Naina NathMumbai: When most people dream about their perfect wedding, usually it involves an idyllic, romantic setting with the bride in white floating elegantly down the aisle. These weddings usually don’t involve a lot of water or do they? Weddings are now being taken to a whole new level (sea-level) worldwide!
Many destinations are attracting thrill-seekers from all over the world looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding. One of the main attractions about underwater weddings is the beautiful scenery and marine life that will create the perfect backdrop for the ceremony. There is no need to hire a decorator, mother nature has you covered.
The deepest underwater wedding took place in a cave at Song Hong Lake, Trang, Thailand. Two diving instructors tied the knot at 130m (426ft 6.1in) below the surface. The largest recorded underwater wedding was achieved by 303 divers who attended a marriage ceremony at the Koparki Diving Base, Jaworzno, Poland.
Many destinations are attracting thrill-seekers from all over the world looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding. Here are some of the best places to tie the knot under water
Four-time world record holder for free diving, Pierre Frolla recently got married on Monaco’s Larvotto Beach on the French Riviera in an underwater setting, organised by Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo. He fell so much in love with the concept that he is now a partner with the hotel to help facilitate the same experience for other guests.
Under his direction, the wedding would cost approximately €6500 which includes everything needed for the two-hour ceremony 40 ft below sea level: boat transfer, bride and groom wetsuits, diving equipment for the couple and their guests, certified staff, even an underwater priest.
India’s very first underwater wedding took place in Kerala in 2017. Organised by Bond Ocean Safari, the 90-minute ceremony was held at the Grove beach in Kovalam. The couple underwent training in scuba diving and the vows were exchanged using placards. The price ranges from 5 star luxurious properties to low cost group weddings and can fit all budgets. One thing is for sure, this wedding will leave everyone ‘soaked’ in happiness!
Cool Places to Tie the Knot Underwater
- Hawai: Captain Steve Hogan’s Makena Coast Dive Charters takes the guests down in a shark tank!
- Australia: The Great Barrier Reef offers a dream wedding
- Bora Bora: Te Ana Ipo wedding chapel is 13 feet underwater. One does not have to be trained to get married here
- Bahamas: At Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, couples get married while sharks swim around. Fun fact: For marriage to be legal on this island, one needs to say “I do” before sunset!
- Thailand: Weddings in Trang, Thailand have gotten so large that every Valentine’s Day they hold a huge underwater group wedding where hundreds of people get married all at once
- Mauritius: Here one has the option to even get married in a submarine
