Making a Splash
Scott and Alyssa Hildebrand were married Oct. 14 in the Bahamas with two special guests, bottlenose dolphins Shawn and Jake, serving as unofficial witnesses and ring bearers.
The Hildebrands planned their ceremony though Dolphin Encounters, a marine facility in Nassau, Bahamas, that offers wedding packages.
The couple set an October wedding date and originally planned to tie the knot in Hawaii in front of a waterfall, but the idea fell through, said Scott, 41.
“October is usually a dry season, there were no natural waterfalls that were photographable at that time so we pursued other options,” he explained.
Scott surfed the Web for unique wedding ideas and came across a ceremony involving trained dolphins.
After more research, he learned about the packages offered by Dolphin Encounters and suggested the idea to Alyssa.
“I was excited; I didn't even know you could do such a thing,” said Alyssa 40, who said she has a special affinity for dolphins. “I was all in.”
Scott and Alyssa arrived in the Bahamas three days before their Oct. 14 ceremony.“Even with all the research that he did, we had no idea what to expect,” Alyssa said.Dolphin Encounters was founded as a rescue facility but has evolved into a popular tourist destination, according to Latoya Rolle, sales and marketing supervisor and wedding coordinator.The facility is home to 20 bottlenose dolphins, who take turns participating in weddings according to their schedule, Rolle said.“Most of our guests choose our wedding program for the simple fact that it's something different, it's something fun,” she said. “It's a new experience for a lot of people.”Couples are offered guidance with document preparation and transportation and with gathering items like decorations and the wedding cake, Rolle said.Dolphin Encounters provided the Hildebrands with a ferry from the facility to a private island where they were to be married.When they arrived, their cake, champagne and more were spread out beneath a decorated gazebo.
After posing for photos, Scott and Alyssa strapped on life jackets and hopped into a turquoise lagoon.Exchanging their vows was stress-free, Alyssa said, as they floated in the calm, deep water.Clad in a tropical print shirt, the minister officiated from the edge of the pool while Jake and Shawn took part in the ceremony.The wedding rings were sealed in a small watertight container and delivered to them by one of the dolphins, Scott said.“The minister placed it in their mouth after he blessed (the rings),” said Scott.The dolphins were well-trained and could easily have retrieved the box if it fell, Scott said.“I was more apprehensive about me dropping it,” he added.Dolphin trainers stood on the edge of the lagoon and directed the animals, Alyssa said.“There were no voice commands at all, they used a whistle and hand gestures,” Alyssa said. “Even when we kissed, they kissed! How they got them to do that, I don't know.”
The Hildebrands also got to interact with the dolphins after the ceremony, which is included in the wedding package.The couple and their guests, up to 10 people, can jump in the pool and play with the dolphins, Rolle said.One of the dolphins' most amazing tricks was the “foot push,” Scott said.“The dolphins actually get behind you, under each foot, and they push you up like you're flying,” he said.Scott and Alyssa spent the remainder of their trip relaxing together, spending time on a party cruise and riding horses along the beach.Together for 15 years, the couple live in Butler. Scott is a registered nurse and Alyssa owns Hildebrand Hair and Nails.The private, low-key ceremony and honeymoon trip were exactly what they wanted, Alyssa said.“It was just fantastic,” she said. “Anyone looking for a nontraditional wedding or renewing their vows should take that it into consideration.”
