Couple marries in empty church with the support of dozens of strangers

A US couple has gone viral thanks to a photo of their wedding in an empty church, in which photos of dozens of strangers sat in the pews watching on.

Parris Khachi and Emily Manashi from San Francisco decided not to postpone their nuptials like many other couples have as coronavirus influences laws regarding social gatherings.

Instead, the couple said 'I do' in San Francisco's St. Ignatius Church on Saturday April 25, making huge adjustments to their wedding guest list.

The couple were joined only by their celebrant, their immediate family and a photographer, while other friends and family watched on from home via the church's streaming service.

However, on the day the couple learned they were to be joined by a bevy of unfamiliar faces, with portraits of the church's members lining the pews from the front to the back of the empty church.

"When we arrived at the church, we saw the pictures in the pews," Khachi told ABC7 news.

"The church regularly streams their services, and to keep the priest and audience connected they had put pictures of the church members in the pews.

"We appreciated the audience."

Similar gathering rules are in place in Australia, with both indoor and outdoor gatherings limited to two persons only since March 20.

An exception has been made for weddings, with a maximum of five people permitted: the couple, their celebrant and two witnesses.

Khachi and Manashi, who had been engaged for a year before the gathering rules were put in place, say they were glad to be able to share a happy moment with the world.

"We still found a way to celebrate a happy occasion even amongst the current climate," Khachi told ABC7 news.

"In a way it allowed a wedding to be brought back to basics, in sickness and in health and in pandemic."

The couple now plan on enjoying a 'stay-cation' honeymoon in their newly furnished apartment.