Jean Blanc knew early on that his proposal to Jennifer Parker couldn’t be ordinary. “That just wouldn’t reflect who we are,” he says. “I wanted the moment to carry weight, inspire others, and channel the energy of what she means to me.” He got to scheming, planning an elaborate proposal in Morocco. “Casablanca was the perfect place. . .The city has a vibrant, enchanting, and majestic feel; and the film Casablanca is a master class in love and sacrifice.”
Jean, who appeared on season 14 of The Bachelorette, worked with the Four Seasons Casablanca’s staff to shut down their restaurant, Bleu, and asked Jennifer to meet him there at sunset. “I had a camera crew and photographer there, and I had ‘One in a Million’ by Aaliyah playing as Jennifer walked in,” Jean shares. “I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. We then had a private four-course dinner; it was a magical moment.”
Jennifer and Jean decided that their wedding would need to carry that same magic, and they embarked on their wedding planning with Brianne Garritano of Michigan Avenue Events. The couple originally began their venue search in their hometowns of Philadelphia and Chicago, but with the backlog of weddings in 2023, they expanded their search abroad. “We fell in love with the idea of a destination wedding,” Jennifer says. “Neither of us had been to Nayarit, Mexico before, but with Brianne’s experience working with the incredible team at the Four Seasons Punta Mita, we were excited by the chance to explore somewhere new.”
For the aesthetic, they channeled The White Lotus (a show famously filmed at Four Seasons resorts). “I wanted something modern, glamorous, and luxurious, with lots of bright, vibrant colors—especially pinks and oranges, which complement the beauty of Mexico so well,” Jennifer says. “We’re big fans of The White Lotus, and we got that vacation vibe from this resort. Punta Mita felt like the perfect fit—an exclusive resort community on a private peninsula known for its breathtaking landscapes, pristine beaches, and unforgettable sunsets.” Tropical luxury was the vibe, Jean adds.
That’s what Jennifer hoped to evoke with her dress, too. “I wanted my look to feel elegant, lightweight, and perfect for a beach setting—nothing too ornate or heavy, but still luxurious and form-fitting,” she says. Her Paloma Blanca dress was charmeuse satin with draped sleeves and had three-dimensional floral detailing. She worked with Chicago salon Mira Couture on a custom reception dress and paired both with Verstolo jewelry. “For shoes, I wore satin Jimmy Choo that matched my dress fabric,” Jennifer says. “It was a big deal for me to wear them, because I had suffered an ankle sprain weeks before the wedding and was nervous that I couldn’t walk in them—but with a little help from physical therapy and some practice, I made it work.”
On August 10, 2024, while Jennifer was getting glammed by GLAM by Maame and B. Gandy, Jean and his groomsmen spent the morning in the hotel’s on-site tequila tasting room. “I really enjoyed the pace of the day, especially spending time with men who have watched me grow and shaped who I’ve become,” he says. By the time he was ready to walk down the aisle, “I felt triumphant. It was a feeling of pure gratitude and excitement for our next step in life.”
Jennifer felt the same. “Our ceremony felt like something straight out of a movie: breathtaking, cinematic, and completely unforgettable,” she says. It took place on the sand, with the bride’s brother officiating and vibrant florals by Edenia Studio surrounding the couple.
And like a film, the skies brought the drama for a cinematic moment. “Before the ceremony, Michigan Avenue Events handed out umbrellas just in case the weather didn’t cooperate,” Jennifer says. “And then, as if on cue, the skies opened up in the middle of the ceremony. It turned into a downpour, but when the umbrellas went up, it created such a beautiful visual—rainfall with a canopy of umbrellas over the entire ceremony.”
By the time they said “I do,” the storm had passed. “The moment was magical, even somewhat divine,” Jennifer says. “The ceremony was powerful, emotional, and absolutely stunning. It was one of those moments you couldn’t plan but wouldn’t change for anything.”
There was an air of positivity when the sun came back out, which lent itself well to the party atmosphere of the reception. “We made our entrance to ‘Crazy in Love’ by Beyonce, setting the tone for an upbeat, high-energy night,” Jennifer says. “But the real showstopper was our first dance. We took lessons at Society Hill Dance Academy and put together a medley featuring John Legend and Camila Cabello. We nailed every move and hit all the lifts.”
There were heartfelt toasts, authentic Mexican cuisine, and lots of happy tears. “The energy on the dance floor was definitely a highlight,” Jennifer says. “Music was such a huge part of the night and a very important element for both of us. Our DJ, Duerell Jones, was one of the best choices we could’ve made. From start to finish, it was a nonstop celebration—exactly how we dreamed it would be.”
When the party was over and all the guests on planes headed home, the couple hung around in Mexico a little longer for a relaxing minimoon and reflection. “Everything from the welcome party to the wedding went even better than I could have imagined,” Jean says. “It was a sunny day, and then, as if Mother Nature understood the significance of the moment, the rain stopped just moments after we both said ‘I do.’ It was an incredibly surreal moment that about 100 people witnessed, and I got the impression that you have to remain resilient when it comes to serving your purpose. I saw my father cry for the first time, and I got an opportunity to create experiences and moments I will never forget.” Now, Jennifer is pregnant with the couple’s first child—and due right around their first anniversary.
