Nov. 20, 2003
	7:00 am:  The first fire breaks out. Phone ring wakes us up.  Mom's hair stylist is missing in action (MIA). She is on her way up from Kendall to meet us at the salon here in Hollywood.  She picked up my aunt Titi, and headed North.
7:30 am:  Coffee and a Bagel for breakfast & get ready for the Big Day ahead of us.  Shower. 8:30 am:  Wayne, Cyn and Jeane arrive at our condo as Matthew packs the car.
	9:00 am:  We arrive at Hairgoody's.  Claire is not in yet, but the owner lets us in.  I'm the first one to get my hair done.  French twist in the back with curls falling down from the top.  We had one 1 1/2 hour to get hairdo & make up on for me, Cyn, Mom, Jeane, Ana & Tena!  Both hair stylists did an excellent job and we were out of there by 11:00 am! We all followed each other in caravan style to Port Everglades
11:30 am:  Arrive at Port Everglades.  I did not realize how much carry on we actually had.  Between the tuxes, the wedding dress, the boxes of favors, wedding bells and other minor decorations, we managed to get it all through customs.  Thanks to all our guests that helped us carry everything in on time! 12:10 pm:  Arrive at the cabin.  It was beautiful!  Big balcony, but I had no time to snoop around and the Wedding coordinator (Christine) insisted that I be dressed and ready to go by 12:45.  She asked me who I wanted in the room & suggested that the fewer, the better.  So I decided that Tena should stay and she did.  First, I got undressed and put on my shoes.  Once the dress went on it was harder to reach the shoes.  Then, the corset & garters.  Then the Wedding Dress.  And, finally, with Tiffany's help, the veil went on.  I kept going through all the items in my head, like an Equipment check that we would do before diving, to make sure that I had not forgotten anything.  Something blue (the garter had a blue ribbon), check, something old & something borrowed (Cyn's pearl purse).  Check. Headband, check.  Change the engagement ring to my right hand so I would not confuse Matt, check.  Touch up on lipstick. Check.  Pearl necklace. Check.  Earrings. Check.  Tena got dressed once she was sure that I was all set.  She did an excellent job at staying with me and calming my nerves down.
Matthew arrived in his parent’s room to get dressed. Matthew packed two shots of scotch to calm down. Everything was moving fast and way out of his control. Best man, Michael Hageman came over and got everyone dressed and briefed on how to use the tux, including the finger holes to pull the shirt down to look good for the photos.

 

	12:35 pm:  Tonya calls me because she is concerned about the flowers.  12:45 pm:  Dad & my sister Mariana show up in the room.  She looks great! 12:55 pm:  I called Tonya to see what was going on in the Carousel Lounge.  She told me they were coming to get us.  1:00 pm:  3 of the Wedding coordinators, videographer & photographer show up.  Videographer takes a quick video of me before we go out the door.  I choked.  I could not get too serious because I knew it would make me start crying.  I was nervous & emotional. The rest of the wedding party was lined up and waiting for about 15 minutes for Andrea’s arrival. Wedding coordinators inform Matthew that several of the flowers are the wrong color from what Andrea specified. They didn’t want to upset the bride. Matthew’s response, “The show must go on!”
1:15 pm:  My dad walks me down the isle. Even though I see people, I can't really see anyone.  After a few steps I finally recognized Dave O'Neil & my cousin Nikka on the other side.  As soon as I saw Matthew at the front, I was fine.
	At the ring exchange Matthew asked Michael, “Which hand?” Michael said, “the same one as the engagement ring is on.” Confused, Matthew chooses the hand presented to him by Andrea.
We are married!
	1:45 pm:  Ceremony ends & we exit the Lounge to take some pictures.  As we walk through the Schooner's Bar, Maurice (or in Matthew's half drunken stage "Milagros"), the photographer (from Romania) asks me to sit on the piano for some pictures.  I looked at him like if he was crazy! But, I stepped up this bar stool and crawled on top of the piano.  Some of these pictures are actually pretty funny!
2:10 pm:  Back at the Ceremony, people had already started to eat lunch, which I hear was excellent.  Matthew and I did our ceremonial cake cutting and toasted with the bottle of champagne that I later realized had a label with both our names on it.
	2:20 PM: Group photos Aldo and Marie Elana Valerioti, Andrea and Matthew Hoelscher, Cynthia and Wayne Hoelscher.
2:40 PM I tossed the Bouquet and Matthew put on quite on show removing my garter.
	3:15 PM It was time to wrap it up and non-sailing guests had to leave the boat. I thought people were still crying from our moving ceremony, it turns out they were crying because they didn’t book a room! Although some people left early, the majority of the guests stayed for the group picture.
3:45 PM The last stop on the photography wish list was an idea from Matthew. He requested a picture of us, all dressed up, in our lift jackets. The champagne sure went to Matthew’s head.

