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span class="caption">Wedding jitters: Siti Ruby Aliya Rajasa, (left) daughter of Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa, weeps during a traditional ceremony held prior to her marriage to Edhie "Ibas" Baskoro, a son of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at her residence in Jakarta on Tuesday. The love story of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s youngest son, Edhie “Ibas” Baskoro, and Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa’s eldest daughter, Siti Ruby Aliya Rajasa, may not be as romantic as the tale of Romeo and Juliet, but has echoes in a classic piece of literature from West Sumatra.

It was not love at first sight for the happy couple, but when love blossomed it was gently nurtured by their parents.

Ibas, 31, and Aliya, 25, often met in gatherings of Cabinet members’ families but both already had other partners.

“Ibas started to fall for Aliya during a gathering at the Cipanas presidential palace [in West Java] in 2010,” said Aliya’s friend, Fahira Idris, the daughter of former industry minister Fahmi Idris, who served in Yudhoyono’s Cabinet between 2004 and 2009.

“Their relationship was forged when Ibas engaged Aliya in a private conversation at the palace’s fish pond.”

Ibas then spoke about his love for Aliya with Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, who instantly endorsed the match. “After that Bu Ani met Bu Okke Rajasa [Aliya’s mother] to tell her that Ibas had a crush on her daughter, and asking her to help out with their relationship,” said Fahira.

A source close to Aliya said that Aliya had at first rejected Ibas as she already had a boyfriend working in the United Kingdom, where Aliya also studied for her master’s degree.

“But things didn’t go as well as planned and Aliya finally agreed to her parent’s suggestion to marry Ibas,” said the source.

Hatta has denied allegations of an arranged marriage as in the tragic tale of Siti Nurbaya who was forced by her parents to marry Datuk Ma-ringgih in settlement of a debt.

Hatta is the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), the nation’s fifth largest party and key member of Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party-led coalition. PAN has already named Hatta as a vice presidential candidate in the 2014 election, with his running mate yet to be decided.

Ibas and Aliya started on Tuesday a series of traditional rituals ahead of their wedding on Thursday at the Cipanas palace.

Ibas held a Javanese bathing ritual at Yudhoyono’s private residence in Puri Cikeas, West Java, attended by a limited number of guests, mainly members of the First Family.

State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Joko Suyanto were also seen at the ritual.

A school with about 300 pupils, located near Puri Cikeas was closed due to traffic concerns. Nongovernmental organization Bendera said the wedding would cost at least Rp 7.4 billion (US$822,000) for meals and invitations alone. The bride and groom will hold a lavish reception on Saturday at the Jakarta Convention Center, attended by around 3,500 guests.

“Not a penny of state money will be used to finance this wedding. The money is from our own pocket,” said Yudhoyono, who earns less than $7,000 a month as president.