Underwater Wedding

Take the Plunge and Say “I do” With More Bubbles than Champagne

When most people dream about their wedding, it usually involves a tranquil romantic scene with a bride in white floating elegantly down the aisle.

There’s usually not a lot of water involved in these dreams.

Unless you’re looking for a touch of adventure and want to plunge under the waves for your vows.

You’d be surprised how many people consider and actually do have underwater weddings.

So, how deep is your love?

What an Underwater Wedding Entails

An underwater wedding is just that: a wedding ceremony that takes place underwater.

This intriguing concept is perfect for couples who want something unique and memorable. Whether you’re a snorkeler, diver, surfer, a lover of the ocean, or simply want an adventure, this is a great option to consider.

You will both usually have to wear masks and scuba unit, so you’ll need to make sure that you each get one that fits correctly. Having said that, a few scuba diving lessons would be necessary for those couples who aren’t divers, so that they can be comfortable underwater.

Some sites provide you with underwater helmets to wear instead, which require no training. Your wedding ceremony will be preceded by a safety briefing. Then it’s time to done your mask or helmet and dive on down.

Some ceremonies have the couples standing up, especially if they are walking on the sandy floor in a sheltered environment. Most couples, however, find it easiest to kneel whilst underwater.

How is the underwater wedding ceremony

As in any wedding ceremony, vows are said. In most cases it’s done using diving slates for a written version. But if you go all in and want to be able to hear each other there’re several methods, such as underwater helmets with audio systems, or full face mask with com units.

And then it’s time for the bling: rings are exchanged.

Here is more about Underwater Communication – A Guide To Hand Signals.

Have you ever tried to kiss someone whilst wearing a scuba diving mask? Let’s just say that your first kiss as a married couple might be a bit more awkward than romantic.

After the underwater wedding ceremony, you will ascend to enjoy a festive reception with your guests. After putting on a dry set of clothes of course!

Remember to keep an eye on the weather forecast: poor weather conditions might result in your underwater ceremony being postponed or even cancelled on the day. You will definitely need good visibility, no currents, and preferably warm water.

Underwater Wedding Locations

There are many beautiful underwater locations that provide the ideal setting for the unique ceremony that is an underwater wedding. Some popular underwater wedding locations include:

• Bora Bora Lagoon, Polynesia
• Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
• Bali
• Hawaii, United States
• Fort Lauderdale, United States
• Various destinations in Mexico
• Great Barrier Reef, Australia
• A lot of the dive destinations in Thailand
• Mauritius
• Cayman Islands

How to Have an Underwater Wedding

One of the most daunting aspects of any wedding is the sheer extent and complexity of making all the arrangements for your big day. And an underwater wedding, as you might expect, is no different.

Fortunately, there are companies out there who are experienced in arranging underwater weddings and guide you through the process like any other wedding planner would. Although, the logistics are somewhat different when it comes to this unique type of wedding…

Here’s our Dive Packing Guide On What To Bring On A Scuba Holiday.

How Can I Bring the Whole Family Underwater

You might be worrying about how you’re going to get your 85-year-old granny to don a wetsuit and use a regulator in order to attend your wedding.

There’s no need to worry because there’s no need for your guests to get into the water at all (unless they want to, of course). The way it’s done is that all your guests are at the reception venue, which is often aboard the dive boat. From there, they can watch your underwater wedding on a live video feed.

Depending on the technology you choose to employ, guests could also be able to hear the ceremony and the exchange of vows from where they are.

Like all reception venues, most boats will allow you to decorate the space to suit the occasion. You’ll also need to hire a boat that’s big enough to accommodate all your guests. So you might find yourself having to limit the number of people who you invite, and leave out that third cousin twice removed who you haven’t seen in seventeen years.

A note of caution: a reception aboard a boat might not be the best idea if you have friends or family who are prone to seasickness.

Read more about Seasickness and Scuba Diving.

Not all couples choose to incorporate a boat into their plans. Some couples choose to have a second ceremony on land, usually on the beach. (A second ceremony may be necessary as not all underwater weddings are legally recognized.)

The beach is also a popular choice for the reception following an underwater wedding. Other couples opt for a more traditional reception venue such as a nearby beachfront hotel. In this case, usually just the couple and any guests choosing to join them underwater will be taken to the location of the ceremony by boat.

Why You Should Choose An Underwater Wedding

One of the draw cards of an underwater wedding is the beautiful underwater scenery and marine life that will create the perfect ideal backdrop for your ceremony. There’s no need to hire a decorator for this part of the proceedings – Mother Nature has it all under control!

Here are The Top 5 Must-See Coral Reefs.

Like all couples, people who opt for an underwater wedding will want photos and a video of their special day. Needless to say, you’re going to have to hire an underwater photographer and videographer for an underwater wedding! You can even arrange to have underwater music to accompany your ceremony.

Brides need not worry about giving up on wearing their perfect dress – many couples wear traditional wedding clothing for their underwater wedding. Although, there are white bridal wetsuits available for those who would prefer neoprene to silk and satin. And for those getting married in warm tropical water, some couples have been known to simple wear bathing suits for the occasion. Regardless of what you choose to wear, it’s probably a good idea to exchange your fancy shoes in favor of a pair of water shoes or a set of Scuba Fins.

Fun Facts about Underwater Weddings

• An underwater wedding ceremony can last from 15 minutes to 25 minutes.
• The Guinness World Record for the largest underwater wedding was set in Poland in 2011 when 303 divers attended an underwater wedding ceremony.
• Some couples opt for the drier version by getting married in a submarine.
• If an underwater water wedding is not enough, you can continue the theme by enjoying your honeymoon in the underwater rooms offered by some hotels.

Have you ever considered getting married underwater? Or maybe you’ve already tried it? Tell us in a comment below! 

A big thanks to Dive Grenada & Brenda S. and R. Duncan Kirkby, for the great underwater wedding pictures.