Not in Westeros, This 'Game of Thrones' Couple Exchange Vows in Jakarta

A couple with a shared passion for Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings splashed out Rp. 180 million (around $13,000) on a quirky themed wedding inspired by the fantasy novels.

The 'royal' wedding with a twist saw Rekhaza Panji Riawan, 28 - aka King Joffrey Baratheon - make Sista Mauli Wulandari, 27 - aka the Elven Queen, Galadriel - his wife - watched by a guard of honour. The elaborate ceremony, which took less than a year to plan, was held in the couple's Indonesian home of Jakarta, and all 600 guests were also asked to dress according to the quirky themes.

No expense was spared, and the couple's nuptials had all the glitz and glamour of a lavish TV production.
'Luckily, things aren't as expensive here as they are in the UK,' said Sista of her big day.

Instead of a traditional white bridal gown, brand strategist Sista wore a sumptuous floor-length cape and creative director Rekhaza accessorised his costume with an impressive sword.

They were even flanked by their own army – wearing handmade brown robes and carrying wooden swords - as they arrived for the traditional Muslim ceremony.

 'We had such a fantastic day,' said Sista.

'I loved being dressed as the Queen of the Elves and Rekhaza made such a handsome King Joffrey. Even though he is cruel in the series, we loved his costume.

'I feel really thankful for everything because it went so perfectly.'

Rekhaza was keen to let everyone know that he'd been struck by Cupid's arrow, with a symbolic gesture after the traditional speeches from family members, prayers and wedding feast.

'Instead of me throwing my bouquet, Rekhaza shot an arrow across the pool, so a guest could catch it,' said Sista. 'It was so romantic.' 

The wedding invite even included a coin from Westeros, the continent where most of the Game of Thrones' action takes place, and their wedding banner was inspired by the Baratheon crown. 

Fans of both fantasy dramas, the couple are particularly hooked on Game of Thrones, adapted from the series of novels, A Song of Ice and Fire, by American author and screenwriter George R. R. Martin.

Sista said: 'Me and my husband can spend a day, a week, a month, or a year talking about Game of Thrones, and we don't get bored at all.

'Rekhaza is a major fanboy and I am a complete fangirl. He introduced me to it when we first got together and I was addicted.'

Hugely popular, the Game of Thrones TV show is set in the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the continent of Essos and chronicles the violent struggles amongst the realm's noble families for the Iron Throne.

But there were no such warring factions at the couple's fairy-tale wedding last October, held at an outdoor restaurant.

'No expense was spared, but, luckily, things aren't as expensive here as they are in the UK,' said Sista.

'We are both very creative, too, which helped. It took us less than a year to organise it all.

'And all our 600 guests were very keen to fit in with our theme.'

Sista first met her husband at Binus University, west Jakarta, where she was studying marketing communication and he was doing visual communication.

She continued: 'Rekhaza was my first crush in college. I thought he was much cooler and older than me when I first went to the orientation day in 2008.

'I didn't have the guts to talk or even smile at him, and really forgot all about him.

 

'But then, in 2010, the universe brought us together again when we met at a college event.

'Thankfully, one of our friends introduced him to me and, since then we became friends and then a couple a few months later.' 

Typically unconventional, rather than receiving a romantic proposal, the couple made a mutual decision to get married and hit on the fantasy theme. 

Source : Daily Mail | Metro | Kaskus