The day started at 10:00 at the Moscow apartment of the brides’ family. Friends of Christina gathered to assist with the gown. Irina is a friend of the family. She did the makeup and hair. She works as a professional stylist. Her work was amazing as I viewed close up images of the bride in post production.

Then at 11:00 Slava walks to the apartment of the brides’ family with a dozen of his friends. He is met outside by the friends of the bride. Slava is carrying a bouquet; it is the bride’s bouquet. He is then put through a series of comical tests by the brides’ friends where he must prove his love for the bride. When he passes the tests he is allowed into the apartment.

This is the first time on the wedding day that Slava sees the bride. He presents the bouquet to Christina. It is also the first time she sees the bouquet that she will carry for the day. We then all exit the apartment building and walk by the applauding babushkas (neighborhood grandmothers) who were sitting outside enjoying the cool spring day. The bride, groom and their friends ride in limousines to the Moscow ZAGS office. ZAGS is the sole Russian government agency that validates marriages. In Russia, the church is not yet allowed to officiate at the legal ceremony. It is a very busy Saturday with many couples waiting to be married and their friends. Ceremonies are performed nearly every 30 minutes. The parents do not attend the ceremony, just friends. After the ceremony the newlyweds and friends visit a historical park for pictures. The limousines full of friends arrive at Tsarina Park. The park has a history of 500 years. Catherine the II resided there around 1775. We were scheduled to be there for 2 hours. The time was shortened to 90 minutes as what appeared to be a cold wind from Siberia blew in.

Then onto the reception where the DJ introduces the bride and groom to the 125 waiting guests. A few traditional ceremonies take place including the bride and groom sharing bread together. Dinner and desert happens over a four hour period. Pitchers of vodka are on each table. One person pours the vodka and a toast is given at the table for each time the straight vodka is consumed. The reception ended after 7 hours of eating and drinking as the bride and groom left with the release of dozens of balloons.