Hagonoy, Philippines: A flooded church could not stop a Philippine couple from exchanging wedding vows, as they went ahead with their ceremony despite hip-deep water inside the sanctuary.
Leian Lieza Galang and Gilbert Chico got married on September 1 at St John the Baptist Parish in Hagonoy, Bulacan, north of Manila, while heavy monsoon rains continued to affect large parts of the Philippines.
Bride walks through floodwater to reach the altar
Wearing a white wedding gown and carrying a bouquet, Galang carefully waded through murky floodwater to reach the altar, where Chico waited in a brown suit.
The parish had advised the couple to postpone the wedding because of rising floodwaters. However, they decided to continue with their plans. The church had reportedly remained partially submerged for nearly a month.
The bride’s gown was altered and its train shortened to help her move through the water. The couple also arrived at the church aboard a rickshaw with an elevated chassis to keep their wedding clothes dry before entering the flooded premises.
A wedding remembered for courage and commitment
The ceremony was shortened, with fewer than 15 people attending. Even the wedding rings were carried through the flooded aisle by a young boy.
Parish workers did their best to make the occasion special despite the difficult conditions. Photographer Mikko Rey Alfonso said the couple were determined to see their wedding through.
The unusual ceremony quickly attracted attention online, with images and video showing the bride, groom and guests navigating the floodwaters.
For the couple, however, the day was less about the extraordinary circumstances and more about beginning their married life together — proving that even an unexpected challenge could become a deeply memorable chapter in their story.
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