Bride, Groom Swept To Sea During Laguna Beach Photo Shoot

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A bride and groom sought a unique wedding photo on Treasure Island Beach when they were swept into the drink this week, according to the Laguna Beach Marine Safety division.

The couple, standing on a rocky outcropping in all of their wedding finery, were posing for the perfect picture when a rogue wave swept the pair into the sea, a Marine Safety officer tells Patch.

"The couple taking wedding photos were swept off the rocks, fully clothed," Capt. Kai Bond with Laguna Beach Marine Safety Division tells Patch. Clothing in water gets heavy, he says. It essentially becomes a weight.

The pair and their photographer first ventured to the rocky outcropping during an intermittent south swell, Bond explains.

"That's when a set of waves will come through, and then no waves will come at all," Bond says. "The couple arrived on the rocks when there was no surf and assumed those were the conditions for the day."

Every time a person visits the beach, you should check with the lifeguards, he says. Bond was not sure if the bridal party checked with lifeguards before heading out for their photo session.

Marine Safety officers rushed to the scene when a witness reported the incident and rescued the not-so-happy couple from the water. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured.

The first lifeguard to arrive swam out to the groom and saw the bride face-down in the water.

"He left his rescue tube with the groom, and went for the bride," Bond tells us.

Two other lifeguards arrived and helped get her to shore.

A bystander recorded the incident, shared by media sources around the world, and locally on ABC7 as reported below.

With a strong riptide in the area throughout the holiday weekend, lifeguards warn beachgoers to be on the lookout for large surf as well as strong currents.

That, and never turn your back on the ocean. Bond tells us, "when you're standing on the rocks, always keep your eyes to the horizon."