These series of pictures were taken at a Chinese wedding just as the 2008 Sichuan earthquake struck.

These pictures are both eerily beautiful and devastating at the same time.

I know the earthquake has been a massive disaster leaving, last I heard, at least 50,000 people dead. But when faced with this particular set of pictures, I can’t help but think about more trivial things in the face of tragedy. Like, “I wonder what the bride is thinking?”* Pretty dumb question; if I were the bride answering that question shoved in my face by a news anchor (as them reporters are wont to do sometimes), I’d probably shoot back, “What do you think I’m thinking?!?”

She looks too stunned to do anything, though.

Full pictures and commentary here. (Photos from Dragon Photo, ND Daily and Sohu.com)

*dumb question borne out of my female chromosomes kicking in. Admit it, ladies, when you looked at the pictures you selfishly thought to yourself, “I wouldn’t want that to happen at my wedding!”