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Lena and Khashyar's Sept 16-17 Russian wedding in Mogilev, Belarus

(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: Khashyar

Hello Everyone,

Lena and I have just purchased our air tickets for Belarus for our SQept 16-17 wedding in her home town in Belarus.

Lena will be leaving in early August (after the August 6 RMP get-together in Los Angeles), and then will return a week after our wedding at the end of the third week of September.

I am arriving about 10 days before the wedding, and leaving a week after the wedding.

I am happy that several members of my family are going to also attend the Belarus wedding.

All of my family on the East Coast are going to be flying on the same flight to Minsk:

...Both of my parents, my sister and her husband, my cousin & his wife and child from Cleveland, and another cousin from Cleveland.

Also, one of my uncles and his wife and three children who live overseas will join us in Minsk also.

Lena has a Russian friend in Los Angeles who will come, not to mention to the hundred or so family and guests from Belarus and Russia that will come.

Our wedding will be in the largest Orthodox Church in Mogilev (which is a few hundred years old).

We opted for a more traditional two day wedding. On the third day, my family will go to Lena's family's dacha (country house) where I am sure that we will drink vodka, eat good homemade Russian food, and talk and go into the banya (Russian steam room)....

Lena's parents are nervous about getting everything ready for the wedding and for my family, thinking that my family will expect Western standards I told Lena to tell them not to worry, because my family understands what life is like in most of Belarus.

We anticipate that the wedding will cost about $3,000, which includes alcohol, food, reception, flowers, etc... (a bargain if we would have a similar wedding in the U.S.).

I will try to find some photos of the church to post....

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

A photo of the church in downtown Mogilev where Lena and I will be getting married.

Lena tells me that the church was damaged in World War 2 by the German army, but that it was repaired and restored after that time.

The church is a few hundred years old, though I am not sure exactly how old it is.

(notice the Orthodox monk walking in front of the photo)


Posted by: Khashyar

Full view of the church.

Across the street from the church, is an outdoor vegetable and food market where local Belarusians sell vegetables that they grow in their gardens.

The church is called the "Minsk Market." Lena tells me that people go to church, and then go and shop at the market.


Posted by: Khashyar

closer view of the church...


Posted by: Khashyar

..closer view of the church towers


Posted by: Khashyar

The inside of the church.

Lena tells me that this is the biggest church in Mogilev.


Posted by: Khashyar

closer view of the icons inside of the church...


Posted by: Khashyar

another view inside of the church...


Posted by: Pin Boy

sounds like it is going to be a GREAT time Khashyar. could you please describe what the ceremony will be like? thanks for the pics too.

pin boy


Posted by: AngryFisherman

The church seems to be in excellent condition, and I really like the inside photos. Seem very light and bright compared to a lot of other orthodox churches I have been to. I, like Pin Boy, would very much like to hear about your ceremony

Cheers,
FisherMan


Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Pin Boy and FisherMan....

Lena actually wrote a description of what will happen during our wedding, so we will check it over and post it on this website as soon as we can.

She wrote it so that my family would have an idea of what to expect during the wedding, but I think that others might find it interesting also.

Lena tells me that each country- Belarus, Russia and Ukraine- each has slightly different wedding traditions that are based on their culture.

I will post Lena's essay as soon as I can.

Khashyar


Posted by: RickGI

Khashyar,

The Church is amazing. I really love visiting the Orthodox churches over here. I visited a couple in Sophia and they were great. It looks likes a great place to be married. I hope everyone enjoys the ceremony.


Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks, Rick.

Yes, I love old Orthodox churches also. There is another orthodox church in Mogilev (that is smaller) that is about 400 years old and which I really love. But Lena prefers the "Minsk Market" church in the center of town begause it is larger and more elegant.

Khashyar


Posted by: BradIL

Khashyar--- if I am seeing this correctly:

This is, indeed, the church you photographed and mentioned in your September, 2004, TR on your travels to Mogilev, yes?

This is the same church you referred to when you mentioned that Lena wanted to talk with a priest to see what it would take to hold the ceremony here?


Posted by: Michel.S

This is great I'm very happy for you two.

Is september still warm/sunny enough in Belarus ? I remember being in Finland at the end of august and freezing my toes kinda... Belarus is a bit south but still dangerously north compared to .

I'm also eager to read about the wedding traditions in Belarus since the lady I"m exchanging emails with is from there.


Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Brad....

Actually, I had originally wanted to have the wedding at the older smaller church (I posted photos of that church in our Sept. 2004 Belarus trip report). So, the church that we will actually be married in will be larger and a bit new (only perhaps 300 years old instead of 400 years old )

But we will certainly post wedding pics after our wedding.

Welcome to the RMP, Michel... Belarus in mid-september will have fairly mild weather- neither hot nor cold... It feels most like autumn weather in the Easter United States.

Yes, I will revise and post the wedding traditions as soon as I can, and after I have caught up with some of my other projects that I have not been able to work on since I have been away from the past 4 weeks...

Khashyar


Posted by: BradIL

Quote:
Originally posted by Khashyar: Actually, I had originally wanted to have the wedding at the older smaller church (I posted photos of that church in our Sept. 2004 Belarus trip report). So, the church that we will actually be married in will be larger and a bit new (only perhaps 300 years old instead of 400 years old


Very good. Well... the church is certainly beautiful! I hope you and Lena savor every moment of it. Your wedding will be very picturesque.

I recall a photo you posted of Lena dressed as a traditional Belarussian bride (I believe you mentioned it was one of the photos of her you first glimpsed in a catalog). Will her wedding gown be traditional?


Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Brad...

Lena won't be wearing a traditional Belarusian wedding dress during the ceremony. (She would prefer to wear a more modern one, since this is her first and only wedding)...

Since the wedding will be a two-day affair, she will wear a nice white dress for the first day, and then a fancy red dress for the second.

By the way, you mentioned that you might be interested in attending the wedding.... You are still welcome to come, but you should begin your visa and travel plans ASAP...

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

During the wedding this September, Mogilev will look like autumn and trees will be turning colors just like many areas in the United States and Europe.


Posted by: Khashyar

Lena's father is a builder, contractor and interior designer, and he has been working to improve the house to get ready for my family's arrival "en masse" to Mogilev...

Lena also wants to invite her father to the U.S. in a year or so for a visit. He told her that he would be happy to work on new house in Baltimore.


Posted by: Khashyar

Lena's dad, Yuri (or "George"), just finished this fireplace at their house, again, in preparation for my family's arrival in September and our wedding.

Yuri found the rocks that he incorporated into the fireplace.

Out of necessity, Russians are often resourceful in their building techniques.

Lena said that cement is fairly cheap in Belarus, and so the main cost that Yuri had to pay for was for the floor tile.


Posted by: Khashyar

While Lena and I were traveling to Mogilev last September, we walked into an old Orthodox church while there was a wedding in progress, and took a photo of the happy Belarusian couple.

Orthodox Russian wedding ceremonies in Belarus seem to be open to the public...


Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Everyone,

I just posted Lena's new article entitled: "Russian and Belarusian Wedding Traditions and Marriage Ceremony (a history of wedding customs)," where she describes what to expect from our wedding.

http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/...ing_customs.htm

I need to look through it again to fix some more minor grammar mistakes, but I thought that there were some interesting information in Lena's article.

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

Well...

Lena leaves for Belarus tomorrow (August 9th).

She has been making decorations for our wedding by hand, and has really made some extraordinary things.

She is going to first fly to Moscow, where her mother and father will meet her after riding the train from Mogilev, Belarus for 8 hours.

Lena and her parents will stay at her aunt's Moscow apartment, while Lena goes shopping for her wedding dress, which she can buy for about $400.

After a few days in Moscow, Lena and her parents will travel by train again back to Mogilev, where Lena's real preparation work will begin.

I am going to travel to meet Lena during the first week of September. My family will arrive in Mogilev a week later during the second week of September.

After our September 16 and 17 wedding (with two receptions in two different Russian restaurants during two days), Lena and I will fly back to the U.S. during the last week of September.

I will ask Lena to take photos and post them in the forum over the next 4 weeks before I arrive.

We are going to have a professional photographer and videographer who will work at the wedding, so we SHOULD have some very professional photographs and video from the wedding and receptions, which we will post for our friends and RMP visitors who couldn't attend the wedding.

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

A few hours before Lena's flight to Moscow yesterday (Tuesday August 9th), she decided to get a manicure and pedicure for her wedding, since Mogilev doesn't offer very good nail services, and it is much more expensive there to receive a manicure because it is a fairly new luxury for Belarusians.

So, we stopped in a nail shop on Hollywood Blvd. (a shop that Lena has gone a couple of times before) for Lena to receive a manicure and pedicure....


Posted by: Khashyar

It's amazing how fast these nail ladies work...

