A Wedding Story in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico (05.12.18)

Even before “the big day,” it was decided that my bride would take my name. Henceforth she will be referred to as Lady Overseas, or Mrs. O.

Mrs. O. has brought a joy and energy to my life that I hadn’t previously known. She was working two jobs when we met in 2015, one at Fit Gym in Houston where I was a member. I’d walk in with a book tucked under my arm and she’d always ask what I was reading. Although she declined the first time I asked her out, my persistence soon rivaled her work ethic. Our first date was on one of her rare nights off. We had a light dinner, then went dancing.

Our second date was at Minute Maid Park—an Astros rookie named Carlos Correa won the game with a “walk-off” single in the bottom of the ninth inning. What I remember most about that night I can’t share. What I remember second-most is when we sat down with a beer and I said, “I might get a lime.” She said, “You want a lime? I’ll get you one.” And she proceeded up the aisle. I was drawn to that rare combination of sweetheart and youthful feminine energy.  

Beyond the early excitement, loving Lady O came easy—her beauty is unprecedented. In early 2016, she joined me on a five-month journey across Southeast Asia & Oceania. Soon I realized how much other people are captivated by her too. Random men would sneak pictures; women would sometimes stop mid-conversation to say, “You are so beautiful.”

Proposal & Wedding Prep

Lady O & I were relatively private before I started writing a blog. We even prided ourselves on how little time we spent on social media while traveling. I proposed during a trip to Puerto Morelos in late 2017. It was a special day that we decided to keep for ourselves; we announced our engagement to close friends & family after we returned home.

We chose a private villa in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, to hold our ceremony & reception. A few months later we flew to Mexico to meet with service providers and scout restaurants for the rehearsal dinner. After visiting five eateries near 5th Avenue in PDC, we decided on Carboncito’s because of its private rooftop area and view of the Caribbean’s blue & turquoise water. All major decisions were finalized before flying back to Houston.

It would be a Mexican-American wedding with religious influence. There were a total of 46 guests; 9 in the wedding party including us.

Wedding Day

The weather forecast showed rain every day leading up to Saturday’s wedding, but we didn’t get a drop. Believing our luck would continue, we opted out of renting a $1,000 tent the night before our nuptials. There was thunder & lightning minutes before the ceremony, then torrential downpour.

All the countless hours Lady O had spent planning a customized wedding were scrapped. Coordinators scrambled to make new plans. They moved flowers, tables & chairs inside; everything was wet, much of it ruined.

The wedding turned out nothing like Lady O had envisioned. She fought tears as she walked up to the venue. Her dad wouldn’t get a chance to walk her down the aisle; nor would she get to see all the signs and decorations she and her mom hand-made.

Our guests had been situated in a small area near the front door of the venue. A makeshift aisle was made on the porch for an impromptu ceremony, where we exchanged vows and alternated saying “I do.”

All pictures were taken indoors following the ceremony. Meanwhile, the organizers fit everything into a long corridor so we that we could eat dinner.

Before we sat to eat, my grandma called to welcome my bride to the family. She cried as we hung up. It would be the last conversation we’d ever have with her.

I gave a long groom’s speech/toast, further lengthened by my apologies for its length. I told Lady O’s parents what an amazing job they’d done raising their daughter, then expressed gratitude toward my own parents. To my friends, I told each of them how much I love and respect them—I’m not half a man without their friendship.

Lady O’s dad led us in prayer, then thanked everyone for coming a long way. My dad followed with a tribute to moms on the eve of Mother’s Day.

My brother said that I was successful yet humble. Then to prove he’s not the only guy I’ve got fooled, my buddies passed the mic around. One of them said that I was a “G” worth emulating; others mentioned perspective and impact. The bridesmaids’ then took turns sharing heartfelt personal stories and wished us well.

Dinner was a fancy four-course cuisine that I don’t remember eating. Afterward, my bride and I had fun with the cake, using it as face paint more than food. Maybe we’ll start a trend, who knows.

We moved outside to dance with umbrellas in the rain.

Looking back, I think the wedding & reception was made more intimate by the rain, and we’ll grow to appreciate its uniqueness with each passing year.

Inclement weather forced people together, almost like a Louisiana hurricane party—a great time was had by all.

Thank you again to our friends & family.