Gallery of Photos
Cruise Highlights	http://tiswango.com/photos/031120cruise/
Wedding Highlights (80 photos)	http://tiswango.com/photos/1120wedding/
RCCL Wedding photos (280 photos)	http://tiswango.com/photos/031120wedr/
Dan’s Highlights (80 photos)	http://tiswango.com/photos/031120weddingD/
Dan Lipsit’s Camera (550 photos)	http://tiswango.com/photos/031120wedd/
Cozumel diving (125 photos)	http://tiswango.com/photos/031122cozumel/
Charlie Gamba’s Large Photos	http://tiswango.com/photos/031120jcgL/
Charlie Gamba’s Small Photos	http://tiswango.com/photos/031120jcgS/
William Anzueto’s Photos	http://www.sfl-dir.com/teamgallery/20031120cruise/

Engagement

ABOUT THE COUPLE

Andrea was born in the city of Baradero, in Buenos Aires, Argentina on May 25th., 1972.

Matthew was born in Decorah, Iowa on April 24th., 1975.

HOW THEY MET: I found Matthew while surfing the Internet on the last Sunday of November 1999. Matthew's screen name was 'TangoSango' therefore, I assumed that he was from Argentina. It only took a few minutes before I realized Matthew was not from Buenos Aires. Immediately after a short conversation, my instincts told me that the one on the other side of the keyboard was a nice, down to earth, well educated, caring and smart Mid-Western boy. Matthew and I exchanged pictures. I sent him a head 'glamour' shot. He sent me a picture of himself with his mother on a sailboat. The minute I saw the picture I knew that I could trust him and that he was a real person! On it, he was wearing a lime green shirt with kaki pants and he had his arm around Cynn. After several hours of keyboard/online chatting, I decided that we should speak on the phone. So Matthew called me, and we continued our conversations for a few more hours. The next day at work, I was so excited because we had arranged for a date on Wednesday of that week. My plan was to go to Las Brisas (Argentine restaurant on Hollywood Beach). We spoke on the phone again on Monday, and Tuesday. Wednesday came around and Matthew showed up at my doorstep, timely. Later I found that his first impression of me was 'she is short!'. My first impression of him 'he looks sharp and he appears comfortable... not nervous at all'. Our menu included a bottle of Argentine red wine, a 'parrillada', and dessert. As I insisted that it would taste like chicken, Matthew tried everything! Even the sweet breads and blood sausage! He had never been to an Argentine restaurant before. He was very impressed at how I became like family with the waiters as soon as I broke out my Spanish. Later, we took a walk on the beach. It was one of the coldest South Florida nights and I had decided to wear a skirt! I was freezing! It made for a good excuse for Matthew to put his arms around me and walk to the car... THE Audi! He turned on the seat warmers and he drove me home.... the rest is history! :-)

Their engagement was announced on November 3, 2002.

HOW THEY GOT ENGAGED: It was the first Sunday of November 2002. After a day of scuba diving, I was in the mood for a walk on the beach. We decided to go for a walk on Hollywood Beach. Since our trip to Argentina was only a couple of weeks away, first we stopped at 'Wings' so I could get some souveniers to bring to Argentina. After shopping for 45 mintues we walked on the boardwalk for a few minutes. Matthew went on to the sand and walked towards the Ocean. I stayed on the Boardwalk looking at some jewelry that a street vendor was displaying. He called me over, so I follwed him. It was a night with no moon, and the temperature was perfect. There was a nice breeze, and Matthew hugged me and held me while he said '... do you remember one cold night 3 years ago when we first met... ahhh, I would have everything if I can have you forever'. Taking me completely off guard, I said, 'you should have everything with all the scuba gear you just bought!'... Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a red velvet rose. I thanked him thinking that he had just bought it at 'Wings'. I looked at it and asked 'why are you now giving me a rose... you don't like giving me flowers because they die'. He paused, and paused... as I could not figure out what was going on. Then he took the rose and opened it up to show a beautiful ring and asked me 'will you marry me'. I asked 'is this for real?!!!!'... then I said YES!