Lena was enjoying the manicure, even though her flight was leaving in 4 hours.

We also needed to stop at a Russian document office, to receive a notarized copy of our marriage license (with a special international notary stamp from the State of California), because Lena had to renew her expired Belarusian passport in Belarus.

Lena's passport expired last April, and the Washington D.C. Belarusian Embassy told her that she had to renew her passport in Belarus, and that they would send her a special Belarusian travel document that extended her Belarusian passport by a few months until she arrived in Belarus to renew her passport.

Lena has a good Belarusian friend who also lives in the L.A. area, whose Belarusian passport also expired.

She just receive an ordinary notarized copy of her marriage license (the marriage license is needed in Belarus to show why you have been living outside of the country). This friend of Lena's was DENIED renewal of her Belarusian passport, because she only had the general notarizes stamp on the copy of her marriage license, and not the more official State of California issued international notarized page and stamp. She could not leave Belarus. Her American husband had to get the marriage license with the international notarized stamp, and send it to her so that she could begin the process of receiving her new Belarusian passport.

Luckily, she told Lena about her experience before Lena left for Belarus.


Posted by: Khashyar

Lena enjoys to get her nails done

The pedicurist had to be careful with Lena's upper feet and ankles, because Lena received some sunburn there from the beach last Sunday.

Lena's flight was going to leave in less than 4 hours, and we had to hurry.....


Posted by: Khashyar

Lena and I arrived at the airport about 2 hours before her flight was to leave.

We went through the security screenings of Lena's bags (which actually was a shorter process than when we flew to Belarus last Summer), and then we went to the airlines checkin counter.


Posted by: Khashyar

When we weighed Lena's bags at home on our home scale, we knew that her bags were a few kilos over the limit.

Lena thought that perhaps the aeroflot ticket agent would not care about a few extra kilos...

When we put the bags on the scales, one bag was 37 kilos (5 kilos over), and the other bag was 39 kilos (7 kilos over).

The Aeroflot agent said that we would have to pay $118 for EACH bag Or, we could buy a third bag and pack the additional weighted items there, and only be charged $118.

Lena asked where could be buy another bag, but the aeroflot agent excused herself for a minute...

The agent went to speak with a supervisor, and received an approval to only charge us one $118 over weight fee.

I would have rather NOT paid an extra $118 to Aeroflot, but... the agent (and the airlines supervisor) was nice in waving the fee for the second bag....


Posted by: Khashyar

Lena and I ate a small snack at one of the airport restaurants, and then Lena picked up her hand carried items: One had carry-on piece of luggage, her purse, a plastic bag with fragile wedding decoration items, and two wedding dresses and her father's suit, and headed to the gate and to her airplane.

Lena called me from her cell phone inside the plane, and told me that they had let her carry her 4 different carry on items on the plane....

She was tired, and she said that she would rest and sleep on the plane during the 13 hour flight from Los Angeles to Moscow...

Her parents were taking an 8 hour overnight train from Mogilev to Moscow, and were going to meet her at the Moscow airport...

Lena wondered how she, her dad and mom were going to carry the heavy and numerous bags on the Moscow subway to her great aunts apartment in Moscow.......

My flight to Minsk will leave on Tuesday September 6th, fortunately on Lufthansa Airlines (I did not enjoy my last flight to Belarus using Aeroflot, before which I was not informed that I needed a transit visa to change planes at the Moscow airport, and where I encountered some unpleasant and underinformed Aeroflot staff).

Lena will meet me at the Minsk International Airport when I arrive in Belarus in September.

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

As I'm writing this (it is 12:48 a.m. in Los Angeles), it is 11:48 a.m. in Moscow...

Since Lena would be awake at this time in Los Angeles (she likes to stay up late, and sleep late ), she might even be awake by now, having breakfast with her parents and great aunt, chit chatting with them about her life in America, telling them about our wedding plans, etc....

As soon as Lena can get to a computer, she will email me regarding how she is doing.

(I haven't heard of any airplanes crashing, so I feel pretty confident that her plane landed in Moscow o.k. )

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

.


Posted by: Khashyar

Well.....

I am leaving for Belarus early Tuesday Morning (Sept, 6th at 8 a.m.).

Lena is happy that I am going to be joining her. She has been focusing on wedding plans for 5 weeks now.

I have 13 of my family members flying into Belarus for the wedding, and Lena's mom is nervous about whether everything will go o.k. (A mother's nerves for her daughter who is about to get married).

My family will be staying in a house with two floors, a bathroom and kitchen on each floor, and 6 rooms. (We are renting this house for about a week when my family is there).

I haven't packed yet and have actually been staying up very late at night working to improve the website (I am happy with the progress and improvements of the website).

My best friend in Los Angeles is also going to come to Belarus for my wedding (I'm happy about that-- he's a good guy, and Lena says that the Belarusian ladies are going to make a scene over him )

We are going to have a very skilled videographer shoot video of the two day wedding event (which will have the ceremony on Friday Sept. 16th, and then a dinner reception at one of Mogilev's finest restaurants. On the second day (on Sept, 17th), we will have another dinner reception for all of our guests at another pretty good restaurant. For both nights, we are paying to rent the entire restaurant for our 70 or so wedding guests.

The restaurants quoted us a price of about $1,500 each, which will cover the rental of the restaurant, plus a high quality meal for each of the 70 guests. We will have to buy our alcohol and other drinks seperately, which will cost us another $500 or so.

My dad is really into the wedding. He is a whiskey and vodka connaisseur (but not a drunk), and he is going to have 10 of my family members hand carry 2 bottles each of good quality American Whiskey (Blanton's, and Bookers Noe), as well as some good organic American whiskey. I believe that the custom's limit for brining alcohol into Belarus is 3 liters per person, but I have to double check that before my family leaves for Belarus a week after I arrive.

To be honest, I'm looking forward to just relaxing at Lena's parent's house, have a little drink with food with Lena's dad and my Los Angeles friend Leo, and just enjoy a vacation

But, I know that Lena and her mom will be in "getting ready for the wedding mode," and the house may have a busy atmosphere.

I bought a small (but good) video camera to take with me, so that I can record video of the events, and hopefully post some of the video on the RMP after I get back. I have a larger professional video camera, but I don't feel like lugging my professional video equipment all the way to Belarus, and have to worry about looking after it. This small video camera (and a seperate good quality microphone that I purchased), will take some good video images, so that I can post them on the website.

The videographer who is filming the wedding is going to edit a final wedding film for us, and perhaps I can post that on our website if anyone is interested in seeing it.

It will be interesting to see the meeting of families and cultures during the week that my family will be there.

From my family, this is who is going to attend the wedding:

1) My mother and father (my dad is Persian, and my mom is a Swedish-German American with blue eyes and blond hair).

2) My sister and her half-Polish husband (a very nice guy)

3) My male cousin from Cleveland (who is almost like a brother to me) and his wife and 6 year old child.

4) Another female cousin from Washington D.C. (which is also where my parents and sister lives)

5) A female cousin from Houston, Texas

6) My dad's brother and his wife from Iran, and two of their adult sons (they all have American permanent residency, by the way)

7) and my best friend Leo (who as I mentioned, is going to be flying the same day as I).

It will be an interesting meeting of culture, because Persian culture is more similar to Russian culture than to American culture.

My dad and most of the males in my family enjoy getting together, talking, eating and drinking good vodka and whiskey (although none of us really drinks when we are alone - just at big social family occasions).

And certainly, Lena's dad enjoys socializing and drinking vodka.... He absolutely LOVED the American whskey and vodka that I brought him during Lena and my trip to see her family in Sept 2004.

I am bringing Lena's dad two good American whiskies ("Woodford Reserve" by Labrot and Graham, and "Van Winkle" Special Reserve 12 year old Bourbon Whiskey). Lena's dad also really appreciate the good quality American vodka that I brought him last time, so I brought him an even better American vodka from Idaho this time, called "Teton Glacier." Lena's father ("Yuri", or as I call him, "George," and my friend Leo and I are going to enjoy our first couple of nights sampling the whiskey and talking and having fun. I don't drink hard alcohol when I am at home, but I enjoy it when I am in Belarus with Lena's family.

Well, it's 2:51 in the morning, and I need to wake up REASONABLY early so that I can finish the "To do" list for the wedding that Lena wrote for me and emailed to me

I have two more days until I get on that Lufthansa Airliner and move one step closer to being an "official" married man in the eyes of my family and Lena's.

I will of course take photos in Belarus and post them in this thread.

Khashyar


Posted by: BradIL

So let the great FESTIVITIES begin!





I hope its everything that you and Lena have dreamed!
Sounds like Leo will attend a wedding that's going to better than he EVER dreamed!
All the best to you and your family Khashyar!


Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks very much, Brad, for the going away party with the band

Lena tells me that this wedding will be the most interesting wedding that my family and I have ever attended.... I'll have to see what Lena is talking about, and I'll take a couple of pictures for you'all

Khashyar


Posted by: BradIL

I hope you get a very proper, yet loving, shot of you & Lena in your wedding finery. WITH BIG SMILES ON YOUR FACES! (Leprechaun has set a high standard for wedding shots, y'know.)

And, of course, a very loving "you may kiss your bride" lip-lock!


Posted by: Khashyar

We have a professional photographer (and several novice cameramen who will be there), so I think that we will have many nice photos to post in the forum.......

Ok, Brad... I'll try and give her a good kiss for the home folk...

Khashyar


Posted by: lester




Posted by: Leprechaun

=o))))))))))))))) Getting closer & closer =o)))))))))))))))))


Posted by: Chrismc

Good luck Kash you deserve it and best regards to both of you. I am leaving at 2.00am Tuesday morning off to Kharkov (Ukraine) so we will be heading in similar directions.

Chris


Posted by: Michel.S

Thanks for the detailed explanations, it sounds exciting, especially since I've never been married and haven't been to that many mariages. And anyway certainly not in Belarus.
I remember seeing a wedding in Poland, in Poznan I think, were there was Rom musicians playing music outside the church, while the Bride and Groom were walking out. It was awesome.

I hope you'll have time to take pictures of your surroundings in Mogilev, it's very hard to find pictures of Belarus on the web.


Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks for your kind words, Gents...

You have a great trip yourself, Chris. If you are in the Mogilev area, you are welcome to come to our wedding.

I will try to take photos of everyday life in Belarus, Michel... Actually, in the thread that I posted for our Sept. 2004 Belarus trip, I posted several "every day" life shots of Belarus, with scenery. I will try to be aware to take more Belarus scenic photos.

Khashyar


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar
Thanks for your kind words, Gents...

You have a great trip yourself, Chris. If you are in the Mogilev area, you are welcome to come to our wedding.

I will try to take photos of everyday life in Belarus, Michel... Actually, in the thread that I posted for our Sept. 2004 Belarus trip, I posted several "every day" life shots of Belarus, with scenery. I will try to be aware to take more Belarus scenic photos.

Khashyar


Thanks Kash...but I will be over 500 miles to the East and do not have time to sort out visas etc and also to make the detour. But have a great time anyway it sure sounds like you will be doing.

Chris


Posted by: GreenBarb

May the Blessings of God be upon you both on your special day.

I also am preparing for my wedding in Dimitrovgrad in October. So I know how busy things are for you both.

Have a Great Day and enjoy yourselves.


Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks for the kind wishes, Barb.

Khashyar


Posted by: yodaamnot

Congratulations and all the best for the future.


Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks, Yoda...

I am trying to figure out how I am going to pack everything that Lena asked me to bring

Khashyar


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar
Thanks, Yoda...

I am trying to figure out how I am going to pack everything that Lena asked me to bring

Khashyar


Call Tibet, they have a few Sherpa's going spare


Posted by: Khashyar

(I wish I had someone to help me with bags )

I leave for the airport in 11 hours, and probably am NOT going to sleep until the airport shuttle comes here at 4 a.m.

My very good friend Leo is here (who is going to accompany me on the trip), and we are going to eat some food, and he's going to keep me company while I pack.

We also are going to watch the video clips that I posted on the website of Lena and My first meeting in Russia and Belarus (he hasn't seen them yet, and he wants to get a flavor of what the trip may be like).

Khashyar


Posted by: mtbclay

Kashayar,
Have good trip and I wish you and Lena a very nice wedding. I wish I could be there. Sounds like a very nice time.

Clay


Posted by: Khashyar

Thank you very much for your good wishes, Clay.

My airport shuttle arrives in 6 hours from now (4 A.M. Pacific Time), and I have to pack a couple of suitcases still.

Lena has SO much stuff that she wants me to bring for the wedding (elegant crafts that she made by hand). I'm going to try to bring as much of it as I can.

I will try to post photos and some updates when I get back, and I will also try to post video clips of the wedding (as well we some video clips of life in Belarus) in the video section of the forum (which is in the "Miscellaneous" category near the top of the forum).

I'm sure that I am going to pull an all-nighter until the shuttle arrives.

I actually felt a bit sad to put our African Grey "Bodhi" at the pet store for boarding. African Greys are actually a very sensitive breed of bird, and I hope that she will be o.k. for the 2.5 to 3 weeks that I'll be gone. The pet store clerk told me that they would let her out and allow her to sit on a bird stand in the center of the pet shop once in a while, so hopefully she will not get too anxious being away from me for this long. I've grown attached to Bodhi....

Khashyar


Posted by: Leprechaun

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar



We also are going to watch the video clips that I posted on the website of Lena and My first meeting in Russia and Belarus (he hasn't seen them yet, and he wants to get a flavor of what the trip may be like).

Khashyar


Ttell him to marry a russian woman for the ultimate flavour!!!!


good luck, see you soon!!!!


Posted by: yodaamnot

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar
Thanks, Yoda...

I am trying to figure out how I am going to pack everything that Lena asked me to bring

Khashyar


Khashyar,

When there is a will there is a way, especially when Lena request that your bring all the stuff with you.


Posted by: mistermopar

Has anyone heard how the wedding was,just curious...

Yous know the saying about curiosity killed the cat,I glad I'm not a cat.

Randy


Posted by: yodaamnot

I reckon there was lots of drinking, dancing, food, party, party, party!!!!. No doubt there will be many kodak moments and video clips when the happy couple get back.


Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Everyone,

I am going to fly from Minsk tomorrow (Thursday Sept 22, 2:05 p.m. Minsk time)...

The internet connection has been very bad here at Lena's house (and even at the Mogilev Post Office), so it has been almost impossible to browse the internet, or write messages in the forum while I have been here.

The wedding went very well, and we had a professionalm photographer who took many nice photos, and I will post several of them once I return to Los Angeles.

We have some guests who attended the wedding who said that they will write an account of the events, so that you can receive different perspectives of the wedding, the customs, etc... As soon as we receive the written accounts, we will post them here.

I will work on trying to resize and post a couple of photos here today.

Thanks, everyone, for holding the fort while Lena and I have been gone...

Actually, I had a fever of 39 degrees celsius for the first two weeks that I was in Mogilev. Luckily, for the past 5 days of so, the fever has gone away.

I will work on posting the photos now....

Khashyar


Posted by: Leprechaun

Looking forward to it!!! sick again, or was it cold feet?

anyway glad to hear you ar OK and suffering the joys of lousy internet connections, you should be with your wife anyways hehehehe ;o)

Chat soon =o)


Posted by: Khashyar

Thank God for high speed internet!

I arrived back in Los Angeles about midnight last night (Lena arrives on Saturday).

I have to go and pick up my parrot from the pet store where she was being boarded, but I wanted to post some photos before I left...

I successfully exported 14 different beers from Minsk and Mogilev in my check-in luggage, and I am looking forward to slowly tasting them with some friends and posting reviews and photos of the Belarusian beers on this website.

But, for now, I am going to post some photos before I have to reorganize my life after returning from our wedding trip.

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

Lena in her wedding dress before I arrived to whisk her off to the church for the wedding.

Lena was going to buy a wedding dress in Moscow or Mogilev, but found that she could purchase a better dress at half the cost if she hired a seamstress to make the dress for her (which is what she decided to do in the end).


Posted by: Khashyar

As per Russian wedding customs, I slept at my parent's rented house before the big wedding day.

The day of the wedding, our motorcade of wedding cars (white Russian-made sedans) arrived at Lena's parent's house so that I could ask Lena's friends and family for her hand in marriage.

(To my slight objection, Lena chose for me to wear a white suit on our wedding day. I gave in to what she wanted, since I knew that I would only have to wear one day in my life).....


Posted by: Khashyar

One of the Russian marriage tests that I had to pass in front of Lena's house before I was allowed to take Lena's hand and whisk her away to the church was to display my physical strength (and thus worthiness as a man and husband).

It wasn't that hard to tie a knot in the towel

I had to also sing a song in Russian (which Lena's Russian friends helped me with). I had to also say sweet words that I would speak to Lena (like "Lenchka," "maya slatky chococate," and any other Russian words of affection that I could remember in the moment).


Posted by: Khashyar

My family - who flew in from Washington D.C., Cleveland, Houston, and other places across the world- was pretty amused with the Russian wedding customs and traditions (and with Belarus in general).

Here they are watching me at the front door of Lena's house trying to win the right to be able to see Lena and take her to the church for our wedding.

(I felt a little extra pressure since our wedding cars arrived at my parent's house several minutes late, and we had about 15 minutes to get to the church for the one hour Orthodox wedding ceremony).


