Tower Bridge bride

Don't you ever wonder how often touristic highlights have already been photographed throughout their existence? I do, every time I walk past the Tower bridge. This 119-year old building attracts thousands of people every single day. And which such a big audience, it's often much more fun to look at the people taking pictures, than at the pictured object itself. 

My high score is 3! Add some fancy filters and you're good to go.

Groups of noisy schoolkids with stressed teachers trying to remember why they agreed to guide this years' school trip again; happy families making sure their not so happy crying children won't ruin their 'look-how-happy-we-are-on-our-happy-family-trip' pictures; runners, runners, and more runners; people maneuvering in the most awkward positions to take proper selfies without losing sight of the bridge; employees on their ways home after a long day at work; adorable elderly people, protecting their belongings as if they're about to face robbery at any moment. 

It also turns out your average stereotype American tourist still exists. Think T-shirt, shorts, sports socks, sneakers and obviously, the big black 'of-course-anyone-can-be-a-photographer' Canon device around their sweaty necks. "Oh ma lord, ROB, look! Ain't that some famous English bridge?!" "MARGE, d'ya have ANY idea how this goddamn camera works?!" "Just push the button sugar!" "But which one?!"

Yeah.

And then of course; lots of couples, on a romantic trip together. Either desperately in love or desperately showing off their love, to whom I have got nothing to say but this:

Speaking of lovers, what was going on down there? A wedding?

For some reason, I was a bit surprised to see a bride and groom - both Asian - posing for a camera with the Tower Bridge on the background. Their foreheads and noses gently touching under her veil, fragile smiles on their faces. But what surprised me most was that they were 'alone'. Not a single sign of any relatives to celebrate this special moment with.

I felt bad for the couple. In my wild - yet strongly biased - imagination they must have been saving for ages, to collect the money that would take them to London, and to have the wedding of their dreams. However, because it was so far away from home, none of their friends or family could afford to join them. The mother of the bride must have felt devastated, unable to witness her precious only daughter saying 'I do' to the man whom she loved so deeply. Luckily, they had given them a present. A proper photo series of their journey, to capture every single moment of their special day. It was all they could bring back home to their families, to share the moment with them and make them part of their memories. So with nothing but their everlasting love for each other, they decided to go. Their familes left behind in tears. Mostly tears of joy, to see their young ones chasing their hapiness.

Just when my thoughts already went scuba diving with them on their honeymoon in Fiji, I saw them heading for a new venue. Joined by the photographer. And his assistant. And the stylist. And hís assistant. And all the other outfits waiting to be photographed. Turns out I was witnessing a photoshoot for a bridal magazine. 

Oops.