The works of Carlos Nizam

If you are thinking of getting a photographer for your wedding, browse through Carlos Nizam's blog to see his works. His attention to detail captures the very essence of the theme. Most of his shots DOES not require further editing as he manages to see the completed picture through his lenses.

Real Wedding: Professional Pictures of Jehan & Azim's Akad Nikah

Photos by the very talented photographer, Foong Wai. I would say that she is one of the rare photographers that I have come across with good candid shots which portrays the emotion of the subject.

Hantaran decor by Theme of Que Rafael

Last night of being single - with her besties

Bride's paternal grandmother giving her granddaughter's one last check

Going to the mosque from the hotel

Best friends of bride

Dulang Girls aka female cousins to bride

To have or not to have a Wedding Planner...

If you are still wondering whether you should hire a Wedding Planner to help you for your wedding planning and coordination, maybe this video might help. The bride and groom were only visible during rehearsal and the rest of the preparation are done by PDP.

This is one way for you to enjoy your wedding day.

Carnival Birthday Theme

Lollipops and popcorn with flowers

I do get requests to create birthday parties and for the month of June, a Carnival theme for a 19 year old was requested. Since I didn't have any weddings to see to, it was just nice for me to plan and create a theme that was not childish but instead colourful and fun for the birthday girl.

I had the privilege of meeting with a very talented photographer, Carlos, who captured the details of the event effortlessly and needed no editing or touching up (to my naked eye and humble opinion). Beautiful contrasting and he managed to capture the essence of the party; which was essentially of Pink, Blue and Yellow.

Floral decor by Theme of Que Rafael who created beautiful arrangement and yet not too formal to add the fun element into the the decor. Since we were in the Carnival circus-y theme but without the animals (of course), coloured paper flowers were created weeks before hand to ensure that we have enough to add to the transparent canopy and the brilliant idea of my right-hand-man, Ajak, to hang the Cotton Candy  around the canopy sealed the look completely.

Although I was a bit skeptical about the menu of Burgers, Hotdogs, Potato Apple Salad and Corn on the Cob, I was reassured when some of the guests (particularly the boys) were ecstatic when they could create a double or triple decker burger of their own! Since they are young adults of 19 years of age, who would want heavy and not "fun" food like pasta or the usual pizza.

Dessert Bar was a sell-out! There were no left overs apart from a mere piece or two of Jelly Beans and M & M chocolates, but the rest were part of the party pack which was supplied the birthday girl for her friends to pack their own mixture of candies and chocolates. Chocolate Fountain was accompanied with fresh strawberries and bananas and the ever compulsory, Marshmellows.

Below are the suppliers for the event:

Floral decor : Theme of Que Rafael
Photos of Event Details : Carlos Nizam
Canopy : Accer Event
Chiavari Chairs: NSJ Events
Food Labels & Banner : Parfait Prints

The look before the sun sets

Lollipops in between the centerpiece and overhanging cotton candy

Sour Tapes and M&Ms with cupcake cups for the guests to scoop their selection

Simple buffet for young adults

Colourful Straw Flags

Homemade Trifle 

Buffet Line

Beautiful colour combination

Dessert Bar Shot from the "Relax and Chill" canopy area

Complete with Throw Cushions and a Banner for Photo Area

Relax & Chill area was greatly appreciated! Photo by Anis N.

See what I mean? Photos by Anis N.

Photo Area with Banner Backdrop

Till next time...

For the Month of May, 2011

Sorry for the long absence and silence from the blogging world... A wee bit busy with 2 weddings to coordinate in the month of May where the last one was last Saturday.

JEHAN & AZIM, 7.5.2011


For the first wedding for May, it was a simple Solemnization Ceremony at the Blue Mosque followed by Hi-Tea reception at The Grand Blue Wave, Shah Alam.