Posted by: Khashyar

Finally, I had won Lena's hand, and Lena and I raced away from Lena's parent's house and towards to limos so that we could begin our motorcade to the church.

Lena's family threw dried rice and old Russian coins at us as we left. (In American wedding traditions, rice is thrown after the couple is married in the church).

(A day after the wedding, I picked up the old Soviet ruble coins from the ground and saved them. The coins were from 1930 to the 1940s.)


Posted by: Khashyar

Our wedding seemed to be interesting news in Lena's neighborhood.

Neighbors, friends and strangers lined the streets around Lena's family's house to watch with curiousity and interest the wedding rituals and celebration.

Lena said that there were several of her former students in this photo (from when she taught at a local school in Mogilev before leaving for America).


Posted by: Khashyar

Our wedding motorcade drives away, down the street of Lena's neighborhood, towards the main Orthodox Church in Mogilev, for our wedding ceremony.


Posted by: yodaamnot

The photos looks great and thanks for describing some of the traditions. You looked good in the white suit (under the thumb already )

I wonder if some of Lena's former students are saying "I have a dream..."


Posted by: mistermopar

Hey Yodaamnot,
Isn't that a ABBA song,"I have a dream" Where all the kids in the video join in singing.

Khashyar....what can I say,you look amazing in the photos,and Lena very beautiful.
Some of the rituals are very exciting,and maybe a little nerve wrecking .
Congratulations to both you and Lena,may yous have many wonderful years together,well in to old age.

Randy


Posted by: GreenBarb

It is great to see the photos Kashyar. Would have loved to been there but I guess I'll be finding out soon myself.


Posted by: mtbclay

Kashyar,
Congratualtions, great photos and descriptions. Welcome home. If you need anyone to help sample the beers.........

Clay


Posted by: yodaamnot

Quote:
Originally Posted by mistermopar
Hey Yodaamnot,
Isn't that a ABBA song,"I have a dream" Where all the kids in the video join in singing.

Khashyar....what can I say,you look amazing in the photos,and Lena very beautiful.
Some of the rituals are very exciting,and maybe a little nerve wrecking .
Congratulations to both you and Lena,may yous have many wonderful years together,well in to old age.

Randy


Hi mistermopar,

I was thinking about Martin Luther King, ABBA would do just fine... Can't recalled the video clip by ABBA.


Posted by: BradIL

Gotta ask... how did all this turn out for Leo?

Did, as Lena predicted, the girls make a scene over him, and all?


Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks for the kind words, guys...

I have many more photos to post, and the story of the trip will unfold.

My friend Leo, who came along on the trip, had an interesting story on his own. (I will also share the events of his interesting story in Belarus soon...) By the way, yes, there were some pretty Belarusian women who definitely showed interest in him. In fact, any single Western man at the wedding was very valued at the wedding I had an open invitation for anyone from the forum who wanted to attend

Actually, after the wedding, some of Lena's friends asked me to bring some of my American friends the next time that I come (which might be in about 6 months).

Khashyar


Posted by: Chrismc

Kashyar,

Congratulations to you both, great photos nice to see and hear of your experience.

Chris


Posted by: Khashyar

Thank you, Chris...

We have a total of about 2,000 digital photos from our wedding and trip, and I'm trying to sort through them so that I can post the most interesting ones for our forum friends...

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

The church where Lena and I were to be married is in the center of town, and is a couple of hundreds of years old. It was destroyed in World War 2, but then rebuilt and restored.


Posted by: Michel.S

Great account of your wedding K. Looking forward to read and see the rest of it.

I think you looked classy in the white suit, even though I'm not a fan of white men suits and shoes myself

and as we say in french "meilleurs voeux de bonheur à tous les deux"!


Posted by: Khashyar

Two days before our Friday Sept 22 wedding, I went for an elaborate Orthodox Christening, so that I would be allowed to be married in the Orthodox church.

Lena mentioned to me that being married in an Orthodox church (as opposed to just a wedding at a government office) was important to her and to her family.

Lena said that from the people that she knew, there was a very low divorce rate with those who had been married in an Orthodox Church ceremony, and a much higher divorce rate amongst the friends who did not have a church wedding (and who only had a civil ceremony).

Even though Lena did not consider herself a very religious person, I could tell that getting married in the Orthodox Church was important to her and her family, and so I was happy to meet the priest for my Orthodox Christening, even though I had a fever of 39 degress Celsius for about one week. (Lena said that a person with a temperature of 40 degrees normally goes to the hospital).

But, I stayed on my feet for the 2 hour Christening ceremony, which involved a lot of payers and Orthodox chants from the priest, kissing of the cross (one time, the priest accidentaly banged the big silver metal cross on my lips against my teeth), and some reciting of prayers by the two other people and I who were being Christened.

I was trying to stand up the best that I could after the first hour, and then I was informed that I would need to go to the "baptism" chamber for my official Christening in water.

I was feeling chills at this point from my fever, and I physically needed to sit down, but I walked to the private baptism room, undressed and put on my towel, and looked into the large steel pot with metal stairs descending down into the green murky water.

The priest came into the room, said a few prayers and blessings, and I followed his gestured instructions to walk into the murky baptism tub.

I walked down the cold steps into the surprisingly colder water, and I felt my fever worsten with each two steps that I took.

When I reached the end of the steps, the priest took my head firmly into his hands, and thrust my hesitant face deeply into the green cold waters of baptism. As soon as I rose up for air, he thrust my head into the chilling waters again. And then a third time.

He left the room, and told me to get dressed.

I dried myself off with a towel, and somehow felt different from the 2 hour process.

After changing back into my clothes, I went out into the church main room with the two other baptismees, and the priest led us through the final steps of the Orthodox baptism.

Aside from feeling very tired and fevered, I felt that the baptism put my attention on the spiritual importance and relevance of my marriage ceremony with Lena.


Posted by: Khashyar

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michel.S
Great account of your wedding K. Looking forward to read and see the rest of it.

I think you looked classy in the white suit, even though I'm not a fan of white men suits and shoes myself

and as we say in french "meilleurs voeux de bonheur à tous les deux"!


Merci, Michel.

I felt like Don Johnson in a Russian Miami Vice TV show.


Posted by: Khashyar

The motorcade of Russian "limos" arrive at the Mogilev church for the big day.


Posted by: Khashyar

How did Lena and I feel before the ceremony?

I actually felt quite relaxed, and felt a calm inside of me.

Lena wanted to make sure that we got to the church on time, but she also seemed calm, as if this event was inevitable in our lives.

She had prepared so much for the wedding-- spent months working on hand-made decorations, planned for over 6 weeks in Mogilev. For example, Lena visited 40 photographers in Mogilev, reviewing all of their photographic samples until she chose the best photographer in Mogilev (who worked for $150 for one day, and produced over 600 quality photos for us).


Posted by: Michel.S

She looks quite like Mrs 10.000 Volts on the pictures you posted actually!

But hey what do I know I've never been maried myself


Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks, Michel...

Lena does know how to organize people and get things done.

Really, she single-handedly organized the wedding. Lena wanted to create and manifest her ideal wedding.

Many of our guests, including my family from the States, and our Belarusian guests, commented that it was the best wedding that they had ever attended.

I will post photos of our two day reception (at 2 different restaurants) that gives a sense of the full program of entertainment that we had each night- professional dancing, singing, comedy, group games, etc.

It went by so fast. I'm glad that we have many photos and videos to help bring back to experience.


Posted by: Khashyar

What is a Russian wedding ceremony like?

Russian Orthodox ceremonies are full of religious historical reverence.

The one hour ceremony give the common man and woman the chance to feel like they are British royalty getting married. The beautiful magestic artful church. A priest who lavishes blessings upon you, with prayers, chants and traditions that are hundreds of years old. Family and friends who stand in quiet reverence, love and respect as a live choir of beautiful singers fill the inside of the church with sounds that you have only heard on angelic recordings. (The singers had very beautiful voices, and I could tell that they sang for the church and for cermonies because they wanted to, because they felt a calling and a love of singing for the church).


Posted by: Khashyar

...


Posted by: Khashyar

I don't know what the two crowns symbolize in the Russian wedding ceremony.

But, both the "best man" and the "bride's maid" have to hold the crown just above the head of the bride and groom for several long minutes during the Orthodox wedding ceremony, as the priest recites traditional and reverent prayers and blessings.

I was also told that the best man and bride's maid need to be unmarried.

My best man, and friend, Leo, told me after the ceremony that he noticed that the bride's maid (Olga) switched the hand with which she was holding the crown over Lena's head, and Leo waited until she switched hands again before changing the hand that held the crown over my head.


Posted by: Khashyar

The Orthodox priest also gave Lena and I wine as a part of the ceremony. Perhaps it means the same as other Christian sects, in that by drinking the wine, you are drinking the blood of Christ.


