After more than 13 years of operations, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) yesterday hosted the first wedding reception at its racing facility; with Malaysian couple – Ian Tian and Jasmine Low – penning their names in the history books as they exchanged their marriage vows.

True to the tagline 'more than just a racing track', SIC, which was built in 1998 and hosting Malaysia's first Formula 1 race in the following year, hosted the event at the roof-top of its pit-building under clear skies with the sun setting down at the horizon with the couple - both die-hard racing fans - donning racing gears instead of the traditional suits and gowns.

"It's undoubtedly special. Not just for the lovely couple; but for us as well ... we have always position SIC as a multi-faceted venue ... not only motorsport; but also non-motorsports events like this wedding reception," said SIC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Razlan Razali.

"SIC is a huge ballroom under the sky, there is so much that this facility can offer as a venue ... we're unique; and it always exciting to include motorsports into a traditional event such as weddings, AGMs and so on," he said of the massive prospects in the capability of SIC to organize all kinds of large scale events.

Located some 60kms from the capital of Kuala Lumpur and 25km from Malaysia's administrative capital of Putrajaya, the circuit sits on a 100-hectre former estate; housing a world-class go-kart track, an off-road park; two fishing ponds with large parking areas surrounding its main facility; making it a perfect venue for any kind of mass gathering like the grand wedding reception for Ian and Jasmine.

"We would like to wish Ian and Jasmine our heartfelt congratulations; and hope that this day - 23rd June 2012 - will be an everlasting memory for them. It's definitely be one of our memorable moments for us at SIC," said Razlan, who took over the helm of SIC in October 2008 and initiated a long list of firsts at the circuit- both on-track and off-track.

An ardent racing fan with massive experience in the entertainment industry, Razlan has incorporated major sporting events at the circuit especially Formula 1 and MotoGP with international concerts with world class artists as an effort to raise the profile of the event.

A structured circuit tour and an aggressive event team were among of his first initiatives at the circuit as he rebranded SIC with a new tagline 'Alive with Adrenaline' and gave stronger emphasis on non-motorsports events in injecting more live and vibrancy to the motor racing facility.

"We are very happy that we finally to organize this wedding ... I am confident that it will be the start of many," said Razlan, adding that wedding packages at the circuit starts at RM150 nett per person with a minimum of 300 person including venue rental, basic decoration and Food &Beverage from a five-star hotel.

For Ian and Jasmine, Pan Pacific KLIA Hotel was the official caterer, where the hotel showcased its mobile kitchen counter at a wedding for the first time. This all-in-one marvel machine roasts, grills, fries, poaches and steams to serve up an endless array of hot, delectable offering; live and on the spot; providing a wide selection in their menu from soups to pizzas, burgers to noodles; both local and international high end cuisine.

"Having said that, this wedding package can be customized according to the couple's budget and customers have their own choice of the preferred caterers," Razlan said, adding that SIC is always open to suggestions and that customer's satisfactions always the utmost important factor.

According to Ian, the idea to have the wedding reception at the circuit was first mooted by a friend, who said SIC would be a perfect venue for him because he was a die-hard motor racing fan and that the circuit being one of the country's most iconic venues.

"When we came to have a look at the venue, we have been told that SIC never hosted a wedding before. So, the idea of becoming the first couple to do so came across my mind and Jasmine agreed ... we simply love the idea of being different compared to others.

"We have been informed that during international events like F1 and MotoGP, the Perdana Suite is reserved only for the Royal and VVIP guests. We're indeed very luckyto have the opportunity to celebrate our most memorable day there. We are very honoured," said the 26-year old Ian, who works as a marketer in Johor Bahru in the Fast Moving Goods industry.

In her comments, Jasmine thanked SIC for hosting a dream wedding reception for her and her husband.

She said: "Both of us have bad experience difficulties in looking for parking when attending some weddings. SIC has generous space for all of our guests. Parking may be a minor consideration; but it could be the key between a satisfied guest and a frustrated one.

"So, in this case I don't want to burden my guests and I want them to go back with memorable moments ... I've fallen in love with everything about this venue. I am happy that I trusted my intuition and today I had all that I've ever wanted in my wedding day," said the 29-year old Jasmine, who works in Seremban in the same industry.

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