Their wedding date is set for November 20, 2003. Their wedding will take place at Enchantment of The Seas in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Their reception will be held at Enchantment of The Seas - Carousel Lounge.

The Bride's Attendants Mariana Goggi - Maide of Honor SisterTena Wells - Bride's Maide FriendJose R. Santos - Bride's Men Friend

The Groom's Attendants Mike Hagman - Best Man Friend Charlie Gamba- Groom's Men FriendTracy Congdon - Groom's Woman Friend

The wedding theme/colors will be Nautical / Beach / Florida / Ocean. The bride will wear a White.. but It's a surprise and the groom will be dressed in a .... Tux. The bridesmaids will wear Turquoise/Aqua/Yellow and the groomsmen will be suited in Tux. The flowers will be Yellow and blue, and the music for the ceremony will include String Quartet. The readings will be A la carte. The reception menu features Buffet style: House Terrine with port wine terrine. Celery pear salad OR Tomato bisque with croutons and fresh basil. Ceasar salad. Salmon Citrus with Spinach, jasmine rice OR NY Strip with wild mushroom sauce with potatoes & veggetables. Chocolate truffle cake with rasperry coulis OR Apple pie a la mode. Red/white wine., and the wedding cake will be Several desserts. The reception entertainment will be String Quartet. Andrea and Matthew will honeymoon in Europe - next year. A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE COUPLE: We want to share our Wedding weekend with all of you. This will be an opportunity to lay back, relax and enjoy some off time with the people we love. Thank you!.

You are the love of my life Matthew Wayne Hoelscher

Dive Report: 11/20 Wedding Highlights, 11/21 Key West, 11/22 dives on Cozumel with Aldora Divers



11/20 Wedding Report

Sequence: Andrea (lead) Matt (follow)
Depth: bottom of our souls
Distance: Down the aisle
Duration: Infinite
Detox: 13 hours

Photos: http://tiswango.com/photos/1120wedding/

Highlights:

8 AM: One bagel for breakfast, get hair done
11 AM :Show at Royal Caribbean’s ship, “Enchantment of the Seas” docked at Port Everglades
12 PM: First of two shots of scotch on the rocks for the groom as he got dressed
1 PM: Show time at the Carousal Lounge onboard ship. We say “I Do” and sign the certificate, Poof we’re married!
1:30 PM: Run around the ship and take photos
2 PM: First dance, a Tango, “Por Una Cabeza” from “Scent of a Woman” – Thanks to Charlie G. for the lessons!
Toast, Andrea drinks 1/2 class of champagne, Matt finishes the bottle. Wedding coordinator and best man hook Matt up with more scotch.
3 PM: “Get off my boat!” Non-sailing guest leave, Matt takes 20 minutes to get life jacket on for Muster drill.
5 PM: “Where’s the food?” Champagne buzz in full gear along with headache and hiccups. William Anzueto won’t give away secret location of 24/7 pizza on the boat, he wants it all for himself.
8 PM: Late seating for dinner, boat is moving to Key West, I can’t touch food.
9:30 PM: Good night!
Friday
4:30 AM: “I’m Back” after 4 ibuprofen, buzz and headache are gone. Watch Sunrise over Key West from balcony and get butt chewed for drinking too much at the wedding!

Royal Caribbean’s 4 wedding coordinators did a excellent job of making sure everything went as planned. I was very impressed with how everything was handled! If you don’t need a “religious” wedding and want to have some fun with your guests after the big event, a cruise wedding is a great way to go.

Much thanks to all the E-divers that came to the wedding and sent gifts. Your generosity is much appreciated!

Photos from the rest of the cruise:
http://tiswango.com/photos/1124wedcruise/

11/21 Key West

Tourist Trap.... nuff said!

Well, we did tour the both Wyland Art Galleries to do a fish count and walk to the end of Duval Street and back to the boat.

