Resting my feet after an afternoon’s worth of walking the hills of Girona in the middle of one of my favorite places in the world, Costa Brava, I stopped at a sidewalk café to quench my thirst with a bottle of Spanish beer.
I sat there listening to some music on my iPod happily awash in the knowledge that I’d taken a few worthwhile photos that day and explored one of my favorite towns in Europe.
And then I was blessed to this scene. The bells from the massive cathedral announced something joyous was underway. I looked at my watch. 3:24 in the afternoon, so not a mere toiling on the hour.
Then from the main doors exited dozens of people, all dressed in their finest. They talked and laughed amongst themselves, then slowly began to flow down the stairs, only to part in the middle a few moments later to let the bride and groom walk through.
A day that couple will always remember. As will I.
Sometimes just taking a little time out of your busy tourist schedule leads you to the exact moments you want — unplanned, unreplicatable, and perfect because of it.
Aww I love stumbling across moments like this. So sweet.
Sometimes it is the really small moments that come across perfectly, isn’t it?
I always seem to see people having really weird wedding photos taken abroad, like a couple on a roundabout in Moshi, Tanzania, with articulated lorries in the background, when they only had to cross the road to have Kili as a backdrop!
The best I had wasn’t a wedding, but a park in Hanoi that is famous for being the place to go take your pre-wedding photos. I had my photo taken with like 9 wedding parties that day!
Moments like this are some of the most humbling. The silent observer on the outside being party to a couple’s happiness.
“Sometimes just taking a little time out of your busy tourist schedule leads you to the exact moments you want — unplanned, unreplicatable, and perfect because of it.” < Love this!
Thanks so much, Lindsey. I am trying to get back to observing more when I travel. I feel like I have gotten out of that simple habit in the last few years.
Thanks for following along!
I always enjoy happening upon a wedding when I travel. They are so surreal….
Such happy moments in time. Then… the rest of the marriage comes 😉
Beautiful shot! What a lucky moment to catch.
We came across the same type of thing in Barga last year, observing life unfold.
I love unexpected moments like this as well. And the bride’s gown is gorgeous!
I on the other hand have no idea why people take their wedding that much seriously – except that they have an otherwise empty life: https://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/the-most-beautiful-day-of-your-life/
It does look like a perfect moment! I so agree with what you wrote here, Michael… it’s the little anecdotes that enrich our lives in travel, not necessarily the enormous meaning-laden moments. Not necessarily seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time, but maybe much rather witnessing a couple’s intimate afternoon stroll in a cobble stoned and lonely alleyway.
I like to attend all wedding. I see the joy of the bride and groom pair. They were so happy. Ever-present smile on his lips. That moment is so beautiful. Do you think like me?