The July 9 wedding of one couple in Anhui province's Wuwei county featured some very unique elements. For groom Xu Hao and bride Xiao Ruoyu, a farm vehicle served as the wedding limo, a muddy levee served as the aisle, and floodwaters became the wedding's backdrop.

Xu is a squadron commander with the Wuhu armed police. Xiao is a kindergarten teacher. The couple met three years ago, but they were forced to postpone their wedding twice because of Xu's job. On July 1, just after Xu returned home for his wedding, a flood began in Wuwei county. Xu dutifully volunteered to go join the rescue efforts.

Xu worked for nine straight days as a volunteer rescue worker. On July 9, Xiao went to the levee to visit her husband-to-be, and Xu's fellow workers decided to throw the pair a special wedding during their mid-day break.

The soldiers made a bridal bouquet out of dog tail grass. The wedding rings were also made from grass, and the wedding feast consisted of box lunches. After the ceremony, Xu carried Xiao through the floodwaters on his back, and then promptly rejoined the rescue efforts.