You never should have fallen in love with a scuba diver. They’re so kind, attentive, compassionate, and caring. They’re basically marriage material.
So here you are – ready to tie the knot. An underwater wedding is the perfect way to get married for an adventurous couple who is not afraid to break traditions. The water is so blue, so serene and there are various species of fish swimming past you.
If you have dreamed about all this, then this is everything you need to know about underwater weddings.
But First…Is an Underwater Wedding Right for You?
The idea of getting married underwater might sound romantic, even natural, especially if you’re planning a nature-inspired wedding. But there are logistics and practicalities to consider just like for a traditional wedding. So first, ask yourself:
- Are you a certified scuba diver? If you’re a surfer, swimmer, and general ocean-lover and want to get married under the sea, you’ll need to hold a basic scuba diving certification.
- Who do you want at your wedding? If you’re traveling to a tropical diving destination, it can be hard to leave some (if not all) of your family and friends behind. Are you ok with that? Or will you regret not having them at your wedding?
If you still haven’t proposed, how about an underwater wedding proposal? Talk about romance!
Can You (Legally) Get Married Underwater?
Good question! Some countries require a special permit to hold underwater events/ceremonies, which you can obtain fairly easily. But you’re probably wondering if your underwater wedding is legally binding. The answer? It depends.
- If the answer is no. In some countries, two foreigners can’t legally get married. This makes your underwater wedding ceremony a symbolic one. So you’ll have to legally officiate the wedding back home, i.e., sign all the required paperwork. Nonetheless, this doesn’t make your underwater wedding less beautiful or meaningful. If anything, it’s a celebration of your love in a memorable way—in a way that feels perfect to you.
- If the answer is yes. This is the real deal. You’ll have a wedding officiant (who is also scuba certified) who leads you through your underwater vows. You’ll then exchange rings and seal it with a kiss. Alternatively, a register will wed you either before or after the dive. On the boat or at another venue.
How Much Does an Underwater Wedding Cost?
This unconventional wedding idea is surprisingly not so expensive (much cheaper than a traditional wedding, anyway).
Of course, you have to factor in the cost of the flights, accommodation, and dives, but you can consider it part of your honeymoon.
How Will You Say ‘I Do’ Underwater?
You have two options for saying your underwater vows:
- Writing slates. Wearing your scuba gear, all questions and vows are written on underwater slates. Read more about them here.
- Full face mask. If you’d like to hear your loved one, a full face mask lets you communicate normally with them.
What About Guests?
Not everybody in your party will be a scuba diver. In that case, they can snorkel around you and follow the ceremony from above.
People who don’t want to get wet, can’t swim, or are elderly can watch your scuba marriage from a live video feed from the boat or the wedding venue. This way, everyone is part of your big day.
The Logistics
- How deep is an underwater wedding? It depends on the location, but generally, it’s only a few feet below the surface, where you’ll kneel on a sandy bottom.
- How long does it last? Around 15-30 minutes.
How To Plan Your Underwater Wedding
Ideally, you’ll want to find a dive shop that offers underwater wedding packages. It’s convenient, cost-effective, and, above all else, it gives you peace of mind.
You’ll have a wedding coordinator and a professional dive team to help you turn your dream wedding into reality. For things like:
- Taking professional underwater photos and videos to capture your special day.
- Suggesting a dreamy beach venue to have your dinner or lavish party.
- Renting a private yacht/boat from where you’ll take the plunge.
- Obtaining your marriage license (if applicable).
- Handling scuba gear and logistics and monitoring the weather and currents.
On your side, you’re left with the big question: what’s the best underwater wedding dress? You can wear a simple wetsuit, of course, but:
- Ladies: lightweight, flowy, and airy dresses are great for underwater wedding photos. Wedding veils look fabulous, too.
- Men: a smart suit will never go out of fashion.
Just remember that anything you wear is likely to get ruined from saltwater stains or damaged from entering and exiting the water, so that saves on the cost of your underwater wedding. Plus, you’ll look just as good in your wedding photos. If you’re familiar with the ‘trash the dress’ trend, you’ll love to pose for an underwater photoshoot.
As a diver, don’t forget that safety comes first. Whatever you wear, make sure it’s practical for scuba diving. Comfort wins over style.
The Best Places for Underwater Weddings
Thinking about getting married underwater? With so many stunning dive locations, there are many options to plan the underwater wedding of your dreams. But we can all agree that someplace warm, sunny, and with little to no currents makes for the best underwater wedding destination. Be honest: wouldn’t you want a turtle or a ray to bless your day?
So we’ve pulled together a list to help—where sunshine, sand, and romantic sunsets await.
- Mauritius
- Maldives
- Seychelles
- Thailand
- Bali
- Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Fiji
- Bora Bora
- Key Largo, Florida
- The Bahamas
- The Cayman Islands
- Mexico
- Bonaire
Name Change on Your Certification Card
Are you wondering if you need to change your name on your certification card after marriage? The answer is yes, if you get married and change your last name, you can update your PADI certification card to reflect your new name. To do this, you’ll need to contact PADI directly and provide proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate. They will guide you through the process, which usually involves filling out a form and paying a fee for a replacement card.
Updating your certification card isn’t mandatory, but it can be helpful. Having your current name on your PADI card ensures that your certification matches your legal documents, making it easier for dive centers and instructors to verify your credentials. This can be particularly useful when you’re traveling or participating in new diving activities where identification is required.
Take the Plunge Into Married Life
Whether it’s just the two of you looking for a unique elopement idea or with your friends and family, a scuba wedding works beautifully for a couple that wants their big day to be less formal and more about fun, romance, and love.
And wherever you decide to wed underwater, the PADI® team wishes you a lifetime of adventures together!
