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This is Andy's friend Aaron. We met Aaron in Tver at the language institute in which we studied Russian and Aaron worked. Here is Aaron's oatmeal breakfast before the big day begins. He looks pretty calm considering only 24 hours before, he awoke to find the rings gone...
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After calling and waking up his Mother, Aaron jumped in a car with Inna's boquet and his closest guy friends in Russia. From left to right they are Andrey, Nick, Andy and Pasha.
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Here's Aaron at the entrance on Inna's house. The Russian tradition is to pick up the bride in her home. But first, Aaron had to prove his love by answering questions and passing the tests her friends had prepared for him. For instance, Aaron had to choose her lips from a sheet full of lipstick kisses. With every answer Aaron got wrong, Andy had to pay 10 rubles...
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Luckily, Aaron new his bride-to-be well and passed the tests to see his bride (and it only cost Andy 150 rubles). Not bad. I've heard of the Best Man resorting to vodka shots when he ran out of money.
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The next stop was the Wedding Hall, the official site of the ceremony.
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The ceremony highlight is the signing of the documents by the bride, groom, best man and lady. Then, after a few inspiring words, the rings are exchanged and they kiss! The lady to the left ran the show. Hey, Andy! It's time for a toast in Russian... or not.
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Walking to the top of St. Isaacs Cathedral to see the view. And no, we didn't feel bad speaking Russian and getting the bargin 30 cent tickets instead of the 8 dollar ones...
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After the first dance in the Wedding Hall, we took off to visit the major Tver monuments while the last light of the day disappeared. Plus, it's important to cross 7 bridges and the bride should be carried over one of them too.
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Good Luck Inna adn Aaron - we had a great time at your wedding and we wish you all the best to you and your new family!
Jill and Andy
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