11/22 Cozumel

Photos: http://tiswango.com/photos/031122cozumel/

Dive shop: Aldora Divers
My best man Mike referred this shop to use for the group. Up to the day of the dive we were told that all 8 divers would be on one of their smalls boats. At the shop we were told we had two boats and to spit into two groups of 4. Things always change. But there shop offers HP120 and HP100 cuft tanks and they promise an hour of bottom time on the dives. They will also switch your reg over to DIN if you don’t have it already. Their boats are small, but very fast! That’s how they make sure guests get more bottom time in with a good surface interval.

Conditions
Seas: 2ft, calming to flat
Sky: Sunny
Water temp: 81 degrees
Air temp: 80 degrees
Visibility: 80ft

Dive 1: Columbia

Teams: Matt & Andrea, Don & Mike
S: Follow the Dive Master
A: Air
D: 96ft max depth
D: 1 hour 16 minutes
D: Follow the Dive Master
Deco: 30/5 20/12 10/1

In less than 30 minutes we were at the South end of Cozumel ready to dive Columbia. The divemaster (DM) asked that we let him know when we reached 1000 psi so we could start our ascent. A quick back roll over the side and we were off to the depths. Mike hit 114ft, I didn’t want to go past 100ft. The walls and the blue water were intoxicating. You could get lost with so much to see. I loved looking back up the canyons with nothing but blue in the background. There wasn’t any boat traffic or other divers around so it felt like we had the place to our selves.

I was impressed with all the coral there, so much more that what we have in Florida. I didn’t bother counting the fish, I just enjoyed their presence. We ran into 4 turtles along the way. The DM did a good job of corralling them like lost doggies to my camera without touching or harassing them.

At the end of the dive, while crossing between deep and shallow reef lines I found some Brown Garden Eels. I’ve never seen them since becoming a fish watcher, a new fish always makes a dive memorable!

The dive master shot his homemade marker at 20 ft to let the boat know we were coming up. 5 minutes before the end I let the DM know I was at 1000 psi. Its so cool to be able to out breath the DM!

Surface Interval and Lunch at Palancar Beach

Aldora also gets props for insuring at least a 2 hour surface interval between dives. We were hungry and Mike asked that we go to Palancar Beach as the food is better and cheaper than Playa del Sol where all the turons end up. The other boat went to the wrong place, but joined us 10 minutes later.

I worked about three jokes at Don who won’t purchase a smaller wing for single tank diving. He took nicknames like “taco tank” and “hot dog” as compliments.

Dive 2: Cedar Pass

Teams: Matt & Andrea, Don & Mike
S: Follow the Dive Master
A: Air
D: 83ft max depth
D: 1 hour 15 minutes
D: Follow the Dive Master
Deco: 30/3 20/12 10/3

Cedar Pass was another beautiful reef, but not a dramatic as Columbia. Besides the scenery of coral and fish, there was a magnificent swim through. It lasted for about 5 minutes, twisting and weaving through the rocks. It felt like a cavern dive with light streaming in from holes all over.

Andrea’s ultra conservative Suunto Vyper had her at 12 minutes of deco by the end of the dive. My Aeries Atmos Pro II was only 1 bar into the yellow. We had a very slow ascent up the wall and we hovered a 20ft for a long time. Andrea’s computer only gave her three minutes of credit since we were at 20ft and it wanted her at the ceiling of 10ft. When we surfaced we she had blown off 9 minutes of deco. I asked Andrea how she felt, she replied, “I feel great!”

With big grins we headed back in. At the shop, we were told the boat couldn’t drop us off near the cruise ship and would have to come back downtown to unload us. On the way in Don stood next to the captain and mentioned loudly, “hey look, there’s are cruise ship!” The captain offered to drop off us nearby at hotel’s dock and we accepted. While we looked funny walking by the pool and through the lobby with dripping wet scuba gear packs on our back, we acted like we owned the place and didn’t have a problem walking back to the ship.

At the ships security I saw my bag wouldn’t go through the scanner. So I walked through and the lady pulled out the wand. I told her, “its all metal scuba gear back there” as her wand went nuts beeping. She unzipped one zipper and peaked in before waving me past.

After showers, all the scuba gear got piled into the tub in a suite for soak overnight, then set out to dry on the patio. I love traveling first class!

11/23 Day at sea

We did nothing the whole day but relax!

–Matt
Photoslink