Posted by: rusviva

CONGRATULATIONS, dear Lenochka and Khashyar!!!
Lena was the most beautiful bride and she got the wedding she deserved!
I wish you both all the best in your relationship!

Your pictures made me a little emotional because we married in Orthodox Church too (in LA). My husband is a Catholic (and by the way, he did not have to undergo Christening procedure to marry Orthodox) but he did not care too much where to marry, so the choice was after me, which made my wedding day one of the happiest ones in my life! Indeed, it is very important for a Russian woman to be married in the church...

I am looking forward to seeing more pictures and once again, my warmest wishes to both of you!


Posted by: Khashyar

Thank you, Rusviva...

Your husband was fortunate in not having to submerge himself 3 times in very cold baptism water, without any warm clothes.

But, actually, the 2 hour Christening made the wedding experience special for me.

I would love to meet you and your husband, since we both live in the Los Angeles area.

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

Near the end of the ceremony, the priest put the rings on my and Lena's right wedding finger, and he led us around the priest's alter three times (on two different occasions).


Posted by: Khashyar

Finally, Lena and I were married in the eyes of my family, Lena's family, and the Russian Orthodox Church.

We then stood at the edge of the back alter inside of the church, and received flowers, hugs and kisses from our friends and family.

It was clear that our family and friends were moved by the experience.


Posted by: rusviva

Hello again Khashyar... I know what you are talking about...ritual is become more special after Christening. But I did not want to insist on my husband being baptized...and we needed to do everything in hurry, since we had only 3 month limit on K-1 visa terms. The priest scheduled our wedding only 1 week before my visa would expire.
I like the picture (the second one on the page 4) where you can see how people react - smiling, gasping, etc. I LOVE the weddings so I enjoy and admiring your pictures.
I really wanted to attend a meeting you organized in August but with our 2 month old you do not go out too much anymore. And I was taking lots of summer classes too , so I know I missed so much interesting. I do not lose a hope to meet you though and I will give Lena a call.

PS. So how many times did the witness behind you complain about holding a crown and being tired ? Just kidding!


Posted by: Khashyar

...


Posted by: Khashyar

....


Posted by: Khashyar

There's something romantic about a Soviet tank...


Posted by: mistermopar

Your right Khashyar,whats a Russian wedding picture without a Russian tank in the back ground.
Now try and get a North American woman to have a wedding pic like this.

Randy


Posted by: searcher



I'm quite impressed! The photos are excellent and the wedding looks so nice!

BTW the limos (cars) were Volga's. I often remember and recognize cars.


Posted by: yodaamnot

Khashyar,

Great pictures!!! and both of you looked like a million dollars. Look forward to more and Leo's story. I have a feeling that only great things will happen for both of you.


Posted by: BradIL

Khashyar--- this is all very stunning! I am so grateful you are posting the pictures, this thread will be viewed frequently for a long time to come, to be sure!

Glad you posted the grand lip-lock with your wife... still don't know what to make of those tanks, buddy! But, hey, the marital lip-lock is... well... a lip-lock.

White suit or not, you and Lena look sharp!

Sooooo . . .

He's got a fever, he's walking around a church naked (except for the towel, of course) , he's getting in the church pool that's full of cold, green, murky water , a priest is thrusting his head under the water- after nearly knocking out his teeth with a heavy, metal cross .

It must be love, brother, , it must be true love !

I AM GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT ALL! ---Brad///


Posted by: Ade

Hi Khashyar,

Great pictures and an excellent story to go with it - especially the tanks!

I'm sure you're both excited about the start of the next phase of your life. I'm happy for you both.

Now, I expect my slice of wedding cake is in the post

Ade


Posted by: Michel.S

It sure was a beautiful ceremony. Any chance you'll post a few clips of the highlights?

The wedding sacrament is very important in christianity and judaism, it's the first sacrament recorded (between Adam & Eve) in the Torah/Bible, just after the creation, and before baptism or any other.

Regarding the crowns in the byzantine rite, placed above your heads, it symbolizes that You are the crown of Lena now, and she is yours. Meaning that a good husband is the glory of his wife and vice-versa.


Posted by: Chrismc

Fantastic, you both must be really proud of what you have achieved and can hopefully savour the experience for years to come. Great to see two people so happy!!

Chris


Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks for the comments, Gentlemen.

Our videographer said that he wants to do a very nice job on the wedding video, and he needs 3 months to edit it. I was expecting it to be finished earlier, but... he is a nice guy and seems very inspired to do a great job. I do have some video footage of the second night reception that I could sort through and post, as well as some footage of the wedding itself that a friend of mine shot (WITHOUT sound-- there was a problem with the microphone on the small video camera that I brought to Belarus). I may post some video of the second night reception, and silent footage of the wedding ceremony if many people would like that.

Yes, Leo's story is unfolding as we speak, and I will post photos of his adventure sometime in this thread.

Regarding the tank.... It is a custom for a wedded couple to visit historical places and place flowers there. We saw an opportunity to take a photo with a Soviet tank, and I wanted to take some photos there.

Yes, Searcher... the cars are Volgas.... We had the chance to have Mercedes (of different colors), but Lena wanted cars of the same color, so she chose all white Volgas.

Just for the record... I didn't walk around the church with only a towel on... I was in the private enclosed baptism room (which is through a door at the far back wall of the Christening photo).

Michel-- Thanks for the clarification of the Russian wedding traditions.


Posted by: Khashyar

Lena and I walking towards a historical monument so that we can lay flowers there. In Russian wedding tradition, it is customary for a newly wedded couple to visit historical places and lay flowers at Russian historic and military memorials.


Posted by: mistermopar

Excellant photo Khashyar,

I have heard that in the FSU that you should not give a dozen flowers or even number,it should be an odd number.I not sure if I seen it on this site or else where.Is this true?

Randy


Posted by: Khashyar

Yes, Randy.

My understanding is that you should always give an odd number of flowers, and that an even number of flowers is not considered good luck.

Khashyar

(P.s... by the way, Randy... Your Russian lady friend and her daughter were at our wedding and both evening wdding recptions. I also hear that you will be staying in an apartment in the center of town that my family stayed in. The apartment is in a great central location).


Posted by: Khashyar

At the first war memorial that we visited after the wedding ceremony, Lena's Russian/ Belarusian wedding guests showed their enthusiasm for the moment.


Posted by: Khashyar

I like to see my friends and family jumping in the air at the direction of the wedding photographer


Posted by: Khashyar

Yes, I know that it looks a little staged, but... I liked the way the photo turned out.

(There might be times when I would blow a kiss to Lena in a white suit in the green grass of a World War 2 memorial this photo is proof. )


Posted by: Khashyar

Mogilev is full of white doves that just fly into the hands of a wedded couple after their wedding ceremony...

Actaully, there is a man who waited strategically at memorials where wedded couples take photos, and charges the couple or photographer to use his "docile" doves in wedding photos.

I actually felt uncomfortable about using the doves, since they are probably handled more times per day than they would care to be handled.

I felt that the bird owner was treating the birds like movable props, and I wondered whether the birds were drugged in some way (because they were VERY docile, which is anti-instictive for a bird in the hand of a human being.

I told Lena a few times that I was feeling uncomfortable with the birds... I tried to get the dove photos finished quickly.


Posted by: Khashyar

Even though storm clouds hung above Mogilev on our wedding day, it did not rain.

Perhaps it was because Lena had planned the wedding for several months, and she would have been disappointed if her wedding were "rained out."


Posted by: Khashyar

My American family, and Lena's Russian friends and family, said unequivicably that our wedding and receptions that followed were the best and most fun that they had attended.

Lena and I decided to have two days of post-wedding fun for guests, so we planned two seperate wedding receptions, in two days, with two different entertainment directors creating two entertainment-filled wedding programs that Lena said people in Mogilev are still talking about.

Each of the wedding directors worked with her dancers, singers, comedians and MCs for a solid one and a half month to get ready to perform one different night each in front of the wedding guests.

Even though Lena limited her guest list to 70 people for the wedding and wedding reception, one of Lena's casual acquaintances (not pictured above) parked herself and her husband outside of the first reception location in hopes that she might crash the wedding party. She had a great time.

(.....more pictures of the parties to come)


Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:
(P.s... by the way, Randy... Your Russian lady friend and her daughter were at our wedding and both evening wdding recptions. I also hear that you will be staying in an apartment in the center of town that my family stayed in. The apartment is in a great central location).


LOL,I think you know more about my friend and my trip than I do.I hear the apartment is nice and in a safe location,only about 10 minutes by taxi away from Elena's apartment.
Khashyar,I am going to PM you.

The doves are a nice touch,but I think you are right about being drugged.

