Watch the video of the wedding.
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Weddings are important events no matter the country or culture. Some countries opt for simpler arrangements while other, more traditional, cultures can have elaborate celebrations that can even last several days (such as in India).
But what every bride or groom fears deep inside is being abandoned at the altar. It’s not just the fact that being jilted at the altar humiliates you in front of all your family and friends, the very public nature of the rejection just cuts deep.
Unfortunately for a Cambodian groom who also happens to be disabled, his worst nightmare came true and his bride walked out on him just before they got to the vows. Because it happened when it did, there was no way to cancel the immaculately prepared traditional (and expensive) Khmer ceremony.
The incident happened on April 9, 2019 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the unnamed groom was understandably devastated. But his sister, Sophia Len, stepped in for the rescue and did the sweetest thing. She stood in for the heartless bride and recited the vows and exchanged rings with her brother.
She then declared to all the love she has for her brother and managed to salvage a little bit of happiness to what was a horrible day.
Sophia decided not to name the bride but revealed that she backed out due to pressure from her family. They didn’t want her to live with Sophia’s brother because he was disabled and needed a wheelchair to move around.
Sophia said: ”I know that the bride had a right to back out from the wedding if she was not happy, but she should’ve done it before the preparations were finished.
”It was very heartbreaking to see her and her family playing with my brother’s feelings and our family’s feelings. They were totally disrespectful.
”The wedding was chaos and my brother was hurt, but I wanted to still make it a special day for him. I love him and always will, so the only positive was that it was a chance for me to show him how much I will always care for him.”
Sophia added that during the engagement party the day before, the bride attended but did not voice any reservations.
In following with traditional Khmer customs, a dowry was paid to the bride although at least the bride’s family agreed to return it following what happened.
She added: ”There were many chances for her to say something but instead she hurt everybody. I am not sure why she stayed with my brother or if she really loved him.”