Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
The first organized underwater civil wedding took place in Alonissos on Monday 29 August at the initiative of the Municipality.
Petros and Myrto exchanged vows of eternal love and loyalty on the magnificent seabed of Alonissos. The couple were married by the mayor of Alonissos, Petros Vafinis, who had obtained a diving license in order to perform weddings under the turquoise waters of the island.
"It is indescribable the emotions that flood your entire being at the bottom of the sea...The conditions underwater are serene, where time stops and the moment ultimately belongs to the couple,"
Present at the bottom of the sea were the two bridesmaids, the president of the Tourism Committee, Maria Agalloux, who was in charge of the wedding, as well as three diving instructor volunteers of the Triton Dive Centre.
It is worth noting that the entire ceremony was followed to the letter through the use of special waterproof boards showing the procedures to be followed step by step, as well as the words the newlyweds needed to say. The couple removed their masks momentarily after exchanging vows for their first post-wedding kiss.
An underwater camera operator filmed the wedding which was broadcast live on a large screen set up on the beach for the guests to see, while it was also possible to watch via mobile phone.
"It is indescribable the emotions that flood your entire being at the bottom of the sea during the wedding. The conditions underwater are serene, where time stops and the moment ultimately belongs to the couple," the mayor of Alonissos told APE-MPA after the ceremony.
"Our goal is to "open" a new market for Greece and the island. Alonissos is becoming an international diving destination that this year hundreds of divers from all over the world have chosen. In general, the island recorded very high occupancy rates throughout the summer season, reaching up to 100% for August, while tourist traffic will continue until the first ten days of October," added Mr. Vafinis.
[This article was translated from its Greek original]
