Leian Lieza Galang and Gilbert Chico, both over 30, exchanged vows on 1/9 at Saint John the Baptist church in Hagonoy town, north of Manila. Heavy rains have deluged many parts of the Philippines, including Hagonoy, for one month, causing the church to be submerged in floodwaters.

Galang, holding a white bouquet and wearing an off-the-shoulder wedding dress, carefully waded through the floodwaters towards the altar, where her groom waited. The brief ceremony concluded with the priest declaring them husband and wife.

Wedding photographer Mikko Rey Alfonso stated this was his first time witnessing a flooded wedding in the parish. "The parish advised them to postpone the wedding due to rising floodwaters from upstream. But they decided to proceed," Alfonso said, noting the church had been submerged for almost one month. "The bride and groom were determined, so we did our best to make today special for them. They are in love, and nothing could stop their wedding," Alfonso added.

Water reached the bride's waist due to prolonged heavy rains in the area. Photo: AFP

Alfonso mentioned the couple arrived at the church in an elevated tricycle. To navigate the floodwaters safely inside the aisle, the bride had to alter her wedding dress, shortening its train. Fewer than 15 people attended the ceremony. The empty benches were decorated with plastic flower bouquets.

This year's rainy season brought unusually heavy rainfall, deluging one-third of the northern Philippine archipelago, a Catholic-majority nation, in august. The rain-induced landslides and flash floods have claimed 34 lives.

Leian Lieza Galang and Gilbert Chico with the bride's parents (left) during the wedding ceremony. Photo: News5

By Huyen Le (According to AFP)