Soulmates in a shark tank: Michaela and David’s under-the-sea wedding

A hair-raising proposal meant there could only be one theme for Michaela Croasdale and David Hogg’s under-the-sea wedding.

After five years together, Dave, 30, instructed Michaela to prepare a change of clothes and a swimsuit. “I thought he had arranged a spa treatment as a Christmas present,” explains Michaela, 26. Upon opening the envelope, however, to her delight, she found a completely different experience. “He got me a shark dive – I was very excited!”

She adds, “He proposed in an aquarium in a shark tank as my favourite animals are sharks… It was the most amazing proposal and I never in a million years thought he was going to do it!” The surprises continued with a secret engagement party at the bride’s parents’ house afterwards.

The Rishton, Lancashire, then took two and a half years to plan their under-the-sea wedding, walking down the aisle on August 1 2015. The couple married at St Charles Catholic Church in a traditional Catholic ceremony in front of 85 family and friends.

The celebrations continued Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Club, where Michaela’s careful planning, with help from Happy Days, transformed the venue with sea-themed decorations such as starfish, shell and sand centrepieces.

“Everyone commented on how spectacular the room looked,” Michaela says. “All our guests had an amazing time.”

Photos courtesy of Ashton Photography.

The men looked dapper in navy suits from Next.

Michaela and David met on a cold night in January 2009. “Dave was a military policemen in the army for three years and on the day he left the army, he met me,” Michaela says.

Michaela was won over by David’s proposal that was a little bit different.