All done in good humour, of course, the spirit of bride napping is, apparently, a common tradition across the Soviet Union. Where the newly married lady is kidnapped or, in a slightly less threatening manner, asked to wait in a side room while the ‘borrowed’-bride charade rumbles on.

“The car was waiting for me in front of the restaurant. I was given the signal by one of my friends, and we cam here to have some fun,” 25-year-old Alisar Dragne told an ITV News reporter.

“Now everyone’s thinking what ransom to ask the groom for. If he agrees, they’ll have to take me back and my husband will have to obey and endure the punishment for not watching over his wife.”