Grand Bahama is pleased to have been chosen to host the unique and exciting event of the most underwater weddings held simultaneously, said Director at Tourism, Grand Bahama, Betty Bethel during the event launch on Wednesday. Coordinating the event will be In Deep Love Bahamas Limited, which is trying to break the current world record of 34. Shown from left are: Ms. Bethel; Freda Malcolm, Director of Romance, Ministry of Tourism; and Alfred Collie Jr., creator and organizer of In Deep Love Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)
A wedding campaign geared towards breaking the Guiness Book of World Records in undersea weddings was officially launched on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at a press conference at the Grand Lucayan resort, the proposed site for the event next year.
In Deep Love Bahamas Limited, a Bahamian destination events management company, has scheduled the event to take place on February 14, 2017, Valentine's Day, in Grand Bahama. Organizers hope to break the standard in the Guiness Book of World Records for undersea weddings, which is currently set at 34, by having 50 couples participate.
Alfred Collie Jr., creator and organizer of the campaign, notes the event will not only foster destination weddings, scuba diving and ecotourism in The Bahamas, but showcase the waters while bringing focus to their conservation.
"We are working to achieve a number of objectives by bringing couples from around the world to marry in the turquoise, crystal clear waters of The Bahamas. We also hope to unite the Bahamian people and the world behind a novel concept that brings immense international attention to ocean conservation while at the same time creating the ultimate wedding photo ops and memories."
Director of Romance for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Freda Malcolm, said "The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is very excited about the ‘In Deep Love’ wedding promotion and fully endorses it. We have already received a huge amount of media interest from around the world, on the coverage of this great event, including news organizations from the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Canada, and the United States of America.
"The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has been aggressive, deliberate and innovative in its marketing initiatives to promote the Islands of The Bahamas as the premier wedding destination in the world."
Betty Bethel, Director of Tourism for Grand Bahama, added that they were pleased Grand Bahama was chosen for this event. With the island being a ‘nature-based destination,’ it is the ideal location.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization has declared 2016 the 'Year of Romance for the Caribbean' and in November 2015, the Islands of The Bahamas were named the "Leading Wedding Destination" at the World Travel Awards in Morocco.
By Robyn Adderley, Bahamas Information Services
