Atlantis Marine Weddings
If you could get married anywhere on earth, where would it be? Floating on the clouds, perhaps? Or standing amid dozens of colorful clownfish in a coral reef? Although skydiving weddings are possible, screaming your vows over the roar of a plane engine is not most couples’ idea of the perfect wedding. Scuba diving weddings are a little bit more civil, since both the bride and groom can stand on the ocean floor and their families can see them when they surface. However, the only way to have a traditional wedding under the sea, with all of your friends and family watching, is to have your wedding at Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead.
Since there are so many different microcosms represented at the aquarium, weddings at Atlantis Marine World can include underwater vistas from around the world, as well as those of the East End. Robert Lanieri, one of Atlantis Marine World’s event planners, explained that there are “actually three or four different locations where we can do weddings – we have the riverfront room, which is a big dome overlooking the Peconic river, an arch right on the river, the sea lion stadium and the shark tank.”
Yes, the shark tank. One bride and groom actually asked if they could have their marriage ceremony in the shark tank. Mr. Linieri explains that, “the bride and groom had speakers inside their face masks so the guests could hear everything.” And during this scuba wedding, the proud parents and guests watched the entire ceremony. “We have a tunnel inside the shark tank, and I put all 170 guests inside the tunnel,” remembered Mr. Linieri.
For ocean-lovers who want to stay dry during their wedding ceremony, Atlantis Marine World can put on any style of traditional wedding – from a relaxed luau to a lavish, black-tie affair. When guests arrive, a champagne greeting awaits them near the stingray touch-tanks. Guests can pet the stingrays and mingle while the bride and groom get ready for their big day. “Our bridal suite has a big window looking into a 120,000-gallon shark tank,” exclaimed Mr. Linieri, “that’s actually where they do their makeup!” The bridal suite also comes equipped with a bar and catered nibbles. If the weather permits, Mr. Linieri can do an “in-n’-out” cocktail hour. “In the Riverfront room, we have four large doors that open up onto a patio with tiki torches overlooking the Peconic River. Or, we can do the cocktail hour in the shark room.” After cocktails, the ceremony is held in any location in the aquarium that the bride and groom choose. The after-party is where the real fun begins, as tables are set up in the main aquarium around the tanks. Mr. Linieri cites the “Nemo tank,” a clownfish tank, the electric eel tank and the seahorse tank as party favorites. “When we do a buffet,” Mr. Linieri explained, “we can set up the buffet line in the shark tunnel.”
Along with all the unique advantages of having a wedding “under the sea” at Atlantis Marine World, brides and grooms-to-be will be comforted to know that all the staples, like valet parking, a variety of cuisines from around the world, and a religious leader, judge or captain of any denomination who will come to any Atlantis Marine World wedding is sure to please guests, parents and everyone in-between.
Since most people who love the sea are commited to preserving it, Atlantis Marine World is proud to offer donations to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation as an unconventional, thoughtful favor. Since the Riverhead Foundation is housed within the Atlantis Marine World facility, a portion of the proceeds from all events held at Atlantis Marine World go towards supporting New York State’s only marine wildlife rehabilitation center.
For ocean lovers, nature buffs and fans of the East End’s mesmerizing riverfront landscapes, a wedding at Atlantis Marine World could be the realization of a dream come true. Whether you want sea lions applauding your first kiss as husband and wife, or just want to be bathed in shimmering blue light as you say your vows in front of a backdrop of playful orange clownfish, Atlantis Marine World will not disappoint.
– Sabrina C. Mashburn
For more information on how you can throw your dream wedding, or any other event, at Atlantis Marine World, visit www.atlantismarineworld.com, or call 631-208-9200, ext. 116.
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