Love is in the Air

"Man it's a hot one
Like seven inches from the midday sun"
- Smooth by Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas

That song sums up the temperatures in Edmonton this weekend. I love hot weather, but since radiation, I need to protect myself from the sun more than I used to, so it is a bit challenging to stay cool. Yesterday's temperature was about 30 degrees Celsius (I think that is the equivalent of 86 degrees F), so I decided to go for my walk earlier in the day. I arrived at one of my favorite destinations in the city - the provincial legislature grounds, shortly before noon. Clearly, this is a popular spot for wedding photos in this city! When I arrived, these three brides were lined up on the steps for their photos. You can double click on the photo to enlarge it.

I realize it is not too easy to see all of the brides - I thought about pretending to be the weekend reporter/photographer for the major local newspaper but realized I would soon be busted when people saw my little point and shoot camera - so I want to describe the scene for you.

The bride and groom on the left hand side were a young Asian couple, with a very large wedding party. The bride had 6 bridesmaids, and 4 or 5 junior bridesmaids. As well, there were Moms and Dads, Aunties and Uncles and Grandparents, all vying for space in the photographers lens. The bridesmaids wore knee length brown dresses - really quite pretty, and the junior bridesmaids had lovely little green dresses. From what I could tell, there was not very good communication in this group, and they spent a lot of time trying to rally the troops who had spread out all over the extensive grounds of the legislature.

The bride in the centre was also missing her bridal party. The poor woman stood in the position you see her in above, for such a long time. The photographer must have captured 8,000 images of her in that pose, while they awaited the arrival of the delinquent, lilac clad bridesmaids who drove up approximately 20 minutes after the bride began her coy flirtation with the camera. The groom stood patiently off to the side, a stance I am certain he will assume many, many times in the upcoming years. After watching the motionless, mannequin like bride for about 15 minutes, I began to feel so sorry for her. I am quite certain that, given the length of time that she stood looking over her shoulder, she was probably unable to return her head to a forward position. I am guessing that she went through the rest of the day, looking back over her shoulder, while her attentive groom stood in the wings watching her.

The final bride, the one on the right, had 4 bridesmaids and 2 junior bridesmaids all dressed in red. There was a little ring bearer who was climbing on pillar posts and everything else he could find. I kept waiting for the inevitable fall and broken limbs that would be incurred, and left before I became witness to the mayhem that would ensue.

As these brides were getting their pictures taken, several other wedding parties began to line up, for their turn on the stairs. I kept wondering how many brides stand on these stairs on a typical Saturday, but it was too warm to sit there and watch. I felt so sorry for the groups that had to stand in the hot sun - I am quite certain the wedding photos will show a large group of "glistening" individuals.

'Tis the wedding season - clearly an industry not impacted by the recession!