--- title: Underwater Wedding Ceremony: Photos From 1954 description: Perhaps the best way to stand out is to stand underwater canonical: https://time.com/3975325/underwater-wedding/ author: Eliza Berman article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-08-03T12:00:19.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T04:47:12.681Z og:title: How to Plan a Successful Underwater Wedding og:description: Perhaps the best way to stand out is to stand underwater og:url: https://time.com/3975325/underwater-wedding/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2ab0f3b95dd14794/69885cd2e20a871b60a8c7a5/150728-underwater-wedding-06.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: Underwater Wedding 1954 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: How to Plan a Successful Underwater Wedding twitter:description: Perhaps the best way to stand out is to stand underwater twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2ab0f3b95dd14794/69885cd2e20a871b60a8c7a5/150728-underwater-wedding-06.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # How to Plan a Successful Underwater Wedding  by [Eliza Berman](https://time.com/author/eliza-berman/)  ## Eliza Berman Berman is a senior editor at TIME. Aug 3, 2015 12:00 PM UTC  The wedding party during a rehearsal ceremony. The wedding party during a rehearsal ceremony.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  by [Eliza Berman](https://time.com/author/eliza-berman/)  ## Eliza Berman Berman is a senior editor at TIME. Aug 3, 2015 12:00 PM UTC The cost of the [average American wedding](http://time.com/3743699/average-wedding-cost-america-marriage/) reached an all-time high in 2014, surging past $30,000 for the entire affair—and as high as $76,000 in places like Manhattan. Under pressure to plan a memorably festive fête, couples shell out to extravagant caterers, top-notch florists and name-brand garment designers. But a simple shift in perspective might save the affianced a pretty penny. In 1954, one couple opted out of the halls of worship and into the pool instead. For Bob Smith, a diving clown, and Mary Beth Sanger, an “Aquamaid” (presumably a synchronized swimmer), exchanging vows underwater was a romantic return to the place where they first met. For modern couples looking to replicate Smith and Sanger’s aquatic ceremony, several of their tricks are well worth noting. First, they heavily employed lead weights—in his shoes and on her skirt—to help them balance underwater and prevent unwanted glimpses of flesh. Second, they used waxed cardboard to ensure that Smith’s freshly pressed shirt remained stiff underwater. Finally, the pros at underwater breath control practiced the art of speaking and kissing while submerged: “They bubbled their ‘I do’s,’ practiced a damp kiss—and then emerged for the traditional dry rice.” _Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter_ [_@lizabethronk_](https://twitter.com/LizabethRonk)_._  The Aquarena in San Marcos, Texas, where underwater weddings are performed. John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. His arms are covered with waxed cardboard to make coat sleeves stiff. John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. His shoes, weighing 12 pounds, have lead in bottom to steady him. John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. Her knee is weighted with metal to help her kneel easily underwater. John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. Altar bound, Bob and Mary Beth steer wedding attendants toward fish. John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  The wedding party during a rehearsal ceremony. John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. Audience looks through the window of a watertight compartment which is submerged in the pool. John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. Gulping air through tubes which lead to the surface, couple take time to replenish lungs. John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. Coming up after underwater wedding rehearsal, Bob and Mary Beth are greeted by a shower of rice. John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Bride and groom kiss after underwater wedding. 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