Malay engagement is different. Not like knee on knee proposal. When the couple are ready for commitment which is marry, they will tie the knot through engagement. It is not a simple process. First, the boy's family have to ask the girl's family whether the girl is available or no and whether she is agree to accept the boy proposal or no which we called "merisik" process. At this point, when the girl is confirm available both family will set up a date for engagement. But, for my brother's, we combined the "merisik" process and engagement to cut cost and time. Furthermore, they already been together and both families know each other.
On the chosen day, my families around 30 people came to the girl's house. We did not come with empty hands, we brought along 11 "hantaran" (gifts). Normally, the amount of gifts from boy's side must be odd while from girl must be even and more than the boy's.
From my brother's
My first brother became the representative to talk to the girl's father. The talk involves how much the mahar should be given during akad, how long the engagement period and other things that involving the gifts, future planning etc.
During the discussion, the girl with beautiful dress and make up sit inside her room which was beautifully decorated.
After the dicussion finished, my mum and my aunt went inside the room to put on rings for the girl. 2 rings which represent 1 for "merisik" and another 1 for "engaged".
After that photo session took place and the end of ceremony was eat!!!!!!!!!!
The sisters + mum
The ceremony took about 3 hours. After that, the couple will go through the engagement period while preparing themselves for marry.
