We are in Prague, capitol city of the Czech Republic, formerly part of Czechoslovakia.
Prague is famous for many things, not the least of which is Karlův Most (aka Charles Bridge).
Karlův Most on a rainy afternoon.
As the only means of crossing the river Vltava until 1841, Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city’s Old Town and adjacent areas. This “solid-land” connection made Prague important as a trade route between Eastern and Western Europe.
The bridge is 621 metres (2,037 ft) long and nearly 10 metres (33 ft) wide, following the example of the Stone Bridge in Regensburg, it was built as a bow bridge with 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two on the Lesser Quarter side (including the Malá Strana Bridge Tower) and one on the Old Town side, the Old Town Bridge Tower. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, originally erected around 1700 but now all replaced by replicas.
Cool stuff. But we are here to take photographs of the sunrise.
Karlův Most Sunrise
We awaken before sunrise, bundle up in a warm coat, and walk to the bridge, thinking we will be alone on this cold October morning.
A wall of people spans the bridge.
A group of people blocks access to the bridge. Did something happen, a tragic early-morning accident, perhaps?
A mob of photographers awaits the sunrise.
Nope. They are just people like me, hoping to take photographs of the rising sun. I notice how they align themselves such that no one blocks another’s view. Photographers are just naturally nice, I guess. 😎
The sun rises over the Old Town Bridge tower.
We don’t wait long before the sky turns red and yellow, the first rays of sunlight illuminating the clouds.
The shot we were waiting for.
The sun peeks through the buildings, the birds alight, and dozens of cameras’ shutters click, capturing this perfect moment.
The brides on Karlův Most.
The sun rises and we look around, wondering if there are other wonderful images to capture…and that’s when we notice the brides. The cold October morning has beckoned them to the bridge to be photographed.
Brides on Karlův Most
There are many brides and a few grooms. We cautiously take their photograph, careful not to interfere.
It is always important to have a seamstress with you.
I think he’s a fighter pilot, hoping to impress his bride-to-be with the aerial antics.
A stylish over-the-shoulder look, as if to say, “We’re leaving now.”
A blue suit with gold mesh, and matching brown shoes, says “Euro-fashion”.
Let’s rub noses, like the Eskimoses.
It is too cold to kiss, I think. Notice the photographer with the mobile phone? Modern times, eh?
They have to be cross-eyed to focus, right?
Rubbing noses must be a thing for young couples.
Do NOT bring your mother-in-law to a photoshoot.
I imagine she’s saying, “Get your big feet off her dress!”
A relaxed groom is a good sign.
I like this guy’s attitude. He’s scored a beautiful girl, he’s in Prague, and everything is great in the world.
Are those bodyguards?
This bride intrigues me. Why is she alone? Why are there scary-looking men around her? Maybe she’s a princess or the daughter of a wealthy shipping magnate or international gangster.
Perhaps that’s her best side…
Whoever she is, obviously she has a lot going for her, derrière-wise.
Now I’m sad, too.
Ohhhh, she looks so sad. Maybe she’s just cold cold cold. (Notice how the other folks are bundled up.) Maybe she’s not a morning person or hasn’t had her coffee yet. Or maybe she really is a princess and is engaged to the IRL equivalent of Prince Humperdinck.
Well, we wish the best for all these brides and grooms, and blahopřejeme k vašemu zasnoubení!