I don't know what it is about the idea of Russians and weddings. I automatically think of marriage russian as some pre-arranged affair between a well-to-do Westerner and some Russian pen pal. I don't think I'm too far off the mark. Because traditional marriage Russian was a pre-arranged affair. These days that kind of thing doesn't necessarily exist, but considering how many on-line sites exist for foreigners to meet and marry Russian women, I'd say the spirit of the tradition is still alive and well.
Based on the research and information available, I'd say that there really are a lot of russian women for marriage. Now whether or not these girls are prostitutes looking to scam a foreigner I can't say. But it seems valid enough to say that plenty of russian women for marriage would prefer a husband who drinks a lot less and has far fewer suicidal tendencies than the majority of men to be found in their homeland.
The actual process of marriage russian is fairly simple in this day and age: the bride and groom meet at city hall and literally break some bread and salt to signify a strong and lasting union. Tradition has it the whoever "wears the pants in the family" will be the one who takes the biggest bite of bread. Maybe it's just a matter of who is hungrier. Anyway, the happy couple pays the civil servant and then they are off and running.
Apparently in a marriage Russian, the wedding reception is more important than the civil ceremony. Enroute to the reception, the bride and groom usually take a drive to many of the historic cities within reach (by taxi or car) and pay respect to the saints and hero's of a by-gone age. Nice to know the marriage Russian has a more serious side to it. But then it's party time! The newlyweds will find their respective parents at the reception - probably already drunk. But what marriage Russian doesn't involve a lot of vodka? The reception also has plenty of dancing and carrying on.
Some other unique Russian traditions have survived the ages. For example, the groom is warned not to take his eyes of his bride, or she can be "stolen". Given what I currently know about the Russian culture; I'd say this was a valid concern. A groom's wife might be snatched up and next thing you know she's working on a chain gang or something. Other traditions involve breaking a plate or glass as a symbol of breaking ties with the old life and entering in with another. And the tradition of tasting bread and salt takes place at the reception in addition to the civil ceremony.
Like I said, I'm not necessarily convinced by it all. Discounting the mafia, black market and jobs provided by the state as a means to earn a living, Russian society doesn't offer a whole lot to most males. The career ladder is a short one. And I'm sure the idea of marrying a farmer isn't that exciting. Especially when a lot of these marriage Russian women are so phenomenally gorgeous. So it's no wonder than, that Westerners and other foreigners are such an attractive (and rich) alternative to the "home grown" product found on the streets of St. Petersburg.