We were all here to celebrate the marriage of Florin and Sasha - Romania to Russia - and what a celebration it was! The ceremony, amid singing, incense, and gold, was in Holy Virgin Cathedral in SF, and the reception across town in L'Olivier restaurant. Don't let the French name fool you: this place is run by Russians, with so much Eastern European food on the tables it was hard to put the vodka bottle down. We could have been in Moscow! Where I've never been.
British weddings are terribly polite affairs, it may surprise you, and this was a little different. There was the food and drink, then dancing, then more food, then back to dancing. At one point the bride was stolen and Florin had to pay money to get her back. Then there was some more dancing. I was seated beside Fathers Ioan and Peter, both of whom did brandy shots and one of whom knew someone who taught us theology at Durham.
Strangely, baby Pete was finding it difficult to sleep through all this, and so we had to say До свидания a little early, before things got totally out of hand. It was a day and a night I'm not going to forget quickly (aside from the bits that were already a bit cloudy at the time...) and thank you so much to handsome groom Florin and beautiful bride Sasha for the invitation. Mulţumesc foarte mulţ and Большое спасибо, as we say in England.
This seems to be the place.
Don't look so worried Florin! (Florin's the one on the left).
The bride arrives, impressively on time. For the first part of the ceremony they don't even get to come into the church!
Then they rush to the altar.
Nicely decorated.
Receiving instruction from Father Peter.
There was a balcony you could go up to. Everyone was wandering around and taking photos during the service (despite all the signs saying that you weren't allowed to). It was a blogger's paradise!
Mr and Mes Stanciu.
With parents, but getting photobombed by an orthodox priest.
Out they come! There's a tradition where you have to shout "gorka" (I think) and the bride and groom have to kiss the whole time. This happened a lot.
These aren't even the appetisers, just pre-appetiser snacks!
Jelly, eggs, carrot, pickled fish at the bottom. Hmmm.
This poor guy couldn't take the weight of the desserts, but retained his dignity with a rose.
Pete, overcome.
"Are you Russian mafia?" people kept asking me.
They prayed a lot in the service for Florin and Sasha to have kids. And suddenly...!
First dance: "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2.
Me and Father P.
Turning on the vodka-fueled charm to Sasha. She was impressed.
And here are all my memories of the evening summed up in one easy photo.
