WHILE brides are particular about looking their best on that special day, Josina Lihan had no qualms about getting wet despite having her hair and make-up nicely done.

This is the first underwater wedding held in Hilton Petaling Jaya.

G.S. Kane, the bridegroom, initially wanted to have a normal wedding ceremony but when the hotel proposed the idea of an underwater wedding, he decided to go for it.

At first, Josina was sceptical about the idea but was finally persuaded by Kane.

"We had a two-hour rehearsal the day before and everything went well," she said.

After the usual speeches from family members, the bride and groom then made their way to the pool and took the plunge in their wedding dresses to exchange wedding vows underwater.

Being underwater, they wrote "I do" on boards to seal the union in matrimony.

The newlyweds said that it was a great experience and that others should also try it as it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"It was so cold, I just could not wait to come up (the surface). Nevertheless, I would definitely introduce this concept to friends and family," she said.

According to the bride's father, (Telang Usan assemblyman) Lihan Jok, the couple had registered their marriage earlier in the day. There will be another ceremony in Miri held in accordance to the Orang Ulu tradition.

Wedding planner Elishah Tan said that while underwater wedding is not a new concept in Malaysia, it is mostly held at resorts.

"There's a market for underwater weddings in city hotels because guests (who live in the city) do not need to travel far," she said, adding that to date, the hotel has received five to six bookings (for the package).

The wedding planner will also advise the bride to wear waterproof make-up and provide suggestions for the wedding clothes.

The package is valid till Dec 31, 2009. For information, call 03-7955 9122.