Weddings in the FSU

[mendeleyev]

I think that she might have legal options. The reason that I suspect such is that the family of the bride have a legal claim on the "mahr" paid by the groom should she die within a certain time period after the marriage. Perhaps that gives some legal standing?

Or, she may be out of luck. I googled it, and it is quite a common question apparently. Here is a fairly representative answer from one Islamic website, when a wife expressed concern that her husband could not "get it up" for sex:

We realize that you are troubled about not having consummated your marriage yet. Be patient and make du`aa’ to Allah. Remember also to enjoy each other’s shyness during these moments of your newlywed days and months, they will become treasured memories for both of you! In sha’ Allah, both you and your husband will have an enjoyable marital relationship soon! (http://www.islamawareness.net/Sex/fatwa_sex_005.html)

[mendeleyev]

(click to enlarge.)

We had just pulled up to visit a rural and historical estate outside Tver and ran into this wedding party as we parked. They were cool, plastered for the most part, and waved and joked as if we were their best friends.

I use this to show how festive things become after the ZAGS wedding. It is customary to go to a plaza (if in a city) or to some park (like this), to lay memorial flowers and to make toasts. These guys and gals were just about finished with the toasts. They were happy, very, very happy.

Those decorated cars are part of the tradition. Most were in the same age group--no young bride looking to marry her grandfather in this party.

For whatever unknown reason the Russian government as of late has been insisting that Russians don't take selfies. These guys must have missed that memo. In fact, a number of my relatives have missed that memo.

I hate to see so many young people smoke, but many do.