Randy


Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Randy... Lena told me that you are going to be staying in one of the apartments that my family rented. If this is true, then it is one block from Mogilev's "GUM," or main department store. It is in a GREAT location, central to bus lines, taxis, shops, and the big Mogilev food market.

Khashyar


Posted by: AngryFisherman

Beautiful ... just beautiful!!!

Thank you for sharing the pictures Khashyar, and special thanks for the post about the baptising. I must admit that this bit is of special interest to me as I am trying to figure out the requirements of the Orthodox church in Russia. As I am a more of a spiritual than religious person I am really not sure if I want to go through with this process myself if I have to, but who knows ...

My best wishes to you two!

FisherMan


Posted by: Khashyar

Thank you, Fisherman.

I am not a "religious" person either (more spiritual), but I decided to go through the Orthodox Christening ceremony anyway since a church wedding was important to Lena and her family.

Interestingly, I experienced the Christening and Orthodox wedding ceremony as spiritual, rather than religious routine. I think that each person can experience it based upon their individual mindset, and how they interpret the Orthodox ceremony.

Khashyar


Posted by: AngryFisherman

Actually Khashyar, that is a very interesting way to view the ceremony. I feel that we might be in the same boat on this as I really want to go through this for my wife as well (and to have a grand gathering of the two families). As you might remember we are already married, but we are thinking of a more elaborate ceremony once we finally live together and have settled down.

FisherMan


Posted by: Khashyar

Quote:
Originally Posted by AngryFisherman
Actually Khashyar, that is a very interesting way to view the ceremony. I feel that we might be in the same boat on this as I really want to go through this for my wife as well (and to have a grand gathering of the two families). As you might remember we are already married, but we are thinking of a more elaborate ceremony once we finally live together and have settled down.

FisherMan


Yes... and it's so much more affordable to have a large wedding in Russia or Belarus than in Norway or the United States.


Posted by: yodaamnot

In Australia I understand that the cost for a wedding starts from A$25,000, the average is around A$50,000 without the honeymoon thrown in. That's a 10% deposit for an average house in Sydney.


Posted by: Jim_FL

Khashyar & Lena,
Thanks for sharing your grand adventure with us all! The pics are fantastic and the happiness in everyone's eyes really shows through. I'm very glad everything went smoothly...



P.S.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar
Yes, Randy.

My understanding is that you should always give an odd number of flowers, and that an even number of flowers is not considered good luck.

As I understand it
Even #s for dead people
Odd #s for living people
Also yellow is a "breakup" color

My wife says that as long as I have flowers to give, she is happy, the # is not important


Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Yoda... I just read that the average cost for a wedding in the U.S. is about $30,000. In Belarus, it is probably about $2,000 (from what I understand from my conversations with Lena). But, we spent much more than the Belarusian average, so that we could have the wedding that we truly wanted.

Thanks for your words, Jim... Yes... I think that Lena would agree that receiving any number of flowers would make her happy.

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

Lena and some of her friends getting ready...


Posted by: Khashyar

Lena and I arrive at the reception.

We needed to take an addtional hour taking wedding photographs with the photographer, and so we were happy that all of our guests were in such a cheerful mood and were waiting for us outside the front door of the restaurant.

Perhaps it is the Russian wedding custom that none of the guests can sit down to eat until the wedding couple arrives.


Posted by: Khashyar

My parents holding the ceremonial Russian bread at the entrance to the restaurant for the first night's reception, and Lena's mother holding a bottle of champagne that Lena and I will drink before we enter the reception.


Posted by: Khashyar

One of the more fun Russian wedding traditions was the game of whether the bride or groom could bite the biggest piece of Russian sweet bread in their mouths.

The one that can manage the biggest bite of the sweet bread will become the "boss in the family"

Lena tried her best.....


Posted by: Khashyar

But she was no match..... for the real future Boss of the family


Posted by: Khashyar

After manning a receiving line of guests inside the entrance of the restaurant, Lena, my best man Leo, the bridesmaid Olga (Olya) and I sit at our groom and bride's table.


Posted by: Khashyar

A wide shot of the restaurant. You might be able to see Lena and my table at the very back.


Posted by: Khashyar

Some of Lena's friends....


Posted by: Khashyar

One of the advantages of having an American income to pay for a Belarusian wedding, was that we were able to choose about 25 different foods for each day of our reception. My family was in love with the food at the wedding, as Russian food for meat-eaters is delicious.

The first night, we served about 20 different appetizers, 3 consecutive hot main courses per person, and dessert at the end.

Lena and I bought vodka, juice (Lena had a friend at the local juice factory, and so we receive a good discount on the juice), extremely good Maldovian wine, and sparkling water.

For each night of the reception, each of the restaurants charged us about $2,000 for the many deliciously prepared food items (not including the cost of the alcohol or entertainment).


Posted by: Khashyar

The hosts (and MCees for the first evening reception) were TV and media personalities, known in Mogilev, Minsk and some other parts of Belarus.

They spent one and a half months working with their professional dancers, singers and comedians to get ready for the night.

The man on the right could speak some English, and was a master at playing with the audience.

(He picked an appropriate tie for the occasion.....)

One thing that I liked about the entertainment programs for both nights, is that the entertainment acts kept your attention for hours (the dinner receptions were from about 6 p.m. until midnight), with one act or skit or audience participation event following another...

It was almost as if you were sitting at a Vegas dinner show.


Posted by: Khashyar

You want entertainment?


Posted by: Khashyar

Viva!.......


Posted by: yodaamnot

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar
But she was no match..... for the real future Boss of the family


I can hear you say it to all your friends - "I wear the pants in the house after I iron them"


Posted by: Khashyar

...............


Posted by: Khashyar

Elegant Russian Tango dancing couples...


Posted by: Khashyar

My dad getting comfortable with the dancers during another routine...


Posted by: Khashyar

Traditional Belarusian dancing.....


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar
Traditional Belarusian dancers.....


Are those traditional Belarusian moves also, or are they doing a Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks sketch!!!


Posted by: Khashyar

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrismc
Are those traditional Belarusian moves also, or are they doing a Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks sketch!!!


Chris...

I didn't check to see if the dancer was an English comedian in drag or not






Posted by: Khashyar

There was a lot of dancing at the first night's wedding reception...

(you can see my best man Leo beckoning someone to take his hand to join the dance circle).


Posted by: Khashyar

There was this interesting dance train that the MCees led everyone to join, whereby they would announce a different part of the body that you were supposed to hold onto. I would say that it was a PG-13 kind of dance...


Posted by: Khashyar

I told you that my dad had fun at the reception...

My mom was a good sport, and understood that Russian wedding custom of having a good time.


Posted by: Khashyar

By the way, here is a photo of Lena and I with my parents during that first reception night.


Posted by: Lasombra

is that "Belarusian 19-year-old friend of Lena's family...." single and intressted in american/swedish guy?


Posted by: Khashyar

During one moment in the night, some "clown" stole the bride, and my buddies and I had to pass a test to get Lena back.

The clown was very sneaky, as he took Lena away without me noticing, even though I was told that something like this might happen...

Of course, they blamed my best man "Leo" (standing to the right of me, wearing a tie) and Lena's childhood friend "Kola" (pictured to the left of me), both of whom were assigned to "protect" and watch-over the bride that night.

The MC told them that they had failed in their responsibility.


Posted by: Khashyar

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lasombra
is that "Belarusian 19-year-old friend of Lena's family...." single and intressted in american/swedish guy?


Hi Lasombra...

I mistyped her age.. she is actually 18.

I will have to ask Lena about whether she is interesting in meeting someone or not.

Khashyar


Posted by: mistermopar

Great photos Khashyar,I hope there are more of them.I really wish I could have been there,it looks like so much fun.

Randy


Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks, Randy.

Yes, I have a total of about 2,000 photos, but am trying to post only the best, and the ones that tell the story of the wedding.

It would have been great to have you there.

By the way, do you recognize the lady dancing with my brother-in-law Joe?

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

What was our test to get Lena back?

It was to drink a Paul Bunyan-sized glass of wine...

(for those of you who don't know who Paul Bunyan was, he was a Giant lumberjack in American mythology who had a giant blue ox named "Babe" as a companion).

(notice the clown in the background, sheepishly trying to hide himself as I wonder to myself how I am going to drink all that wine....)


Posted by: Khashyar

I'm trying to measure how much wine I needed to drink to get Lena back.

I didn't know how I was going to drink that much wine, but I just went for it....


Posted by: Khashyar

My stomach was not created to hold that much wine, so my friends (and father) gave me a little help....

My best man Leo was the soldier of honor that night, as he took a big gulp and drank most of the monstrous glass of wine. (You can see Leo impressing the girls by first taking a cultured whiff of the wine). (What are best friends for, other than backing you up when you need a slugger at the plate when the game is tied?)


