St. Croix residents John Santino and Toni Wilson made history recently...by breaking the Guiness Book of World Records for the largest underwater wedding. 103 certified divers, including the bride and groom, submerged for the brief nuptials at Rainbow Beach, easily surpassing the existing record of 39 underwater guests.

To verify their presence, guests signed slates both above and below the ocean's surface. The large number of sand-stirring witnesses and the season’s weather conditions limited visibility, yet the I Do’s were all spelled out on laminated sheets of paper that the couple used for their vows.

After officiant Capt. John Macy signaled to the newlyweds that they were now,indeed, married, Toni, John, and all their companions surfaced to greet dry guests at the Rainbow Beach Bar, where rum and cokes and hamburgers completed the affair.

Toni had her dream wedding. It was stress free. When asked why the couple decided on an underwater wedding, the bride said, "I didn't want to plan a "real" wedding."

This was indeed a real wedding, a great news story, and a wonderful way for St. Croix to go down in history as the location for the world's largest Underwater Wedding.

Congratulations John and Toni!
 

John and Toni are not the only ones doing it....click here to read about how Ed & Molly Buckely renewed their ten year wedding vows under water!

Photos courtesy of Doug Kaufman.
Thanks Doug!