A billionaire Russian oligarch and co-owner of Arsenal Football Club has treated his niece and her tennis star husband to a jaw-droppingly lavish wedding ceremony, featuring everything from a Disney-style castle erected inside the venue to a gown with a train big enough to cover the dancefloor.
Photographs of the extravagant affair capture bride Ganya Usmanova, who is understood to have worn a total of three dresses throughout the day, surrounded by dozens of guests holding her enormous train in the air.
Her uncle, the business magnate Alisher Usmanov, 64, acquired a 14 per cent stake in London-club Arsenal in 2007 and is understood to have footed much of the bill for the opulent wedding of Ganya, 24, to Uzbek tennis star Vazha Uzakov, 29.
The wedding in the Uzbekistan capital Tashkent saw guests dancing in the shadow of a fairytale castle backdrop surrounded by opulent floral displays and dazzling light projections.
Ganya Usmanova, the niece of Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov, wed her tennis star groom Vazha Uzakov (pictured with his bride and parents) in a lavish ceremony funded by her oligarch uncle over the weekend
Guests at the wedding helped to lift Ganya’s weighty gown in order to capture this magical photo, which was shared on Instagram with the hashtag #VazhaGanya
Bride Ganya’s wedding dress, from an American-Lebanese brand called Rami Kadi, was encrusted with precious stones – one of three dresses she wore for the duration of the celebrations.
The newlyweds shared snaps of their extravagant celebrations at the Uzekspocentre Exhibition Centre on Instagram using the hashtag #VazhaGanya.
Ganya, who describes herself as an ‘Influencer from Uzbekistan’ on her profile, has over 117,000 followers, all of whom appeared delighted to be given a glimpse of her celebrations.
Uzbek celebrities performed at the event, but there is thought to have been no entertainment flown in from influential neighbour Russia, where Uzbek-born Mr Usmanov made his fortune.
Ahead of her nuptials, which are understood to have taken place over the weekend, Ganya enjoyed a Sex and the City-themed hen party, with the excited bride-to-be sharing photos under the hashtag #GanyaInTheCity.
The ceremony, held at the Uzekspocentre Exhibition Centre, was decorated with hundreds of fragrant blooms as well as a miniature fairytale castle for the bride’s special day
For the reception, Ganya slipped into a less voluminous gown of ivory silk, printed with a geometric design and perfect for dancing the night away with her guests
Ganya wore a gown by an American-Lebanese brand called Rami Kadi that was encrusted with precious stones – one of a total three wedding dresses chosen for her celebrations
Ganya looked every bit the fairy talebride in her hand-embroidered veil as she greeted guests at her wedding reception
The photos capture Ganya’s hens being treated to an array of pink and sparkly treats and posing alongside cardboard cut outs of the stars of the cult HBO show.
Following their wedding Ganya shared a photo of her and her new husband’s rings on Instagram, with the caption: ‘Words can not describe how happy and thankful we are!!! Thank you so much for sharing this day with us!!! Lots of loooove!!!’
Tennis star Uzakov has gained a reputation as a ‘sex symbol’ in Uzbekistan, but some online commentators were unimpressed by the groom.
A follower posting under the handle ‘kirysia’ said: ‘I would never call him a sex symbol. He is pretty mediocre. There are many Uzbeks that are a lot more handsome.
The bride spent hours preening ahead of her big day with professionals enlisted to help her look her best
Following their wedding Ganya shared a photo of she and her new husband’s rings on Instagram writing: ‘Words can not describe how happy and thankful we are!!! Thank you so much for sharing this day with us!!! Lots of loooove!!!’
‘This young woman is also so-so, the only thing that makes her stand out is that she is a niece of a billionaire. This man managed to guarantee himself a good future.’
‘Vanity’ added: ‘Beauty is a relative thing but money and status change everything.’
Alisher Usmanov made his fortune in the mining industry.
Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated his net worth at 15.4 billion USD (11.4 billion GBP) and listed him as the 37th richest person in the world.
Before her big day, Ganya was treated to a Sex and the City themed hen party (pictured left and right) complete with enormous pink cocktails and cardboard cut outs of the cast
Despite being referred to as a ‘mini’ castle the installation was a rather large structure and was used for hosting drinks
The bride got ready in a pair of Victoria’s Secret silk pyjamas and had her hair and makeup done by a professional
A blown-up picture of the happy couple was shown on screen as they cut their multi-tiered cake during the wedding reception