Russian brides: Guide to date women from Russia

Russian marriage agencies is the term used by the Russians for the local introduction service in each city. There may be more than one marriage agency in each city, especially the larger cities. 

Westerners would never use such a term because it is too obvious. Western companies that perform the same service use the terms ‘dating service’ or ‘introduction service.’ 

I prefer the Russian term, as it leaves no misunderstanding as to what their intentions are. 

Each marriage agency is located in a specific city or town in the CIS countries and represents the women who sign up with their agency locally. They are usually locally owned. They may or may not have their own website.

Westerners, or Russian wives of westerners, usually own the major agencies whose websites you will visit on the Internet. They are usually affiliated with one or more of the local marriage agencies located in CIS countries. 

That is why you see certain cities promoted on their sites. For example, you may see them list women from ten medium sized towns in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

The local marriage agencies provide the women. The Western agencies connect them with the men, via the Internet and their website. Pictures of the Russian women who sign up with the local marriage agencies are then cataloged on the internet site.

There is usually some kind of split that is made when transactions are made over these websites. For example, when you email a woman in a CIS country, the fee you pay is split between the westerners who own the major companies and the local marriage agency.

The local marriage agencies in Russia make money from the email forwarding services, translation services, and other local services such as procuring gifts for local women. They also make money providing tours and services for men visiting their agency. 

Sometimes there are breakups of these affiliations, due to misunderstandings or outright contract violations. I have been in the middle of several of these disagreements. 

I had my primary contact with the Western agency, and when their relationship dissolved, the local marriage agency tried to usurp my relationship with the primary agency and contact me directly. It was interesting to watch.

At any rate, my recomendation is that it is better to deal with a western agency located in a major country as they are governed by laws regarding proper business practices. 

Agencies located in Russia and other CIS countries are not always reputable. Some of them are and some of them aren't, but you will not know the difference until you are already embroiled with them. 

10 . The cucumber has left the salad. 

9. Quasimodo needs to go back in the tower and tend to his bells.

8. You need to bring your tray table to the upright and locked position.

7. Paging Mr. Johnson... Paging Mr. Johnson.. 

6. Elvis is leaving the building. 

5. The Buick is not all the way in the garage. 

4. Our next guest is someone who needs no introduction. 

3. You've got a security breach at Los Pantalones.

2. Men may be From Mars.....but I can see something that rhymes with Venus.

And the #1 way to tell someone his zipper is unzipped.... 

1. I always knew you were crazy, but now I can see your nuts. 

The type of location where you hold your wedding reception will undoubtedly influence the type of music you will play there. Couples who choose to marry in a church and host their reception on the church premises may need to conform to certain restrictions outlined by the church. 

If that is the case, do remember that there are a number of musicians and DJ's who can create a fun musical atmosphere within a religious environment. 

Appropriate faith based music, especially in the Christian tradition, is not limited to gospel or faith and worship productions. 

There are many contemporary artists who sing exaltations of praise for God, his work, or the beauty of life and nature. There is even a large section of Christian rock music. Alternatively, you can use music without lyrics.

Classical music is another popular way to create a fun musical environment. String quartets, or chamber music, as well as a full classical orchestra can provide a beautiful background to a classic formal wedding. 

Fur Elise, Air on a G String, and Claire de Lune are timeless wedding choices. The couple may want to review musical compositions by Handel, Debussy, Mozart, Bach and Chopin.

Ultimately, all musical choices must complement and respect the location of the wedding reception, the type of invited guests, and the musical preferences of the newly married couple.

When you consult with the musical coordinator, DJ, or wedding planner, you may want to present a list of songs that should be avoided and songs that the couple prefers to be played during the wedding reception. 

Keep in mind that every wedding party displays a certain tone, feeling, or theme. Music is the easiest way to foster a certain mood during a wedding party. For example, wedding party dance songs can create a classically elegant mood or a true dance hall atmosphere. 

If you want to highlight a Caribbean theme at your wedding reception, hire a steel or reggae band. Your guests are sure to appreciate island music performed by artists native to the region.

Your musical choices should vary in speed throughout the wedding reception. Changes of pace are natural ways to maintain the flow of the reception. There is the first dance, the bride dancing with her father, and other classic dances at the beginning of the reception. 

As the liquor flows and the guests start getting into the dance mood, more upbeat music is appropriate. But before selecting wedding party dance songs, the couple will need to determine the theme of the wedding reception they are trying to create.

Clearly, musical selections are critical to the wedding party. It is a nice gesture to vary the types of songs played so that guests of all ages feel welcome to participate in the festivities. 

It is also useful to play a variety of song speeds to avoid monotony and to give the guests a chance to rest after a fast pace song.

You do not want to create a wedding party where the dance songs clash with certain elements of the reception. For example, you may need to play slower music during the meal so that the music does not compete with conversation. You may want to consider playing soft, sentimental music during the varied wedding toasts of the party.

Modern weddings often lean toward top forty contemporary hits. However, older songs are also appropriate and worthy of consideration for any wedding party. The Drifters, Elvis Presley and the Righteous Brothers are older artists who offer timeless musical selections for any number of wedding party dances. 

When choosing music, you should consider playing a few songs that will get everyone out on to the dance floor. This eases guests into an easy going fellowship and can spur on the level of excitement at the reception. For that reason, line dances such as The Electric Slide and Mambo Number Five continue to rise in popularity. 

Also consider other participation type songs such as the Hokey Pokey, and the Chicken Dance. While they're a little corny, they do get the guests in a jovial mood.