The woman refused to accept the mangalsutra on stage. On persuasion by relatives, she came back and declared that she did not wish to get married now and walked off. But she did not disclose the reason for not marrying the man, an employee in a private firm in Villupuram district, sources said.
Police arrived at the scene and tried in vain to ascertain the reason for her decision. The bride and her parents later left the venue, they said.
However, the groom and his parents did not lose heart and immediately decided to ensure that the marriage took place to one of his relatives, a nurse in a private nursing home in Villupuram district.
The nurse was brought to the venue, suitably attired with bridal finery by staff at a beauty parlour in the hall and the marriage solemnised, the sources said.