A Waist-Deep Wedding: Bride Walks Down the Aisle in Flooded Church

A bride had a truly “soaking wet” wedding on Tuesday when she walked down the aisle through a flooded church in the Philippines, with the water rising almost to her waist — before she and her groom finally exchanged their vows.

Gilbert Chico and Lian Lisa Chico tied the knot at St. John the Baptist Church in Hagonoy, Bulacan province, despite torrential rains that battered the region this week. The downpour left the church flooded, with water reaching waist level in some areas, according to Viral Press.

“We had been waiting for this day for so long, and we didn’t want the rain and flooding to stop us from getting married,” the newlyweds said.

“It may not have been the wedding we imagined, but it’s a day we will certainly never forget.”

The couple’s family and friends gathered inside the flooded church to witness the extraordinary ceremony.

Footage filmed from a balcony by a member of the choir shows Lian wading through murky water toward the altar, where Gilbert was already waiting.

Guests stood in the flooded aisle as the bride made her way toward her parents, who were supposed to walk her down the aisle to her groom.

Meanwhile, photographers continued shooting, determined to capture the extraordinary moment.

As Lian made her way down the aisle, a gentle Filipino love song played inside the church. The bride appeared completely unfazed by the muddy water as she confidently pressed on toward the altar.

Gilbert, dressed in a brown suit, stood beside the priest at the altar, waiting for his bride.

The parish had previously advised the couple to postpone the ceremony because of the potential danger. But the couple decided not to change their plans — and their love quite literally passed the test of water.

The wedding took place as the southwest monsoon continued to bring heavy rains to several parts of Luzon, the largest and most populous island in the Philippines.