Yes, Shanghai! Every once in awhile, we are struck by the fact that we live in China and go periodically to hang out in Shanghai!  Really, fantastic is the only way to describe it.

I’ll confess right from the start that I was somewhat hungover and tired when we headed out for our walking tour, discovered over breakfast in the latest edition of Time Out Shanghai, the what-to-do, where-to-eat magazine that has given me so much good advice to date.  Off we headed to explore the architecture created by Ludlo Hudec in the 1930s when Shanghai was at its (first) height.  I felt better  upon finding the Grand Theatre and Park Hotel, close to each other and each a wonder of Art Deco styling.  The magazine sweetened the walk by running a contest for readers:  do the walk and answer some questions by reading various displays, plaques and construction signs and be entered to win a glorious weekend at the Pudong Shangri-La.  Oh yeah, baby!  Let’s do it!

Shanghai Weddings

We schlepped through a number of neighbourhoods, getting lost once and trying to answer the question of the wrong building, but it was fun!  Nearly at the end, we happened upon a “renovated” neighbourhood near a canal and set up as a pedestrian mall–a rarity in Shanghai and a blessing.  Apparently all the brides in Shanghai go there for their wedding photos, many of which we will post for you here.  And why wouldn’t they?  If you can get a spot on the bridge over the canal, the backdrop is Pudong, with arguably the most interesting architecture anywhere.

The Pudong Skyline

I hereby dedicate this portion of the blog to my dear friend Lynne and her husband Martin, whose son is getting married in September.  It’s too bad Jelena already has her dress as I’m sure she would be inspired by these designs:

Bride Number 1

She is happy because her shoes aren’t on…

A Flowing Veil

A Beautiful Bride

Not a good pose.

Very elegant, except perhaps for the rental shoes.  Didn’t have his size…

Very coy and natural, don’t you think?

Jump for joy! Just wait, pal.

Geoff’s comment:  if you look your best on your wedding day…

This lovely bride even let Geoff have his picture taken with her.

Now for the final three. These are award winning photographs. Which one would you choose to publish in the Shanghai Weddings magazine?

Gangnam style meets working girl?  The groom had no idea where to put his hand – honestly.

The groom picked his bride up and spun around three times – she was less than happy when he put her down.

And finally,

“We are not amused.”