the venue owner, made decisions on the cake and decor as a couple. The only thing I decided for myself was the wedding dress!

“ It is both exciting and challenging living with someone who was brought up so differently from you.”

Her story: Q: What was it about your husband that made you fall in love with him?

A: H is boyish-ness, and his infectious enthusiasm for life. He makes me see things I may not see on my own, pushes me to do things I’m afraid of or would never think of, helps me to take life less seriously, and constantly surprises me in unexpected ways. He is my exact opposite, but he also completes me.

When he holds me in his arms, there’s no where in the world I would rather be.

Q: Any tips on making everyday a little bit more special?

A: Make time for dates, the way you would when you were first getting to know each other, no matter how long you’ve been married. Have a date night once a week, where you take turns planning something special like a dinner out, a picnic, a long walk by the beach, a glass of wine in a new bar. It is easy to take each other for granted and fall into a routine, but making the effort to do something different or special each week, can go a long way into injecting the passion back into your lives, and reminding each other that romance may take some effort, but it’s worth it.

Q: Being of a different race and background, how do you adjust to his lifestyle and culture?

A: It is both exciting and challenging living with someone who was brought up so differently from you. I’m a city girl and he grew up predominantly in the countryside. Between the both of us, we also speak five different languages!

But this is also where we learn to compromise, and I feel despite some of the struggles when our cultures clash, more important is that our lives are greatly enriched by the merging of cultures. We live in an ‘international’ household, and Auckland acts as a neutral background to our Malaysian/ German upbringing, which can be fun, frustrating, exciting, and rewarding all at the same time.

His story:

Q: Where would be the ideal place/country, in your opinion, to raise children?

A: New Zealand is pretty ideal for raising children. It is a peaceful, beautiful country, with plenty of parks, playgrounds, and child-friendly activities which you can do with your children instead of plopping them down in front of the TV all the time.

Q: How has it been like, adjusting to the Malaysian’s culture?

A: Well, I love the food! We eat something Malaysian nearly every week, either at home or at one of the local restaurants.

But apart from them, Jo Lene probably wouldn’t be considered a traditional Malaysian, having lived so many years overseas. And as we both live in NZ, we

Q: What attracted you to your wife?

A: In the beginning, it was her way of life.

She looks for only the best in life and tries to enjoy it as much as she can, and she doesn’t settle for anything less.

Her smile and her happy attitude. Her caring about things. Later on, when I had cancer, she gave me support and strength, made me smile and hold my hand when I was afraid, and was there for me every second of the way when I was in the hospital. It showed me what kind of person she is, something that might otherwise have taken me years to find out; and today, I’m more than grateful to know a person like her and to share every second of my life with her.

adjust more to the Kiwi way of life, than to each other’s specific cultures. I have experienced Chinese New Year with her relatives here in Auckland, and I really like it!

Q: What values do you think is the most important when it comes to starting a family?

A: I think respect is very important. You have to respect each other and recognise each other as individuals before you can live your life together. You have to respect each other’s wishes, needs and dreams and be able to compromise.

Q: Tell me something about your wife that still makes your heart stop till this day?

A: I love seeing her getting excited by simple pleasures, like a bottle of wine.

She reminds me of a child who gets a piece of his favourite chocolate, and although she won’t admit it, and tells me constantly that she’s the mature and responsible one, I love that she still has that little child in her.

Jo Lene and her husband Andreas, live in Auckland, where he works as a Design Engineer and she as a Writer.

You can visit her personal blog at www.alifeuncorked.com for daily reads on their lives in New Zealand.

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Hatching A Memorable Hen Night

As if the hundreds of choices associated with the wedding weren’t bad enough, then comes the problem of planning the hen night. How hard can it be? So you start looking around and realise how

By Jess M.Y. Ong many more decisions you’re going to have to make.

Worse still is the major decision: will you organise it or leave it to your maid of honour or group of friends? Both have their advantages. If you organise it, you will get exactly what you want but you also get all the associated stress. With someone else organising it you have no direct stress except for the stress of the unknown!

So, if you’re anything like me, you end up planning your own. Here are a few of your options: 1) If you have the cash to spare, a weekend city break in Europe gives you alternative culture, great food and absolutely minimal chances of running into anyone you know whilst doing something embarrassing!

However, it can be expensive and occasionally the language barrier can put the odd hen party into tricky situations. Popular destinations include Greece, Prague, Spain, Italy and France.

2) A weekend break in a city in South East Asia, perhaps, allows you to do whatever tickles your fancy – spa treatments, clubbing, shopping or even an adventure weekend (for the more adventurous bride to be!) in reasonably familiar surroundings.

It has been a popular practice in these past few years for holding hen night/ parties at holistic treatment centres, like the popular The Bodhi, Holistic Medical Center in Bangkok. To fly from Malaysia to Bangkok is so cheap thanks to budget airlines like AirAsia, so it is very feasible for a bunch of girls to go get slimming treatments, vitamin C infusion or maybe even botox before the big day!

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The problem with planning for a weekend can be coordinating a convenient time for everyone and of course, summoning the money from everyone in good time to book! So it may be that just an evening would be better. Your choices with that are also endless: 1) A meal with friends. It’s nice, it’s civilised and you can more or less guarantee a good time... it doesn’t exactly scream last hurrah does it!

2) A night on the town with good friends can provide loads of fun.

However, the downsides are that it isn’t something you’ve never done before, particularly if it’s somewhere local to you (which also means any ‘final transgressions’ are unlikely to go unnoticed) 3) Bowling...fun but only when combined with other activities, definitely NOT an entire hen night.

4) A day at a theme park. Ok, it’s childish but hey, it’s your day and there is no denying the fun! A day of rides and junk food is great for large groups.

5) A day of shopping followed by a few cocktails will always go down well, so maybe heading to the nearest large city for a wide variety of shops and bars could be the answer.

5) Spa days! And there is no rule claiming it has to be total detox so one or two glasses of wine are allowed as you get massaged, groomed and pampered to perfection!

Unfortunately the decisions don’t stop there because there will always be the question of theme. From here comes a big choice, tacky or classy?

Tacky themes include army theme, emergency services, Barbie, devils and angels, 60’s/ 70’s, doctors and nurses, beach party, school girls and throw in a hotel room and some male strippers (hmm?) and the list goes on and on.

There is nothing wrong with taking the tacky route; it provides fun preparing and getting ready. It also makes your fellow hens instantly recognizable over a crowded bar!

Classy themes include, black and white (or any colour combo of your choice), dresses to impress (ball gowns and cocktail dresses), 1920’s glam, masked ball or even (if done right!) a toga theme! These give less of a chance to be massively creative but they do also mean less embarrassment at the photos the next day.

So, you have a thousand choices, each all easy to combine with a thousand others.

How do you decide? Well, one way to keep everyone happy is have an evening where everyone gets together and makes suggestions. Obviously bride has final veto, that’s a given, but it allows a free flow of ideas that people may not have come up with alone.

Also, by getting everyone to bring their diary, you can choose a time convenient for everybody. Problem solved! And a few bottles of wine should really help to get those creative juices flowing.

On the cutting edge with Dominique Chan

Dominique Chan has carved a name for himself in the fashion world, especially in bridal gowns, evening gowns and concept styling.

The founder of Pret-A-Porter designer’s workstation, he has worked with Amber Chia, Xandria Ooi, Tengku Azura, Serena C of Mix FM, Wan Wai Fun of My FM, Joey G of Channel V, Taiwanese artiste Huang Jia Qian, Hong Kong artiste Zhang Shang Yue and other celebrities.

Dominique reveals his thoughts in an Q & A with Marry Me!

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I am a Johorean but have been living

in KL for more than 10 years. And I am single.

Q: When did you realise you wanted to be a bridal designer?

A: W hen I was young, I looked at my

mother’s wedding picture and I was amazed how beautiful a lady is during her wedding. That inspired me to be a bridal designer one day. And one more reason, I like white colour, it is so clean and fresh. And bridal couture is the best thing to represent this virgin colour!

Q: How long have you worked as a designer?

A: I began my career as a fashion

designer, and decided to be a bridal designer in 1997. Two years later, I started my bridal shop, “Pret-A-Porter” with my friends. That was during the economic downturn, but we were young and energetic. We believe we would be able to get through it. And we did!

Q: Tell us more about “Pret-a-Porter”.

A: W e set it up in 1999 and our designers

have had formal training overseas and years of apprenticeship in the bridal industry. We have acquired the necessary technical skill yet retaining our individual creative touch. Our design philosophy is based on one important criterion - “Grand Simplicity”.

The emphasis is on creating breathtaking looks that are uniquely yours. We provide bridal couture, evening gowns, cheong-sum, party and cocktail dresses and show costumes.

Q: What do you think about Malaysia’s wedding/bridal industry?

A: T he living standards of the people

have improved a lot compared to the 90’s. They could afford to buy their own bridal dresses and some people are actually doing that now. Seventy per cent of the ladies would like to have their very own bridal dresses. The bridal industry in Selangor, KL, Penang and Johor is much developed. I believe everyone in this industry is putting an effort to make thing better.

Q: Who are the local models that you like to work with?

