Aloha Everyone!!!
Today is Wedding Day!!! And I am very hungover from the night before... ughhh!!! But I'm super excited and IT'S TIME!!!
I showered, shaved, dressed up and headed to the Metro to meet up with dad, we stopped at a nearby florist to get flowers and headed to Belorusskaya Train Station!!!
I showered, shaved, dressed up and headed to the Metro to meet up with dad, we stopped at a nearby florist to get flowers and headed to Belorusskaya Train Station!!!
This is the first time viewing Moscow leaving the city and I see the tall buildings disappear and the old industrial and factories that appears to be abandoned comes to light, very old and yet a reminder of where it might have possibly started from the Soviet Era. I now begin to see the country side with open fields of greenery and forests, very beautiful and peaceful. And we have arrived at our destination!!!
As dad and I arrived at the "ZAG" building, (ZAG is a department of public services) I saw maybe 20-30 people and I began to sweat hard because I'm nervous and everyone gave me that, "who is this guy" stare. But thank God dad was there to do all the introduction. I then see the "soon to be married" couple and they are both radiant and glowing with excitement and happiness. The theme appeared to be of cream/beige and white, the flowers smelled sweet, the smiles and laughter from everyone made it very comforting for me to blend in.
And then Alice appeared out of nowhere with the most beautiful red dress I've ever seen, her beautiful smile and the sound of her voice calling my name was the icebreaker for me and became shy no more and we all entered inside to witness a marriage to be made!!!
The room was filled with excitement and endearment and as the beautiful couple said their words of love, signed their documents, put their rings, and finally kissed to seal the deal, we all cheered with excitement and laughter and I was so emotional because I'd never imagined the possibility of me having this very special and rare opportunity to witness a marriage in Moscow Russia. I consider myself to be very blessed and fortunate to be invited, thank you very much dad and Alice, and Andre and Luba. Now let's celebrate!!!
Earlier I saw a Hummer Limousine and it was ready for the Newlyweds and families and close friends, when all of a sudden dad calls me from the limousine and motion me to get in, I was like "WHAT???", and I froze and couldn't move because I couldn't help but feel that I'm not eligible to be riding, I'm just a guest!!! Then Alice said to me, "dad said you flew halfway across the world to be part of this day, you're riding with us", and the party begins!!!
We are popping champagne bottles (well not literally), snacking on cheese and meats, yelling out "Gorko", which means "bitter" and the first toast is made to the newlyweds and after the first shot the guests begin to shout Gorko, Gorko, Gorko!!! At this point the couple must kiss for a long time to take out the bitter taste of the champagne. I got pretty relaxed, thanks to the champagne!!! The limo is very comfortable and flashing with lights and music as if you were in nightclub, it's my first time riding in a Hummer Limo!!!
We arrived at the "Glavnyy Botanicheskiy" a huge Botanical Garden for picture takings!!! This was obvious a very favorite place for newlyweds because I saw maybe 3-4 other newlyweds in the area. This place is huge and beautiful!!! I saw a beautiful lake with swans and ducks, we walked through beautiful forests of trees and the beginning of the Fall Season, and more champagne and yelling "Gorko", indeed a perfect place to create memorable pictures and videos of the newlyweds, Andre & Luba.
Now we head back into the limo and onto the reception event!!! We arrived and as we had to enter the room before the newlyweds so we can give them a proper greeting. We formed two lines of people creating a path and we all got our phone cameras ready to capture all the exciting moments that's about to happen!!! And here comes the newlyweds and we immediately cheer and clap in excitement welcoming a beautiful couple. They are presented with a "karavay" (a small round loaf of bread). I believe Andre's mom held the bread for both, Andre and Luba as they each take a bite from the loaf. Whomever takes the bigger bite is the considered the head of the family. I think Luba is the head of the family.
And we take more pictures and videos and then we went ahead and looked for our assigned seats at the dinner tables. I found my seat with my name tag on the plate and sat myself and looked over our table to see the work of art that has been placed in front of me, these appetizers are beautifully plated boasting the pride of Russian cuisines!!! I see Olivier Salad, assorted meats & cheese, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, "herring under a fur coat" which is a layered salad and it's so yummy!!! And there was a lot of VODKA!!! And the main dishes hasn't even arrived yet!!!
Dad wasted no time and poured me a shot of vodka and we raise our glasses simultaneously, nodded at each other and drank it down, oh another one... and once again we drank a second shot, then out of nowhere someone yells "gorko", and the beautiful newlyweds kisses while I'm taking the much needed break before a possible third shot follows. By now my table is filled with guests along with Dad, Ina, Alice, the Bride's Parents, and several others. Now we are enjoying the appetizers, the DJ is playing music ranging from classics to the 80's in Russian and English!!! The emcee began to start games for all of us to play from trivials to relays and pranks!!! Then the main dishes comes out and it was a trio of beef, chicken, and fish. I really can't tell you how delicious everything is, I simply was in heaven. And I even get a shot poured by the Bride's Father for a toast, and make that two times!!! By now I'm starting to get very tipsy and I'm really relaxed and feeling very comfortable and my shy level is nearly zero. GORKO!!!
And now it's time for Andre and Luba's First Wedding Dance!!! I was given the honorable duty of handling one the Confetti Cannon!!! Whooo Hooo!!! They danced to "I'll Always Love You" sang by Whitney Houston. And me along with 3 others launched our confetti cannons all together to give Andre & Luba the confetti rain as they continued to dance, when all of sudden a beautiful lady asked me to dance with her, and I happily obliged and joined the newlyweds along with more people joining the dance floor. I took a break and I'm glad I did because I was able to witness Alice & Dad dance together and I see two beautiful people simply enjoying each other's precious moment together, for a split second I was able to create a vision in my imagination of the Alice & Dad dancing 25 years younger where Dad is holding Alice in her baby years. It felt so real for that split second before reality came back to the present.
As the night continues on, we are all having an amazing time, more dancing, more vodka, more "gorko" for the Newlyweds. And next is Wedding Cake Cutting Time!!!
By now I am very intoxicated, very vulnerable, very blurry, and I wish I could remember MY SPEECH that I gave to Andre & Luba, but as to what I could remember, I think I did okay, oh and Alice was my translator, so who knows huh??? That is how much VODKA I drank, and its so GOOD!!! I'll never be a happy vodka drinker like this again until I return back to Father Russia.
Oh I almost forgot the Bouquet Toss!!!
I'm pretty sure I BLACKED OUT after this... SERIOUSLY!!!
And the rest of the night was dancing, eating awesome foods that I'll never find other than here, drinking more REAL VODKA that can only be found here, made more new friends and families, and I don't really remember how I got to my hotel room after being dropped off my at the hotel entrance, by the way, thank you Dad for taking care of me.
What I do remember... is the Love & Acceptance that I received from two beautiful families, the Newlyweds, the relatives and friends, even the kiddos. You have all touched me and I truly felt very taken in as if I am part of your family, I will never ever forget this event, the moments, and the everlasting memories. Thank You Thank You Thank You and I Love You all, Always & Forever.
Congratulations Andre & Luba, you have my full blessings forever.💓💓💓
Dad & Alice... I don't think I can ever thank you enough for opening the doors of Russia bringing more joys and happiness into my life, I am forever indebted to you both.
💓💓💓
ENJOY MY VIDEO SLIDESHOW!!!
Once again, a Wedding worth traveling 10,000 miles!!!
🥰🥰🥰✈✈✈🌹🌹🌹🥂🥂🥂💍👰🤵
Aloha A Hui Hou
🌺🌺🌺🌴🌴🌴
AWWWRITE!!!
Waipa
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