Posted by: Khashyar

The problem was, when my bride was returned to me, one of her shoes was missing.

Where was her shoe?

They brought me back my bride, but kept one of her shoes....


Posted by: mtbclay

Kashyar,
Thank you for sharing Lena's and your wedding day. Incredible photography of a very beautiful ceremony. Congratulations to both of you.

Clay


Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks very much, Clay.

Most of these photos were taken by our very good professional photographer that Lena found in Mogilev. He had a good eye, and good camera equipment.

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

Since "Kola" and Leo bungled their responsibility in keeping watch of Lena, they had to dance to try to win back Lena's shoe.......

(You can see the clown holding up Lena's shoe in the third photo, above Leo and Kola)


Posted by: Khashyar

It is in special moments when a person's face expresses such joy...


Posted by: Khashyar

Lena advised me that I should help Leo and Kola dance and win back her shoe.

She had to nudge me a couple of times, but then I jumped into the fray.

We starting doing a kind of hoedown, and then a French can-can...


Posted by: Khashyar

We gentlemen won the shoe back.


Posted by: Khashyar

Did I mention that Lena's dad Yuri (aka "George") had fun too?

I was speaking with Lena tonight about the wedding, and she agreed with my observation that Russian people agree to have fun at weddings. This includes dancing with anyone they would like, even if the woman is your boss' wife (the blond woman in the first two photos below is the wife of a factory executive who hired Lena's dad to build a house for him). The dark-haired woman is one of Lena's friends.

Russian weddings are a little bit like a night in Vegas (i.e., "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"), except that in Russian weddings, you keep your clothes on and you don't kiss anyone too long on the lips.

I didn't kiss anyone during the wedding except for Lena, but the photos show that a lot of people had some innocent Russian wedding fun.


Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:
By the way, do you recognize the lady dancing with my brother-in-law Joe?

LOL,I kept looking at them pics saying,gees that looks like Anna,also see a few with her mom in the back ground.

Randy


Posted by: Chrismc

I tell you what Kash these people certainly know how to have fun..great photos. I don't think many westerners would believe what a good time people from FSU countries can have!! I am lucky to have experienced their hospitality and it is awsome.!!

Chris


Posted by: yodaamnot

Keep the pictures coming please...


Posted by: Khashyar

Yes, Randy... that is Anna... (and you probably did see a few photos with her mom also).

It's true, Chris. I think that because Belarusian and Russian people experience so much hardship, that they cherish the times when they are allowed to have fun.

Yoda... Yes, I will definitely post more photos. I am trying to post the photos in an orderly way, with some descriptions. But, thanks for your feedback that you are enjoying the photos.

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

They say that Love blossoms at weddings...

Is it the sweeping feeling of romance and lifetime union that is the essence of a wedding?

Is it some of the single wedding guests wishing that they too would have a wedding after finding their right partner?

The spirit of a wedding is like traveling to a new country and seeing everything with new eyes. Your senses and heart are open, as the excitement of coming together with new people, both single and married, is intensified by the rhythm of music, and the movement of dancing bodies having been intoxicated by the rich smells of food, and the light intoxication of Maldovian wine, Russian sweet champaigne, and the warm Russian hand of local vodka.


Posted by: Khashyar

Two of my male cousins (who are brothers) came to my wedding: Ario (on the left side), and Robert (in the right of the picture).


Posted by: Khashyar

Lena's good friend Masha liked my cousin Robert a lot, and they spent time with each other during the wedding receptions. On the last day that Robert was in Belarus, they walked around Mogilev, talked and held hands.

They are going to write one another, get to know each other better, and see what might develop.

As an example of poor choice of men by a woman, and thougtless behavior by a man, Masha recently had a painful experience with an American man who wrote her for a few months, travelled to see her, expressed his committed love to her, had sex with her (it was her first time), and then stopped communicating with her after he returned to the U.S.

Masha is very interested in Robert, and Robert express interest in communicating with her.

Robert acted conscientiously and kindly with Masha, and I spoke with Robert about 3 times about his feelings about Masha, how serious he is with her, and explaining that she is Lena's friend and that she is a nice person and that he should be careful and conscientious in how he approaches her.

Masha came to me and asked me for my advice about Robert, as well as asking me to speak with him to find out how he feels about her. I told her that it takes a lot of time to get to know someone, and that she should just write to him, move ahead slowly, and see if they are compatible with one another.

Robert told me that he just met her, and that it takes time to get to know someone. I think also that Robert feels that that he is young, and that he doesn't want to hurry in making his best choice for a wife.

My gut feeling is that Masha is ready for a serious and committed relationship, but that Robert still is in an explorational phase in his life.

Masha is such a wonderful person. She is intelligent, has a very good heart and sense of humor, and she is cute.

If she lived in America or Europe, she would have an abundance of offers of interest from men.

But, since she does not look like a model, men who judge a woman mainly by her physically appearance might first choose a model-looking Russian woman.

I sincerely feel that any man who is in a relationship with Masha (and marries her) will find that she is a rare treasure of a person. (I might have to campaign for Masha on the RMP if she decides to stop communicating with Robert, because she deserves someone special, and the man who marries her is going to feel lucky and grateful for the rest of his life).


Posted by: Khashyar

My cousin (and Robert's Brother) Ario- seen her dancing with Masha- is a great guy in the classic American movie protagnist sense.

He lifts weights and is interested in bodybuilding (but doesn't take steroids), he is soft spoken but has emotional strength inside. He believes in and takes care of family. I wouldn't call him shy, but he did not actively approach any women during the week that he was in Belarus, and perhaps this was just a result of his character or beliefs.

Ario believes in doing what is important in life, and is busy helping his family with some important business dealings.

Since more traditional Russian women expect the man to make the first move, the Russian women at the gethering did not initiate strong approaches to Ario, and he didn't express disappointment or unhappiness about this.


Posted by: Khashyar

During the last day when my family was going to leave Belarus, Natasha (one of Lena's childhood friends), told me something a little shocking and surprising.

(Natasha is pictured on the right with the light blue scarf, next to her first cousin Olga, who was Lena's bridesmaid for the wedding. Both Olga and Natasha are childhood friends of Lena's, and their parents and grandparents where also friends)


Posted by: Khashyar

Natasha told me, as I was sitting on a coach in her family's apartment (which is two blocks from Lena's parent's house), that she liked Ario (who had no idea who Natasha was, and had never spoken to Natasha during the wedding).

At first I thought that she had meant Robert, and so I spent 5 minutes trying to clarify whether she was referring to Robert or Ario (who are brothers, and who look a lot alike).

Since my family was leaving Belarus in one day, I thought to myself that I didn't have much time to speak with Ario and see how he felt.

Natasha (who is 18) is a nice sincere young lady, and I always enjoyed speaking with her (she spoke very good English, and was intelligent with a nice personality).

I asked Lena why Natasha didn't tell us (or Ario) about her interest earlier, and Lena told me that she is kind of shy. So, perhaps shy Natasha, and quiet more serious Ario, would be a good match?

I spoke with Ario before he was leaving for the airport, and he responded practically that they could write each other, and that he didn't recall who she was. That was before he had a chance to see her photo, but I know that Lena showed him her photo after our conversation.

I don't know whether Natasha and Ario, Masha and Robert had written one another since they left Belarus 2 weeks ago. I am curious to find out.


Posted by: Khashyar

The next and biggest adventure in Belarusian romance belongs to my good friend, and best man, Leo (in the speckled grey sweater)...


Posted by: yodaamnot

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar

I don't know whether Natasha and Ario, Masha and Robert had written one another since they left Belarus 2 weeks ago. I am curious to find out.


So am I, please keep us posted


Posted by: yodaamnot

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar
The next and biggest adventure in Belarusian romance belongs to my good friend, and best man, Leo (in the speckled grey sweater)...


Go Leo, Go Leo, Go Leo


Posted by: yodaamnot

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar
As an example of poor choice of men by a woman, and thougtless behavior by a man, Masha recently had a painful experience with an American man who wrote her for a few months, travelled to see her, expressed his committed love to her, had sex with her (it was her first time), and then stopped communicating with her after he returned to the U.S.

I sincerely feel that any man who is in a relationship with Masha (and marries her) will find that she is a rare treasure of a person. (I might have to campaign for Masha on the RMP if she decides to stop communicating with Robert, because she deserves someone special, and the man who marries her is going to feel lucky and grateful for the rest of his life).


Females are mentally tougher than males, it's in their make up and it's refreshing to read that Masha has put behind the unfortunate ordeal and moved on (Unless we made mistakes we haven't lived, As the Dalai Lama indicated that our enemies are our greatest teacher.). I have no doubt from your posting that Masha will soon be snapped up by a very lucky person or for that matter any of the available females in the pictures. May the force be with her.