A: T here are many talented models

and artistes in Malaysia, and I enjoy working with most of them. They include Gwen Loo, Tunku Azura and Ambia Chia, to name a few.

Q: Who are your favourite designers?

A: K arl Lagerfeld (Chanel chief designer), Alexander McQueen and Vera Wang

Q: Who has a big influence on your design style?

A: N one really. All designers have their

own styles, regardless they are new or established. Personal style and character are very important for a fashion designer. It doesn’t have to be very strong, but the basic element has to be seen in your art and design.

Q: What do you think is the important quality be a bridal designer?

A: I would say hardwork, talent and character

Q: How would you define success?

A: P ersonally I think as a fashion or bridal designer, you need to have a sensitive mind. He or she should like colour,

clothing and fashion. And attitude is very important for a designer too. I treat my clients as my friends, try to listen and understand them. Generally, talent plus hard work lead to success.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests?

A: M usic and watching movies are my hobbies. And I like to hang out with friends for karaoke and beer. I enjoy cooking too.

Q: What do you think of marriage?

A: I nevitably, there will be some quarrels

in a relationship. Even if you find your soulmate, you will be faced with challenges and disagreements at times.

But we must try to be understanding.

And most importantly, when we have met our life partner, we should learn to keep loving.

Q: S ince you are single, do you mind telling us what are the things you consider when it comes to a relationship?

A: A s time goes by and we age, we

tend to see things differently and our priorities change too. Hence I do not set specific criteria. I don’t like hypocrites.

I love a girl who is optimistic and cheerful, caring and sharing. And I hope she likes being with my friends and family too. Above all, I hope we could encourage each other as we walk along the life path.

Q: D oes she have to be someone from the same line of work?

A: S he must not be out of fashion…

otherwise we have no common interest. Sharing the same interest and views is important to build a loving, healthy and committed relationship.

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Pret-A-PORTER

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PRET-A-PORTER 277a, 1st floor, Jalan Perkasa 1, Taman Maluri, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel/Fax: 603-9200 9899 H/P: 012-290 5319 Website: www.pretaporter1999.com Services by appointment only.

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Pret A PORTER

Pret A Porter Trading 277a, 1st floor, Jalan Perkasa 1, Taman Maluri, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel/Fax: 603-9200 9899 Email: dominiquechan@pretaporter1999.com

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Autumn Gowns by Dominique Chan Theme

: Pure Europe

Bridal Designer : Dominique Chan (www.pretaporter1999.com) Photographer

: Tan Chee Yong (www.dawnswedding.com.my)

Wardrobe Asst. : David Tey All Outfits From : PRET-A-PORTER (03-9200 9899) Model

: Kashia & Karl

Makeup

: Stephenie Choo

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Grooms are always secondary when compared to brides but they are equally important as well! Without them, there’ll be no wedding! Here are some tips from a guy’s point of view.

The big day: It’s the day that every girl dreams of... the white dress and the bride that looks like a princess.. everyone is happy and everything goes on as planned for.. we want it special and we want it perfect.. we plan for everything and we try too hard to make it flawless. However, there are some tiny small things that we may not pay attention to, and that may ruin the biggest day of our life.

Below are 10 things that you must NOT do on your wedding day: 1. Don't do waxing on your wedding day!

Waxing usually leaves your skin red and irritated for a couple of days. If you wish to do waxing, it will better to do it a couple of days before your wedding.

2. Don't drink too many liquids on your wedding day. This might sound like a silly advice but imagine going to the rest room with your long heavy white wedding dress! And please, don't get drunk. No new husband will be proud to hold his wife’s head over the toilet bowl on their wedding night.

3. The centre of attention of each wedding party is definitely the bride... and more specifically her wedding dress. However, do not pick a dress only because it looks good on you.

Make sure the dress you pick actually works for you. Do not pick a dress that does not fit even if it looks gorgeous.

If your dress is strapless, make sure you got the right fitting; otherwise you will spend your whole wedding party hiking up your dress! It will appear on your video and will be criticised by everyone. Do not pick a dress that is too heavy, especially if you are a little woman. Remember that you will be wearing that dress for the whole night.

If you don't feel comfortable with a dress, don't get it, even if it is the latest design.

4. Never underestimate what a comfortable pair of shoes can do for you on your wedding night. Don't pick a pair of shoes only because it looks elegant and matches your dress. If you

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plan to dance and enjoy your night, make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes.

5. When picking your bridal flower bouquet, do not pick flowers that cause allergy. Go for allergy-free and pollenfree flowers. This way you will not only avoid sneezing, but will also avoid ending up with a pollen stain on your white dress. Check beforehand if you are allergic to anything as you would not want to break out in hives on your special day.

6. Do not let your hair and make up artist surprise you on your wedding day. No matter how much you trust your make up and hair stylist, do not let him decide how you will look on your wedding party. Inform your make up stylist how you want your hair style to be, and notify him about your preferable make up colours and shades. If possible, go for a free trial before your wedding day. The last thing you want on your wedding day is to show with hair style or make up that you hate.

7. Do not fake a smile for the camera. All brides try to show themselves smiling in their pictures, and some worry that the camera may catch them not smiling on the big day! But faking a smile is not a solution. It will make you look phony and deprives you from your shine. Act spontaneously and you will be at your best.

8. Never invite someone that you do not like to your wedding. This is supposed to be your one special day where you

Here Comes The Bride are surrounded by those you love. There is nothing worse than looking around in your wedding day to see a face that you hate among the crowd. Invite someone you hate to your wedding party, and you will be giving him a life chance to ruin it! Knowing how important this might be for you, he may do anything to make it less perfect; stealing attention, getting drunk and making a scene or even criticising you in front of your guests! It’s simple: If you don't like someone, don't invite him!

9. Don't invite your ex to your wedding!

You will feel uncomfortable knowing he is watching every single move you make. If you feel you need to invite your ex because maybe you are close friends now, make sure that you do not invite him alone. Let's make a deal here, you don't invite yours, and I won't invite mine.

10. Finally, even if I made you angry on the day, let's not fight. Everybody will remember our wedding day as the day we had the biggest argument of our lives. Curiosity will lead nosy relatives and friends to ask and to gossip. If you disagree on something, or if something wrong comes up, act as adults. Discuss it calmly or wait till the party is over.

Thank you for listening.

Sincerely, The Groom

Lasposa Bridal Gallery Sdn. Bhd. (735638-A) Tel: 03-7877 1782

No.6, Jalan SS2/75, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Fax: 03-7877 9782 Website: www.lasposa.com.my Email: info@lasposa.com.my

Lasposa Bridal Gallery Sdn. Bhd. (735638-A) Tel: 03-7877 1782

No.6, Jalan SS2/75, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Fax: 03-7877 9782 Website: www.lasposa.com.my Email: info@lasposa.com.my

Ditch Smoking Before You Get Hitched A bride may not look healthy and pretty due to her smoking. Here are some tips on how to quit beforehand

By Jess M.Y. Ong

“ Teeth getting yellow? Fags are the worst accessory to put with any outfit”. “ Getting extreme bad breath? Fags are the best ageing treatment money can buy” Did you know, smoking actually prematurely ages skin by between 10 and 20 years and increases the likelihood of facial wrinkling by 3 times, particularly around the eyes and mouth? Smoking also gives a sallow yellow/grey complexion and hollow cheeks, which can cause smokers to look gaunt, causing gum-disease, halitosis bad breath and tooth loss. Every puff of nicotine makes you store fat around the waist and increases the risk of cellulite and destroys your reproductive system by the minute.

Second hand smoke is also likely to have an ageing effect albeit at a reduced rate.

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The damaging effects of cigarette smoke on skin are irreversible but it is likely that further deterioration will be avoided by stopping smoking. A South Korean study of smokers, non-smokers and ex-smokers aged 20 to 69 found that: Current smokers had a higher degree of facial wrinkling than non-smokers and exsmokers Ex-smokers who smoked heavily at a younger age revealed less facial wrinkling than current smokers.

Skin-ageing effects of smoking explained: • Tobacco smoke released into the environment has a drying effect on the skin’s surface. Smoking restricts blood vessels, which reduces the amount of blood flowing to the skin,

thus depleting the skin of oxygen and essential nutrients.

• Some research suggests that smoking may reduce the body’s store of Vitamin A, which provides protection against some skin-damaging agents produced by smoking.

Another likely explanation is that squinting in response to the irritating nature of the smoke, and the puckering of the mouth when drawing on a cigarette, cause wrinkling around the eyes and mouth.

Recent research has shown that the skin ageing effects of smoking may be due to increased production of an enzyme that breaks down collagen in the skin. Collagen is the main structural protein of the skin which maintains skin elasticity.

Smoking reduces sexual attractiveness.

Nearly half of young men associate smoking with wrinkles, bad skin, and less enjoyable kissing – who wants to kiss an ashtray anyway? Over two-thirds of young men and women, and over half of smokers, say smoking reduces sexual attractiveness.

Three-quarters said smoking became more unattractive to the opposite sex during 2004 – and predicted the decline will continue in 2005.

