Powerful photo shows a bride walking down the aisle with her father in an empty church - surrounded by pews that are filled with images of guests who were meant to be at her wedding

With bans on large gatherings in place due to the pandemic, one California couple got married in an empty church this weekend — but had some guests there in spirit thanks to photos taped to all the seats. 

Parris Khachi and Emily Manashi said 'I do' at San Francisco's St. Ignatius Church on Saturday, with just their immediate family members present.

But there were other 'onlookers' too: On many of the seats, the church had taped photos of congregants, giving the impression that the room was full of well-wishers smiling on as the happy couple tied the knot.

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An audience: Parris Khachi and Emily Manashi (pictured with her dad) said 'I do' at San Francisco's St. Ignatius Church on Saturday

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Onlookers: The pews were filled with photos of congregants — because the priest livestreams his services and likes an audience

The couple had been engaged for almost a year and had their wedding date set when the pandemic put things on hold.  

'Once the shelter in place took effect, we spent some time figuring what we should do next,' Parris told ABC7.

'Neither of us wanted to postpone indefinitely, since it's hard to figure out when things will feel right again. Meanwhile, we did not want to put our loved ones at risk.'

So they had a church ceremony anyway, with just their immediate family present. The church also broadcast a livestream for other friends and family to watch online.

But the church did something else they didn't expect, putting photos of its regular church-goers in the seats. 

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Crazy times: The newlyweds had just immediate family at their wedding 

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The groom said: 'Neither of us wanted to postpone indefinitely, since it's hard to figure out when things will feel right again. Meanwhile, we did not want to put our loved ones at risk'

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Breathtaking: The image of the bride walking down the aisle with the pews filled with photos went viral, earning thousands of likes in just a few days

'When we arrived at the church, we saw the pictures in the pews. 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, and we appreciated the audience,' the groom said.

The images of the churchgoers certainly added to the ambience — and made for quite a stunning picture as wedding photographer Vicens Forn snapped away while the bride came down the aisle with her father.

After the wedding, Forn shared the breathtaking photo on Facebook.

'The bride's entrance holding her father's hand,' he wrote. 'Yesterday I was very lucky to be the photographer of this wedding in San Francisco, a different but especially emotional wedding, let's not forget that life goes on [sic].'

The image went viral, earning thousands of likes in just a few days.

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'It was a really beautiful thing the church did for the priest and church members to be connected during their now regular livestreams,' the groom said

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Hangin' at home: Now newlyweds, Emily and Parris are enjoying a 'staycation honeymoon'

The groom told ABC7 that he thinks some people misinterpreted the photo, assuming the photos were of the couple's friends and family.  

'It was a really beautiful thing the church did for the priest and church members to be connected during their now regular livestreams,' he said. 

'We think it's resonating because we still found a way to celebrate a happy occasion even amongst the current climate. In a way it allowed a wedding to be brought back to basics, in sickness and in health and in pandemic.'

Now newlyweds, Emily and Parris are enjoying a 'staycation honeymoon.'