Better by train: the National Centre RUSSIA and Russian Railways surprise Wedding Festival participants
Couples from across Russia are arriving in Moscow to take part in one of this summer's most anticipated events — the III All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts". Many of the future newlyweds chose to travel to the capital by train. To make the journey even more memorable, the National Centre RUSSIA, together with Russian Railways (RZhD), prepared a special surprise for them as part of the "Better by Train for Your Wedding" (#BetterByTrain) campaign.
Train managers from the Federal Passenger Company welcomed the festival participants on their journey toward married life and presented them with exclusive gifts. Each festive gift box contained a pair of engraved tea glasses in decorative metal holders and elegant tea spoons featuring a unique design.
Festival participants Sergei Chuprina and Ulyana Kramarenko from Voronezh said the gift came as a wonderful surprise.
"The Day of Family, Love and Fidelity reminds us to care for one another and never forget our roots. Starting our family on this day is a wonderful way to make the occasion unforgettable. And the fact that our wedding will take place in Moscow, with our journey already beginning with such thoughtful gifts, is simply fantastic," said Sergei Chuprina and Ulyana Kramarenko.
The All-Russian Wedding Festival "Russia. Uniting Hearts" is organised by the National Centre RUSSIA, the Government of Moscow, and the Moscow Civil Registry Office. The third edition of the festival will take place very soon, on 8–9 July. On the opening day, more than 150 couples from across Russia, as well as international and foreign couples, will exchange their vows in a simultaneous wedding ceremony at the National Centre RUSSIA. The 2026 festival motto, "United in Love," reflects the year's overarching theme, the Unity of the Peoples of Russia.
Visitors can take part in the festival's educational programme, including
lectures, masterclasses, and other events, by registering on the official
website at russia.ru.
Here are six of the most unusual wedding customs from across Russia, with traditions dating back centuries.
The dolls have been specially produced for the festival and will be presented as commemorative gifts to every couple.
