Hi Joelle,
Hope u're not stressed over ur work, take care ya?
Hmm... for me, i feel that since we're marrying into FH's family, perhaps its better that we follow their preferences..? Else if something bad happens, sometimes the older folks will tend to put the blame on us... U've already mentioned that his family doesnt sound happy abt ur 2nd option liao... so better not have an unpleasant start to the wedding preparation loh.. How abt u do ur customary in Malacca hotel then? Ur immediate family members (ie, parents and siblings) will go over to Malacca with u. FH will fetch u from the hotel, tea ceremony at his house, tea ceremony at the hotel for ur parents.. then dinner in Malacca.
As for ur relatives in S'pore, perhaps u can hold a v simple dinner in restaurant (hotel, if u have enough tables) for ur relatives, ur frens and also FH's frens in S'pore. It doesnt have to be a Chinese sit-down dinner; u can have a buffet style, chalet-cum-garden reception if u prefer loh... This affair in S'pore would not involve FH's family and relatives lah... but if FH's parents wana come down to S'pore to attend, also can loh...
Thats what FH and I are planning to do loh, thats y we have 2 dinners (1 in M'sia 1 in S'pore). Saves the trouble of our frens having to travel to M'sia to attend our wedding, at the same time the M'sian relatives wun have to give such a "big" angpao (due to currency difference) if they were to attend a S'pore dinner! Most importantly, save on accommodation for both! =p