Wedding Number 2: Ruslan and Tatiana

Tanya's sister, Ira, was married last month. This month is was Tanya's turn: we played at both weddings, and this time I had more than a clue as to what to expect!

Ruslan and Tanya chose to have a church ceremony. To marry in Russia, the couple plus witnesses should go to the marriage registration office where there is a legal ceremony performed by the state, a toast is made and from there the couple continue to celebrate as they choose. Orthodox couples take a 4-hour long church ceremony, some have their pastors perform a ceremony of blessing where the couple make Christian vows; most couples simply go on to a reception in a hotel or restaurant, if they can afford to.



Saturday's ceremony for Ruslan and Tanya was short and beautiful, then we all went back to her father's house where we celebrated, played music, watched skits, ate food, saw fireworks and, when most people had already gone... there was dancing!