Nearly half of smokers said they’d quit to improve their sex appeal. “There is nothing worse than a girl that stinks of cigarette smoke. You can meet the prettiest girl, but if she smells of a stale ashtray she becomes the ugliest girl”said, Ben, an art director.

How you can makeover your life:

Top 10 Self-Help Tips for Giving Up

How Some People Stop Smoking

1. Make plans for coping with stressful situations

Cold turkey – the phrase “going cold turkey” means immediately stopping smoking. In other words, if you smoked a pack of cigarettes today, you are going “cold turkey” if, from tomorrow, you smoke none at all.

2. Pick a quit date that will be stress-free and keep to it 3. Think positively – YOU can do it!

Concentrate on the benefits 4. Take it one day at a time. Congratulate yourself each day 5. Ask a friend to stop too and give each other support 6. Use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) or Nicotine patches to help you manage the cravings 7. At first, avoid events where you may be tempted to smoke 8. Keep busy and get a bit more active

The ideal thing would be to try to stop smoking.

9. Count the money you save – spend it on yourself!

Giving Up For Life – Tips and Advice for Giving Up Smoking

10. Don’t try ‘just one’ cigarette – it always makes you start again

People who successfully stop smoking: Really want to stop

The Cycle of Stopping

Understand why they smoked in the past

Stage 1 - Thinking about stopping

Put time and effort into planning the attempt

Stage 2 - Preparing to stop – this is an important stage because, if you prepare well, you are much more likely to succeed

Know what to expect when they stop smoking Have support and encouragement Take each day one by one Plan ahead to avoid “tempting” situations See themselves as non-smokers Stopping smoking is the greatest single step a person can take to improve their health. Once the daily intake of nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar and other poisons stops, the body can begin to repair the damage done by smoking.

Cutting down – this means reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke over a period of time. Doing this over a long time can make the experience more difficult and this is not a recommended method. If you decide you want to try “cutting down”, make it work by setting a definite quit date, after which you do not light up again.

Other treatments – hypnosis, acupuncture and complementary therapies can and do help some people, but as yet there is no formal evidence that they are effective.

Stage 3 - Stopping – the quit date, when you exchange old habits for new ones Stage 4 - Staying stopped – when you change your attitudes to smoking and your lifestyle Stage 5 - Relapsing – this happens if you were not ready to stop or found the dayto-day reality different from what you’d expected. You haven’t failed, so don’t feel guilty. Each attempt gives you a valuable insight into stopping continued on pg 82

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Quit smoking before your wedding Planning For Your Quit Date On the day you stop smoking, get ready to make changes in both the way you think and act. For example: • To remove temptations, I will: Choose a stress-free quit date, not buy or carry cigarettes. Put away reminders like ashtrays, matches, lighters etc. Avoid alcohol until I’m sure it won’t weaken my resolve.

• To get support for myself, I will: Talk to a friend/relative about why stopping is important to me. Talk to an ex-smoker.

Find out how they stopped. If they can, I can too! Team up with someone else for mutual support.

• To change my thoughts about smoking, I will: Remember that “just one” cigarette will undo all my hard work.

Remind myself why I want to stop and the benefits to me. Remember that I am the one in control. Take each day as it comes.

• To cope with urges to smoke, I will: Remember that cravings pass quickly.

Stop and take some long, slow, deep breaths. Drink a glass of water very slowly. Read through my ideas of ways to cope.

• During the first week, I will: Try taking a different way to work, college or the shops. Keep busy, begin a project, or DIY job Go to non-smoking areas/ venues. Go outside for some fresh air each day.

3. If you get stuck working out how to manage without smoking, spend longer preparing. Rushing into a quit attempt unprepared is why most people relapse.

4. Think through any past experiences you’ve had of stopping smoking. Use these to help you understand what to expect this time.

5. Get professional help. You can consult your local GP for ways to help you quit smoking for good. People who use professional support are more likely to be successful in their attempts to stop smoking.

Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms and how to beat them Withdrawal symptoms are the cause of many relapses. These symptoms are caused by nicotine leaving the body, and can be different for everyone. The good news is that they show your body is starting to repair itself.

Stopping smoking may be one of the most difficult tasks that you set yourself. To be successful, you will need to learn habits and coping strategies. At the same time as this, your body will go through some physical changes. Be kind to yourself. There is no need to go through a period of “cold turkey”. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can advise which products are the most suitable for you.

Top Tips To Help You Get Ready To Stop

The main reasons smokers gave for wanting to stop were:

1. Look back at your reasons for wanting to be non-smoker. Copy them onto a card around with you. Read them if you get tempted.

• To save money/reduce their cost of living. Concerns about the effects of passive smoke on their family/children

2. Check through your ideas on handling the first week. Practise some of the changes before the quit date.

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• To improve their health

Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do to improve your health and life expectancy.

Your doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist can also help. Make an appointment to discuss your smoking and any concerns you may have. They can tell you which of the products that help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms are suitable for you.

Quit Date: Blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal. Savings - RM9 - a latte at Starbucks Morning after quit date: Carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal. Saving - RM18 – go for a movie with your loved one 2 days after quitting: Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.

Saving - RM27 – eyelash tint 3 days after quitting: Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved. Saving - RM36 – love songs compilation CD 4 days after quitting: Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase. Saving - RM45 manicure/pedicure 2 – 12 weeks after quitting: Circulation will be improving. Walking and exercising become easier. Saving - RM90 to RM700 – wedding bands for bride and groom 3 – 9 months after quitting: Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function is increased by up to 10%. Saving - RM1620 to RM10 000 – your wedding dress, photography and honeymoon Add another 5 to 10 years of non-smoking and you’ll save enough to own your second home and more holidays!

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Romantic Getaways Looking for an exciting honeymoon destination that is within budget?

Think Asia.

Every newlywed couple dreams of spending a few weeks doing new things and visiting exciting places. While many couples eye a honeymoon in Hawaii and the Caribbean, why not choose a place that is entirely new to you and your spouse?

A honeymoon in Europe can cost a lot and after an expensive wedding, spending a lot of euros just to go to places commonly visited by other honeymooners seems impractical. If you are looking for unique destinations that do not cost much but can rival a European getaway then why not take a look at what Asia has to offer?

Taj Mahal

India

India is an enchanting place not only for the country's philosophy but also for the exotic places you can easily visit like the Taj Mahal. Of course, you can have your fill of swimming and other water-based activities in Puri and Kerala but an experience at the Palace on Wheels will definitely be unforgettable. The Palace on Wheels is a luxury train ride that will take you to Taj Mahal, Lake Palace in Udaipur and other exotic destinations. You can also visit Goa for its extensive beaches and beautiful sunsets.

Philippines

Next to India, the Philippines is where you can get more value for your ringgit.

You can choose a honeymoon package that will take you to the world-famous Boracay, Palawan and Samal islands. Boracay is famous for its white sand beaches that stretch over nine kilometers long. This place is definitely for honeymooners who only have eyes for each other.

A visit to Palawan will take you to the last frontier of the Philippines. It is the location of two World Heritage Sites: the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. Would it be more exciting to visit the place where the biggest pearl (9.45 inches) in the world was found? And speaking of pearls, your honeymoon wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Pearl Farm in Samal Island in Davao City. The city has been named one of the most livable cities in Asia. Pearl Farm has been identified as a protected fish sanctuary and it is one of the best places to go snorkeling.

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Pearl Farm

China

Why not take advantage of your honeymoon and discover historical places that no one in your social milieu may have discovered yet?

China is the best place to go for a discovery honeymoon. The famous Great Wall of China, which spans over 4,000 miles, is full of history by itself and has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Make sure you include the Forbidden City (known for being the seat of the Emperor’s power) and the Tiananmen Square in your itinerary.

Forbidden City

Or have a blast in Shanghai, one of the most vibrant cities in the world. You can visit The Bund, shop for bargain hunts and also indulge in the many delicacies that China has to offer.

Thailand

Exotic Bangkok is a shopping haven so make sure you drop by before leaving Thailand. However, if you have a weakness for beautiful beaches then a honeymoon in Phuket and Phi Phi Island should be on top of your list. Bangkok is the city of temples and one of the most famous temples here is the Temple of the Golden Buddha which houses the solid gold Buddha statue. Take your spouse to a dinner cruise along the Choaphaya River.

One of the most famous and understated islands in Thailand is Krabi.

Although it has been damaged by the tsunami a few years ago, Krabi today has been restored to its finest. With some of the best beaches around and rock climbing activities available, this little island is bound to impress.

Phuket

ta

Mekong Del

Vietnam

Vietnam’s Red River Delta and the Mekong Delta have captured the hearts of many honeymooners. The raw beauty of this rustic place is an ideal location for couples who want to see what’s on away from the hustle and bustle of cities like New York and Los Angeles. Country life has never been so beautiful. Among the popular honeymoon places here are Dalat, the Valley of Love and the Lake of Sighs.

Discover the many secrets of Asia and make this a honeymoon secret between you and your spouse. Why not make your honeymoon a unique event by choosing the unexplored destinations of Asia as your honeymoon destination?

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Always the Bridesmaid..

