Adil and Umida: Part Two

A 5am finish the previous day but we were all bright eyed the next day for more action! And they didn’t disappoint…I love the build up to the wedding where the groom really has to work hard to get the bride…hang on, I’ll give you a commentary as we go along.

So before the frolicking, a quiet space to photography Adil getting ready…man of the moment, check out those eastern bloc shades.

So here come the boys….!

All the men gather, close friends, cousins once removed etc etc and felt this was owed a display of male pride:

 

Then into the (several) cars, driving out of the city to pick up the bride, hidden away in her parents house

Lateness is usually the only problem in getting the bride to the church on time in England but the Kazakh groom is faced with a whole set of obstacles!

Adil had to pass several stages from the gates of the house right up to the upstairs room where Umida was waiting meekly like a good Kazak girl! To be honest, I have no idea what riddles he had to answer, not understanding the language but there was lots of negotiating, laughter and women enjoying being in control! Umida’s friends are a formidable matriarchal pack to get past!

The boys resorted to battering ram tactics at one point to get Adil through the driveway.

Custom has it that the groom isn’t actually meant to work too hard, which is why he brings his gang of men with him. Here the boys fulfil one of the challenges on Adil’s behalf to try and get him in the front door.

And lots of money has to be doshed out to get him up the stairs…

Phew, finally he makes it, much to Umida’s delight.

Bride secured and its back into the cars to get everyone to the ceremony.

Adil and Umida got married at the same hall as Adil’s parents. Got to love a trompe d’oeil backdrop!

 

The evening’s celebrations were a full on 9 hour repeat of the previous nights…with a few twists thrown in and certainly no change in the fervor of the dancing.

The surprise event of the evening was Strictly Come Dancing! Umida chose a selection of her guests to be trained for a mere 15 minutes backstage by professional dancers. Each dancer was given a different style of dance, be it tango or rock n roll. I so wanted to have a go!

Some dancers were more flexible than others

Whilst they practiced, Adil lined up the bachelors to throw them the garter. Each guy had to strut stuff on the dance floor solo, dancing up to the garter before the finale of the throw.

When the Strictly team descended onto the dancefloor, I don’t think some of the uncles could quite believe their luck… youths were relived that night

So at 3am the wedding party finished…but not the partying! On we went to an afterparty for the youngsters and I left them still dancing at 4am

Umida changed into a second gorgeous gown for the after party which definitely deserved a few catwalk shots.

And so 33 hours later of my clicking camera, the 2 day wedding came to an end. Certainly a wedding I will never forget. I loved it for its exuberance and energy and the amazing kindness showed to me by guests and couple alike. Thank you Adil and Umida and hope to see you in Kazakhstan again! I would love to hear from all those guests, so please feel free to leave comments below.