A newlywed couple have given a new meaning to the idea of “taking the plunge” by leaping off the cliffs at Admiralty House to celebrate their marriage.

Michelle and Jeff Willingham leaped into the sea off Spanish Point on Sunday, just 24 hours after they had tied the knot at Cambridge Beaches.

The couple, who first met in New York last year, travelled to Bermuda with 36 friends and family to celebrate their wedding.

“We have had the most phenomenal time,” said Mr Willingham, a statistician from Colorado.

“I could not have scripted it any better. It was just beautiful. We chose Bermuda because I wanted an intimate family wedding, and Michelle wanted a beach wedding.

“There was an incredible moment where as Michelle came down to the beach when the ocean began to swell up, like it was gravitating towards her. My eyes were welling up. It was awesome.”

On Sunday, the day after their wedding, the couple, who are both 38, headed down to Admiralty Park with their photographers Mark and Ally Tatem for the cliff jump.

“I must admit we were both a bit nervous to be honest,” said Mr Willingham. “It had been years since I had done any kind of cliff jumping.

“Added to that Michelle can’t swim, so it was an incredibly brave thing for her to do.

“It was absolutely phenomenal, and luckily I was able to do my lifeguard job once we hit the water.”