Some of you might be wondering about how they celebrate Valentine's Day in Thailand, where I am from. Well, like most places, Valentine's Day is a day to be romantic. But in Thailand, EVERY DAY is a day to be romantic! So to make Valentine's Day extra special, one of the more unusual celebrations is the Annual Underwater Wedding Ceremony, held in Trang Province. It may seem strange to want to get married underwater, but since this is the 8th year in a row that they have been performing these ceremonies, obviously it has some appeal. (The photo on the left is from the www.thailandgrandfestival.com Web site, please be sure to visit them!)

You have to be a certified diver to participate in this ceremony, and this year they expect 40 couples to either take their vows, or renew them, in the emerald green waters of Trang province. The ceremonies are similar to a traditional Thai wedding ceremony, except that much of it is performed beneath the surface of the ocean. Some aspects do take place above the water, such as the "Khan Maak," which is normally a parade on foot by the grooms family to the family of the bride, bringing offerings and a dowry, making as much noise as possible so everyone in the village knows the intentions of the groom. In the underwater ceremony, however, this procession will take place in a convoy of 500 speedboats.

Please click the following link to learn more about the Underwater Wedding Ceremony.