An Indonesian Muslim woman stopped her wedding after she found out her future husband was a woman.

She learned about her partner's gender when her family gathered to read the Koran at the ceremony in western Java.

The groom did not bring relatives and suspicions were raised when "Rio" failed to show documents, China Daily reported quoting the Jakarta Globe newspaper.

Her ex-boyfriend saved the blushes after he stepped in to marry her.

"The suspicion became bigger as her heavy voice suddenly changed into a female one," the Globe quoted local police chief Krisnandi as saying, adding the groom had a male physique and had known bride Nuraini for seven months.

"The family finally got Kiman, the ex-boyfriend, as the new groom for Nuraini in order to save face in front of their guests," Krisnandi said.

Homosexuality is not illegal in the world's most populous Muslim country, though same-sex marriages are not allowed.