“I want to have someone to hold me, someone who really knows me and loves me.” My friend Alice lamented. “At this point I’d settle for dinner or a round of putt-putt.” She sighed. As a young twenty-something, her social calendar lately was filled, not with dates, but with bridal showers and weddings. Love was in the air, but not for Alice.

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Table for ONE

By Joan Williams

“What is Wrong With Me?” It is natural for single men and women to ask this question, even if they’ve chosen to be single. My friend Alice is a beautiful, vivacious girl with a keen wit and sense of humor. I’d always known her to be confident, yet even the healthiest self-assurance may be undermined when confronted by a “date drought.” And if you’ve always depended upon relationships for your esteem, singleness can be a real struggle. Many people go from relationship to relationship, so they are always part of a pair, like a set of bookends. “Jimmy and...” or “Rachel and...” Their names are always mentioned in conjunction with another name and generally it is a new name every month. Are you afraid to be alone? Do you know who you are, apart from anyone else? How much confidence do you derive from relationships with members of the opposite sex? Rather than lonely and horrible experiences, periods of singleness can be sweet times of self-discovery.

Don’t Change Your Standards Carpe Diem!

Many people seem to live their life on hold, waiting to meet Mr. or Ms. Right. Seize this time! Buy yourself flowers if that will make you happy, eat by candlelight with your finest plates. Take yourself to the movies.

You can also use this time to deepen friendships with members of the same sex. There are some real advantages to being single. You can have the girls/guys over all night playing cards or watching movies. You can volunteer for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters or do charity work. You have free time that you wouldn’t have otherwise if involved in a relationship.

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Alice also wondered, “Maybe my standards are too high?” This is also a natural conclusion, however resist the temptation to compromise your well-thought out standards. You may even want to make a list of the “non-negotiables” for moments of weakness. I don’t mean “blue eyes, blond hair,” but things like honesty, tenderness, good communication, similar goals in life, etc. Do not settle for less than the best – you are worth it.

20 limited edition minaudière for Malaysia IN conjunction with SK-II’s 29th anniversary, the luxury skincare brand has commissioned the design of the limited edition minaudière. The elegant minaudière is studded with 5,500 genuine Swarovski crystals and is valued at about RM2,000.

The elegant pebble-shaped handbag can be used with a slender handle, chain sling or as a clutch.

There are only 110 pieces of the minaudière available globally, and 20 of them are up for grabs in Malaysia. But only SK-II Crystal Club members can have the chance to own the minaudière, and they must make a minimum purchase of RM1,000 worth of SK-II products, including its iconic SK-II Facial Treatment Essence in a single receipt. Purchases must be made between July 13-September 30, 2009.

Twenty winners will attend a prize presentation in October where they will also get the opportunity to meet Malaysia’s SK-II ambassador, Fauziah Latiff. SK-II’s birth coincided with the introduction of its Facial Treatment Essence into the market 29 years ago. The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, known as the ‘Miracle Water’, has since then remained at the heart of this luxury skincare range.

‘Miracle Water’ contains more than 90% Pitera™, the exclusive ingredient in every SK-II product that helps women achieve crystal clear skin.

About P&G Beauty & Grooming P&G Beauty & Grooming products help make women worldwide feel beautiful and help men look and feel good everyday. With more than 100 brands available in 130 countries, P&G’s beauty and grooming products delivered sales of nearly US$28 billion in 2007- 08.

P&G Beauty & Grooming offers trusted brands to meet the full complement of beauty and grooming needs, including Pantene®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Max Factor®, Cover Girl®, DDF®, Frederic Fekkai®, Wellaflex®, Rejoice®, Sebastian Professional®, Herbal Essences®, Koleston®, Clairol Professional®, Nice ’n Easy®, Venus®, Gillette®, SK-II®, Wella Professionals®, Braun®.

It also has a leading Prestige Fragrance division that spans from point of market entry consumers to high end luxury with global brands such as Hugo Boss®, Lacoste®, and Christina Aguilera®.

New in TOWN SNOWY WHITE SKIN A milky face wash is now available at SEKKISEI from KOSE known for its whitening and translucence effect. When you feel your usual cosmetics are not working the way you want it to or if your skin starts looking dull, consider switching to SEKKISEI’s face wash. The face wash washes away tired surface cells and impurities which are the causes for dullness while sustaining moisture. It also sets skin for the next lotion to penetrate. It has adopted a “milk drop formula” an enriched emulsion ingredient to create rich foam with plenty of moisturising ingredient derived from oriental plant essence. An ideal way to gain gorgeous skin before the big day! Retails at RM112 for a 140ml bottle.

SNOW WHITE REFINING SERIES Roses are one of God’s greatest gifts to the woman. Its benefits are well-known to everyone, for dry, mature, dull and sallow skin. It helps to strengthen the skin and improve the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture. Rose essence is also able to improve skin elasticity and revive collagen fibers to lighten dark spots and enhance metabolism to reduce pigmentation. SPA Professional Snow White Refining Series products are enriched with Rose Essence combined with other natural herb extracts.

The high concentration of rose extract is able to penetrate deeply into the skin to enhance cell renewal and restore its previous elasticity, removing dull, dark and sallow skin, evening out skin tone, making skin pure, white and radiant. Retails at RM79 to RM170.

SENSUAL SCENTS

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Every woman defines “sensuous” in a different way. Estee Lauder has unveiled Sensuous, a warm, inviting, woody amber fragrance that captures the many facets that make today’s woman so complex and fascinating. In Sensuous, woody and deep notes were chosen to create a modern, new sensation of feminine woods. To achieve this signature element of the fragrance, Estee Lauder used for the first time in perfumery, a Melted Woods NaturePrint to capture the experience of textured, melting woods. In golden rose, crisp white and sensuous purple, the package design for Sensuous looks and feels as warm as the fragrance within. The rich contrasting colors, a dramatic interplay of subtle and bold accents, create an impression of contemporary femininity. Retails at RM210 for a 50ml Eau de Parfum, RM310 for a 100ml Eau de Parfum and body products ranging from RM110 to RM330.

Making you feel good touch & shine dual eye color Alit nullaore enit dolortion eum quissi. At aut lut illaore modit lobore feugue tie vullaore consendre del elesecte tissi. Met pratue feu feui endigna aliquat incilit do eu feuipit nullamet augait ulla atie modolute et wis ate con er si.

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CYBER COLORS HD PLUS GEL FOUNDATION SPF 26 Gel foundation is a new innovation in foundation technology for total coverage with hydration effect. The new HD Plus Gel Foundation with SPF26 launched by CYBER COLORS gives a very natural look that allows the skin to breathe. Make-up professionals would reach for a product like this every time for its light texture and extremely smooth application. Applied after the Instant Bright Sparkling Mask for an instant whitening effect! Retails at RM88.90.

Silky Smooth Skin

CYBER COLORS INSTANT BRIGHT SPARKLING MASK CYBER COLORS Instant Bright Sparkling Mask sweeps away excessive sebum, impurities and cuticles to facilitate absorption. It works to strengthen, vitalize, tighten and hydrate skin. Fine lines are no longer visible. Skin looks refreshed, supple and brightened. Retails at RM129.90.

Creating a natural and fresh look with make-up is not as easy as it looks. For an easy-to-achieve beautiful, dewy look, CYBER COLORS by Sa Sa has come up with some of the best dual function products. Just another step closer to having perfect skin!

CYBER COLORS HD PLUS MINERAL BLUSHER CYBER COLORS HD Plus Mineral Blusher contains mica mineral particles, to repair skin and highlight face contours. Instantly illuminates fatigued skin for a naturally blushing effect and radiant matte finish.

The mica mineral particles create a fresh and light feel on your skin without weighting it down – for a brighter look!

Retails at RM48.90.

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CYBER COLORS HD PLUS MINERAL LOOSE POWDER CYBER COLORS HD Plus Mineral Loose Powder contains mica mineral particles which not only work to maintain healthy skin, but also reflect light to conceal imperfections. This powder is a treat for those looking for a fair, matter, translucent and long-lasting finish. Retails at RM88.90.

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Bacheloror Night: Harmless?

Hor ror

Hear the phrase ‘boys night out’ and immediately feel a stomach cramp coming? Don’t worry.

By Jess M.Y. Ong

Women often wonder what men do when they have a boys’ night out.

The answer really depends on the boys.

The bachelor party is the ultimate boys’ night out. When these parties get wild, they get really wild. If you’re the bride, you may never hear the details. The most hard-core bachelor parties feature plenty of alcohol, multiple strippers, lap dances, and yes, even sex with prostitutes.

Luckily for most women, not all men like that kind of thing. Some bachelor parties are downright tame. The guys get together, have a few drinks (or not, if they’re not into alcohol), and talk about old times. Some men choose to go camping or have dinner at a great restaurant. And a lot of bachelor parties involve going to a strip club, watching the ladies dance, and then paying the tab and heading home. Most boys I personally know spend bachelor parties playing poker and drinking expensive whiskeys while smoking cigars – with no women in sight.

The same goes for boys’ nights out at other times. Just because the guys are getting together doesn’t mean they’re doing anything they shouldn’t.

