Sea Wed
11/29/2006 1:27:43 PM by Stacy Wynn
Nothing beats tying the knot by the sea — from celebs to millionaires to Average Joes and Janes with a love of everything aquatic, we’ve scoured the world to bring you the best seaside wedding destinations on the planet.
Pamela Anderson said “I do” to Kid Rock on board a luxury yacht in St. Tropez, wearing a white bikini, captain’s hat, and diamond-encrusted Jimmy Choo shoes. Singer Michelle Branch wed musician Teddy Landau aboard a yacht off the coast of the quaint fishing village of Isla Perdito, Mexico. The bride accented her white, full-length Morgan Le Fay wedding gown with necklaces made of fishing line and seashells from the beach. Jill Whelan of The Love Boat fame married Michael Chaykowsky, appropriately enough, aboard the Caribbean Princess cruise ship in Fort Lauderdale. The nuptials were broadcast on the cruise line’s website.
Television shows like Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition make it clear that when it comes to weddings, the more unique the setting the better for both the couple and their guests — be they celebrities or just chic people. What is more romantic than the shore? Whether it is vows taken at sunrise on a pristine beach or an evening ceremony that includes dancing until dawn at a chic resort, on or near the water is the way to go when it comes to getting wed.
UNDERWATER NUPTIALS
The Atlantis Dive Center in Key Largo claims to be the originator of the underwater wedding. To add further kudos to their unique ceremonies, The Guinness Book of Records awarded the firm the World Record for the largest underwater wedding ceremony. The stylish event occurred on April 14, 2001 at the famous Christ of the Abyss statue. The record-breaking group consisted of 40 divers who dove 29 feet to attend the vows of Susan Carroll and Steve Hamblen of Phoenix. Colorful coral formations and exotic tropical fish provided a truly dreamy setting to rival the ambience of historic cathedrals. For 20 years, the firm has offered underwater ceremonies just 25 minutes from their docks tailored to the individual wishes of each couple. Atlantis Dive Center; 800.331.DIVE; pennekamp.com/atlantis/wedding.htm
CANCUN DREAMS
Dreams Cancun is designed to not only make the bride’s dreams come true with a luxurious oceanfront wedding, but this jewel in Mexico’s Caribbean offers a wide variety of amenities from sport fishing for the groomsmen, an expensive spa for the bridesmaids and plenty of children’s activities at the Explorers Club for Kids for guests with youngsters. Gourmet dining options and serious nightlife including a Stargazing Rock ‘n’ Roll Party means you’ll never have to leave the resort. Private balconies provide expansive views of the glittering Caribbean waters that surround three sides of the resort’s enviable location at the point known as Punta Cancun.
This picturesque oceanfront location is perfect for an evening wedding with the backdrop of a Caribbean sunset or a midday ceremony with gentle waves in the background caressing the shore. Moonlit horseback rides and seaside candlelight dinners add to the romance. With a seven-night stay in an approved suite, the basic wedding package is complimentary. In fact, fulfilling dreams is the order of the day and the resort lives up to its name. The lovebirds’ one-day spa treatment and dancing to Caribbean music at the reception are two popular requests. When the ceremony is over, the honeymoon can start on site with options for a variety of watersports including deep-sea diving, snorkeling, waterskiing, sailing, personal watercraft riding, windsurfing, as well as tennis and golf. Dreams Resorts; 866.2DREAMS; dreamsresorts.com.
WEDDINGS AT ATLANTIS
Another Atlantis offering exotic seaside ceremonies is the all-inclusive Atlantis Resort and Casino on Paradise Island, Bahamas. Formal or casual, intimate or deluxe, the Weddings at Atlantis team has handled them all. In addition to clear blue waters, pristine beaches and an endless horizon from the shore, the facility boasts everything from a world-class waterpark to a trendy casino, with virtually non-stop nightlife and plenty of places to simply relax and get away from it all. Kids activities abound, too. Wedding guests often opt to stay for several additional days after the couple cruises off into the sunset for a honeymoon traveling the islands of the Bahamas.
In addition to customizable Mystical Wedding packages, the resort offers their Treasured Weddings, which is a complete wedding and champagne reception package designed for 20 people. There is a large variety of locales to choose from on site to create the particular fantasy of the bride’s dreams. Amenities include a marina, marina village, Great Hall of Waters, crystal court shops and plenty of Marine Habitats including the Mayan Temple, Paradise Lagoon, Predator Lagoon and Underwater Viewing Tunnel. Atlantis; 242.363.3000 ext 55683; atlantis.com.
EXOTIC PHUKET
Where else can the bride arrive at her wedding riding an elephant and accompanied by a long drum procession except in exotic Phuket in Thailand? The salty breezes waft off the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea and combine with silvery sands and rich coconut groves. Just offshore a boat shifts gently with the rhythm of the waves…and you know you’re truly in a paradise only found on this island on the other side of the world.
The Dusit Laguna Resort balances untouched nature with the latest in upscale resort amenities. Sino-Portuguese interior design is blended with Thai textures for rooms that are as tranquil as they are beautiful. Packages start off with simple ring and vow exchange ceremonies and range up to Buddhist Praying Ceremonies with a Moet Cake-Cutting Ceremony with Laurent Perrier Champagne. Love Trees can be planted on the hotel grounds as part of the nuptials. Extensive spa services are available to pamper the wedding party prior to the festivities. Dining options range from poolside casual to formal restaurants for the reception. Dusit Laguna Resort, (66 76) 324 324; phuket.com/dusitlaguna.
BACKYARD ENCHANTMENT
Just across Florida, and slightly north of Wave’s editorial headquarters, the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa hosts some of the most lavish weddings in the world. Over 45,000 square feet of elegant function space combined with gourmet catering and the tropical ambience of the Sanibel and Captiva area unite to create truly one-of-a-kind events.
Options include holding the ceremony and/or reception in one of the four ballrooms or the waterfront banquet facility as well as stunning outdoor venues. To make the nuptials even more memorable, sunset cruises on Sanibel Harbour’s 100-foot luxury yacht, Sanibel Harbour Princess, are available. The resort has its own on-site production company, Eventz, Inc., to arrange truly original celebrations of décor, music and entertainment. And when we say entertainment, we don’t mean some dowdy old band. Past events have included fire eaters, celebrity impersonators and swing bands. The expected spa, marina and restaurant facilities are all at hand and top-notch. Sanibel Harbor Resort & Spa; 866.283.3273; sanibel-resort.com.
Large ceremony or small, tux and gown or bikini and swim trunks, there’s no excuse not to start your life together off right to the ceaseless music of the gentle lap of water. All of the aforementioned facilities also cater to second honeymoons and vow renewals, so start envisioning the second round as you sail through the first.