Kochi: In a scene that felt straight out of a film, a young Kerala bride who met with an accident on the morning of her wedding ended up getting married inside the emergency room of a Kochi hospital, after both families decided not to miss the auspicious muhurtam. The extraordinary ceremony took place at VPS Lakeshore Hospital, turning a medical emergency into an unforgettable moment of love, resilience and family support.

Avani, a native of Kommadi in Alappuzha, had been travelling to Kumarakom for her bridal makeup early on Friday morning when the car she was in reportedly lost control and rammed into a tree. The sudden crash disrupted what was meant to be one of the most joyous days of her life, but within hours, her loved ones moved quickly to ensure the marriage would still take place — even if the venue changed drastically.

Bride suffers spinal injury; taken to Kochi for advanced care

Following the accident, local residents rushed Avani to Kottayam Medical College Hospital. Initial assessments revealed she had sustained a spinal injury, prompting doctors to refer her to VPS Lakeshore Hospital in Ernakulam for specialised neurosurgical care. She was shifted by noon, with groom V M Sharon of Thumboli and his family reaching shortly afterwards.

The couple was originally scheduled to get married at Thumboli around midday, with the muhurtam fixed between 12.15 pm and 12.30 pm. With the bride in severe discomfort and immobilised, and the clock running down, both families approached the hospital with an unusual request — to allow the wedding to be conducted inside the Emergency Department.

Hospital rearranges ER to host wedding

After consultations with neurosurgeons and emergency medical staff, the hospital agreed. A spokesperson said the team ensured the bride would not experience any further physical strain while permitting the families to go ahead with the ceremony.

In a swift and compassionate effort, hospital staff cleared space inside the Emergency Ward, arranged seating and allowed close relatives to gather around the couple. Doctors and nurses stood witness as Sharon tied the thaali around Avani’s neck at the auspicious moment, transforming the ER into an intimate, emotionally charged wedding venue.

A brief wedding ritual was performed with minimal movement for the bride, who remained under medical supervision throughout. Dr Sudheesh Karunakaran, Head of Neurosurgery at the hospital, later confirmed that Avani had sustained a spinal injury and would undergo surgery soon.

A moment that touched many

Photos and accounts of the unexpected hospital wedding quickly spread, capturing the attention of people across Kerala and beyond. Many praised the families for their unwavering determination, and the medical team for accommodating the ceremony despite the constraints of an emergency setting.

Wedding ceremonies held in hospitals are rare but not unprecedented. Similar incidents in recent years — including in Madhya Pradesh, where a groom carried his ailing bride for the saat phere — have gone viral for highlighting the emotional strength of families in difficult situations.

In Avani’s case, the wedding retained its sanctity despite the changed circumstances, with loved ones saying the moment held even deeper meaning after the morning’s frightening events.

Love triumphs amid adversity

What began as a day marked by shock and uncertainty transformed into a symbolic celebration of resilience. Though the couple will now focus on Avani’s healing and upcoming surgery, Friday’s unexpected ceremony stands as a testament to love’s ability to persevere even in the face of crisis.