Tang Xingxing (middle) wears her makeshift wedding dress. Photo: Courtesy of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine

With a wedding dress and bridal veil made from a hospital bed sheet, a bridal bouquet made from rubber gloves, and the groom 1,000 kilometers away, 26-year-old nurse Tang Xingxing had a special wedding ceremony through video chat from the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.

Tang is a nurse at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, in South China's Guangdong Province, and currently working with one of the hospital's medical teams to support Wuhan. 

She headed for Wuhan on the early morning of January 27, and her fiancé did not know that she had left until she sent him a message from the train. Their wedding had been scheduled two weeks later.

Liu Lei, Tang's fiancé decided to give her a surprise that day by holding a wedding ceremony via video chat. His plan was supported by other members of Tang's medical team.

On the evening of February 12, Tang was noticed to attend a meeting at 8 pm. When she stepped into the meeting room, the light was out. After turning on their phone flashlights, everyone shouted "Happy wedding!" She was dressed up by her colleagues with some disposable hospital bedsheets. The groom was also dressed up and watching her from a screen. 

A medical staff prepares a wedding dress for Tang Xingxing with disposable hospital bed sheets. Photo: Courtesy of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine

"Though we couldn't exchange rings, it was so overwhelming that we sobbed," Tang said.

"I am appreciative that everyone spared some time from our heavy-loaded work to prepare such a special wedding in the 'battleground,' and made me a bride as scheduled," Tang told the Global Times, adding that it makes her feel like she is home with everyone still caring about each other and staying united through the struggle.

Medical staff from 17 teams witnessed their ceremony.

Liu Lei said he will give her a real wedding after the epidemic is over, and Tang said she will take February 12 as their wedding anniversary day.