You can get married in an underwater wedding

One couple have taken each other’s breath away to tie the knot beneath the water. Yesterday, Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) dive volunteer, John Martin, married the love of his life, AnaMaria Plumridge, in an underwater wedding ceremony, held at the marine life rescue centre in Clearwater, Florida.

Surrounded by rescued sea turtles and bemused fish acting as inadvertent witnesses, the happy couple chose the ‘Marvis’s Rescue Hideaway’ inside the aquarium as their wedding venue. Using handy ‘I do’ signs, the couple took their vows with an inquisitive turtle even swimming past for a closer look as the couple shared an underwater kiss. Despite the unusual wedding setting, AnaMaria still wore a white bridal dress underneath her diving attire as a nod to wedding tradition. Friends, family and the rescued marine wildlife at CMA witnessed the couple “dive” happily ever after in to married life as they became husband and wife.

Say "I do" in the special underwater wedding venue

Located in St. Pete/Clearwater, the special underwater wedding venue was a testament to the couple’s mutual love of the outdoors, water and the wildlife within. The groom regularly dives with the aquarium’s rescue team and the couple first bonded over their mutual love of the ocean, with John even popping the question to AnaMaria while on a sailing adventure.

Based in the Floridian city of Clearwater, CMA is a non-profit working marine rescue centre dedicated to research, rescue, rehabilitation and release of marine wildlife. The marine rescue centre has been educating visitors since 1981, housing dolphins (including Winter and Hope, stars of the Dolphin Tale films), sea turtles, sting rays, nurse sharks and otters in vital need of care.

David Yates, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s CEO, said, “The love and passion John and AnaMaria share for the environment, marine life and each other is touching. The opportunity for us to be a part of their special day was an honour for us.”

For more information please visit www.visitstpeteclearwater.com and www.seewinter.com