OK, so I didn’t really crash any weddings, but I did spy on them a little bit. There is something lovely about stumbling on a stranger’s wedding while you are traveling. For me, it is a professional fascination since I planned weddings for many years in my capacity as an event planner/venue manager. It is also reaffirming. What better way to remind ourselves that, worldwide, we are more alike than we are different? Humans fall in love. Most cultures (that I know of) recognize love and the desire for two people to merge two paths into one common path. Love is in the air. . .in any culture. Yes, I realize that there are plenty of cultures where arranged marriages are still practiced. This does not mean love cannot (or does not) develop eventually for many of these couples. Humans honor many other traditions by hosting weddings too. Family. Community. Food. Celebration. Hope. Just for fun, here are weddings that I encountered in the U.S. and Europe, while traveling.
The first time I stumbled upon a wedding celebration was in 2005 in Venice, Italy. There is a daily tradition in Italy called La Passeggiata. Typically, between the hours of 5:00pm and 8:00pm the streets fill with neighbors strolling. Couples, families, and groups of friends wander the streets socializing. Later, everyone heads home for their evening meal. One night, while participating in this lovely pastime, I was taken off guard, as this beautiful bride came rushing down the street past me. You can see by the poor quality of the photograph how little time I had to set up my shot. I tried to be unobtrusive and take the photo secretly. The results are kind of artistic, I think. The evening stroll is leisurely, so she and her companion (Mom?) stood out for their fast pace and for their wedding clothes. I wonder if she had just completed her vows and was going a local restaurant for the wedding dinner or if the ladies were on their way to meet the groom.
The second time I spied on a stranger’s nuptials was in December 2011. My husband and I spent the night at a hotel on the beach so we could watch New Year’s Eve fireworks over the ocean. We walked along the beach at dusk. In the distance, on a hill, we saw a small wedding in progress. The cluster of 15 or so guests were casually dressed. Only the bride was in a traditional, formal gown. If her gown had not caught my eye, I would not have recognized the event as a wedding. I took a few shaky photos and observed the kiss signifying the end of the ceremony and the beginning of something much more.
The third time I took secret wedding photos was 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland. There is a street in Edinburgh called “The Royal Mile” that slopes down (for a mile, duh!) from the castle to the royal palace (Holyrood House). It has become touristy, as it is lined with souvenir shops. That is unfortunate, but it is still worth walking. Crowded streets are great for people watching, after all.
One afternoon, while strolling the Royal Mile, I passed the City Chambers. A couple had, apparently, just finished their vows. They and their guests spilled out of the government building into the courtyard out front. My photos show men in kilts (this is traditional Scottish dress for men at formal occasions), the bride posing with various friends and relatives, and even a server with a platter of hors d’oeuvres. The kilts are really the only thing that give away the overseas setting. The bride, the joyous smiles and the buoyant atmosphere are the same as anywhere. I found myself rooting for these perfect strangers. A joyous occasion brings smiles the same way in any corner of the world.
The fourth time I “crashed” a wedding was in Germany in 2015. If I am being technically accurate, I don’t think this time was an actual wedding but, rather, a wedding photoshoot. The bustling little town of Landstuhl in western Germany has a winding road that snakes up a mountain. At the top of the mountain, overlooking the town, is a castle. I trekked up there one day to explore. When I arrived, I saw a couple dressed in their wedding best having their picture taken. I figured they wouldn’t mind if I snapped a quick one myself. Like my other spy photos, you can see by how blurry it is that I was in a hurry. Although, this couple actually looked my way, which most of my other subjects did not.
Weddings are one day when we seem capable of setting aside politics and differences. Many of us are reminded of our own loves, which is always a nice interlude in your day. Elegant poses, families electrified with joy, favorite foods and numerous hugs: these are the things that remain constant in Western weddings regardless of the home country. I suspect the same is true in other corners of the world too. I haven’t been to those corners yet, but when I get there, I will be sure to “crash” a few weddings and bring back pictures.
Have you ever stumbled on a wedding while traveling? If so, feel free to share the memory in the comments section.
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