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When there are no naked women involved, it can be harder for girlfriends and wives to fathom why men need to get together on their own. They wonder why they’re not invited to play cards, go drinking, or hang out on the fishing boat with the guys. Again, there are several possibilities: He wants to talk about you. Women think men don’t have heart-to-heart talks with each other, but that’s not true.

Sometimes, a man needs to get together with his guy friends to talk something out and hear what they think.

He doesn’t want to talk at all. Women tend to have different ideas about communication than men do. Getting together with the guys might mean that he doesn’t have to discuss relationship issues, what’s going on at work, or how to decorate the living room.

He just likes his friends. There’s no need for two people in a relationship to spend every moment together. He might simply want some time with his own friends.

He wants to get away. Unfortunately, sometimes the boys’ night out takes precedence over life at home. If a man is spending more nights out with the boys than he is home with his family, it’s time to look for underlying problems.

When your man heads out for a night with the guys, there’s no need to sit home alone and wonder what they’re doing.

Call up your friends and have some fun of your own.

Do something he wouldn’t enjoy. If you love action movies, but your man only goes to comedies, now’s your chance.

Get theater tickets, go to a game, and eat at a restaurant you’ve wanted to try. You won’t have to feel bad about excluding him, because he wouldn’t have wanted to go anyway.

Do something he would enjoy. As long as you keep it good-natured, it’s ok to make him feel a little jealous about all the fun you had while he wasn’t there. Enjoy a night in. Rent a movie, make some popcorn, and share some gossip with the girls. Or plan a whole day of relaxation and massage with the girls.

Love for the

12 Horoscopes

Mar 21 – Apr 20

Apr 21 – May 21

May 22 – Jun 21

Your love takes on a new dimension this year. Your relationships will be about balance and an even flow of give-andtake. Your friends will be very influential in helping your idealistic dreams manifest.

Your enthusiasm for a better future will attract socially motivated groups, and you will meet some beneficial associations who are striving for a better world.

Success in your work life spills over to your romantic life. You are newly inspired as positive friendships develop and your loved ones express how feel about you. Their encouragement helps you feel more comfortable about expressing yourself romantically. Spontaneity can be challenging for you in romantic love, but your gifts are many and it’s important for you to appreciate and love yourself so that it rubs off others and attracts the right person.

Love is passionate and transforming this year, as you learn to adjust to the changing needs of your relationship. You will feel empowered as you make positive adjustments in your spiritual and emotional integrity. If you open up to the possibilities, the intensity of merging the sacred and secret connection between yourself, your lover and the world will help you realize that you’re part of the global metamorphosis. If you’re single, you’re likely to meet someone with an artistic flair -- perhaps even at your workplace.

You have no problem starting new relationships, and are able to let go of connections that no longer serve you.

You will move on with a pioneering spirit. Trusting your higher self provides the discernment you need to understand people’s true motives and still maintain a healthy sense of self. Make conscious decisions regarding other people on a romantic level, and keep your hopes and dreams realistic.

A wonderful circle of love and unity surrounds you. In the summertime, your passion will attract a partner who makes you feel safe, and you will be able to love more deeply than ever before. You’re willing to take risks for someone who is emotionally strong.

You feel so positive and uplifted that everything seems perfect, as if you are really tapping in to some great spiritual blessings. You will feel you need to establish some personal roots, and will find yourself thinking about home and family more than ever before. In October, you might find yourself desiring marriage, after a genuine deepening in your primary relationship.

In recent years, you’ve been hesitant to trust your instincts when it comes to love, but that mindset doesn’t serve you anymore. As you start surrendering to the notion of a one-on-one relationship, the right person will walk into your life. As you let the doors open on your romantic life, your home environment will become sunny and stable, and you’ll find your personal relationships improving. By the end of the year, your romantic life will have taken on a whole new dimension. You will be singing with joy as you experience intense intimacy with your partner, leaving you content on an emotional level deeper than you’ve ever felt before.

Much of the transformation happening to you romantically this year is about discovering how to be comfortable in larger fields of social existence and belief systems. As you expand your personal beliefs, you are also learning to trust others and connect more with the creative energy blossoming between you and everyone you meet -- especially your lover!

Your instincts are powerful now, urging you to connect at the deepest level of human experience possible, and learn how to experience your own emotional desires without fear. You may be feeling some challenges in your home life, but by accepting each other for who you really are, you will be less likely to withdraw emotionally. Your attention to family needs and letting go of any delusions around relationships will pay off as the energies shift and you realize the value of your home environment and the love, support and happiness that it gives you.

As you come into a new perception of yourself, let the universe support you in all of your relationships. You will grow by leaps and bounds once you understand that you are an amazing being of light.

97

Jun 22 – Jul 23

Jul 24 – Aug 23

Aug 24 – Sept 23

In order to attract a partner who is able to reflect your deeper self, make a conscious decision to build your relationships slowly carefully. This will help you cultivate a higher sense of enjoyment in your life.

Let the lightness of music and dance help you get in touch with your playful nature -which will make you even more attractive!

As you nurture your optimism, you’re likely to attract a partner who is connected to that bright side of you. As the relationship moves to a higher vibration, it will be easy to be warm and affectionate with each other, creating a positive flow.

You feel as if you’re reaping the harvest this year in your relationships. Socially, your connections are very positive and your altruistic, visionary personality brings you a great circle of friends. Very strong and intuitive, your sense of self-worth in a close relationship makes it a very loving and secure one -- your main focus for some time now. Your enthusiasm bubbles over as an intimate relationship blossoms, and the challenges of constructive communication become easier and easier.

Your abundant energy helps you fell your home with love, creativity and joy. This helps attract a partner who is altruistic and who gives you the emotional security you want. Remember, you don’t have to do everything yourself, otherwise you’ll get bogged down with details. Learn to trust your relationship and know that your loved one is there to support you.

Come springtime, you may experience some confusion about committing to a close relationship. As you deal with the fears that come up, listen to your heart in order to make the best decision. If you can only see what’s not working in your relationship, try and locate your stuck emotions, and then resolve them by seeing things from a different point of view.

Energetically, you are uplifted when you choose to be in a relationship and master the art of accepting someone as they are.

In the springtime, your focus may shift to marriage as many blessings come your way, giving you opportunities to experience conscious acts of sharing, cooperation and honor. Things may seem to move fast, but if you go with the flow, you’ll gain confidence in your progress.

Much healing takes place when you have someone close to share your life with.

Reap the rewards, and you will encounter feelings that will become the basis for far-reaching transformation in your life -and in that of others as well. Leo’s need to be in charge is no problem, because you and your partner are energetically and equally matched. Be grateful for the love and growth you are experiencing -- both metaphysically and spiritually.

98

You are very connected to your feelings -especially this year -- and need your lover to be right there with you --from helping you manifest your dreams to cultivating your idealism. Having values and ideals in common will help you both relax and find fulfillment in this relationship. In fact, everyone loves being around you because of your contagious optimism.

You feel at your best when there is elegance in your life, so make sure you have beauty, music and art around to keep your spirits high and to enrich your relationships with those you love. Joy and pleasure bring you closer to the mystical aspects of grace and beauty -- which is what you love so much about being in a one-on-one relationship.

This is a good time to renew your vows and commitment with that special person in your life.

Sept 24 – Oct 23

Oct 24 – Nov 22

Nov 23 – Dec 22

In 2009, relationships become very exciting when you share new adventures, dreams and hopes with people. As you focus on your desire to create balance and harmony in the world, your personal life will reflect that energy as well -- and invite change to take place.

The abundant Aquarian energy this year provides you the perfect opportunity to fulfill your strong urge for emotional security. Your home life will become your sanctuary of love and joy, and you’ll be able to more fully connect with yourself -- and, of course, your lover!

As you continue to trust your spirit, you will receive the love you want. Balance and integrity become the most important assets to you as you harmonize your thoughts with your emotions. Express your deepest needs, and you will be more relaxed about sharing the beauty you feel inside. In realizing the changes within your consciousness, your relationships strengthen.

Your instincts are powerful in developing intimacy, and will help you create a healing, passionate and spiritual relationship.

The completeness of being in love is a major focus for you this year, and your desire to articulate your feelings will bring your relationship to a higher level of understanding and personal fulfillment.

When you communicate your truth and your ideals this year, boundaries will dissolve in your love relationship. As you both intuitively recognize the needs of each other, it will be much easier to exchange ideas -- and love -- freely. As you awaken to an improved way of personal interaction, you will start to see changes in your relationship. Entertaining new ideas and possibilities pushes you toward major breakthroughs, and your relationship takes on a new identity. A deeper commitment helps shift your attitude, and you find that you are able to consciously make positive changes in your home life.

You feel quite energized with new information, and easily share your insights with your partner, friends and family. The atmosphere in your home environment is harmonious, and this energy manifests in all other areas of your life as well. You have a renewed sense of security and inner peace in all your relationships, as you realize that you have the power to create the life you desire.

As important it is for you to have independence and freedom, you are attracted to the idea of a satisfying love relationship. Let the child within you flow, and enjoy being playful with each other! As summer approaches, you’ll achieve harmony and enjoyment in your relationship without compromising your sense of self. Marriage may come your way as you realize the depth of passion and love that someone else can feel for you, and vice versa. Looking deeply within, you begin to see -- and feel -- new energies waiting to be born.

