by Marion Hixon
A new bride outfitted in her full lace gown, tuxedoed groom in tow, wade knee-deep into blue waters next to a shining, squeaking dolphin. This is a sight staffers at Marineland, south of St. Augustine, Florida, see often. The attraction, which is home to the Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center, began offering wedding packages in January 2007 and has since hosted almost 40 weddings and receptions.
“The facility is absolutely breathtaking at sunset, but before we offered wedding packages, no one was enjoying it except staff and the dolphins. It seemed like a natural extension of services to offer something which does not impact our daily interactive dolphin programs,” says Joan Whittemore, event coordinator at Marineland. “Often couples will elect to have the dolphins jump into the air behind them at the moment the officiate announces ‘I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. …’ or ‘You may kiss the bride.’”
As peculiar a concept as it may seem to swim with dolphins after saying “I do,” water attractions are now more common wedding locations, drawing brides and grooms looking for a place that stands out and offers a nontraditional experience for guests.
“It takes a very special couple to choose the waterpark for their wedding venue,” says Robert Sgarlata, director of sales for Six Flags Great Escape Lodge and White Water Bay Indoor Waterpark, which commonly hosts weddings and receptions on site. “It’s all about the spectacle,” he adds. “If they are using the lodge, and especially if they get married in White Water Bay it is all due to the very different atmosphere we provide when compared to a traditional ballroom wedding.”
Many other water attractions—whether they’re equipped with live animals or brand-new poolside cabanas—can use their facility’s resources to create custom wedding packages.
Capitalize on Connections
When creating wedding packages and producing the event, operators and coordinators must, ahem, pool all their resources—from connections with park vendors to knowing where the facility has the most ideal open space.
Marineland identified which aspects set it apart as an attraction— in this case, live animal interaction. The park customizes this experience for weddings and offers a 10-minute dolphin touch experience where up to 30 people have a chance to interact with the animals. “Some couples enjoy having dolphins in their cakecutting photos or using them in other poses so they appear to be fully engaged in the activity at hand,” Whittemore says. “The reception may be set up around the dolphin habitat with the ocean on the east, the dolphins on the west, and a dolphin window presentation arranged to entertain guests while the bridal party is off taking photos.”
Morey’s Piers and Beachfront Waterparks in Wildwood, New Jersey, is jumping on the wedding bandwagon, as well, and quickly learning the picturesque seaside location is a prime spot for the occasions. “Our location on the shore is what sets us apart from other resorts,” says Kristel Fillmore, event and entertainment manager at Morey’s. “Guests love the option of using the rides and waterparks to entertain their guests as well as serve as the main event of the wedding. It makes a nice addition for traveling family members who would stay for the weekend anyway.”
Accommodating guests is simple for venues like Six Flags Great Escape Lodge and White Water Bay, which includes on-site lodging. The event team uses this amenity to its advantage by helping couples block rooms as quickly as possible after setting the wedding date. “Weekends at the lodge are historically sold out, so a room block needs to be set up early,” says Sgarlata, director of sales, who has seen everything from simple cocktail receptions to five-course dinners hosted at the Queensbury, New York, facility. The park most often hosts receptions in its ballroom, but continues to keep White Water Bay open to guests. “This is an excellent option for couples who desire a more traditional wedding but want activities for those younger guests who typically get bored at a wedding,” Sgarlata says. While most weddings at the lodge take place in the ballroom, there was one wedding inside the waterpark. “In this case it was a second marriage and they had several children involved in the ceremony,” Sgarlata says. “It was the perfect venue for that time in their lives.”
The Importance of Quality Vendors
 Facility managers and event coordinators can make the decision to keep services like food and beverage and music and entertainment completely in house or allow outside vendors to provide services on location. Regardless of the decision, Whittemore says coordinators and couples should know exactly what services outside vendors supply. For instance, while some catering companies provide food, flatware, and all the necessary serving items, others may not include linens or flatware. So it’s important for couples to address each need and challenge that may arise.
It’s also helpful for the facility event coordinator to act as the main wedding planning contact, since he or she is apprised of all the inquiries, chores, and logistics already. And because of experience working with local vendors, event coordinators have the right connections within the community. “Couples can customize their wedding however they like, but if they’re coming from Austin, Texas, and they need a jazz ensemble to play at the event, that’s where we come in and make the connection, because we know who to go to,” Whittemore says.
 Likewise, at Morey’s Piers, Fillmore says she books vendors for couples to get the best price possible. “Since I work with many different vendors for all sorts of events at the park, I try to give the bride and groom guidance on DJs, flowers, invitations, and rental companies,” Fillmore says. “At the end of the day, I use my judgment of how involved the couple would like me to be—whether they want me to help with every step of the process and act as their wedding planner, or if they want to handle everything themselves and just use me to handle the location and setup.”
So what happens if the planning goes perfectly, all vendors arrive on time, guests are seated, and the clouds turn dark overhead? It’s important to plan for rainy-day scenarios, and both Fillmore and Whittemore advise that if an indoor venue is not available, facilities should be prepared with outdoor tents and standalone heaters in case of inclement weather.
Marineland is equipped with a 4,800-square-foot tented event area next to the habitat with permanent lighting and direct access to the parking lot. “Couples plan either their reception there or use the area as a backup,” says Whittemore.
Contact Departments Editor Marion Hixon at mhixon@IAAPA.org.