I am not being funny, I was just wondering about the sex part. I've downloaded a copy of Elena's book a few months ago "How to Marry a girl like me" and there was a section on sex and how to approach the subject. I wonder if the American man read the book. Intimacy between two people should come naturally. I am not forming any judgement and the reality is that "Men use intimacy to have sex and women use sex to have intimacy". No doubt my posting might generate some debate and I welcome the debate.

[***a note from Khashyar: a new thread was created to speak about Elena Petrova's ebook here: http://russianmeetingplace.com/foru...read.php?t=5504 ]


Posted by: Khashyar

Quote:
Originally Posted by yodaamnot
Go Leo, Go Leo, Go Leo




Leo's story is interesting.

I have the chronicle of Leo's stories in vibrant color photography. (I will post them as soon as I can).

Khashyar

P.S.: did I mention that I offered an open invitation to any RMP member (including those who are single) to attend our wedding, and that it would be a great opportunity to meet people? Those of you who wanted to be there, but couldn't, can live their dreams through Leo... )


Posted by: yodaamnot

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar


P.S.: did I mention that I offered an open invitation to my wedding to RMP members?


Yes, and there should have been a representative from down under.


Posted by: mistermopar

I think that Masha and Robert would make a very nice couple.
But if not,I am sure Masha would not have a difficult time finding a nice guy,she is a very attractive lady.
Quote:
But, since she does not look like a model, men who judge a woman mainly by her physically appearance might first choose a model-looking Russian woman.

She looks just as good as any modle I have seen out there.

Quote:
Masha is such a wonderful person. She is intelligent, has a very good heart and sense of humor


That is what really counts any ways,is that she is a wonderful person.And from the pics,also likes to have fun.


Randy


Posted by: Khashyar

Yes, Randy, Masha is a great person. Really a warm, sunny-spirited charming lady.

Khashyar

P.S.: She is an accountant who works at her best friend's computer company.


Posted by: Khashyar

This has nothing to do with Leo's story, but I wanted to present: Anna (far right), and her mother Elena (center).

Elena worked with (my) Lena as a teacher at a neighborhood school in Mogilev. Elena has overcome some challenging times in her life to become a successful woman who owns an apartment (which she decorated by herself), and takes good care of her daughter.

Someone from the RMP is going to travel to meet Elena, and I wish the greatest happiness and the very best outcome for their meeting.

Khashyar


Posted by: BradIL

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar
P.S.: did I mention that I offered an open invitation to any RMP member (including those who are single) to attend our wedding, and that it would be a great opportunity to meet people? Those of you who wanted to be there, but couldn't, can live their dreams through Leo... )

I finally found a reason to use the handgrab smile after reading your wisecrack (ha-ha) Khashyar. DON'T RUB IT IN! (The horsedump smile also makes its debut... it seems appropriate for some reason!)

And then you post a photo of a pretty blonde and brunette... Khash--- you win the Order of Smart-alec for that, buddy.

Incidentally, would Elena be the woman you interviewed via audiotape in your September, 2004 trip? Wasn't Anna, her daughter, aspiring to be a newscaster/TV reporter?


Posted by: Khashyar

Quote:
Originally Posted by BradIL
Incidentally, would Elena be the woman you interviewed via audiotape in your September, 2004 trip? Wasn't Anna, her daughter, aspiring to be a newscaster/TV reporter?


You have a good memory, Brad... You are exactly right.

I love your creative use of smilies I thiink that you were the first one to use that horse smilie-- I'm glad that it's getting some use

I am just giving a few innocent barbs regarding the comments about not attending the wedding. I know that most people have busy schedules and limited resources to be able to travel to Belarus and attend a wedding.

By posting the photos and account, I feel that many of you hear can be at the wedding in retrospect. I enjoy sharing the pictures and accounts with you.

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

Quote:
Originally Posted by BradIL
And then you post a photo of a pretty blonde and brunette...




Actually, Brad, the pretty blond and brunette are a part of Leo's interesting story, although you probably could have met them too Just kidding, Brad... (Not kidding that you would have met them, but in busting your chops with the joke.)

Fortunately, there will be many future opportunities to travel, and you can meet with Lena and I during one of our future trips to Belarus.

Khashyar


Posted by: BradIL

Busted chops--- I accept... and strangely enough... WILL ENJOY!

Because... the photos and your posts are REALLY GOOD! Masha is even familiar to me Khashyar. I recall she might be 1 of the 3 girls you photographed at a cafe where you and Lena were eating one night (from the same Sept., 2004 trip).

It is good to see all of Lena's friends again, to be sure.

Yeah Khashyar... I could have met them, and they would have all looked their best- being donned in sharp looking clothes for the wedding and reception... but what would THEY MAKE OF ME! That's the question!!!

P.S. Award yourself a Russian Red Star for General Merit at this point. This thread is OUTSTANDING!


Posted by: Khashyar

I'm happy that you are enjoying the thread.

Yes, I did post some photos of Masha in our Sept. 2004 trip thread.

I'm sure that they would have enjoyed meeting you, Brad. You are an intelligent guy with a good sense of humor.

You'll just have to keep informed about our next trip, and see if your future work schedule can accomodate a life-changing trip to Belarus


Posted by: BradIL

Khashyar--- YOU'RE ON!

I don't know about anybody else following this story... but with the smiles/looks the camera is capturing on faces of everyone at the reception...

***THESE PEOPLE ARE A LOT OF FUN***

I'm serious! The urge to visit Mogilev becomes more compelling with each post and picture!


Posted by: mtbclay

Brad,
Ya everybody definitly looks like they are having fun.
Kashyar,
The photographer was worth the expense. Outstanding Photographs.

Clay


Posted by: yodaamnot

Quote:
Originally Posted by BradIL
Khashyar--- YOU'RE ON!

I don't know about anybody else following this story... but with the smiles/looks the camera is capturing on faces of everyone at the reception...

***THESE PEOPLE ARE A LOT OF FUN***

I'm serious! The urge to visit Mogilev becomes more compelling with each post and picture!


Hi BradIL,

I am certain there are lots of people following the story, it's already a movement, well done Lena & Khashyar for providing this forum... I haven't been to FSU and look forward to the opportunity.


Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks for the positive feedback, Clay, Yoda and Brad...

Yes, I'm happy that Lena went the extra mile to find the best photographer she could find.

I will post more photos later (and continue with Leo's story).

Khashyar


Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:
Someone from the RMP is going to travel to meet Elena, and I wish the greatest happiness and the very best outcome for their meeting.

Thank you so much for your kind words Khashyar.I also hope for the best outcome from this trip.Who knows...maybe it will be me next inviting everyone to a wedding in Belarus.
I don't want this to sound like I am over confident,but if a person all ready thinks the worst of an outcome,it probably will be the worst.So I am thinking of the best outcome.

Once again I would like to thank you and Lena for all your help and encouragement.

Randy


Posted by: Michel.S

You have a distinct touch in elaborating on everyone's story during the wedding, I like it a lot.


Posted by: Khashyar

Quote:
Originally Posted by mistermopar
Thank you so much for your kind words Khashyar.I also hope for the best outcome from this trip.Who knows...maybe it will be me next inviting everyone to a wedding in Belarus.


If you schedule the wedding, then we will do everything we can to come.

Khashyar


Posted by: Khashyar

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michel.S
You have a distinct touch in elaborating on everyone's story during the wedding, I like it a lot.


Thank you, Michel.

I'm glad that you are enjoying the photos and thread.

Khashyar


Posted by: yodaamnot

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar
Yes, Randy, Masha is a great person. Really a warm, sunny-spirited charming lady.

Khashyar

P.S.: She is an accountant who works at her best friend's computer company.


She'll be popular now...


Posted by: yodaamnot

Quote:
Originally Posted by mistermopar
LOL,I kept looking at them pics saying,gees that looks like Anna,also see a few with her mom in the back ground.

Randy


Hi mistermopar,

Be yourself and Sparks will fly when you meet Elena and as Khasyhar put it another wedding in the not too distant future. May the force be with you


Posted by: yodaamnot

Hi Khasyhar,

Just wondering about wedding gifts. I.e. In the west there's the bridal registry and guests will choose the appropriate gifts from the list prepared by the bride and groom, how do guests go about presenting appropriate gifts to the bride and groom? Could you describe what occured at your wedding?

I am aware that in some culture, guests will dance with the bride for cash.

In the chinese culture we will give red packets to the bride and groom, these red packets contains cash.




Posted by: searcher

Quote:
Originally Posted by Khashyar
As an example of poor choice of men by a woman, and thougtless behavior by a man, Masha recently had a painful experience with an American man who wrote her for a few months, travelled to see her, expressed his committed love to her, had sex with her (it was her first time), and then stopped communicating with her after he returned t