Be sure to attend to the deeper parts of yourself that need loving attention. This is a great year for you to turn inward and create a new myth for yourself, and redefine your basic values, visions and inspirations.

What you find there will encourage you to develop and strengthen a deeply spiritual relationship. Old behavior patterns may be discarded, and you can bring in new ways of looking at life. You appreciate innovative love, and it’s time for you to have the harmony in your home life that you desire.

Your independence is an important aspect of having a successful home life, considering all the changes that are going on within you this year. Come fall, you’re able to put your personal needs and relationship demands in balance, and this will lead to a rewarding romantic life -- and strong sense of self as well.

99

Dec 23 – Jan 20

Jan 21 – Feb 19

Feb 20 – Mar 20

Through finding more creative ways to express yourself, your love life will blossom as well. This shift helps you become more comfortable with a loving and philosophical relationship, and your connection becomes closer. Your desire to prioritize a love relationship deepens. Although in the past you were proud of your individuality, you’re realizing the importance a love relationship beyond just yourself and your immediate family.

You have an innate talent of attracting like-minded people, but sometimes you can be reluctant to express affection individually because of your broad love for mankind. You are often more energized by people responding to your positive ideals rather than to who you really are. You are so enthusiastic in serving mankind that you sometimes leave yourself out of the equation.

Love and romance bring idealistic energy your way this year. You enjoy being in touch with the spiritual and mystical part of your nature, so you need a romance that encourages self-discovery, and intimacy that allows you and your lover to connect with each other’s soul on a deep level. It’s not just anyone who dares to travel as far into the unknown as you do, Pisces!

As you learn to give yourself to another and have your relationship deepen, it helps you break through any discriminating attitudes toward relationships, and to have more confidence in your process. As you continue to accept yourself and enjoy life, you no longer feel the pressure to perform.

The peaceful knowing inherent in your love relationship brings deeper meaning to being together, and the relationship brings you abounding joy.

You have abundant optimism and broad appreciation about your relationship. In the autumn, you may be drawn to marriage, as you begin to really understand and embrace the joy of having someone close to you.

100

This spring, you’re likely to encounter someone who appreciates you in a way that injects enthusiasm into your life. As the year progresses, share that deepening of yourself and you may find that you’re actually ready to having an intimate relationship. The energy between you two may lead to a passionate -- as well as idealistic -- relationship.

As you start trusting and accepting that your inner desires are just as important (if not even more so) as helping others, you’ll begin to have a deeper understanding of who you are. Tuning in to your partner’s spiritual outlook is a great opportunity to align yourself with becoming more expansive as a couple. Being in a close relationship helps you heal and transform your fear of closeness. Together, you and your partner can radiate idealism, leading to a new and better future.

Your dreams will be ignited as you attract someone (or reach a deeper place in an existing relationship) who is willing to dream with you, and who loves and cherishes you for exactly who you are right now. You refuse to abandon your sense of self in your relationship, so it is crucial that your dreams and visions are supported in your love relationship. In the springtime, you’re eager to further explore your commitment with your partner, and to truly understand the practicality of balancing your energies, and maintaining that equal energy. This will be a huge growing opportunity for you.

Dramatic shifts in the way you relate to each other are inevitable as you learn more practical ways of growing and sharing.

In the fall, communication between you and your lover will become even more romantically satisfying. This will lead to an even deeper commitment -- marriage perhaps -- as romance becomes more about caring for each other and being sensitive to each other’s needs.

Marry Me! Magazine is available at: Johor

Kuala Lumpur

Johor Bahru City Square Dawn’s Wedding Lot MF 26-32, L3, JB City Square.

106-108 Jln Wong Ah Fook, 80000 JB.

Ampang Ampang Caffeinees Cafe No. 2, Jln Excella 2, Tmn Ampang Hilir, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Sasa Lot J1 – 10A, L1, JB City Square.

106-108, Jln Wong Ah Fook, 80000 JB. Starbucks Coffee Lot J1-06, Level 1, JB City Square.

106-108, Jln Wong Ah Fook, 80000 JB. Jusco Taman U Starbucks Coffee Lot UG. 03, Upper GF, Jaya Jusco Shopping Centre, Tmn Universiti, JB. Jusco Permas Jaya Starbucks Coffee Lot G17, GF, Jusco Permas Jaya Shopping Centre, Jln Permas Utara, Bdr Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 JB. Jusco Tebrau Starbucks Coffee Lot G17, GF, AEON Tebrau City Shopping Centre, No. 1, Jln Desa Tebrau, Tmn Desa Tebrau. 81100 JB. Aeon Bukit Indah Starbucks Coffee Lot No G08, GF, AEON Bkt Indah Shopping Centre, No. 8, Jln Indah 15/2, Bkt Indah, 81200 JB. Fun Zone Starbucks Coffee Lot 1.31, 1.31A, 1.31B, 1.32, 1.33, L1, The Zone JB. No. 88, Jln Ibrahim Sultan, Stulang Laut, 80300 JB. Kulai Jaya Marriage Registration Office 445, Jalan Kenanga 29/11, 29-11, Bandar Indahpura, 81000 Kulai, Johor.

Pontian Marriage Registration Office Ground Floor, Wisma Kariah, No. 349, Jalan Pejabat, 82000 Pontian, Johor.

Pantai Medical Centre Starbucks Coffee GF, Pantai Medical Centre, No 8, Jln Bkt Pantai, 59100 KL.

Great Eastern Mall Starbucks Coffee Lot 14, GF, Great Eastern Mall, Jln Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.

Cheras Bridal House Pret-A-Porter No. 277A, Jalan Perkasa 1, Tmn Maluri Cheras, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Bangsar Bangsar Starbucks Coffee No. 20, Jln Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, 59100 KL.

Jusco Maluri Starbucks Coffee Lot G12, GF, Tmn Maluri Shopping Centre, Jln Jejaka, Cheras. 55100 KL.

Bangsar Village Starbucks Coffee No. G-7, GF Bangsar Village Shopping Centre, Jln Telawi 1, Bangsar Baru 59100 KL.

Kompleks Maluri Marriage Registration Office Lot 154.1.7–154.1–10, Kompleks Maluri, Jalan Jejaka, Taman Maluri, Cheras, 55100 KL.

A Cut Above 1F – 32. 1st Floor, Bangsar Village II.

Leisure Mall Snips Leisure Mall L1-28A, 1st Floor, Cheras Leisure Mall, Jln Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur.

Starbucks Coffee Lot No.2F22 & K1, 2nd Floor, Bangsar Village II. Bangsar Shopping Centre A Cut Above S128, 2nd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre.

Mid Valley City Jantzen Salon Lot S-027-028, 2nd Floor, Mid Valley Megamall.

La’MORE F053, 1st Floor, Mid Valley Megamall.

A Cut Above S054 & 055, 2nd Floor, Mid Valley Megamall.

Starbucks Coffee Lot G-100, GF, Mid Valley Megamall.

The Gardens Mid Valley Chinoz Gardens G212 GF, The Garden Mid Valley.

Starbucks Coffee Lot S-226B, 2nd Floor, The Garden Mid Valley.

T-216B, 3F, Borders Bookstore, The Garden Mid Valley.

Starbucks Coffee Lot L2-25, Level 2, Cheras Leisure Mall, Jln Manis 6, Tmn Segar. Kuala Lumpur.

PGRM Starbucks Coffee Lot 01, GF, Tower 1. Jln Pudu Ulu, KL Queen’s Park, Cheras Starbucks Coffee QP 68, Block G, Queen’s Park Retail Centre, Lot 392, Jln Shelly. 55100 K. Lumpur.

Damansara Damansara Town Centre Starbucks Coffee Lot C1 & C2, Level 1, Blk C, Pst Bdr D’Sara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.

Kepong Jusco Kepong Starbucks Coffee Lot G17, GF Jusco Metro Prima, Jln Kepong.

KL City Center Berjaya Times Square Starbucks Coffee Lot No. G-09A, GF, Berjaya Times Square.

Lot No. 03-101B, 3rd Floor, Berjaya Times Square.

1st Floor, Borders Bookstore, Berjaya Times Square.

Bridal House TOM Wedding No. 112, Jln Loke Yew, 55200 KL. Bukit Bintang Plaza Starbucks Coffee Booth 1, Sidewalk Cafe, Bkt Bintang Plaza, Jln Bkt Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Cap Square Starbucks Coffee Lot G-41 (G-2), Ground Floor, CapSquare Mall, Jln Dang Wangi, K. Lumpur.

KL Convention Centre Starbucks Coffee Lot C09 Concourse Floor, KL Convention Centre, 50088 KL. KL Sentral Starbucks Coffee Unit 5, Arrival Hall, KL Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur.

Lot 10 Shopping Centre Carven Ong Couture P16, Prestige 4, Lot 10 Shopping Centre.

Low Yat Plaza Starbucks Coffee Lot G28, GF, Plaza Low Yat, No. 7, Jln 1/77 Off Jln Bkt Bintang.