Sunway Lagoon: In Demand for ‘I Dos’
Sunway Lagoon in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, profits from its picturesque and exclusive location, hosting many wedding ceremonies and receptions on its man-made Surf Beach. Dyalan Thiayalaneethe, Sunway Lagoon’s assistant director of sales, responsible for coordinating weddings, tells FUNWORLD how the resort makes the Big Day memorable for couples.
 In your time at Sunway Lagoon, what was one of the most memorable weddings?
It was a first in Sunway Lagoon history—we hosted a fullscale traditional Indian wedding ceremony and dinner (see photo below) at the Surf Beach with the spectacular traditional Hindu cultural rites performed on a floating platoon at the Surf Pool. The decorations were those of traditional Indian flowers and leaves, woven and then strung up with fairy lights. It was a spectacular sight to behold, especially when the bride and groom—decked to the nines—graced the ceremony.
The night continued with an eight-course traditional Indian vegetarian dinner on Surf Beach, and guests were serenaded by the sounds of traditional Indian percussionists. The illuminated volcano, bridge, and palm trees in the background completed the wedding’s grand atmosphere.
How do Sunway Lagoon staffers get involved in the wedding preparations?
Sunway Lagoon has hosted weddings since it opened in 1992. Our venue allows for many varied and custommade weddings as our team assists in every aspect of the event. From the menu and the performances to the décor and the unique theming, we make sure to cater it all to the budget and needs of the happy couple and their guests.
We offer as much guidance in the planning process as the client may require, although most have a pretty good idea of what they want. It’s important to remember every client is different when compared to the next, so we offer the versatility of customization. For instance, the theme is one component that makes a wedding stand out. We offer and customize themes such as “Exotic Balinese” and “Majestic Maharajah” at the Elephant Walk beside our serene “Reflection Pond.”
When is the best time to host a wedding at the park, and how do you handle the facility being open to the public?
Wedding ceremonies and receptions are usually held in the evenings from about 6 p.m. onward. Since our park operation hours end by that time, it leaves the perfect window of time for other park guests to leave easily before wedding guests arrive. Also, due to the temperate climate in Asia, we prefer holding events in the evenings as the temperature is cooler.
What makes these weddings different from those held at other high-end facilities?
Simply put, everyone wants their wedding day—be it the ceremony or reception—to be unforgettable. We give them that simply through the uniqueness of our location; the weddings held here are unlike any at an ordinary hotel ballroom or banquet hall.
 The aisle the couple walks down could very well be the balmy beach, a tropical island, or the wild jungle with live animals. With lots of unique areas to choose from, we provide the perfect setting for any outdoor wedding, making the special day fondly remembered.
Most of our weddings have been held at the Surf Beach—its 13,000 square meters (139,930 square feet) are perfect to hold a magnificent “Island Fantasy” ceremony and reception. Where else would guests have the opportunity to witness a couple’s special day on the man-made beach next to Asia’s largest man-made erupting volcano with the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge swaying gently above them? |
A Bride’s-Eye View
 Helene Gliwa and Edward Cooper (“Bub” to all of his friends) have been together for 18 years, a courtship that kicked off with their first kiss on the beach at Morey’s Piers—also the location for their upcoming nuptials on Aug. 27. Helene talked to FUNWORLD about the benefits and ease of wedding planning at a water attraction.
How did you decide on Morey’s Piers as your wedding location?
Bub has worked at Morey’s as a welder for 15 years and loved every day of it. And the whole atmosphere of being outdoors is right up our alley, so when we finally decided to take the plunge and make it official we were thrilled to have our wedding at the waterpark. What better decor can you ask for than the beach, ocean, and beautiful sunset to exchange your vows? The boardwalk has a natural air of excitement that fits our personalities and the occasion.
What advice would you offer to event coordinators organizing weddings at their facilities?
Get to know your clients. Let them go outside the box with their ideas. Suggest your own connections first, and then let the bride and groom do research. The planning process has been fun—and that’s what it’s all about.
What are some of the special touches you’re planning during the reception?
The most exciting thing is that there’s a fireworks show every Friday night in the summer, so all our guests will get to watch it. We’re keeping the wedding very playful—including the food. We have a lot of choices so far: a clam bake, barbecue, or boardwalk food with a highend twist.
And of course we’re going to take advantage of the rides for our pictures. The Ferris wheel at Morey’s has its own light show so it looks great at night; and maybe we’ll get a bridal party shot on the roller coaster!
—Marion Hixon
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Extra Perks
Wedding and event coordinators may want to include discounted or complimentary items to wedding packages.
Discounted waterpark tickets: This is your biggest selling point, so use it to your advantage! If wedding guests are staying the remainder of the weekend once the big event is over, offer them discounted or free tickets to the attraction.
On-site dining: Offer special deals for wedding guests to encourage them to stay longer at the facility.
Room blocks and reservations: If you have a hotel on site, or partner with local lodges, recommend room blocks to the bride and groom as soon as they decide on their wedding day.
Bride-ready room and groom-ready room: If you have appropriate private areas, rooms, or tented spaces, offer them to the bride, groom, and wedding party to get ready in before the ceremony. Often it helps to equip these rooms with mirrors, toiletries that may be needed at the last minute, and a place for elderly family members to sit and relax.
Complimentary honeymoon suite: If the water attraction has on-site lodging, consider working in a hotel room free of charge for the newlyweds on the night of their wedding.
Invitations: Often couples will want to incorporate signage or a logo of the attraction into their wedding invitations. Morey’s Piers offers invitation assistance as part of its package, and Whittemore from Marineland says she once coordinated with a vendor to order foil-style dolphin-emblazoned stickers for a bride to add to her formal invite.
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