(Hugo) Boss Gets Married

How could I even begin to sum up Boss's wedding? Suffice to say it was a two day affair. (Are you noticing a trend here?) Suffice to say it took place on two of the hottest days of the year. (It was more than 100 degrees both days, people.) Suffice to say it felt every bit as hot as it was. (One hundred degrees!) BUT, it didn't matter because we still had a blast. Here is a photo recap of the wedding:

We arrived at Boss's house early Saturday morning and helped decorate cars.

Boss and Vika drove in seperate cars prior to the civil ceremony.

Before they could they could wed, Boss had to go and buy Vika from her family. Here he is with the equivalent of his best man.

Vika was veiled and waiting for her sweetie...

The civil ceremony lasted about twenty minutes. Here they are lighting a unity candle.

After the ceremony, we all cheered...

Then Boss and Vika spent two hours taking pictures. Here we are with the happy couple about an hour into their photo shoot. I imagine it was right about when their cheeks started to get stiff.

After the civil ceremony (and mid-photo session), we went to a restaurant and drank champagne. Before the bottle was opened, I snapped this great candid shot:

Boss appears to be wondering what exactly he's gotten himself into...

We then all caravanned to a shashleek joint outside of town. More champagne was cracked open. The bride and groom wrote down their dreams on a little piece of paper. This paper was snuffed inside a champagne bottle. Then two bottles were tied together with a ribbon and the best man thrust them up into a tree for all of eternity. (Or until the next storm blows through...)

It was then on to the reception. After Boss and Vika greeted all their guests, formal proceedings could begin. Here they are about to kiss the traditional wedding bread held by their parents...

Here is a shot of the bread up-close.

We were all more than ready to eat when we finally sat down. Dima especially. What then ensued was eating and toasting and more eating and more toasting and more eating and then...

It was outside into the heat for some dancing.

And some games...

And then more dancing...

The Voznyuks were there...

As was my buddy Olga. Here we are taking a much needed break from the dance floor while others continued to boogie.

Boss's dad tore it up. By the end of the wedding, he was pretty toasted.

And speaking of toasted, when we went back inside to do more eating, Roma and I were called up to the mic to give a toast. I got shy and made Roma say everything by himself.

The musicians came inside to livin things up...

And we joined Boss & Vika at the head table for while...

Then it was back outside where Vika sat on Boss's lap while her mother-in-law took off her veil...

And covered her head, symbolizing her transition to womanhood (or wifedom. Can say wifedom?)

Day one of the wedding ended soon-here-after.
It was way after midnight.

The next morning, Roma and I joined Vika and Boss at 8 AM (!!) for their church ceremony. Afterward, we went back to the reception hall for day two of festivities. Only the closest family and friends participated in day two.

In order to get into the reception hall, we had to "buy a ticket," which meant give some money to the couple and take a shot of vodka. Other than the entry fare, day two was like any other reception anywhere...

With cake...

And, you know, cross-dressing...

And then, because it was hotter than heck, we took our leftovers and went to the river.

(Note Boss's little brother on the right. How cute is he?)

We stayed at the river until the sun went down. Then, finally, we called it a day (and a wedding.) I was spent.

Forgive me for making this an epic post; however, Roma and I were invited to go to the sea with Boss and Vika and we leave tonight. Hence, I felt it essential to post everything today. Roma and I will be down in Crimea through Saturday and I doubt we'll have internet access. So sadly, you'll be without my updates this week...

On a serious tip:
Roma's grandpa was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He's having surgery on Tuesday. So please, if you will, keep him in your prayers.