Bersanding means the big day of the wedding ceremony.
Guests are invited for a treat on that day. The wedding preparation is often based on gotong-royong (co-operation) among friends and relatives for which the Malays are well known. The wedding takes place, in most cases, in the house of the bride. Guests are presented with a bunga telur each. Literally, this means 'flower and egg'. Sometimes it is well decorated. The egg symbolises fertile union and hope that the marriage will produce many children. The arrival of the groom is heralded by the "hadrah" troupe. This group, mostly comprising teenagers, will beat the "kompang" (hand drums) and recite Quranic verses and good wishes. The groom is often flanked by "bunga manggar" (palm blossoms) carriers and accompanied by relatives and friends. The wedding ceremony continue till night with the wedding cake ceremony.
But Khairis wedding is different following bride's tradition of Bajau wedding custom. Bajau is one of the primary local ethnic in SABAH, East Malaysia. Brides and grooms wear colorful bajau tailored clothing. The more highly regarded the girl is the more brightly and colorful she will be dressed. She will also receive many water buffalo which, to the Bajau, is a special animal that usually forms part of woman's dowry. Arranged marriages are common. Marriage by kidnap and elopement are also still quite frequent. They believe they are descended from royalty. This is perhaps why they wear such richly colorful clothes, often hand nade of traditional dastar fabric.
