Christine & Mike - Episode 2

The Lighthouse Journal -

The Catholic Ceremony

Such good listeners, I told them to hold their kiss long so they would get great photos, and they did!

There’s a reason I always smile when I say Christine and Mike were some of my favorite clients. And no, it’s not because they had a beautiful wedding (they did)… or because they were organized (they were)… or because they trusted my process (they really did).

It’s because they made the journey feel like a celebration from day one. Let me set the scene.

Meeting number two. We were sitting at a beautiful restaurant — the same place they considered for their reception here in Chicago — and I arrived right on time.

But Christine and Mike were already there, seated, waiting… and before I could even get my computer out, the server walked over and placed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc in front of me.

My exact drink order from the first meeting. And it wasn’t about the wine. It was the thought. They paid attention. They cared. They wanted me to enjoy the journey as much as they were going to. And from that moment on, I knew we were going to have fun.

What happens in the second meeting with me? 

Once a couple officially hires me, our first formal planning meeting becomes the foundation of the entire wedding experience.

I guide my clients through a very intentional process — from macro to micro.

We start with Mexico as a whole, then narrow into the right destination, then into the right type/style of hotel, and finally into the ceremony and reception experience that would fit them best.

And I do it through my signature questionnaire system. Not fluffy questions. Not “what vibe do you like?” Real questions. Black and white answers only. Choose one. No compromises.

Because when you’re planning a destination wedding, clarity is everything. Couples usually laugh when I tell them, “No, you can’t have both. Pick one.” And then I watch them sweat.

But the magic of the process is this: once you decide what matters most, everything else falls into place.

And Christine and Mike were the perfect example.

Their Non-Negotiable Was Crystal Clear from the beginning.

As we worked through the questionnaires, the destination -macro - became obvious. They were a Riviera Maya couple through and through.

But more importantly… one priority stood so far above the rest that it made the entire wedding plan almost automatic.

A full Catholic Mass.

Christine is devoted to her faith, and she was already navigating the emotional reality that her wedding would not take place at the church she had always dreamed of.

So if she couldn’t have that…Then she needed the next best thing  A consecrated chapel.

Stunning!

A ceremony that felt sacred and traditional. And she also knew she did not want to leave the resort property to make it happen. That single decision eliminated dozens of “beautiful” hotels instantly.

Not every destination has chapels. Not every resort has a consecrated chapel. And not every chapel is available for a full Catholic Mass.

Riviera Maya is one of the few regions in Mexico where private resort chapels are actually an option… and that is exactly why they chose it.

The Dream Chapel That Almost Won

There was one hotel I had been keeping my eye on since it open only a couple of years before Christine and Mike and I started working together, and it had what I can only describe as the dreamiest chapel.

A chapel built high up, with sweeping views of the Riviera Maya — ocean in the distance, jungle below, and a view that felt like heaven had an address.

views for days

I hadn’t personally toured the property yet, and I was honest about that. But I showed them photos, shared what I knew, and Christine fell in love instantly. I did too.

I’m pretty sure I joked that I wanted to get married again just to have an excuse to walk down that aisle.

And the venue below the chapel? Equally beautiful. Perfect for a reception. Perfect for the type of wedding they were envisioning. They were ready to book it on paper, before even experiencing it.

But I told them: If you are planning to go on a site inspection, we do not book a resort until you see it, feel it, and experience it.

Because the most important part of choosing a destination wedding resort is not the photos. It’s the energy, the vibe. The way it feels when you step onto the property and imagine your guests arriving.

So we scheduled a site inspection trip. But then… the red flags started. And sometimes details just don’t click. In the days leading up to the trip, the resort wasn’t responsive. Quotes were delayed and it had mistakes. Communication felt messy.

And as much as Christine and Mike were emotionally invested in the dream chapel… I could feel the cracks forming.

Still, they were confident. “Jen, we know this is the one.”

