We’re Going To The Chapel
Posted on 13. Aug, 2009 by DanRood in Gathering
August 8, 2009, ceremony day. Chris and Melanie are tying the knot. Months and months of planning went into this day. Scouting our location for the gear at the dive site, planning the guided tours underwater and then again topside on our way back to the boat, and, lets not forget the $12 I spent to become a minister. Additionally, we had to get the bridle bouquet, the wedding dress, the bridesmaid’s jewelry and of course the grooms Hawaiian lei and the huge pink diamond wedding ring from the Barbie collection.
The day started early. Mike, Bob & I decide to carpool. Of course, Bob is late. We still arrive at the Catalina Express terminal with 10 minutes to spare, get our tickets, get on board and find two rows of seats saved for our group. Big group already and more are coming over on a different boat. We leave the dock right at 6:15. By 6:16, Holly and Dom R have a race to see who can spew first. I believe Holly wins the next 15 races. Holly is not looking well. Neither is Bob but he is feeling fine.
Uneventful ride over to Catalina except for the odor. It seems that when one person starts spewing a chain reaction begins. People are barfing left and right. Our group, less Dominic R and Holly brave the smell. We have to, we are planning the ceremony. Someone has to take this seriously. Melanie and Chris appear nervous, especially Mel when I show her the beautiful green hula skirt I picked out for her wedding gown. It brought tears to her eyes. The tiara from the snow white collection only added to the gown and Mel would wear it proudly. Chris received his lei and Holly her silver beads. Bob was best man and he went over his duty of handing the ring underwater to Chris. While not that detailed a duty, remember it was Bob that we were counting on for this one chore. Holly would be handing the bouquet to the bride. We went over hand signs and Chris and Mel’s answers to “do you take this dude….blah, blah, blah”. We agreed to the “I do” signal. We went over various other details of the ceremony and finally, after months of effort, we were ready for our first underwater wedding. The excitement was contagious.
All the while we are going over the day’s events Mike C is busy catching all the action on video. Other than the one action shot of Holly puking, I think he captured the whole day.
We arrive at Catalina before 7:30am. Load gear onto the baggage truck and begin our walk to Casino Point. We arrive at the point to find that Mike C had left early to secure 2 prime locations for our home base, on the benches against the wall of the casino right next to the lockers. The first dive was going right off the steps, following the wall to the SuJac wreck. If we have enough air we’ll stop by the few wrecks and then back to the steps. We have a big crowd. Dominic C takes 5 or 6 divers and I follow with the remainder. Conditions beautiful, viz is really good shallow clouding up a bit as we get deeper. We find what is left of the SuJac, swim through the hole in the hull and regroup for our trip back. The SuJac sits at 85 feet. On the way back I am amazed that this group can stay together through the thick kelp. We do, and then a real pleasant surprise…..a giant black sea bass comes over and checks us out. Mick C has the camera rolling so I can’t wait to see this video.
Everyone makes it back to the steps, back to the home base and the tanks are swapped out for new ones. Dive 2 is the big dive. The ceremony is planned for dive 2. We do an hour surface interval which was needed to brief the ceremony dive. Melanie’s bridal bouquet was delivered. Melanie did not want to go too extravagant so we got her a lovely green leafed branch from the nearest tree. It was glorious. Melanie got dressed in her green hula skirt, the tiara was on and she looked a little nervous. Chris proudly worn his Hawaiian lei, Holly had a string of silver beads and we were ready to dive.
Before we can start our dive, Dominic R and Dominic C are rescuing a panicked diver by the buoys right of the steps. They comfort the diver, tow him to the steps and assist him out of the water. The diver (a student) inflator hose was loose at the connection point to the BCD so no air was staying in the BCD. The diver was over weighted and sinking. Good rescue boys but its time for the ceremony. The plan was to lead the group to the Cousteau monument and have Mel kneel on the bottom, Holly on her right, Chris next to Mel and Bob on the left side of Chris. All other divers/witnesses formed a semi circle behind the wedding party. The divers were all thanked for attending. Chris was asked if he took Mel, blah, blah, blah. Mel was asked if she took Chris, blah, blah, blah. I asked the divers if anyone objected to this union between Mel and Chris. All divers shook their head “no”. Bob was asked for the ring. Chris put the huge pink diamond on Mel’s finger. Congratulations and the couple sealed the deal with a kiss. Not a dry eye in the house.
We turn to begin our guided tour after the ceremony. A giant black sea bass must have been curious why all the divers were huddled by the monument. Mike C turns with the video camera and the sea bass just about bumps into the camera. When you see the video you will see what I mean. It was a big one. So far 2 dives and 2 giant sea bass. We go see the glass bottom boat. The other group heads to the old swim platform. Mel, Chris and I drift along the rocks by the shore. Pretty strong current pushing us toward the harbor. We end the dive and make our way back to our home base. Bob can’t make up his mind if he should have a beer or do another dive. Bob makes his decision and opens the beer. The group decides to have lunch so we walk over to the little café by the restrooms for hot dogs and burgers.
Mike C and I don’t want Bob to sit alone during the next dive so we join him by having a beer. The rest of the group is anxious for one more dive. The others are now on dive 3. Bob and I luck out and the baggage truck happens to stop by and pick up our gear. Mike didn’t bring much so he carries his on his back. First stop, Antonio’s for a beer and peanuts. Second stop is the Cantina for a margarita and chips/salsa. This is where the other divers find Bob, Mike and me. Dive 3 for the group was great and yes they saw a giant black sea bass. 3 for 3 on the giant sea bass, nice. Bob starts drinking a few girly drinks, Rainer orders a couple of fish bowl margarita’s and the party begins.
We head back to the boat about 5:45. Once again we happened to secure 2 rows of seats so we can all sit together. Everyone is tired, long day. Chris, Mel and I are the only ones not sleeping. We are talking to our new Russian friends asking the newlyweds about their wedding. As the boat nears the dock in Long Beach, Mike decides to use the rest room. Mike stayed in the rest room for 20 minutes or so which is good because he missed all the people gagging as they walked by his door.
Mike, now feeling better, gets his van, we load up the gear and head home. A successful day. 13 divers joined us. The Dom’s provided an exciting rescue. Holly/Dom gave us a laugh on the way to Catalina. Mel and Chris were great sports. Bob/Holly handled their wedding duties well. Mike recorded all the action. Good dives and good friends. Thank you all for joining us. If you missed this event, plan on joining us for the next one.
That was great video! Even though some of the camera work made me dizzy, but I’m sort of drunk right now. No coverage of the debriefing?
Fabulous job on the video Mike! It looks great!!!