The event, which takes place in February to coincide with Valentine’s Day, has seen 481 couples from all over the world tie the knot since its inception in 1997. This year, the 18th annual Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony saw the marriage of 32 brides and grooms in a traditional three-day Thai ceremony that included parades and land-based rituals as well as the underwater registration event. Initially started 18 years ago as a gimmick to promote tourism, Trang’s submarine weddings have earned the area an international reputation for romance, and perhaps contribute to Thailand’s rating as one of the world’s top 10 honeymoon destinations. The southern coastline is part of the Mu Ko Phetra National Park, and its waters are some of Thailand’s most productive. As well as promoting tourism in the area and enabling these unique unions, the Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony highlights the marine wonders of the Andaman coast and thereby supports ongoing efforts to conserve them.
The ceremony itself has little impact on the marine environment, taking place in a designated sandy area just 40 feet (12 meters) below the surface. Only certified divers can take part in the underwater portion of the ceremony, which in itself is only a small part of the event. Soon-to-be newlyweds traveling to the province to take part in the event are met at Trang airport on the day of their arrival, where traditional performers greet them before taking them to the nearby Botanical Gardens. There, couples have the opportunity to plant a tree in commemoration of their upcoming nuptials. The first day of the event finishes with a parade through the streets of the main town in traditional Thai ceremonial dress, the pouring of water over the couple’s hands in accordance with local custom, and a traditional pre-wedding party in the evening. The wedding itself takes place on the second day of the ceremony, when diver couples are taken by traditional Thai longtail boat to Kradan Island, where the registration is carried out underwater for small groups at a time. In the evening, couples celebrate their new union with dinner, music, dancing and fireworks, and at the evening’s close, the newlyweds are escorted to their honeymoon suites by older married couples, a Thai tradition that seeks to bestow the wisdom and happiness of those who have been married a long time upon those just beginning their life together.
The third and final day of the ceremony is dedicated to exploring the stunning scenery and rich culture of the surrounding area before the festivities end. Interested divers need to book well in advance, as each Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony has a maximum capacity of around 35 couples per year. Even those who don’t want to exchange their vows underwater can be a part of this unique event; the land-based ceremonies welcome casual tourists and are truly a unique spectacle. For more information, visit underwaterwedding.com.
