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For Bella Astillah, love is not always found in grand gestures. Sometimes, it is as simple as having someone open a door for you.
As she prepares to marry politician Syed Saddiq, Bella said the everyday consideration she receives from him has become one of the things that makes her feel safe in their relationship.
“The little things he does every day mean so much to me. Even something as simple as opening the door for me might seem completely normal to him, but to me, it is extraordinary because I have never experienced this kind of love before,” she said during a press conference for Walimatulurus Bella Astillah & Syed Saddiq yesterday.
The couple’s journey towards marriage will be documented in the eight-episode Astro special, which premieres next Tuesday (Oct 6). The programme follows Bella and Syed as they prepare for their wedding, spend time with their families and adjust to a new chapter of their lives together.
It will also give viewers a look at their lives beyond the wedding preparations, including their time with Bella’s children, Ayden and Ara, as they begin adjusting to life as a family.
For Bella, being able to share these moments with the people closest to them is part of what makes the journey meaningful.
“This journey means so much to us, especially because we get to share these happy moments with our families, Ayden, Ara and everyone who has always supported and prayed for us. I hope this becomes a beautiful memory that we can keep forever,” she said.
Syed also expressed his appreciation for the support the couple has received throughout their relationship and preparations for marriage.
“We truly appreciate every prayer and every bit of support that has been given to us. We are also grateful to Astro for being part of this special journey and for documenting these moments with us,” he said.
A love of their own
Their relationship has naturally attracted comparisons, including suggestions that their marriage could resemble the long-standing partnership between former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his late wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad.
However, Syed was quick to point out that their stories should not be placed side by side.
“I do not think we can compare ourselves to Mahathir and Hasmah, whether in terms of their contributions to the country or their love story. They have their own journey and their own legacy, while Bella and I are still in the beginning of our new chapter,” he said.
The comment reflects the couple’s approach to their relationship, particularly as they prepare to enter a new phase under considerable public attention. Rather than attempting to fit into an existing image of an ideal marriage, they appear focused on building a relationship that works for them and their family.
Tale as old as time
Walimatulurus Bella Astillah & Syed Saddiq will begin with two episodes covering their backgrounds, memories of how they met and the preparations leading up to their wedding.
Viewers will see moments from their engagement, berinai ceremony and Quran recital, as well as preparations involving their wedding attire and families.
The third episode will feature their nikah ceremony live from Menara 118 on Oct 10 at 9am. The two-hour broadcast will include the akad, the wedding atmosphere and appearances by family members and guests.
The ceremony will be broadcast on Astro Ria, Astro Prima, Astro Awani, Sooka and Astro Go, as well as Astro Gempak and Astro Malaysia’s digital platforms.
The fourth episode will continue with their first reception as husband and wife at Mitec, Kuala Lumpur on Oct 18 at 8pm. The live broadcast will feature their celebrations with family, friends, colleagues, guests and other loved ones.
The couple will also continue their wedding celebrations with receptions in Muar, Johor on Oct 25 for Syed’s family, followed by another reception in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on Oct 31 for Bella’s family and friends.
The final four episodes will move beyond the wedding itself to explore the couple’s life after marriage, including how they adjust to their new routines, spend time with their families and children, and prepare for their honeymoon.
Astro said the series will also feature footage from the couple’s wedding and receptions that has not previously been made public.
For Bella, however, the series is ultimately about more than documenting a wedding. It captures the small moments that have shaped their relationship and the transition from being a couple to becoming a family.
And if the little things are what make Bella feel most loved, it seems for her, those moments may matter just as much as the grand ones that everyone else gets to see.
Walimatulurus Bella Astillah & Syed Saddiq premieres Oct 6 and airs every Tuesday at 11pm on Astro Ria (channel 104). Episodes will also be available on demand via Astro Go and Sooka.
