TAKING THE PLUNGE: Couple wed at Big Kahuna's (SLIDESHOW)

DESTIN — Leaha Hohenstein Welch wanted a fun, lighthearted wedding day. She found one at the top of the Bombay Blasters at Big Kahuna’s Water Park.

Leaha said she did not want a traditional wedding because she did not have a mother to help her plan it or a father to walk her down the aisle. In the last five years, she has lost both parents to illnesses.

Her then-fiance, Jesse, was by her side for each tragedy. After dating for five years, he said the wedding was long overdue.

When asked what he loved about his bride, Jesse said, “Everything.”

The couple won the wedding in a radio contest, beating out 61 other entries.

“It was interesting that they weren’t all from Florida. We had several from out of state,” said Brenda Franco, key accounts manager at Cumulus Broadcasting’s Z-96 FM.

The prize included everything from the dress to the wedding cake.

“I didn’t think we was actually going to win,” Jesse said. “It was a surprise, a very big surprise.”

In 96 words, Leaha expressed her wishes to marry without sad reminders disguised as wedding traditions.

“I entered it on a whim,” Leaha said.

Joan Seyler, Leaha’s grandmother, flew in from Pennsylvania. She said the Leaha thought the prize was for nuptials next year. They were all surprised to see the wedding come together in a matter of days.

Despite the venue, Seyler’s daughter was on her mind.

“It’s a little hurtful when I think of her mom,” Seyler said. “She should’ve been here, too.”

Leaha was happy and nervous before the wedding.

“It’s nerve-racking because I don’t like to be the center of attention,” she said with a glowing smile.

• View a slideshow of the wedding. »

A few of the traditions were kept.

The bride wore a white dress and veil. It took her 20 minutes to find the dress. The white bikini underneath it was a little harder to find.

Leaha carried a bouquet of daylilies and was followed by a maid of honor, Jesse’s sister, Roxie Murray, wearing a yellow dress.

Murray was happy to be a part of the wedding party.

“They’re both good kids. Leaha seems like a very smart, outgoing, family-oriented, loving girl,” said Roxie Murray, a resident of DeFuniak Springs.

With the sounds of the waterfalls and spectacular views of Destin as the backdrop, the couple exchanged vows.

Shortly after they were pronounced man and wife by a reverend in flip flops, the couple kicked off their shoes and slipped off clothes that hid swimsuits.

They sat side by side atop the water park attraction, then let go.

A few wedding guests followed the happy couple down the water slide.

The wedding day ended with a reception at the park’s pavilion.

The couple danced to George Strait’s “Cross my Heart” then cut a colorful cake that echoed the tropical beach theme.