And I told them, “Okay… but do me a favor. Let’s just explore a couple more properties while we’re there.” Not because I wanted to confuse them, but because I wanted to protect them. Sometimes, the most powerful confirmation comes from comparison.

Christine and Mike decided they wanted to stay at their favorite resort the entire trip.

Normally, I have my couples stay at their top two resorts at least  one night, and tour a third hotel.  They arrived in Mexico, and when I went to meet them next morning. They hugged me, got into the car…And before we even started driving, they said it: “Nope.”

I already knew what happened. They saw the resort in real life, and the real-life version didn’t match the fantasy.

Yes, it was beautiful. Yes, the design was impressive. But the vibe wasn’t what they wanted. The resort leaned too heavily into a themed “Mexican” aesthetic — to the point where it felt forced instead of refined.

And as a Mexican woman myself… I can always feel the difference between authentic elegance and something that feels like it’s trying too hard.

Then came the bigger issue. The space under the chapel — the venue that originally made this resort so attractive — was no longer being used for weddings. It was now being used for timeshare presentations.

And suddenly, what once felt exclusive and luxurious… felt like a marketing machine. The thought of their guests being approached by timeshare representatives mortified them.

It was an instant deal breaker. And this is exactly why you can’t choose a resort based on photos alone. A site inspection tells the truth.

Luckily… I always have  Plan B and  Plan C scheduled.

Gorgeous bride on her way to her dream Chapel

Plan B hotel I knew could deliver the level of luxury, exclusivity, and guest experience they were looking for. So I reached out to my contact at the resort with just a day or two notice and asked if we could arrange a last-minute tasting.

And with high-end resorts, there’s a rule that tends to be true: The answer is rarely “no.”

We arrived, and it was immediate. The chapel was gorgeous. On property. Available for their wedding date. And the experience was… everything.

There were personal gifts waiting not only for the bride and groom…but for me too. This resort understands hospitality.

The rooms were stunning. The ocean was breathtaking. The service was elevated. Family-friendly, but adult focused. The kind of place where your guests feel spoiled from the moment they arrive.

Mike even requested a specific penthouse room. And of course it was the one he got for the wedding. Because when you’re in the right place… things flow.

And then came the tasting. The chef fed us for hours. Cocktails, courses, flavors, presentation, it was a culinary experience.

And in the middle of it all, something else happened. Something quieter. Something special: Mike went for a walk on the beach…

And even years later, Christine and I still remember that moment.

Because Mike’s mother is no longer with us in physical form… but in spirit, she was there. He was having his own private moment with her.  A moment that didn’t need words.

And honestly… moments like that are part of why I do what I do.

And Then… The Ceremony Didn’t Go as Planned.

Christine did everything right but the International Catholic ceremony process comes with its own timing and structure — and sometimes, even when you plan perfectly, you can’t control everything.

The priest wasn’t officially assigned until later than expected, and we struggled to get a confirmed ceremony script ahead of time. So Christine did what strong brides do.

She created her own ceremony script — step by step — to perfection. Every second planned. Every cue written. Every expectation crystal clear.

And then… the day came. The priest arrived late. And he did the ceremony his way. It was still beautiful. But it wasn’t executed as written.

It was one of those realization “well… here we are … the priest is going to do his mass like he does it… always” you can’t help but laugh a little.

But Mike was not laughing. I have never met a groom who wanted to please his bride more than this gentleman. He was panicking, convinced that if the Mass wasn’t “perfect,” it would affect Christine’s happiness.

But to everyone’s surprise… Christine stayed calm. cool as a cucumber. And she was radiant. Because at the end of the day, the ceremony wasn’t about perfection. It was about meaning. The sacred moment they came to Mexico for.

Cool as a cucumber!

Coming Next…

But tomorrow… we dive into the rest of the celebration. The reception details. The atmosphere, the experience, and yes… the rest of the story.

Trust me when I say: This wedding was beautiful.