I plan weddings the way I live life: with love, laughter, and a little sparkle

Jen Kasten Weddings, Jen Dotson wedding planner, Mexico, Chicago, Riviera maya, Cancun, tulum weddings, Event Planner, Destination wedding planner

Meet Jen

Hey there! I'm Jeniffer, and my journey is a bit of a  international love story. I was born in beautiful Guadalajara, Mexico, and I’ve got a bachelor’s degree in International Relations—pretty fitting since I’m now happily married to the love of my life, Mike, who’s American. We joke that I practice international relations daily!

Our love story has a little sprinkle of destiny: Mike was my blind date to a wedding in Mexico, and—yep, you guessed it—we did the long-distance dance for two years. Eventually, we knew we were meant to be together. In 2014, we tied the knot with our own dreamy destination wedding in Playa del Carmen.

Now we’re living our happily-ever-after in Elmhurst with our two amazing kids, Aaron and Alexandra. I’ve been in the U.S. for 12 years, but my heart still carries a piece of Mexico with me. Every time one of my wonderful clients chooses Mexico, I feel closer to home.

Thank you for wanting to get to know me! I can’t wait to share more of this adventure with you.

With love,
Jen

I asked ChatGPT to interview me, take a look at our conversation!

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  • For the planning itself? Coffee, no doubt! I need to be sharp and energized to fit all the puzzle pieces together.
    But once the timeline is rolling, the dance floor is alive, and my couple has had their first dance? Then it’s a tequila soda with two limes — my little celebration ritual.

  • Tulum, no questions asked! It’s not only the “Corona commercial” beach, it also carries a high-vibration energy from my ancestors. It’s a place of culture, music, incredible food, and cocktails that make you sigh “this is the life.”

  • I’m cool as a cucumber under stress. When a situation pops up, I don’t panic — I create a roadmap. I see possibilities, I spot solutions, and I trust my intuition (it has never led me astray). The stress might show up in my shoulders the next day, but in the moment? I’m a calm anchor.

  • The funniest memory is actually from my own wedding! Our photographer had the bridal party play ring-around-the-roses with Mike and me in the middle. It was ridiculous, it was childish, it was hilarious — and yes, Mike had to lift me because I was laughing too hard to stand.

  • Before weddings, I planned luxury corporate vacations for Fortune 500 companies. The events were lavish, the execution flawless… but it was missing heart.
    With weddings, everything shifted. Now, I get to witness the exact moment lives change forever. It’s not just an event — it’s a transformation. And being part of that magic? Nothing compares.

  • My personal favorite is those quiet 15 minutes when everything is set up, just before guests arrive. I see every decision, every detail, every dollar come together — and I know my couple is about to walk into their dream.
    Runner-up? Watching the groom see his bride walk down the aisle. Gets me every. single. time

  • Something will go off-plan. And in that moment, you’ll have to choose: sweat the small stuff, or stay happy. If you and your fiancé are standing there ready to say “I do,” and the officiant is present, everything else is just icing on the cake.

  • Because I empower my couples to make confident, educated decisions. My process erases the “what ifs.” I teach them what to look for, how to choose, and most importantly, how to have fun while planning.

  • For starters — I’m bilingual, bicultural, and bi-hearted. I’m proudly Mexican and deeply American. I understand my clients’ mindset, and I also understand my vendors’. I bridge the gap seamlessly.
    And because I’ve lived the experience myself (planning my own destination wedding), I get what my couples are going through. I’ve been the bride fielding guest requests, hauling favors across borders, and navigating it all with love. That empathy guides everything I do.

  • Besides the obvious — Mexico is breathtaking — there are three unbeatable reasons:

    • Connectivity: No other destination has as many daily direct flights from major U.S. airports.

    • Value: Mexico isn’t “cheap,” it’s smart. The same budget goes further here, meaning your wedding looks and feels more beautiful.

    • Professionalism: Mexico’s hospitality is unmatched. The vendors are skilled, bilingual, and deeply professional. You don’t have to worry about quality — it’s world-class.

     

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***Actual photo discussed in No.4

Now you know me, I would love to get to know you!

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