Get ready to explore the cross-cultural love story of Alina from Russia and Abu from India, including their unique challenges and the grand wedding celebrations in Moscow and India.
Table of Contents
A Beautiful Beginning
In September 2015, a serendipitous encounter in the UK set the stage for a heartwarming love story between Alina from Volgograd, Russia, and Abu from Lucknow, India.
Alina had just arrived in Bristol for her master’s degree, while Abu had already spent five years in Britain.
Their paths crossed when Abu, curious about his new neighbours, knocked on Alina’s door at the student hostel.
This chance meeting blossomed into a friendship, with Abu showing Alina around the city, sharing his favourite spots, and capturing moments together.
Realizing Love Across Borders
The winter vacation took Alina back to Russia, where she realized how much she missed Abu.
This longing brought her back to the UK, where their relationship evolved from friendship to romance.
After completing their studies, the couple decided to move to Moscow, facing the challenge of finding a job for Abu, who did not know Russian.
A Journey Filled with Challenges
The journey was more straightforward.
Abu had to fly back to India every three months to renew his visa, each time filled with uncertainty about whether it would be granted.
However, love prevailed, and Abu proposed to Alina, leading to a beautiful wedding celebration in Moscow and later a grand ceremony in India.
A Grand Indian Wedding
Their Indian wedding blended traditional and modern elements, spanning four days instead of the usual week.
Abu’s parents rented an entire hotel for the celebrations, ensuring an intimate and grand affair.
Day 1: Arrival and Fitting
The first day was dedicated to fitting outfits, meeting the first guests, and enjoying a dinner with close relatives.
Day 2: Mehendi and Haldi Ceremonies
The second day began with more fittings, followed by the mehendi ceremony, dinner for 150 guests, and the late-night haldi ceremony, where the couple was adorned with turmeric.
Day 3: The Main Ceremony
The third day featured a visit to an Indian temple for the main ceremony; Abu heading and Abu exchanged circled the sacred fire, symbolizing their union.
The day they concluded with a grand dinner for 200 gues. Hend a hotel party for 700 guests.
Day 4: Traditional Farewell
The final day involves a Traditional farewell, with Alina performing rituals to symbolize her new role as a member of Abu’s family.
Navigating Cultural Differences
Alina’s biggest fear was ensuring that Abu understood when to say “yes” during their civil ceremony in Russia, which was conducted in Russian.
With a small quantity of humour and assistance from the staff, they managed this cultural hurdle, ensuring that their love story continued seamlessly.
Conclusion
The love story of Alina and Abu is a testament to the power of love transcending borders and cultures.
From their chance meeting in the UK to their beautiful wedding celebrations in Moscow and India, their journey is filled with joy, challenges, and unwavering commitment to each other.
This heartwarming tale reminds us that love knows no boundaries and can overcome obstacles.