International Wedding Showcase 2011: Glitz and Glamour

Written by Delwin Keasberry Friday, 01 July 2011 23:48

Greetings Readers! When I recall the International Wedding Showcase 2011, I think of colourful characters, elaborate designs, local celebrities, up-to-date wedding fashion trends and a very hard working bunch of people behind the scenes. Being the official online partner for the Showcase, I got to meet most of the participating vendors across the weekend of the 18th of June 2011. I learned a lot about the local wedding industry. Each vendor had a unique story about what led them to the wedding industry. Each vendor had something unique to offer, be it a pricing point, exclusivity, access to an international supplies, etc. These are just some of their stories.

Local celebrities Feez Madea, Juju, Zul F, Qeez Idrus and Wallace at Adam Sulaiman and Aiman Besar's booth

Pelamin and other wedding gifts by Sirih Junjung, a family business in operation for about eight years. I learned that mega-burgers are becoming popular as hantaran gifts for the fellas. Yea, when I write mega, I mean mega! Find them here on Facebook or call them +673 2420039

Rannie Yeo from D’Voted Enterpriseis a wedding planner and her busines specialises in unique wedding door gifts and favours. Reach them via Facebook or call them +673 8738184

Siti Sharir is the wiz behind Cits Cakes, a home-based business specialising in cupcakes. She has formal training as a baker and has spent some time in the UK for exposure to the colourful world of baking. Siti proudly shared that her most popular cupcake is the "Red Velvet" (not pictured) which I sadly did not get to sample. Check out their blog or call them +673 8810099

Zaren Chocolatier is a new business specialising in...chocolates. They share that their almond coated chocolates are a must try. Call them +673 8227772

The wedding gown on the official International Wedding Showcase 2011 poster worn by model Mia was custom made by Mutiara Ayu Bridal Boutique. The owner shared about the hardwork that goes into any of their creations and highlighted that elaborate designs do not happen by chance, especially when hand made. Call them +673 222 2544

Potzz & Petals Florist is a Live Wire business project and the brain child of Grace Leong. Grace is a "wedding specialist" and says that when it comes to decor and design, she tells her customers to be "daring" and to ask for what they really want. Find them on Facebook or call them +673 7188883

Flora Malintanm, Corporate Sales Manager from The Empire Hotel & Country Club says that wedding consultations are part of the service offered by The Empire. Check out their website or call them +673 2418888

Rose Dyana Bridal House & Catering has been in business for 10 years and they specialise in wedding attire, pelamin (i.e. the wedding stage) and catering services. Find them on Facebook or call them +673 8894591

The friendly staff from Nurwanita Restaurant & Catering shared that they have been in operation for nearly three years and that their restaurant caters for all occassions. She also shared that @thericco (one of the main coordinators of the Showcase) was a frequent customer and a big fan of their iced Thai milk tea. Call them +673 2426789

Master of Ceremonies Nadzri Harif interviewing the management from Royal Brunei Catering, I learned that they have been in operation since 1975 and that they cater for both small and large scale functions. Check out their website or call them +673 2440577

Nortaipah Bridal Boutique has been in operation for about 20 years and is another local family business. When I asked them what their point of difference was, they answered "our prices are reasonable". Find them on Facebook or call them +673 8779935

M. Rashid & Company has been in operation in Brunei for 45 years. They specialise in Indian wedding attire and said that they have always kept up to date with the latest fashion trends. Call them +673 8834645

I met Duli from Citra Embun Design Couture, a bridal shop based in Kuala Belait. Citra Embun specialises in pelamin, wedding attire and accessories. Duli is also a certified make-up artist. Check out her blog or call her +673 2231170

Harry, Managing Director of RN Wedding Boutique shared that his business had a large range of pelamin for customers and that they were flexible and able to meet the needs of different customers. Find them on Facebook, check out their blog or call them +673 8862266

Michelle Lau, Managing Director of Meesha Sukira Batik Studio said that they had travelled from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to be part of the Showcase. Michelle shared that the local response had been great and believed it was because their batik products were unique. Check out their website or call them +603 61841888

I met with Hasiah Lakim, business owner of both Hasla Fashion & Design and Lemon Nin Catering Services. Hasiah is shared that the local wedding industry has grown tremendously over the years and that her boutique offers customised wedding attire. Hasiah also shared that at present, she personally does all the cooking for her catering business. Call her +673 2237326

Faridah Goh is the business owner of Nicodemus Collections. Faridah told me it was her childhood dream to open a wedding boutique, and when asked to describe her work she said "chic, elegant and immaculate". The first photograph below is her "Kate Middleton" dress. Find the business on Facebook or call her +673 2232874

Local singer Juju in a wedding gown by Nicodemus Collections

Here are a few more photographs from the vendors of the International Wedding Showcase 2011. For more photographs and all your wedding needs, contact the Songket Wedding team via their Facebook page or call them +673 8203850

Hantaran display by Muhammad Mustaqim Enterprise.

Maszalina Butik. Find them on Facebook

Official International Wedding Showcase photographers - Adam Raasalhague (+673 8844180) & Aiman Besar (+673 8824548)