Maju Junction Starbucks Coffee G16A & 18, GF, No 1001, Maju Junction Shopping Complex, Jln Sultan Ismail. 50250 KL. Menara Hap Seng Starbucks Coffee G09, GF, Menara Hap Seng, Jln P. Ramlee 52500 KL. Menara Maybank Starbucks Coffee Foyer Area, 1st Floor, Menara Maybank, No. 100, Jln Tun Perak, 50050 KL. Pavilion KL La’MORE 607, Level 6, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

A Cut Above Level 4, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

101

102

Sasa Lot 1-26, Level 1, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Starbucks Coffee Lot No. 6.02.00, Level 6, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Lot No. 3.08.00, Level 3, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Sungai Wang Plaza Snips F-045 & F-046, 1st Floor, Sungei Wang Plaza.

Starbucks Coffee Lot C1, BF Parkson Grand Sungei Wang Plaza.

Suria KLCC Starbucks Coffee Lot K33B, 3rd Floor, Suria KLCC.

Hartamas Shopping Centre Starbucks Coffee Lot P-7A, Plaza Ground Floor, Hartamas Shopping Centre.

Mahkota Parade Sasa Lot F35, 1st Floor, Mahkota Parade.

No. 1, Jalan Merdeka, 75000 Melaka.

Prangin Mall Starbucks Coffee No. 33-G-1A, Prangin Mall - Komtar.

Jln Dr. Lim Chwee Leong, 10100 PP.

Old Klang Road OUG Plaza Snips Lot G3A, Tmn OUG, Jln Medan Mendung Bt 5, Jln Klang Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur.

Starbucks Coffee Lot. G17/G18/EG2, Mahkota Parade, No. 1, Jalan Merdeka, 75000 Melaka.

Prai Juru Autocity, Phase 3 Starbucks Coffee Plot 4-2, Jalan Perusahaan Highway Auto-city (Phase 3), North-South Highway Juru Interchange, 13600, Prai, Penang.

Pearl Point Starbucks Coffee Lot No 1.0.26, G Flr. Jln Kelang Lama.

Daerah Barat Daya Kompleks Balik Pulau Marriage Registration Office Kompleks Balik Pulau 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang

Setapak Wangsa Maju Snips 23 Jln 14/27B, Section 2, Desa Setapak, Wangsa Maju, 53300 KL.

Apartment KLCC Lot 139 1st Floor, Suria KLCC.

Alpha Angle Starbucks Coffee Lot G25A, GF, Jusco Alpha Angle, Jln 2/27A, Wangsa Maju, 53300 KL.

Chinoz On The Park G47, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC.

Kedah

Sasa Lot 232, Level 2, Suria KLCC. Starbucks Coffee Lot G45A Ground Floor, Suria KLCC. Parkroyal Hotel The Met 9-10, GF, President House, Parkroyal Hotel, Jln Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur.

The Mall Starbucks Coffee Lot No. G-12 & 13, The Mall, No. 100, Jln Putra, 50350 Kuala Lumpur.

Langkawi Jetty Point Starbucks Coffee Lot 15 & 16, Zone 2, Jetty Point Duty Free Complex, Jetty, Kuah, Langkawi, 07000 Kedah.

Langkawi International Airport Starbucks Coffee Skymall Café Zone C Langkawi International Airport, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah.

Malacca

The Weld Starbucks Coffee Lot G1, Menara Weld, No. 76, Jln Raja Chulan, 50200 KL.

Air Keroh Marriage Registration Office Level 1, Blok Pentadbiran Komplek Kementerian Dalam Negeri, Jalan Seri Negeri, Ayer Keroh, 75450 Melaka

Yayasan Selangor Snips Suite 4-0, L4, Bangunan Yayasan Selangor, No. 99, Jln Bkt Bintang, 55100 KL.

Jasin Marriage Registration Office JA 9949 Ground Floor, Bandar Baru Jasin III, 77000 Jasin, Melaka.

Mont Kiara Plaza Mont’ Kiara Starbucks Coffee Lot Suite B,OG-01-02, Plaza Mont’ Kiara.

No. 2, Jln 1/70C, Mont’ Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Dataran Pahlawan Starbucks Coffee Lot Nos. BN-017, BN030 & BN031 Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall, Jln Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka.

Penang

Bayan Lepas Queensbay Mall Starbucks Coffee GF-123A, Queensbay Mall, No. 100, Persiaran Bayan Indah.

11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Borders Queensbay, Penang Starbucks Coffee Lot 1F-116 & 117, Queensbay Mall, No. 100, Persiaran Bayan Indah.

11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Butterworth Megamall Pinang Starbucks Coffee Lot G -K13A, Kompleks Megamal Pinang, No. 2828, Jln Baru, Bdr Perai Jaya.

13600 Seberang Perai Tengah, Butterworth, Penang.

Gelugor E-Gate Starbucks Coffee Lot No 1-01-07, Lebuh Tengku Kudin 2, 11700 Gelugor, Penang.

Gurney Gurney Plaza Sasa Lot 170-01-15, 1st Floor Plaza Gurney.

Persiaran Gurney 10250 Pulau Pinang.

Starbucks Coffee Unit 170-G-39, Gurney Plaza, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang.

Gurney Tower Starbucks Coffee Lot No. RGB - 1, Gurney Tower (Retail), No.18, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Georgetown, Penang Komtar Aspial Wedding Aspial Wedding No. 171, Macalister Road, 10400 Penang.

Seberang Jaya Sunway Carnival, Penang Starbucks Coffee Lot No UG 27 Upper GF, Sunway Carnival Mall, No. 3068, Jalan Todak, Pst Bdr Seberang Jaya, 13700 Seberang Jaya, Penang Tanjong Tokong Island Plaza Starbucks Coffee Lot G-08, GF, Island Plaza, No. 118, Jln Tanjong Tokong, 10470 Pulau Pinang

Selangor Balakong Jusco Cheras Selatan Starbucks Coffee Lot G31, AEON Cheras Selatan Shopping Centre, Lebuh Tun Hussein Onn, 43200 Balakong.

Bandar Sunway Bridal House Bride & Groom No18, Jln PJS 8/2, 46150 Bandar Sunway, PJ, Selangor.

House of Picaso No. 8-1 & 8-2, 10-1 & 10-2 Jalan PJS 8/2, 46150 Bandar Sunway. PJ, Selangor.

Sunway Pyramid A Cut Above G1.110, Ground Floor, Sunway Pyramid.

Snips LL3-1R-3, I-Zone, Sunway Pyramid.

Sasa Lot LL1-53, Lower Level 1, Sunway Pyramid.

Starbucks Coffee Lot G1.12 & 1.13, G Floor, Sunway Pyramid Lot LG.110, Lower Ground 1, Sunway Pyramid.

103

Sunway Medical Starbucks Coffee Lobby GF, No. 5, Jln Lagoon Selatan.

Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya.

Damansara 1-Utama Starbucks Coffee Lot F352, 1st Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre.

Sasa Lot G18, G Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre.

Starbucks Coffee Lot G53A, G Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre.

Centrepoint, Bandar Utama Starbucks Coffee Lot G109 & G110, GF, Lebuh Bdr Utama, Bandar Utama, 47800 PJ. Damansara Uptown Starbucks Coffee No. 110G, Jln SS21/39, D’sara Utama, 47400 PJ, Selangor DE. No. 51G & 51A, Jln SS21/37, D’sara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya.

Ikano Power Centre Starbucks Coffee Unit G22, GFr, Ikano Power Centre.

No. 2, Jln PJU 7/2, Mutiara D’Sara.

Kota Damansara Starbucks Coffee No.1 GF, Jln PJU 5/11, Dataran Sunway Kota D’sara, 47810 PJ. Niu Zhe Shui Starbucks Coffee Unit X, 1st & 2nd Floor, PJU 1, Ara D’sara, 47301 Petaling Jaya.

The Curve Snips Lot 259, 2nd Floor, The Curve, Mutiara D’Sara.

Apartment Curve Lot 72, 73, 74 & 152, GF, Western Courtyard, The Curve, Mutiara D’Sara.

Starbucks Coffee G88, G Floor, The Curve, Mutiara D’Sara.

Lot G116, G Floor, Borders Bookstore The Walk, The Curve, Mutiara D’Sara.

104

Kajang Metro Point Starbucks Coffee Lot G19 & G30, GF, Metro Point Complex, Seksyen 7, Bandar Kajang, Daerah Ulu Langat, 43000 Selangor.

Kelana Jaya Kelana Jaya Snips F-1-03, 1st Floor Jln SS6/5B, Dataran Glomac, Pusat Bandar Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya.

Giant Kelana Jaya Starbucks Coffee Lot G29 & G30, G Floor, Giant Kelana Jaya, 33, Jln SS6/12, Kalana Jaya, PJ, Selangor DE. Klang Centro Klang Starbucks Coffee Lot G135, G Floor, No. 8, Jln Bt 3.41300 Klang .

Bukit Raja Snips No.5 G/Floor, Jln Tiara 2B, Bandar Baru Klang, 41150 Klang, Selangor.

Jusco Bukit Raja Starbucks Coffee Lot G51, G Floor, Jusco Bukit Raja Shopping Centre, Persiaran Bukit Raja 2.

