Sea Turtles To Serve As Bridal Party For Underwater Wedding

CLEARWATER, FL – Forget the wedding veil and tuxedo. This couple plan to say, “I do,” wearing Scuba masks and flippers. Their groomsmen and bridesmaids will be a bale of rescued sea turtles at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Aquarium volunteer John Martin will wed microbiologist AnaMaria Plumridge in an underwater ceremony at the aquarium on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

Martin, a volunteer with the aquarium’s dive team for nine years, met his fiancé three years ago through a dating website. They instantly clicked when they discovered they share a love of diving, boating, kayaking and marine life.

Martin worked in finance before retiring 10 years ago. A diving enthusiast, he promptly began to volunteer at the aquarium where he was impressed by the aquarium's commitment to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing marine life. During his time as a volunteer, he’s developed a special fondness for the sea turtles who inhabit Mavis’s Rescue Hideaway at the aquarium.

Also a diver, Plumridge works as an environmental specialist at the Department of Health in Pinellas County. She’s equally enthusiastic about the mission of the aquarium, and plans to become a volunteer on the water quality team when she retires.

The couple say they are happiest in and on the water. Martin even proposed while they were boating.

That’s why they thought it was fitting to have an underwater wedding surrounded by the members of their marine family with their human family and friends watching through the habitat’s glass window.

Fellow romantics are invited to watch their nuptials live on the aquarium’s Facebook page starting at 10 a.m.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home to film star Winter, the dolphin with the prosthetic flipper, is located at 249 Windward Passage.

Images via Clearwater Marine Aquarium