Theme Colours: Powder Blue, Pewter and Plum

Decor: Theme of Que Rafael
Mini Cakes : Pink Oven Cakes
Bridal Posy: Willows....A flower shop

No. of guests: 120 pax

Venue for Hi Tea Reception : Rebana Hall 1 & 2, Grand Blue Wave Shah Alam

Hantaran trays adorned with fresh light blue Hydrangeas, ivory Roses and white Orchids

Round Silver Tepak Sirih 

Mini Cakes for Hantaran 

Plums, Blue Hydrangeas, White Orchids, Ivory Roses, 2-toned Carnations for Table Centrepiece

Long-stemmed bridal posy using White Sweet Williams and Agapanthus

Favor Boxes for guest in powder blue and plum bows

Table Number

Simple paper flowers with crystal droplets around the center ceiling of the hall

Most of the photos seen here were taken by Ms Foong Wai.

SOPHIA & FAIZ, 28.5.2011

With the concept of Moroccan Marakesh, Theme of Que Rafael once again nailed it with their simple and yet captivating style of decor. The client requested NOT to use too much flowers as she prefers not to have wastage. It proves a point of less is more for this wedding decor.

Venue: Dewan De' Sri Endon, Puspanitapuri, Presint 10, Putrajaya

No. of guests : 720 pax

Decorator : Theme of Que Rafael

We were tempted to put sacks of spices by the side

Vibrant colours to suit the Moroccan style

Shisha and large lanterns as part of props

Simple yet impactful Main Table Decor

Advice from the Guru...

About being a Wedding Planner, Preston Bailey said it right;

"I once did a destination wedding with a planner who lied about her level of experience. This is a cautionary tale for all of us: you do not become a planner simply by saying you are a planner. First and foremost, you must learn the mechanics of the job, and then you must learn by doing.There are no short cuts." It takes a lot of experience to become a wedding/event planner (which I am still learning to perfect my methods of planning and that is a learning process of 6 years so far) and much more responsibilities to coordinate an event because the way I see it, if anything should go wrong on the day of event, the planner/coordinator is the person the client would be looking for or to put the blame on as we are ultimately, the "floor manager" (as I have been called a few times myself). Unless you are prepared to take the blame or willing to be the scapegoat, this job is not for you.


I was once told that what I'm doing is out of the ordinary here in our country, which is not to get commissions from vendors or suppliers but I felt so glad and relieved when I read this advice, referring to his blog and advice;


If you’re charging a fee, DO NOT ACCEPT ANY ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONS UNLESS YOUR CLIENTS KNOW ABOUT IT. I am strongly against this practice. I used to work with a planner (you know who you are), who requested 15% commissions in cash, so as not to leave a paper trail.


... which I normally would explain to potential clients that PDP does not take commissions or percentages from vendors and/or suppliers. All transactions are transparent between Client and Vendors but sometimes I do get that doubtful expression from the other end as it is rather the norm in our society. 


For further reading, please visit Preston Bailey's blog.

Real Wedding: Rizal & Hana, 12.2.2011

Arjuna Cipta referred me to Rizal back in early November, 2010, who was looking for a wedding planner/coordinator to help him with his wedding in February 2011. The problem was as soon as we signed the agreement, he left for Egypt for a month and by the time he got back, I went for my holiday. However, all discussions pertaining to decor design, invitation cards, wedding favors, musician etc for Rizal's wedding was done prior to leaving for my holiday. All communication were via SMS, emails flying to and fro... but we managed to pull it off and produce the perfect wedding for Rizal & Hana.... Congratulations again to you both!

For those of you who will be using Dewan Merak Kayangan or any aged venue or simple because you find the venue cold and uninviting, do consider using lightings to "mask" the flaws - it really works! Instead of having Live-Feed Camera, allocate the budget instead to have lightings to create the hue and ambiance that you'd like to have for the event.

Wedding Planner and Coordinator - Perfect Day Planner
Event Decorator - Arjuna Cipta
Venue: Dewan Merak Kayangan
Lightings: Psychoacoustic Sound & Lights
Emcee : Nina Sharil
Wedding Stationery : Parfait Prints
Sound system : Alin
Cake : A Dream Cake

Dewan Merak Kayangan - BEFORE the decor

DMK - AFTER decoration & lighting additions

Simple & sensual aisle flowers

Table & Seating Plan - according to the theme colours

Pelamin/Main Dais

Jelly Beans of Strawberry Cheesecake & Dark Chocolate Flavor as favors