Just caught up with the post...............bit busy over the weekend...:))))
First of all a huge thank you to all have given their best wishes,it made some very happy reading for Inna and she was taken aback by the thoughtfulness of the members here.
As for the day itself.......what can say except it was pure magic from beginning to end.
Friday night I was duly depsatched to mother's house!!!.....yep even in Ukraine the tradition is that I cannot be with bride before the wedding day,and to be honest it just added to the the excitement.
Tried my best to sleep without a great deal of success!!! and was treated to a lovely cooked breakfast by my mother....(good start)...strange how you forget what it's like to get waited on by Mum isn't it?
Got showered dressed and proceeded to pace around the house for what seemed like hours.Then it was time to leave.Up to this point i had very little nerves but as I got in the car......wow did they kick in BIG TIME.......lol.
Arrived at the registry office to be greeted by the already assembled guests,most of whom were split into 2 camps.......women all gushy and kissy-kissy and the men telling me very tongue in cheek that this was my last chance to make a run for it.....:))
Some of you may know that Inna is is a tailoress,but nothing could have prepared me for the creation she had come up with for our wedding.
Spectacular doesn't even begin to do it justice.
She had made a dress with GOLD material,figure hugging and absolutely stunning!!!
I guess I made a good impression of a fish out of water as I saw her.Of course I knew she was a beautiful lady but NEVER in my life have I felt so proud to have such a gorgeous creature on my arm.
The ceremony went without a hitch.....even the registrar who initially expressed concern about pronouncing my wifes surname!!!!
A superb reception followed and many toasts made with traditional Ukranian vodka left quite a few watery eyes around the room.Whether this was due to the happy occasion or the strength of the alcohol I'm not sure....lol.
An equally good evening was had by all too.A special addition being incorporating several Ukranian traditions into the proceedings,notably my best man and several friends "kidnapping" my new wife!!......(good fun and highly recommended).
Even a slightly nervous speech by yours truly seemed to go well too.All in all the most memorable day I have ever had.
The rest of the evening/night not for publication ............LOL.
In closing we would both like thank everyone for kind words and thoughts,and wish all here find as much happiness as we have done.
Mr and Mrs Gladiator.......:)))...............Steve and Inna.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry for the big letters, but this is because I'm excited for you 2!!! :)) And I'm very very happy that everything went very very well!!!:))
I really can feel the joy you have through the letters...don't know if it's because of the power of your feelings, or because coffee makes every feelings stronger don't really sure:))) just kidding:)))
And what other Ukrainian traditions did you have??? Did you have to drink from the bride's shoe??? you know the friends take the bride's shoe and pour there vodka or champaign or anything else and the groom has to drink it up to the end, or the bride will have to walk without the shoe??? :))) So the bride with small feet is a good news for the groom:)) Just kidding:)))
Didn't manage to drink from the shoe Ptichka!!.......besides I think the groom may have been unconscious if I had tried.......pepper vodka takes some drinking!!!!!
Glad you can see the happiness in the words Ptichka....:)),it's easy to write from the heart,especially when you feel as I do..:))))))
Never thought to measure the brides feet before I proposed to her though...........LOL.
:))))) maybe maybe but as I said the vodka may be changed to other drink :)))
It's easy to see the happiness when it's really there:))
And can you imagine...choose you bride judging on the size of her foot:)))) funny:)))