These brides deadlifted 114-kg bar during their wedding

Some people simply read their vows during their wedding. Others do funny and romantic gestures like dancing or creating a time capsule during the ceremony. However, for Lisa Yang and Wek Hernandez, they did something unusual. The brides performed three tandem deadlifts during their wedding ceremony at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park while in their beautiful white gowns, according to a post from Nextshark.

Watch it below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Some couples release lanterns, plant trees or create an anniversary capsule for their unity ceremonies, brides Lisa Yang and Wek Hernandez on the other hand, completed three tandem deadlifts in their beautiful white gowns. The unconventional ceremony was uniquely designed for the couple, Hernandez told Women’s Health Magazine, “It was meant to not only be a symbol of unity but also a statement: ’Individually, we are strong, capable women, but together we are stronger.’” . “We were joking about doing a tandem deadlift. At the time, it seemed ridiculous because we’re Olympic weightlifters, deadlift isn’t even our main sport. But a snatch or clean-and-jerk in dresses might be a bit dangerous, so we settled on three deadlifts.” . The couple took off their shoes, stepped onto a rug in front of all of their guests in the middle of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, and lifted the 253-pound barbell in unison not just once, but a total of three times. After their lifts, the brides returned to the altar to exchange rings. The pair reportedly met online and have been together for five years. Hernandez, the owner of Good Reps Physical Therapy in Brooklyn, explained to NBC that fitness has always been a big part of their relationship, “We were runners actually, and we wanted to get stronger. Initially, I got her into CrossFit, and then she found her way into the weightlifting team.” . Since going viral, the couple expressed that they hope their Kodak moment could inspire others as well. Yang told Women’s Health, “People get really intimidated by barbells, but if they see tiny Asians in wedding dresses lifting weights, maybe they can start to believe that anything is possible.” . The newlyweds went to the Philippines for their honeymoon so they could visit Hernandez’s grandmother who was unable to attend the New York wedding due to illness. . “My mom posted our pictures, and I think people were more just confused,” Hernandez told NBC, “They were like, ‘Oh, it’s a double wedding.’” . Same-sex marriage is still illegal in the Philippines, but Hernandez has said that her community there has been “really accepting.” . @nextshark ??? support by following ??? #wedding #bride #deadlift

A post shared by NextShark (@nextshark) on Nov 5, 2019 at 2:22pm PST

“We were joking about doing a tandem deadlift. At the time, it seemed ridiculous because we’re Olympic weightlifters, the deadlift isn’t even our main sport. But a snatch or clean-and-jerk in dresses might be a bit dangerous, so we settled on three deadlifts,” Hernandez said to Women’s Health Magazine.

In order to perform the tandem deadlift, the brides took off their shoes and stepped on a rug where the bar weighing 253 lbs (about 114 kgs). They completed three repetitions. After that, they proceeded to the altar to exchange rings.

One of the brides, Hernandez, is a Filipino. The couple went to the Philippines for their honeymoon so they could visit Hernandez’s grandmother who was unable to attend the New York wedding due to illness.

Same-sex marriage is not legal in the Philippines, but Hernandez has said that her community there has been “really accepting.”

Anything to add to this story? Share your thoughts with us.

Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad!