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
July 8th, 2008 at 9:23 am
[...] 8, 2008 by allanatfarcountry This is an amazing story about a Chinese couple taking their wedding photos outside an old Catholic Church before, during [...]
June 10th, 2008 at 7:04 am
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June 3rd, 2008 at 7:41 am
simply amazing photographs. they are still smiling suppose they will be together forever now.
June 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
those 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!
June 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
those 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.
June 1st, 2008 at 6:16 am
Thta’s amazing … I love this story ….
I hope the world knows about this eq .
May 28th, 2008 at 7:04 am
These 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.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
As 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.
May 23rd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Amazing 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.
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:18 am
The 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.