VP Try Sutrisno to attend Susi and Alan's reception

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno and a number of cabinet ministers are among the guests expected to attend the wedding reception of badminton Olympic gold medalists Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusuma.

Kim Thong, the organizer, said Try has confirmed he will attend the so-called Grand Athena Wedding to be held at Hotel Grand Melia tomorrow. The reception is expected to be attended by 2,000 guests, including badminton players participating in the current men's team A King Asia Cup championship.

The wedding reception will be opened with five young children dressed in five different colors reflecting the five participating continents in the Olympics -- Asia (yellow), the Americas (red), Africa (black), Australia (green) and Europe (blue).

It will be followed by gymnast Zainul Abidin dressed in red and white performing around the circle of Olympic ribbons held by other gymnasts.

Susi, the bride, will walk to the dais together with 20 attendants all wearing shuttlecock accessories.

The ceremony ends with Susi throwing gifts to unmarried guests.

"We want to make Susi like Cinderella and dress her like a goddess. Her hair will be made curly like a goddess from Greek mythology," Kim said.

Kim said at first, the reception's theme was to be the Barcelona Goal, but it was later decided it would be the Grand Athena Wedding.

Susi's wedding dress was also debated, Kim said. "After a series of debates, it was decided that Susi's dress should be according to the wedding theme."

Kim's major concern was to avoid possible incidents during the reception. "We have to be extra careful should Susi or Alan fall at the party, thus causing them injury."

Kim, who also handled the reception of singers Indra Lesmana and Sophia Latjuba, said he felt stressed out when he was asked to arrange Susi's wedding reception.

"At first, I was stressed because I did not know the wish of the newlyweds. Eventually, both Susi and Alan left the decision to me. For this reason, I want to make the party as merry as possible," Kim said. (lnt)