IT was meant to be the happiest day of their lives.
But the Chinese earthquake turned their lives upside down.
Newly-wed bride Hai Jiao Bailushuyuan and her husband Tang Di were gathering guests together(33 people inc photographers) in front of a 100 yrs old church for photographs when the 7.9 magnitude tremor struck.
Then the ground began to shake and masonry tumbled from the church.
This picturesque Catholic monastery, where the pictures were due to be taken, was reduced to a pile of rubble in just EIGHT SECONDS.
These snaps of the devastation were taken by bewildered wedding photographer Wang Qiang.
Before … Bride walks past the 100-year-old monastery as it was in Pengzhou
Falling apart … masonry falling from building
Falling apart … masonry falling from building
Falling apart … masonry falling from building
Wreck … bride gazes at devastation
Wreck … bride gazes at devastation
Shocked … the bride with her new hubby and guests in the monastery ruins
Shocked … the bride with her new hubby and guests in the monastery ruins
Lucky to be alive … couple and guests at the wrecked church
Get me out of church on time
Disaster … church lies in ruins
After … ruined by the earthquake
The young couple had tied the knot in the town of Pengzhou, in Sichuan province.
Immediately after the quake the bride stood horrified in the ruins of the church and its courtyard.
Guests, coated with layers of grit, struggled to breathe in the dust-filled air as a pall of smoke blocks out the sunlight.
Tang Di said later that he believed they had survived the quake because the once-majestic, 100-year-old church was a “blessed place”.
There had been five weddings taking place when the quake hit on May 12 and dozens of people ran for shelter in the confusion.
Many dragged themselves to safety from the rubble and built makeshift shelters until they were finally rescued by the Chinese military.
But last night it was feared that around 30 guests were still missing.
More about China Earthquake:
China: At least 68,516 die in killer earthquake
satellite photo of china earthquake
Chinese couple’s wedding photo when the earthquake struck
Earthquake In China Unnoticed By Google?
Earthquake cloud, Chinese photographer catch prediction 2 days before earthquake occurred
4 Pings to “Chinese couples’ wedding photo when the earthquake struck”
17 Responses to “Chinese couples’ wedding photo when the earthquake struck”
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1. z Says:
May 16th, 2008 at 10:03 amthats close
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2. se7en Says:
May 19th, 2008 at 2:43 amIf thats not a sign to run from the altar………..
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3. Hugo Says:
May 19th, 2008 at 5:33 pm¡Qué lástima! Siento pena por el terrible momento que tuvieron que pasar, además de los miles de muertos. Para la bella novia, imagino, esos momentos se convertirán en tristes recuerdos
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4. eggshell_salad Says:
May 20th, 2008 at 9:28 pmon their wedding day ;_;
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5. dirk van der werff Says:
May 20th, 2008 at 11:42 pmWOW ……………. that was REALLY close ………..
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6. krmn Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:39 pmLo bueno que no temblo cuando estaban adentro de la Iglesia!!! O_O
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7. Jennifer Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 pmMan… the contrast between the first and last photo is just heartbreaking.
I can’t believe he had the presence of mind to snap photos during that kind of chaos…
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8. Steven Vaxicom Singapore Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:06 amWow ,is that Shower of blessing or what? that’s too terribly & shocking man.. Anyway, good luck to you 2 love birds’ co’s there’s no injuries and indeed it’s a blessing of assurance , properous & longevity….all the best to you 2!
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9. Sam Cornwell ARPS Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:18 amThe most incredible photo’s I will see all year. I hope to see these in the 2009 World press photos of the year.
Simply incredible. -
10. Andres Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 2:54 pmAmazing photography. I guess being outside the church in that sort of situation is in a way “lucky” as you know that all your family and friends are safe and close to you.
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11. Julie Miller Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:31 pmAs the owner of a Wedding Venue in the United States, I work with brides and grooms every weekend. I was awestruck when I saw these incredible pictures. I know very well the feeling of elation the couple was feeling just seconds before the earthquake. I can not imagine the depth of emotion they experienced in the next few seconds. God is not through with you all yet……..I wish you a blessed life. And to the photographer……AMAZING job. I am certain we will see these winning an award somewhere.
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12. Gideon Says:
May 28th, 2008 at 7:04 amThese are some of the most stunning, moving photos I have ever seen. Thank you for having the courage to keep shooting and share what does look something like divine salvation with us.
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13. adwin Says:
June 1st, 2008 at 6:16 amThta’s amazing … I love this story ….
I hope the world knows about this eq .
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14. rosaline Says:
June 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pmthose were amazing picture, truly journalism style. it wasn’t the happiest day for the couple, but i’m sure it’ll be the most memorable day ever.
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15. rosaline Says:
June 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pmthose were amazing pictures, truly journalism style. it wasn’t the happiest day for the couple, but i’m sure it’ll be the most memorable one!
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16. Christine Says:
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:41 amsimply amazing photographs. they are still smiling suppose they will be together forever now.
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17. Erika Vazquez Says:
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:48 amhi,love it
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