The day before my wisdom tooth surgery, I attended Inna and Sergey’s wedding @ the Russian Embassy!

It was a wonderful experience to attend a Russian wedding and I was invited to be part of the morning session at Inna’s place.

It was a hot day outside and we played games with the guys at the ground floor, similar to Chinese weddings but it was much simpler. I guess it was also because this is their summer wedding in Singapore and the actual one will take place in St Petersburg next year! That would definitely be a grand affair~

We had some champagne and chips before heading off to the embassy!

Arriving at the embassy…

Everyone got in line and waited patiently for the couple’s arrival.

And so, here comes the couple.

Taking their oaths…

Steal a photo with the couple!

The traditional russian wedding bread, flown in from Russia.

The couple had to pinch off the  bread and whoever gets the larger portion calls the shots in the family! haha..

After which they will dip the bread in salt and feed each other, to signify growing through happiness and woes together.

A table filled with Russian food. Cold cuts, sandwiches, tapas.

Took a shot with Inna on polaroid. Lovely bride~ I so happy for you.

The group of them headed off to the airport and flew to Bali for the wedding party while I went to school for Media Law mid-term. yes, that’s really dreadful huh….

Anyway, I’m really hoping to attend their official wedding in Russian next year! Gotta start saving mooolahhs now~

The main reason for my shanghai trip was Miao’s wedding.
这次的上海旅程主要是参加淼的婚礼。

I was put up at my dad’s cousin’s place in Wen Zhou, whom I have never met before. Felt weird initially but thankfully, they were very welcoming.
抵达温州后才知道他们把我安排在阿姨家。好像是爸爸的堂姐，我从来没碰面过。刚开始觉得有些尴尬，还好阿姨一家都很好客，非常热情。

The traditions there differ slightly from Singapore. On the wedding day, the groom will lunch together with the bride’s family, even before the tea ceremony. After lunch, he will then return home and gather his brothers and cars to head over again to get the bride and her relatives.
婚礼当天，淼先到素珍家共用午餐，之后再返回预备迎接新娘。

At miao’s place:
他们用紫色和粉红色的气球布置大门：

the couple’s bedroom
新人的卧房

the “brothers” discussing the route and strategy.
一群兄弟在讨论方策。

Miao prepared 12 Audi cars for the relatives.
淼预备了12 辆Audi汽车来接待素珍的亲戚。

I wanted to tag along but, I would be the only girl. so…. i waited at the hotel for their arrival.
我是很想跟着一起去接新娘，可是只有我一个女生，好像有些不妥当，我也只好在酒店等候。

Another group of “brothers” were preparing for the grand entry. Laying out the firecrackers and fireworks.
没开车的其他兄弟忙着准备迎接新人。

this is how a box of fireworks look like:
一箱箱的烟花：

I was really excited since there isn’t any of these in Singapore.
当鞭炮放响时，兴奋的心情难以掩盖。 气氛真棒！

the fireworks were lovely! just right above our heads…
烟花真的很迷人！

lighting up the cones..
把人行道两旁的烟火点着。

sparkles in the air…
烟火四飞。

isn’t it romantic? for the couple to walk through the fireworks…
真浪漫！

getting sprayed by everyone else.. haha..
大家都蜂拥而上，把新人喷得稀里哗啦。

heading up to the restaurant..
手牵手上礼堂。

Let’s get the ceremony started!
婚礼正式开始

Handling over the daughter to husband.
将女儿交给丈夫。

Miao was really nervous on stage. He sounded weird.. lol..
淼表现得好紧张，声音怪怪。哈哈。

They arranged for some games on stage and I got volunteered up. It’s drinking “herbal tea” contest.
他们办了几个余兴节目，我被供上台，比赛喝老王吉。

and yes, i won a plushie for my niece.
赢了个玩偶，送给甜甜。

during dinner, the couple did the usual thank you drink around the tables.

After the relatives had left, it’s time for the games and friends!

we made a hole on the beer bottle and got Miao to use his knees to pour out the beer. it was hilarious!

next was to drink the 2 cans of coconut milk dangling over the bride’s shoulder.

follow on was picking the 2 red dates in the huge bowl of beer.

then, he had to peel the logan and feed his wife.

lastly, was the choosing the right can. There’s 21 cans with only 1 empty can. For every failed attempt by him, the brothers will have to finish 2 glasses of herbal tea. And for the  bride, the sisters have to drink up 2 glasses of beer. This is a really tough game! They made 19 unsuccessfully attempts! I ended up helping the sisters with 3 glasses of beer. They only got it right when there was 2 cans left. haha..

and the night ended off with a polariod photo. =)