AEON Bukit Tinggi Sasa Lot G48, G Floor, AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre, No. 1, Persiaran Batu Nilam 1/KS6, Bandar Bkt Tinggi 2, 41200 Klang, Selangor.

Starbucks Coffee Lot G22, AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre, No.1 Persiaran Batu Nilam 1/KS6, Bandar Bukit Tinggi, 41200 Klang, Selangor.

Klang Parade Starbucks Coffee Phase 1, Main Entrance, Ground Floor, Klang Parade, No. 2113, KM 2, Jalan Meru, 41050 Klang PJ Amcorp Mall Amcorp Mall Starbucks Coffee Lot G29, Ground Floor, Amcorp Mall.

No. 18, Jln Barat, Off Jln Timur, PJ.

PJ SS2 Bridal House Sophia Fashion Wedding No. 2, Jln SS 2/75, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE. Ever After Wedding No. 199, Jln SS2/24, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE. De Casamia Bridal Gallery No. 8, Jln SS2/5, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE Ching Hua Bridal Art No. 201, Jln SS2/24, 47300 Petaling Jaya. Selangor DE. Mikasa Bridal Collection No. 4, Jln SS2/75, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE. Lasposa Bridal Gallery No. 6, Jln SS2/75, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE. TOM Wedding No. 74, Jln SS2/24, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE. Aspial Wedding No 94, Jln SS2/24, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE. Mon’ Liza Wedding Castle No. 66-68, Jln SS2/24, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor DE. Starbucks Coffee No. 3 SS2/67, Tmn SEA 47300 PJ. PJ SS13 Jaya One Starbucks Coffee Unit M1-G, Block M, Palm Square G Level, Jaya One, Section 13, 46300 PJ. PJ SS14 3 Two Square Starbucks Coffee C-17-01, G Floor, 3 Two Square, No. 2, Jln 19.1, 46300 Petaling Jaya.

Jaya Shopping Centre Starbucks Coffee Lot G19, Jaya Shopping Centre, Section 14, Jalan Semangat, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Puchong Puchong IOI Mall Snips Lot S03A, 2nd Floor, IOI Mall, Bandar Puchong Jaya.

Starbucks Coffee Lot G00, Front Entrance GF, IOI Mall, Bandar Puchong Jaya.

Putrajaya Alamanda Putrajaya Starbucks Coffee No. G87, GF, Alamanda Putrajaya.

Precint 1, Parcel Z, 62000 Putrajaya.

Subang Jaya Assunta Hospital Starbucks Coffee Part of GF, Assunta Hospital, Jln Templar, 46990 Petaling Jaya.

Subang Jaya Carrefour Subang Starbucks Coffee Lot F3.13, Carrefour Shopping Centre, No.3, Jalan SS16/1, 47500 Subang Jaya.

Shah Alam Plaza Shah Alam Starbucks Coffee Lot EL2, Level 2, Plaza Shah Alam, No. 2 Jln Tengku Ampuan Zabedah E9/E, SS6, Shah Alam. 40100 Selangor DE. Subang Jaya SS15 Starbucks Coffee G Floor, No. 79, The Curve, Jln PJU 7/3, Jln SS15/8A. 47500 Petaling Jaya.

Taipan Starbucks Coffee G Floor, No.41, Jln USJ 10/1D, 47620 UEP Subang Jaya The Summit Starbucks Coffee Lot G06, G Floor, The Summit, Persiaran Kewajipan USJ 1, 47600 UEP Subang Jaya.

Marriage Registration Perlis

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Perlis Tingkat 2, Bangunan Persekutuan, Persiaran Jubli Emas, 01000 Kangar.  : 04-979 5200, 04-979 5202, 04-979 5203  : 04-976 7622  : admin_kangar@jpn.gov.my

Kedah

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Kedah Tingkat 1, Wisma Persekutuan, Jalan Kampung Baru, 05551 Alor Setar.  : 04-731 4359 : 04-733 0270  : admin_alorsetar@jpn.gov.my Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Daerah Kuala Muda Tingkat 3, Wisma Keladi, 08000 Sungai Petani.  : 04-421 2726 : 04-423 0292

Pulau Pinang

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Pulau Pinang Tingkat 3, Bangunan Persekutuan, Jalan Anson, 10551 Pulau Pinang.  : 04-226 5161 : 04-226 9320  : admin_georgetown@jpn.gov.my Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Daerah Bayan Baru No. 2A-1, Tingkat Kenari 6, Desa Ria, Sungai Ara, 11960 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang.  : 04-643 7460 : 04-644 4004

Perak

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Perak Aras 3 & 4, Kompleks Pejabat Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, Persiaran Meru Utama, Bandar Meru Raya, 30020 Ipoh.  : 05-528 8805 : 05-528 8802

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Petaling Jaya Tingkat 1, Bangunan Persekutuan, Persiaran Barat, Jalan Sultan, 46551 Petaling Jaya.  : 03-7956 2634 : 03-7957 5628

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Daerah Pontian Aras Bawah, Wisma Kariah, No. 349, Jalan Pejabat, 8200 Pontian.  : 07-687 1348 : 07-688 3373

Putrajaya

Pahang

Ibu Pejabat Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Putrajaya, No. 20, Persiaran Perdana, Presint 2, 62551 W.P. Putrajaya.  : 03-8880 7000 : 03-8880 7059

Kuala Lumpur

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara W.P Kuala Lumpur Tingkat 6 & 7, Maju Junction Mall, 1001 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50551 Kuala Lumpur.  : 03-2692 5044 : 03-2692 3568  : admin_wilayah@jpn.gov.my Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Taman Maluri Lot 154.1.7 - 154.1.10, Kompleks Maluri, Jalan Jejaka, Taman Maluri, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.  : 03-9285 8264 : 03-9284 8267

Negeri Sembilan

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Sembilan Tingkat 1, Wisma Persekutuan, Jalan Dato’ Abdul Kadir, 70551 Seremban.  : 06-765 1600 : 06-763 8312  : admin_seremban@jpn.gov.my Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Daerah Port Dickson No. 70 (Tingkat Bawah), Jalan Dato’ K. Pathmanaban, 71000 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.  : 06-647 1077 : 06-647 9305

Melaka

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Daerah Kuala Kangsar Tingkat Bawah, Bangunan Pejabat Daerah, JKR 89, Jalan Raja Chulan, 33000 Kuala Kangsar.  : 05-776 1166 : 05-777 7487

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Melaka Aras 1, Blok Pentadbiran Kompleks KHEDN, Jalan Seri Negeri, Air Keroh, 75450 Melaka.  : 06-232 6600 : 06-232 6376  : admin_melaka@jpn.gov.my

Selangor

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Daerah Bandar Alor Gajah No. 3053, Tingkat 1, Bandar Alor Gajah, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka.  : 06-556 3055 : 06-556 9093

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Selangor Tingkat 7, Plaza Masalam, No. 2, Jalan Tengku Ampuan Zabedah E9/E, Seksyen 9, 40100 Shah Alam.  : 03-5519 7155 : 03-5510 7055  : admin_shahalam@jpn.gov.my Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Daerah Klang Tingkat 2, Bangunan Lembaga Tabung Haji, Jalan Kapar, 41400 Klang.  : 03-3342 1455 : 03-3342 5002

Johor

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Johor Tingkat 1 & 2, Blok A, Jalan Air Molek, Wisma Persekutuan, 80551 Johor Bharu.  : 07-224 5388 : 07-222 6286  : admin_johorbahru@jpn.gov.my

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Pahang Aras Bawah & Satu, Kompleks KHEDN Indera Mahkota, 25551 Kuantan.  : 09-573 4455 : 09-573 7700  : admin_kuantan@jpn.gov.my Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Daerah Mentakab No. 3, Bangunan UMNO Cawangan Temerloh, Jalan Abidin Off Jalan Abdul Kadir, 28400 Mentakab.  : 09-278 1239 : 09-278 1121

Terengganu

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Sembilan Tingkat 2, Wisma Persekutuan, Jalan Paya Bunga, 20200 Kuala Terengganu.  : 09-630 1031 : 09-623 0839  : admin_kterengganu@jpn.gov.my Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Daerah Kerteh Lot 4, Bandar Sri Kerteh, 24300 Kerteh, Kemaman.  : 09-826 0180 : 09-826 0182

Kelantan

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Kelantan Tingkat 1, Wisma Persekutuan, Jalan Bayam, 15551 Kota Bharu.  : 09-748 2793 : 09-748 7867  : admin_kotabharu@jpn.gov.my

Sabah

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Sabah Aras 1-5, Blok B, Kompleks Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, Jalan UMS, Likas, 88400 Kota Kinabalu.  : 088-488 300 : 088-488 326  : admin_kkinabalu@jpn.gov.my

Sarawak

Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Negeri Sarawak Bangunan Tun Datuk Patinggi, Tuanku Haji Bujang, 93551 Kuching.  : 082-242 223 : 082-242 446  : admin_kuching@jpn.gov.my Above are the marriage registration departments branches allocated in each state in Malaysia. For details, please visit at www://www.jpn.gov.my.

Besides these details registration departments, you can also opt for authorised Chinese registration spots such as Thean Hou Temple (03-2273 76822) or the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (03-2273 4008).

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