February 6, 2025
KUALA LUMPUR – With wedding season around the corner, many couples will be planning their big day, and a wedding planner can help ensure every detail is perfect.
From selecting the ideal venue and coordinating with vendors to arranging the ceremony timeline and incorporating cultural or family traditions, a wedding planner can guide couples through the process.
As traditions continue to evolve, several planner maestros are keeping to holding the ceremony steeped in heritage while adapting to changes.
Two Malaysian women, Istiadziah Ishak and Siti Athirah Md Yusof, have carved out distinct paths in the makeup artistry industry, showcasing the intersection of culture, passion and innovation.
Istiadziah, 55, is a custodian of a fading tradition. With 38 years of experience as a mak andam, a traditional wedding consultant, Istiadziah has witnessed the gradual decline of the intricate customs that once defined Malay weddings.
“I inherited this craft from my grandmother in 1998,” she said.
“It wasn’t just about makeup; it involved rituals, taboos and traditions passed down through generations.”
Mak andam practices, such as arranging symbolic blooms and preparing ritual rice grains, have largely been replaced by simplified ceremonies.
“Traditions are vanishing,” she lamented.
“In my hometown of Kuala Pilah, the craft is fading as elders pass on, and fewer young people are interested in learning.”
Despite these challenges, Istiadziah continues to adapt, incorporating modern techniques while staying true to her roots.
Now a senior makeup artist at Istana Budaya under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, she transforms performers with her artistry while occasionally fulfilling requests for traditional bridal makeup.
“A wedding is a bride’s once-in-a-lifetime moment,” she said.
“I stay until the very end to ensure everything is perfect.”
Meanwhile, Siti Athirah, 31, represents the modern wave of makeup artistry.
She began her journey as a makeup artist at the age of 24 when she left her corporate job as a marketing executive.
Encouraged by a close friend who recognised her talent, Siti Athirah’s decision to pursue her passion was driven not just by her love for the craft but also by the flexibility it provided her.
Siti Athirah’s work reflects a modern aesthetic tailored to the individual needs of her clients.
“Every bride is unique. I adapt to their preferences, considering their outfits, the venue, and the timing.”
Despite fierce competition fuelled by the rise of social media, she has built her reputation through word-of-mouth referrals and an unwavering commitment to quality.
During peak wedding seasons, she juggles up to 30 clients, often travelling across states, from Penang to Sabah.
“People are always getting married.
The demand is endless.” For bride’s chaperone or “dai kam”, Joseph Khor, traditional Chinese weddings are still flourishing, as many young couples appreciate the cultural significance of traditional weddings.
Every step of a traditional Chinese ceremony, from choosing the dates and setting up the matrimonial bed to the hair combing ritual and the tea ceremony, is rich with blessings and historical significance.
“These traditional wedding rituals prepare the couple both emotionally and spiritually for their marriage.
“We also ensure that the wedding is filled with blessings and joy to mark an auspicious start to their wedded life,” he said.
He describes the hair combing ritual, where the bride’s mother will comb the bride’s hair on the eve of her wedding.
This intimate ritual is often a teary and moving moment for the mother as she prepares to send off her daughter to become a wife, he said.
“Traditionally, young girls wore pigtails, and when they got married, their mothers would comb and style their hair into a bun to signify coming of age.”
Khor gave another example: the tea ceremony. Traditionally, it allowed families from both sides to meet and the groom’s family to formally accept the bride.
There are many details involved. The tea must be sweet and made from red dates and longan, with the red dates containing seeds to symbolise offspring, he said.
The tea must be served to family members by both the bride and groom in accordance with family hierarchy, from the oldest to the youngest.
Younger relatives, such as siblings or cousins, must then serve tea to the couple, he added.
Many think becoming a dai kam is a simple job of repeating auspicious phrases.
“That is not true, the dai kam needs to be very knowledgeable about their traditional wedding rituals and know a breadth of different phrases for every person.
“Correct words must be spoken, and each step must be performed properly.”
It is important to ensure that the traditional wedding process goes smoothly to provide the best start to the marriage, he added.